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Does it make up for that with its low price, metal top plate, and “rainbow-wave” lighting? Keep reading on to find out whether it’s worthy of our best gaming keyboard shortlist. Design You can’t assign macros or rebind keys with the Callaz, which is a bit disappointing in a gaming keyboard. While I am fully aware of its cheaper price point, I was still surprised that it didn’t offer even the most basic macros or rebindable key options. Some gamers don’t care about these things, but many gamers (including myself) prefer to have a more customised gaming experience. Otherwise, you get a solid but not exceptional feature list, with a detachable USB-C cable, bright per-key RGB lighting, n-key rollover, three-level feet and a comprehensive Function layer. You could certainly find cheaper keyboards with more features - like analogue switches, additional macro keys, volume rollers, wrist rests - but for actual gaming and typing, I'd probably go for the keyboard that truly nails the essentials. Note that the One 3 is also available in 60 percent and full-size sizes.
I've exhaustively tested each of the keyboards on this list - and many more that didn't make the cut. I've been reviewing gaming keyboards since 2010, from the rebirth of the mechanical keyboard to the uniquely aesthetic examples with novel switches and crazy features hitting the market as we continue into the halcyon days of 2023. It can be hard to keep up with the rapid pace of innovation in this unassuming space, so let me be your guide. The GXT 834 Callaz is wired. The cable is braided (always better), and 180 cm, a good length, particularly when the cable is not detachable, as is the case here. The keyboard has no wrist support and its design isn’t ergonomic, which is a big blow considering considering the length of time gaming sessions can last. Performance Overall, this is going to be a decent buy if you're strapped for cash and only need something that can manage the basics. It's also a great first mechanical keyboard for kids and teenagers to get used to the difference between mechanical and membrane hardware, but this is likely to disappoint you if you've ever owned a mechanical keyboard from a more globally recognised brand. While the keycaps are a big improvement, the Elite 2 doesn't include some add-ons provided with the original Elite. There are no replacement keycaps for WASD and a palm rest doesn't come in the box, although it's clear that the frame is still engineered to accept one. I personally used neither of these, but if you do want a palm rest you might consider a third-party option instead.I tested it on a range of games that I felt would be fair to show its capabilities across some popular genres. It functioned well with Age of Empires 4, Warframe, The Sims 4 and ESO. Software and Lighting However, the keyboard does have one major disadvantage. Despite claiming "gaming-grade anti-ghosting technology", the keyboard doesn't offer as high a key rollover count as we'd expect. For example, with Q and W held down, you can't press down 0, H, J, comma or period. This means the keyboard only has a rollover count of two (2KRO), and six is the standard for a good gaming keyboard. Sadly, this is often a downside to choosing membrane over mechanical, and is worth bearing in mind if you are a fast typer or play games that require a lot of simultaneous key presses (like rhythm games or co-op games with two players on a single keyboard). Performance-wise, the Trust Gaming GXT 834 Callaz is a decent keyboard. It’s useful for the most basic gamer to the experienced gamer. As it’s on the cheaper side of mechanical keyboards, I wasn’t expecting much, but in the end I was pleasantly surprised. However, mechanical switches are expensive to produce and often sound louder than their non-mechanical counterparts. By comparison, non-mechanical keyboards tend to feel softer, cost less to produce and don't sound as loud. While both options have their objective strengths and weaknesses, it often comes down to personal preference.
Watch the latest DF Weekly, where Digital Foundry staff discuss the hottest gaming technology news.Nuphy also makes the Halo75 and Halo65, which offer the same excellent design in a smaller form factor and at a slightly lower price. We also recommend their low-profile Air75 keyboard.
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