Are you in want of a superb gaming keyboard for your Linux PC? Are you overwhelmed with all the choices out there, and uncertain of what keyboards have assist for the Linux platform?
We will help — right here’s our record of the most effective gaming keyboards to make use of on Linux!
Gaming keyboard varieties
Chances are you’ll assume that every one gaming keyboards are the identical, however you’d be incorrect. Because it seems, there are two several types of gaming keyboards in use on PCs right this moment. These varieties are membrane and mechanical.
Membrane keyboards: powered by easy rubber switches. These switches are in use on most keyboards, because the expertise behind a membrane keyboard is less expensive than that of different options. Membrane keyboards are notoriously exhausting to scrub, because the keys are often not replaceable. They’re additionally much less responsive than mechanical ones.
Mechanical keyboards: powered by mechanical switches, mechanical keyboards are usually not new. The expertise that powers them dates again to the early PC/Mac days and the tech has not modified very a lot since. Mechanical keyboards are extremely engaging to players, as they provide a quicker key-press response than membrane ones present. Mechanical keyboards often value extra, because the switches are usually not low cost to provide.
How we picked
The kind of keyboard you employ whereas gaming issues rather a lot. When you’re undecided what to look for when selecting a gaming keyboard that works effectively on Linux, this part will show you how to make an knowledgeable resolution.
Drivers
As Linux shouldn’t be as well-supported because the Home windows and Mac working methods, crucial factor to keep in mind when buying a gaming keyboard is that if the keyboard you’re shopping for has driver assist on Linux.
Most keyboards work out of the field on Linux. Nevertheless, all of them use the generic Linux keyboard driver. To get probably the most out of your gaming keyboard on Linux, you’ll want to seek out out if it comes with Linux-compatible drivers that may permit it the customized keys to be programmed, the RGB lighting to be modified, permits the included media keys to operate, and so forth.
Producer
On the subject of Linux assist, the producer is vital to consider. The purpose? Not numerous gaming keyboard producers trouble to assist Linux. When you plan to spend your hard-earned money on a brand new gaming keyboard, look into the producer and see if they’ve a historical past of supporting Linux, or on the very least if the system is in style sufficient in the neighborhood to have open-source assist.
Consolation
Keyboard consolation issues rather a lot whereas gaming, and also you’ll have a significantly better expertise if the system you’re utilizing feels good to make use of. That’s why it’s essential to keep in mind the design of the keyboard and make sure that it may possibly ship the comfortability required to have an pleasing expertise.
Lighting
Most fashionable gaming keyboards have RGB lighting, however not all of them assist altering the lighting settings on Linux. When you care rather a lot about customizing the RGB lighting of your gaming keyboard, make certain to get one which helps altering it on Linux.
Best Gaming Keyboards for Linux Customers?
Primarily based on our in depth analysis, these are the most effective Linux gaming keyboards in the marketplace proper now.
1. Corsair K70 RGB MK.2 RAPIDFIRE
The Corsair K70 RGB MK.2 RAPIDFIRE is a mechanical gaming keyboard constructed by the Corsair PC equipment retailer. It makes use of Cherry MX Pace switches and guarantees to be low-profile and comfy to kind with.
Like each Corsair keyboard, the K70 RGB MK.2 RAPIDFIRE has wonderful media controls, quantity controls, and a stellar RGB lighting system. Although these media keys are nice, the keyboard has official Linux assist from the Corsair firm. Fortunately, the K70 RGB MK.2 RAPIDFIRE keyboard works very effectively on Linux with the open-source CKB undertaking.
In our expertise with the Corsair K70 RGB MK.2 RAPIDFIRE, we discovered that it labored very effectively on Linux, as soon as the open-source CKB software was put in. We additionally discovered that the media keys didn’t work on each Linux working system, however that is fixable with Playerctl.
Execs
- A sturdy aluminum body means the keyboard is constructed to final.
- Devoted media keys/quantity keys.
- The K70 RGB MK.2 RAPIDFIRE is a mechanical keyboard and sports activities Cherry MX switches.
- Customers can retailer as much as 3 totally different keyboard profiles into the K70 RGB MK.2 RAPIDFIRE’s reminiscence.
- USB pass-through permits customers to hook up their favourite USB gadgets proper to the keyboard.
- “Lock” characteristic prevents video games from minimizing themselves.
- Plastic wrist-rest makes typing extra comfy.
- Supported on Linux by way of the open-source CKB undertaking.
Cons
- No programmable row of keys.
- The RGB lighting and different options can’t be tweaked with out putting in a third-party software on Linux.
- Media keys don’t work on obscure Linux distributions with out Playerctl.
- The worth is barely costly.
2. Corsair K55 RGB
The Corsair K55 RGB gaming keyboard is a membrane-based gaming keyboard for PC constructed by the gaming firm Corsair. It has a completely programmable key-row that customers can use for customized actions, a set of media keys that allow customers management media playback, and a quantity management system.
Assist for the Corsair K55 RGB gaming keyboard doesn’t come formally from the Corsair firm. Nevertheless, the keyboard nonetheless enjoys wonderful Linux assist due to the exhausting work of the open-source undertaking CKB, which gives keyboard drivers, and a configuration software for nearly all Corsair gadgets in the marketplace.
In our testing with the Corsair K55 RGB keyboard, we discovered that it labored very effectively out of the field, however that the media keys didn’t operate on each Linux distribution. Fortunately, Playerctl solves this drawback.
Execs
- Has a row of 6 programmable keyboard keys.
- Very reasonably priced price ticket.
- It comes with a plastic wrist-rest.
- Suitable with the Xbox One for keyboard-enabled video video games.
- Devoted media keys/quantity keys.
- Ten pre-configured lighting modes.
- It’s supported on Linux by way of the open-source CKB undertaking.
Cons
- Membrane keys really feel low cost in comparison with mechanical fashions.
- Media keys don’t work on obscure Linux distributions with out Playerctl.
- The macro keys and RGB lighting can’t be tweaked with out putting in a third-party software on Linux.
3. Razer Huntsman Elite
The Razer Hunstman Elite is a compact gaming keyboard for PC constructed by the Razer firm. It’s absolutely RGB, and very like the Ornata Chroma, it gives up programmable key macros that can be utilized for gaming or different features, in addition to a tender wrist relaxation, media management buttons, and a quantity rocker to manage speaker quantity.
The Huntsman Elite is a Razer keyboard, which implies that it doesn’t get pleasure from official driver assist. Nevertheless, in the event you choose up a Huntsman Elite, you’ll nonetheless get pleasure from wonderful, open-source assist due to the RazerGenie app on Flathub.
In our testing, we discovered that the Huntsman Elite labored out of the field on most Linux distributions. Nevertheless, just like the Chroma Ornata, the Huntsman Elite has some features that don’t work very effectively with out the RazerGenie app put in.
Execs
- Mechanical keys make for a snug typing expertise.
- Devoted media controls.
- It’s supported on Linux by way of the RazerGenie app.
- Magnetic, plush wrist relaxation for final consolation.
- Glorious Razer Purple mechanical key switches are clickier, extra responsive, and quieter than normal MX switches.
- Helps 16.8 million colours on individually backlit keys.
Cons
- Razer Chroma shouldn’t be confirmed to work with Linux.
- Costly price ticket.
- Requires the third-party RazerGenie app to entry some superior options.
4. Razer Ornata Chroma
The Razer Ornata Chroma gaming keyboard is absolutely RGB, has membrane key switches, and a snug wrist-rest for prolonged use. By way of options, the Razer Ornata Chroma gives a “fully customizable” macro-key system which is able to assist with gaming hotkeys, built-in media management macros, and a lock characteristic that forestalls video games from by accident minimizing.
As of now, Razer doesn’t supply its official mouse/keyboard configuration software for Linux customers. Nevertheless, the Ornata Chroma nonetheless enjoys stellar Linux assist due to the RazerGenie app on Flathub, which permits customers to alter programmable keyboard settings.
In our expertise with the Razer Ornata Chroma, we discovered that it labored very effectively on Linux. Nevertheless, some keyboard options didn’t work in any respect with out making use of the RazerGenie app.
Execs
- Comparatively cheap price ticket.
- Removable plush wrist relaxation.
- Programmable macro keys.
- Supported on Linux by way of the RazerGenie app.
- 16.8 million RGB lighting selections.
- Devoted media controls.
Cons
- Membrane keys.
- Requires the third-party RazerGenie app to entry some superior options.
- Razer Chroma shouldn’t be confirmed to work with Linux.
Conclusion
On this record, we went over among the greatest gaming keyboards to make use of on Linux. We talked about their options, in addition to some points all of them have on the platform. Nevertheless, these aren’t the one gaming keyboards on the market with wonderful Linux assist. Inform us about your favourite gaming keyboard to make use of on Linux within the remark part under!
