[section_title title=Software]
Software
Now we will discuss the electronic features of the keyboard, which is based more around lighting features than software itself so don’t expect an installation disk or download as all your settings are through buttons on the peripheral!
A lot of features that other keyboards offer for the same price as the Beryllium do seem to be missing and this is such a shame for such a beautiful piece of hardware. The only thing available for controlling any aspect of the keyboard is the brightness up and down option as well as a default set of options. Programmability is an option for in game or use with Windows but as this is available for almost every keyboard on the market, we will be leaving this out.
With a lot missing such as the ability to program keys, change the colour of the LEDs or even be able to select what specific keys we wish to have a certain colour/even be lit, we were a little disappointed, nonetheless we will proceed to show you the limited features with regards to back-lighting on the keyboard.
With a test environment set up on my desk, I can get to work showing you the LED layout options preprogrammed in to the keyboard then expand a little as to each and their purpose.
LED layout 1- Blank
The blank LED layout allows for just the CAPSLOCK, SCROLL LOCK and NUM LOCK lights at the top right to continue functioning, the keys themselves remain off. The purpose of this, we could imagine, is for ease on the eyes or to not far exceed power capabilities but why get an LED back-lit keyboard and not use the LEDs!
LED layout 2 – Control
This function lights a few keys on the keyboard, namely the SPACE, WASD, ARROWS, ENTER and NUMBER KEY ARROWS section. The main primary function for this would be for quick reference to keys which would be used in platforms or old school games whereby only small quantities of buttons are used which are for movement an basic actions!
LED layout 3 – Advanced Control
This LED option is an advance from the control option whereby there is an addition of the main number keys at the top of the keyboard, ALT, CTL, CAPS, TAB and SHIFT are also lit. More suitable for RPG, Strategy and FPS games, the advanced control option provides an even quicker reference for those who enjoy games at a more sophisticated level.
LED layout 4 – Trace
A little hard to show on a still image, the trace layout follows any button presses made on the keyboard and lasts for 2 seconds after begin released which gives it a ghosting type of look. This is more of a display layout and looks very cool but is not very practical as we found it was very distracting!
LED layout 5 – Full
Simple and effective, the full option displays all keys with an LED backlight which is what we are currently using as it helps illuminate every button while in a dark room. Again, this is not like other modes which are game-style specific but still looks pretty awesome and is certainly effective as previously mentioned.
