[section_title title=Performance and Testing]
Performance and Testing
We conducted testing as soon as we got the keyboard off the review table by using for a multiple number of purposes. From gaming to long typing sessions, small amounts of programming and general every day use to use in a variety of lighting environments. Here is what we found…
Set up was very easy as the keyboard was completely Plug&Play, just pop the USB into a port and away it goes! No requirement for software, programming or calibration as this feature allows for easy access, doing it all for you!
Next we tested the keyboard with a few FPS games, these being Battlefield 3, 4 & latest title Hardline. Moving on from this, we played some competitive Counter Strike: Global Offensive (or most commonly known as CS:GO) to see how this peripheral performed when a serious competitive edge was required. The standard layout of the keyboard made it easy to adjust to use and the red mechanical switches felt great when in use, also enabling me to react quicker compared to gaming with a stiff rubber dome keyboard. This enhanced my competitive edge on others while playing with the Beryllium as light touches of keys were registered and allowed quick transactions after presses.
We went on to play some League of Legends (LoL) and the keyboard performed excellently as normal but the only downside we could find was the lack of programmable keys which are very useful for strategy games such as this.
Night time gaming is where the keyboard shines, literally, as there are a good selection of programmed modes to enhance the users visual referencing as previously mentioned. Brightness can be changed also, again previously mentioned, and is very useful for different light levels in the room from dim to pitch black!
Generally, the Element Gaming Beryllium Mechanical Keyboard is a very well designed and produced piece of kit that held up to almost all of our testing. From someone who has run basic keyboards most of his life, it was certainly a change to feel the Kailh red switches under my fingers compared to the more traditional plunger designs. Each key stroke is a feat of engineering that has been carefully thought through and designed, and helps type with ease and comfort. For obvious reasons, it will take a little getting used to if this is your first mechanical keyboard but over time it becomes familiar to the fingers.
