“…a solid solution for the gamer on a budget…”
I love getting items to review from the Element Gaming range. They always have a great air of quality about them alongside a very reasonable price tag. For your average gamer who wants great gear without spending huge wads of pocket money on it, they should certainly be a go-to brand. When they sent me over one of their Paladium Gaming Keyboards then I was keen to get hands-on and see if this product was up to the same standards.
As soon as I opened my parcel’s outer packaging and removed the box for the keyboard itself I was impressed. The weight of the box and the design spread across it gave a sense of both quality and professionalism, both of which make it an attractive choice before you even reach the product itself. Upon opening the box, I found that the contents inside were somewhat more conservative, but it was the keyboard itself that I was really interested in.
As a plug and play peripheral I had the keyboard up and running in minutes, with no real need to even review the included instructions. These were useful however when it came to finding out how to cycle the keyboard’s seven colour options and finding out what functions had already been pre-set. In any case, once I had it plugged in and the individually backlit keys lit up, it was easy to appreciate the aesthetic details on offer.
The backlighting is superb, with the keys being easily distinguishable and pleasantly bright no matter which colour you opt for. The metal frame is attractive and explains the weight of this model, and when combined with my choice of light blue backlighting the two worked hand in hand to make this a very pretty looking keyboard indeed. The Element Gaming logo is placed clearly, yet somehow discreetly, at the bottom of the keyboard, allowing its designers to boast the brand without being overly forceful; an ever common feature with their products.
There are a couple of gripes which I had with the design however which ruined my attraction to it. The exposed screws holding everything together looked, in my opinion, a little ugly on an otherwise polished design. The keyboard also has an American key layout with the English bindings being marked on them separately for the home market. Thoughtful though this is, it is disappointing that these markings are not backlit in the same way as all the other keys on the board are. Otherwise however, the Paladium Keyboard is a nice looking piece of kit to have at your desk.
On the closely related subject of the keyboard layout, it is noticeable that this keyboard appears smaller than comparable gaming keyboards on the market. There is nothing missing on it, but it has instead been compressed to achieve this. Most notable is the smaller sized Enter (Return) key which saves a little space. I did however find this problematic, finding myself regularly hitting the key above by accident as a result of the unusual size of this more commonly used one. Being that this is not a mechanical keyboard, it is also not possible to alternate key placement, which is often a desired feature for some gamers but one which I personally had little issue with.
Outside of design and with a focus on usability, the keyboard performs well. It is not too loud, certainly no louder than mechanical alternatives, so it is ideal for recording footage with unless you are really going at the keys. The standard option of adjustable heights makes it comfortable to use, and it does well in terms of not getting in its own way when distinguishing the location of keys (with the aforementioned exception of the Enter key). Used over a long period of play to test it, I found the keyboard did not become uncomfortable or awkward to use, and its smaller size allows for it to be easily adjusted and moved for comfort if needed.
Relatively speaking, this is not the most advanced gaming keyboard that you can get your hands on, but for its price tag the quality of the product very much shines through. In general, it looks attractive and of a high quality, and it is very easy to use as well as being well suited for its intended use. There are a couple of questionable design and layout choices, but overall the keyboard provides a solid solution for the gamer on a budget, as is its intended market. Overall, the Element Gaming Paladium Keyboard is an option well worth considering if you are in the market for a wallet friendly, high quality gaming keyboard with style.
Grab the keyboard from Element Gaming Here: http://www.ebuyer.com/714487-element-gaming-palladium-keyboard-ebiy9500p
The Good:
- The initial weight and appearance of the packaging suggest quality.
- Plug and play alongside quick reference instructions for keybound functions. meant the keyboard was ready to be used immediately from the box.
- Superb backlighting.
- The Element Gaming logo is unobtrusive but welcome, once again suggesting the item’s high quality.
- Relatively quiet when in use.
- Comfortable to use over longer periods of time.
- Small size and height adjustment make for easy repositioning if necessary.
The Bad:
- English key markers are not backlit.
- Compact size makes for awkwardly missing keys, particularly the smaller Enter key.
- Not mechanical, which is the preference for some gamers.
Disclaimer:All scores given within our reviews are based on the artist’s personal opinion; this should in no way impede your decision to purchase the game.
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