If you are a gamer, IT professional or someone who simply loves tech, there is a big chance you’ve already noticed keyboards with LED lighting on the market – they have existed for over a decade. But what is an RGB keyboard, and how does it differ from its “rainbow” sibling?
What Does RGB Keyboard Mean?
RGB (Red-Green-Blue) are the three main colors of light. An RGB keyboard is a kind of LED backlit keyboard, which has customizable or programmable multicolor backlight illumination. Not only does it look great and changes the feel of your workspace for the better, but it can make your keyboard more useful for work and play.
Gaming Advantage
RGB keyboard means it literally shines in the games. Mappable actions are commonly associated with PC games, and many titles today also feature in-game support for certain RGB ecosystems from popular manufacturers that enable your keyboard to react on the fly. Imagine your keyboard flashing red when you lose health, specific keys highlighted to show control combinations when needed, or just the LEDs pulsing to the beat of the background music.
Construction Details
There are some considerations that make RGB keyboards different from each other in a way their backlighting is done. First is the LED placement, whether it’s north-facing (above switch) or south-facing (below switch) which affects how much light goes through the keycaps, depending on the legend being placed on top or bottom section. Also, light distribution might be hampered by a switch housing. Those created from translucent or semi-translucent material fit the RGB lighting well, while some switches can block most of the light output and keycap legend will look dim.
If you are one of those who likes to customize your mechanical keyboard by changing your keycaps, then be aware that on an RGB keyboard it’s important to choose the backlight-compatible keycaps. Some large gaming brands have such keycap sets for sale separately from their keyboards, while most enthusiast-level boutique keycaps unfortunately don’t have see-through legends. So, the choice is not that wide…
Not Only Hardware
It’s not just the keyboard itself that enters into play with RGB. Software matters, too. A number of manufacturers have built up their separate ecosystems allowing RGB lighting to be synced across a multitude of devices from one brand. Your keyboard, mouse, headset, monitor and even the hardware inside of the computer case can all be lit up in unison to create a consistent mood.
Software-wise, you would usually have a companion app from your RGB keyboard manufacturer acting as the control center for all customization, be it RGB-related or not. There you can set up lighting effects with your own color schemes. Some more advanced systems will even respond to what is being displayed on your monitor, and mimic the color scheme of the desktop or other software into your keyboard.
RGB vs. Rainbow
True RGB keyboards should not be confused with what are often referred to as “rainbow” keyboards. Though they both may look similar due to the LED backlighting, they are just on different levels. A true RGB keyboard can independently adjust color and brightness for each key, able to freely combine millions of colors and create various light effects via software. In contrast, a “rainbow” keyboard often receives just a few (sometimes, only one!) lighting zones for the whole device and a fixed, yet multicolored backlight scenario.
These keyboards typically have several predefined color patterns that cannot be altered or at least cannot provide users with deep customization options. So, instead of full user control on the behavior of each individual LED, there is something like “7 solid colors backlight options plus 2-3 embedded effects like color wave”. Obviously, rainbow lighting is cheaper to make both on hardware and software levels, so it usually appears on entry-level products for those who want to add some colorful flair to their setup on a budget.
Even Workstations Deserve RGB
RGB keyboards are normally seen, more often than not, as the gaming peripherals. However they have their merits when it comes to productivity tools as well. For example, programmers might use different color themes for highlighting keyboard shortcuts in development environments. Same is true for video editors, 3D artists and basically almost any professional. And if RGB itself is not your cup of tea, it is smart to use a uniform white or yellow lighting or even turn off all LEDs except for those used to indicate key combinations. By the way, whichever color you’d use, backlit keycaps are a solution that will really help to type in a dim light – which means anyone using a word processor or browsing the web can already benefit from RGB keyboard, no need to consider yourself an avid gamer or an IT professional to evaluate such purchase.
Don’t Judge By The Cover… Err, By The Lighting!
Keep in mind that as common as RGB lighting has become, it does not automatically mean that the product with it is top notch in other areas. More to say, a vast majority of enthusiast-grade mechanical keyboards do not have RGB lighting at all because it was just not a priority for the manufacturer. Same is true for devices aimed at professionals.
However, an RGB keyboard usually can become a great addition to your setup, whether you’re a serious gamer who wishes to get an immersive experience or if you’re simply looking for something to spice up the desk, especially at night.
