Digital Trends

Saitek Cyborg Keyboard August 25th, 2008 | by Brandon King

Software

The included software is, in a word, cumbersome. The design seems to be centered around a single software suite for all Cyborg line products, but unless you have an all Cyborg setup, you have to wade through options that don’t apply to your device. The interface in general isn’t horrible, but could stand to use some polishing and streamlining. Luckily there is no documentation included on how to program your macros in. No, instead you get a three page booklet on how to install a keyboard written in 17 languages. At this point we are thinking that they actually angled the corners to specifically remind you of all the corners they are cutting, literally.

Setting up macros isn’t terribly difficult, though the nuances are easily missed without downloading the “SST” manual from the Saitek site. Luckily, you probably have no idea what SST even is, since it isn’t mentioned anywhere on the site, the box, or the instructions. If you go to the support section of the Saitek site and look for your specific keyboard, again, no mention of SST. (By the way – SST: Saitek Smart Technology. We enjoy the irony, too.) Also, unlike some other gaming keyboards, like the Logitech G series, there is no way to set macros on the fly. The only saving grace here is that once you figure out how to set up macros, you realize that Saitek does offer an impressive level of control over the finer points. Keystrokes are recorded with millisecond precision and can be ridiculously complicated. Macro buttons can be used alone and in groups.

Keys

Now comes the hard part. The Saitek Cyborg isn’t a bad gaming keyboard. It is a horrible keyboard for everyday use. The keys are gummy and have the feel of typing on marshmallows. The space bar, in all its chrome glory, requires a real snap to press all the way, as do any of the larger keys. These problems were present to a lesser extent at the time of purchase, but became unbearably bad over about a week of regular use. The quality of the typing experience alone leaves us unable to recommend this product. Make a good keyboard, and then add the bells and whistles, Saitek. We cannot imagine anyone using this keyboard for productive purposes, and even in gaming, you’re looking at a lot of missed jumps and other commands because of the poor responsiveness. We know there is a push towards making ‘quiet’ keyboards, ones where key presses don’t have the loud clacking of an old IBM mainframe, but there has to be a better way to attain that without the feeling of typing on pillows.

This reviewer purchased the Saitek Cyborg keyboard for personal use at home, and promptly went looking for a new keyboard. It has been shown to a couple dozen people whose expressions ranged from, “Oh God!” (as in, “That’s ridiculous. Only YOU could possibly like that.”) to “Weird”. No one asked where it was purchased or the price – a good indicator that none that saw the Cyborg keyboard were considering purchasing it. If you’re looking for street cred, this will get you none of it.

Conclusion

Saitek has made an attempt to bring a highly customizable gaming keyboard to the gaming masses, and should be commended for that. The Cyborg Keyboard should also be shunned for the cheap quality and ridiculously poor typing experience. We cannot recommend this keyboard until the key press issues and confusing software issues are addressed. Then maybe, just maybe, the silly RoboTech scheme can be overlooked.


Pros: 

• Customizable backlighting schemes
• Plenty of programmable macro keys


Cons: 

• Confusing and unpolished software
• Poor typing experience
• Poor support and documentation