Gaming keyboards have evolved significantly over the years, offering a wide range of features and designs to cater to gamers’ specific needs. One of the more recent trends in the gaming keyboard market is the rise of minimalist keyboards and tenkeyless (TKL) keyboards.
These keyboards focus on simplicity and functionality, eliminating extra keys and flashy features in favor of a more streamlined design. But the question is: Are minimalist keyboards good for playing World of Warcraft? In this article, we’ll point out the pros and cons of minimalist keyboards in the context of playing one of the greatest MMORPGs of all time.
Pros of Minimalist Keyboards for WoW Gaming
Simplicity: Minimalist keyboards are, as the name suggests, simple in design. They typically feature a compact layout with fewer keys, which can reduce clutter and distractions on your desk. This simplicity can be beneficial for gamers who prefer a clean and uncluttered gaming setup, whether they play WoW or not.
Space-Saving: With fewer keys and a smaller form factor, minimalist keyboards take up less space on your desk. This can be particularly advantageous if you have limited space or if you’re looking to create a more ergonomic gaming setup.
Focus on Core Functions: Minimalist keyboards prioritize core gaming functions, such as responsive key switches and anti-ghosting technology. This can result in a more responsive and reliable gaming experience, as there are fewer distractions from unnecessary features. Especially if you play a straightforward build which uses a few spammable macros instead of using the abilities individually, a mini keyboard can really shine.
Aesthetics: Some gamers prefer the minimalist aesthetic of these keyboards, which can complement a modern and clean gaming setup. These keyboards often have sleek and understated designs that appeal to gamers who appreciate minimalism. To put it simply, they’re pretty cool and fun to use.
Cons of Minimalist Keyboards for Gaming
Lack of Extra Keys: The most significant drawback of minimalist keyboards when it comes to World of Warcraft gaming, is the absence of extra keys. These keyboards usually lack the right side number keys and the functional keys (F1 – F12). Of course, these keys are covered by the FN key combination, but for WoW, this may be impractical, especially if the keyboard is cheapo, and offers limited key remapping options.
When playing WoW, you kinda need to use at least three full bars of abilities, macros, and consumables, especially for a class with complex gameplay like a Subtlety Rogue or Feral Druid. So, with a minimalist keyboard, you will have to sacrifice these additional keys, and use CTRL, SHIFT, or ALT macro modifiers. This could negatively affect your gameplay and your overall performance in raids, RBGs, or arenas. But nonetheless, you can always compensate for the lack of some of these buttons, with a multi-button gaming mouse.
Learning Curve: Transitioning from a traditional gaming keyboard to a minimalist one may take some time to adapt to the reduced key layout. If you’re used to having a full set of keys at your disposal, you may find yourself hitting empty spaces initially.
Limited Customization: While minimalist keyboards excel in simplicity, they may lack the customization options found in more feature-rich gaming keyboards. Gamers who enjoy fine-tuning lighting effects, keycaps, and other settings might find minimalist keyboards limiting in this regard.
Bottom Line
In conclusion, even though a minimalist keyboard may be a great choice for gaming in general, it may not suffice in terms of keys for playing World of Warcraft. However, it all depends on your individual preferences and gaming style.
If you value simplicity, space-saving, and a clean aesthetic, a minimalist keyboard might be an excellent choice. On the other hand, if you rely heavily on programmable keys, customization options you may prefer a keyboard with even more keys than the usual, such as the Corsair K95 Platinum XT or the Logitech G910 Orion. Ultimately, the best keyboard for gaming is the one that aligns with your gaming needs and personal preferences.