The MEKA G-UNIT is the largest keyboard in the MEKA range, being over half a metre in length. The whole package weighs in at around 2.5kg – this is one beast of a keyboard. The unit is matt black all over, with the exception of the red logos at the top of the keyboard and on the wrist rest, as well as red stripes down each side. The MEKA G-UNIT is a full keyboard with a standard layout, plus a few extras. On the top left of the keyboard there is the key to toggle between gaming mode and normal mode - essentially this button allows you to make use of programmable gaming keys and also disables the Windows key to avoid accidental presses mid-game. Unlike the MEKA and the MEKA G1, the Windows key is in the usual location (between CTRL and ALT), and so the gaming mode button is a handy feature. Next to the gaming mode button are the three buttons which allow you to switch between different macro profiles. The far left-hand side of the keyboard is taken up by a block of 12 macro keys (T1 – T12), which can be programed using the software provided (more on this later). On the top right of the keyboard above the numeric keypad there are seven multimedia hotkeys, together with the button which controls the level of brightness of the backlighting. The smaller, flatter buttons (being the gaming mode toggle, 3 macro profile buttons, and four multimedia buttons) are not mechanical switches.
The weight and sturdiness of the keyboard both indicate a good build quality, so we were surprised when one of the plastic clips broke off when attaching the wrist rest. This was very disappointing, and not what you would expect for a keyboard of this price or calibre. Even if the clip does not break off the first time the wrist rest is attached, we would certainly not advise repeated attachment and removal as the small clips just don’t look like they would be strong enough to take it. This all being said, once attached the wrist rest does look good and makes typing for long periods far more comfortable. Having been in use for a number of weeks now, it still looks as good as new and does not show any marks.
The detachable mesh-wrapped cable attaches via USB connector at the rear of the keyboard. The cable has a side facing connector, allowing you to neatly tuck the cable into a channel underneath the keyboard – this is what Tt eSPORTS refer to as their ‘smart cable management’ feature. This means that if the cable (or indeed the keyboard) is tugged, the cable should remain connected and undamaged. A handy feature for a detachable cable!
At the back of the keyboard, there are two USB ports together with the microphone-in and speaker-out docks. Another feature that we like about this keyboard is that the USB and audio jacks are powered by the one USB cable which connects to your computer, as opposed to the thick bundle of cables of the MEKA G1.
Underneath the keyboard there are rubber feet to keep it anchored to your desk – these combined with the weight mean it requires some force to slide the keyboard anywhere. There are also two struts which allow you to tilt the keyboard upwards a little, but they make a minor difference and most people probably wouldn’t notice. However, the struts do feel quite sturdy and have rubber feet (unlike the MEKA G1) so that when in use the keyboard still doesn’t slide around.
