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I've been on a quest to find a gaming keyboard media key replacement, and like an incredibly nerdy a

By Dr. Evelyn Thorne | January 01, 0001

James Bentley, hardware writer

PC Gamer headshots

(Image credit: Future)

This week: I've been finally testing out an RTX 50 series laptop, and have been thinking a little too much about upgrading my PC case.

Okay, I know it's strange to say that media keys have become an almost essential part of a gaming keyboard I'd use every day, but it's just true. There are so many elements of keyboards I enjoy on a conceptual level: rapid trigger offers slightly better response times in games; hot swappable switches give you a greater level of customization, but these don't tend to affect day-to-day operations for me. I like to find what works for me and settle into a groove with typing and gaming.

Its volume control is a cute little dial that you can spin endlessly in either direction. This smoothness is perfect for when I need to quickly adjust the sound. And you may be wondering 'why do you keep needing to change the volume?' and my answer is 'media is wildly inconsistent. '

Going from a show on Netflix to YouTube, then to a quick game of , and over to requires a little adjusting every time.

You can adjust in-game volume to get some semblance of a consistent sound, but individual creators on the likes of YouTube or social media don't tend to abide by specific volume customs. The same is true for music. Some bands love to be dynamic in their sound, producing sharp trills or thunderous drums, and others like a more delicate touch.

Lemokey L4 gaming keyboard on a carpet with lighting enabled.

Note the lack of a volume dial? That's a problem for me (Image credit: Future)

The likes of Spotify does tend to normalise the volume somewhat, so it's not a major inconvenience, but volume comes from many different places every day. And don't get me started on ทางเข้า w88 ใหม่ ล่าสุด the fact that .

If I only used my PC to ทางเข้า w88 ใหม่ ล่าสุด game, I think I could find a sweet spot, but alas, I have a job, and probably look at a little too much social media. But this insistence on having media controls has made me a little unwilling to swap to keyboards without them.

This makes me feel like, no matter how much I liked them I could never pick up the , , or the for everyday use. In fact, I realised how much I bk8สล็อตฟรี relied on media controls when I swapped over to the and found myself looking over at my enviously.

I've spent a few weeks coming up with workarounds to my specific fascination with media keys. First is the option to reprogram regular keys to perform the function instead. This is fine for skipping a track or pausing a video. You do have to be ready to learn a button or sequence of keys, as part of the joy of a media key is that they're placed and labelled directly for easy access.

Maybe twenty per cent of the time I reach for the volume, it's because the game or video I've loaded up has shocked me and I need to correct it. In a panic, you can forget keys, though this rarely happened for me.

SteelSeries Apex Pro TKL Gen 3

The Apex Pro TKL Gen 3 comes with a volume scroll and an OLED screen (which shows a cat running on mine) (Image credit: Future)

The main problem with setting media keys as programmable keys is that I don't want to change the volume with a button. If I set it to go up or down (with two separate keys), just one or two at a time, I found myself spamming the button to get my desired volume. However, setting those keys to change by five or ten volume notches in each press makes me inconsistent and unable to find just the right volume.

Like an incredibly nerdy version of Goldilocks, I often like just the right volume as I play, especially considering I share a gaming space with my partner. Though pretty good, this method has proved to be a bit of a bust when compared to the ease of a dedicated volume bk8สล็อตฟรี scroll.

Moving on from here, I've tested separate dongles and devices for controlling PIGSPIN เครดิตฟรี 100 the volume. My set of speakers, the , has a nifty little volume wheel, though that's mostly what I control when grabbing for the headset. It's just a tad out of the way when I want to control the volume quickly and easily. This is especially the case when I want to fine-tune volume, and don't particularly want to hover over the device.

Elgato Stream Deck Plus photographed on a glass table

(Image credit: Future)

The second device I've tried is the . I've enjoyed this bit of tech quite a lot, but it's only early days, and I certainly wouldn't recommend slapping down $200 just to quickly change the volume as you play. There are plenty of reasonably priced gaming keyboards that have programmable keys for far less than the Stream Deck +.

Ultimately, I've tested other methods, but a volume scroll on a gaming keyboard fits that fine line of convenience/usefulness to actually get me to defend it. Media controls, for me, need to be used multiple times a day, so having them easily accessible and plastered onto the keyboard means no matter what PIGSPIN เครดิตฟรี 100 position I play in, or how I choose to move the keyboard, a volume change is no more than a few inches away.

Changing volume or pausing an annoying ad with a mere motion is just a level of convenience I don't think I can give up, especially with with everything I'm looking for. So yes, it's dedicated media controls for me, and if that means giving up a host of other keyboard features, so be it.

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