Customer Reviews
YOU GET WHAT YOU PAY FOR!! 
2007-12-29
This is a fantastick and top quality keyboard. I have had others with the backlighting which have conflicted with my hardware, burned out and just plain gave up on me. I can already tell this one will outlast my computer! I spent twice what i spent before but would do it again in a minute for the quality!
Works For Me 
2007-12-13
I replaced my Logitech G15 with the Fatality and am overall happy with the transistion.
Slim and small, the Fatality fits the keyboard shelf of my desk with plenty of room left to share with my mouse. This just wasn't gonna happen with the titanic G15.
The key response is crisp and satisfying, though the key layout isn't what I'm used to gaming with. It's identical to my laptop's layout but with a number keypad.
The backlighting on the Fatality isn't quite as easy on the eyes as the G15 and the lightings on/off key probably could have been better placed. Maybe as a button on the side or top of the keyboard. Where it's at now (next to right alt key) isn't very easy to find in the dark as it could be.
Overall I like the Fatality more than the G15, but mostly because of the size. I never used the macro keys on the G15, so that wasn't an factor in my decision. It basically came down to a smaller keyboard or a much bigger desk. ;)
Great for gamers and travelling laptop users! 2007-11-30
I am very glad that this keyboard exists. I wanted an affordable keyboard that was small enough (L=15.84 in, W=0.83 in, H=5.98 in) to fit in my laptop bag (Kensington Contour Balance Roller Bag), and had a numpad attached to it and this was the best one I found. I used to own a Logitech diNovo keyboard prior to this and I hated having a detached numpad, and it was difficult to type on that keyboard because of the space bar issues that a lot of people complain about. This keyboard has no issues like that, the key action is smooth and quick; the tactile feel is excellent. I'm not a gamer, I just needed a compact keyboard that was well made, and this was the smallest one I could find that wasn't extremely expensive (like the IBM USB Keyboard with UltraNav (31P8950)) and the backlighting is a huge plus. I have a Logitech G15 on my desktop computer and keyboard backlighting is really nice. Only thing I wish was that it didn't have the massive Fatal1ty logo on it. The logo makes an otherwise clean and professional looking keyboard look a little tacky. However, it's a minor eyesore and can definitely be overlooked. The only ways this keyboard could be improved is if it were wireless and they changed the layout a little bit, but since this keyboard is aimed towards gamers, I understand that they don't like wireless peripherals because of lag.
The layout of the keyboard is kind of weird to me, there is no right control key instead they give you an extra backslash key for some reason on the left side of the space bar. I don't see why anyone would need an extra backslash key, its probably some gaming feature that I don't understand. However, I think they could have gotten rid of that key, put the backlighting toggle button there, moved the context menu key over to the left one into the spot of the backlight toggle button and put in a more used (imo) right control key in place of the context menu key. However, I was able to modify my keys in Windows Vista using a little free utility called KeyTweak (search google for it if you want it). I used the half-teach mode in that utility, and turned the scroll lock key into volume up, the print screen key into volume down, the extra backslash key into mute, and the context menu key into right control. KeyTweak only changes registry keys in Windows so you can change the keys back whenever you want to. The keyboard is a lot easier to use now for everyday tasks.
Even though I had to tweak the keys a little bit to get the layout to suit my needs, this keyboard is still great for gamers and travelling laptop users. Its very difficult to find a keyboard of this size, with backlighting, affordability, and nice build quality.
All-Around Great Keyboard 2007-11-29
I am using the Creative Fatal1ty keyboard as I type this, and I love the feel of the keys--they remind me of a laptop keyboard. (Some people dislike laptop keyboards, but I tend to like their responsiveness.) I knew ahead of time how they felt, though, as I tried out the keyboard at Circuit City. At the time of my purchase, Amazon had a better price on it.
Really, this keyboard has it all. It's attractive, affordable, and has a good feel. In addition, it is exceedingly portable, due to the fact that it is both compact and lightweight. The glow of the keys is beautiful and looks different based on the lighting of the room; in the dark, it's a bright blue, and in bright light, a ghostly gray-white. The clear keys are also very attractive. I have been using mine for about two months now, and it has been wonderful in every way. I couldn't be happier with it.
Keyboard 2007-10-31
I'm very happy with this keyboard, it doesn't have all the bells and whistles of most other keyboards that I would never use in the first place. I love the small slim profile as well. The main reason I bought this keyboard is so I can see the keys in the dark. I can see the keys extremely well in the dark so I am overall very pleased with the keyboard.
Creative Fatality Gaming Keyboard Black 2008-04-27
Recently purchased this keyboard. This is a great keyboard, it lights up and the movement is quick and sharp and crisp.
Great feel, good size, backlight is dim, better keyboards avail. 
2008-03-25
Just received and installed my Creative Fatal1ty keyboard. I'm not a gamer, by the way.
It's a major improvement over the previous standard keyboard I had in two ways: 1) this keyboard is much more compact (though it's still a full-size keyboard) and it gives me much more room on my keyboard shelf and 2) it's a joy to type with.
The keys are similar to laptop computers in that they don't have to be pushed down as deep and they are far more responsive than standard desktop keyboards. The only disappointment is that the illumination is not as bright as I expected it to be. I use it in a room that isn't very bright to begin with, and the keyboard is also on a keyboard shelf that is partially covered by the desktop above it. Even in this state the backlit keyboard is difficult to see, and the keys themselves are not lit in the center of each key.
Since the whole reason for buying a new keyboard was to see the keys better, this may be a dealbreaker. On the other hand, the compact form factor and ease of typing may make up for this shortfall.
Since my initial review I've been able to test two other keyboards, both ordered through Amazon. The first, FireFly - Borealis - Illuminated KeyBoard USB, is about 1/2 inch wider, an 1 inch deeper, and about the same height as the Fatal1ty board. The extra inch in depth gives you more option keys (like "sleep", "play", "mute", etc), as well as a nifty dial for increasing or decreasing volume.
ADDED NOTE 04/12/2008: UNFORTUNATELY, THE FIREFLY BOREALIS IS NOT CURRENTLY AVAILABLE ON AMAZON OR TIGERDIRECT. YOU CAN'T BUY IT ANYWHERE ELSE THAT I KNOW OF. HOPEFULLY THIS HASN'T BEEN DISCONTINUED!
Like the Fatal1ty, the keys are incredibly responsive and well designed. Unlike the Fatal1ty, the illumination is unbelieveably perfect! In fact, there's no comparison: the Borealis lighting is superior in every way to the Creative Fatil1ty board.
Why: well first, the backlighting is much brighter, and it's more of a blue-green color as opposed to the blue-white of the Fatal1ty. The blue-green, while brighter, is less harsh on my eyes. Second, the keys are opaque black, but the letters and symbols are translucent, so the backlighting illuminates only the letters, making the keyboard much easier to read.
At this writing, the Firefly Borealis keyboard was only $20 bucks, less than half the cost of the Fatal1y! But because it comes through Tiger Direct, it isn't eligible for Amazon's free shipping, so the total came to $28. Still, it's a bargain in every way compared to the Fatal1ty board.
The third board I tried was the Everglide Dkt Keyboard Silver Board, a beautiful aluminum baby that's just as compact as the Fatal1ty (but with a few more functional buttons). It set me back $41 with free shipping. It's backlighting is set up similar to the Borealis, in that the keys are opaque so only the symbols light up (as well as the space in between the keys). But the lighting isn't as clear, and because the keyboard is silver in color, there's less contrast between the keys and the symbols. In fact, the keyboard is actually easier to read with the illumination off! While it's the sleekest looking of all three boards, the key response was sloppier. The keys had a lot of play in them, actually wiggling from left to right or up and down. And it seems you had to push them down further than the other two boards. The illumination, while brighter than the Fatal1ty, was still no match for the Borealis.
So, I'm keeping the Borealis and returning the other two boards. It's going to cost me a little in return shipping fees, but it's worth it to finally have the perfect keyboard. Besides, I saved so much on the Borealis that I still came out ahead financially!
Great Keyboard! 2008-01-22
Although I do indeed play online FPSs time-to-time on my PC, I would never consider buying a keyboard solely because it games well. What attracted me to this keyboard was its small footprint, backlit keys, USB connectivity and finally its low price. I connect an optical mouse and this keyboard to my laptop and having a number-pad as well as having a nice durable keyboard that takes the stress and wear off my laptop keys (I'm a bit of a masher) is a real plus. In short, I would definately buy again as I've been using this one now for several months.
If by gaming keyboard, they mean harder to use, then yes it works. 
2008-01-15
Cons:
- Probably the worst part is the layout, for some reason logitech decided to make it incredibly small, in by doing so, none of the keys are in the right places, and if they are, they are 1/2 their normal size.
- The illumination light is hidden amongst the regular keys.. why?
- In gameplay, I cannot use more than 2 keys simultaneously. In other words, if I'm strafing and jumping, and I try to switch weapons using a key bind, the keyboard doesn't respond. I've been thrashed dozens of times now due to this problem. My silly MS wireless keyboard didn't even have this problem.
PROS:
- The key action is good.
- The footprint is small, but this comes at too high a cost in my opinion.
This keyboard might be good for some games, and for gaming only. If you plan to use it in conjunction with your day to day activities, I wouldn't recommend it. This keyboard seems more like an ultra-compact application for traveling users, not for gaming.
I'm going back to my MS wireless elite keyboard... and I'm out $50 for this one.
Solid gaming keyboard 2008-01-05
Quality compact feel to it. The scissor-type keys are firm when pressed, and are quiet compared to the "clack board" I previously used: I prefer quiet typing over hearing every keystroke loud and clear from two rooms away. The keyboard is heavier than my last one-- it feels substantial. The backlighting at night is a great feature for gaming. I prefer gaming with as little ambient room light as possible--the darker the better-- as you see better detail on the monitor. The light level on the keyboard is excellent at night-- it's not too bright so you won't need to squint looking at it- its perfect. Apparently, the technology which lights the Fatal1ty keyboard was originally developed for the US military's keyboards. This keyboard has a USB cord-- you won't need to re-charge batteries (like with cordless) in the middle of a game. My only complaint is there were no instructions on how to turn the lighting on. When I plugged it in, no lights came on automatically and I was left wondering (just press a key to the right of the space bar). However despite that, Two thumbs up! If anything changes, I'll update this post.
