The Graduates

Man this new gamepad is awesome!

http://www.logitech.com/index.cfm/keybo ... 3&cl=us,en

Could assign some useful macros and key on that one

That is the kind of key pad I use and it does work well. Its closest competitor is made by Belkin and it is not nearly as good.

The Belkin pad you are talking about is the Nostromo. I think for the price it is just fine. No fancy LCD display, but several macro keys and 3 different templates to switch on the fly. I have one for general use, 0ne for ratting, and the my 3rd one isn't really used.
http://www.google.com/products/catalog? ... sa=title#p

But then again.....the Logitech pad looks sweet!

I just always had a problem with the Belkins thumb buttons when playing a FPS. They would stick or be unresponsive and that is not good when you bind "grenades" to it...and your character pulls the pin and never lets go.

apart from the ability to macro commands to keys are they really all that much different/better than a key board?

For an FPS, I found it be more comfortable, responsive, and the macros are fantastic in MMO's.

When I am interceptor camping a gate, I can approach, attempt to lock, and turn on the point with the push of a button. 1 second Insta-points FTW.