SteelSeries Zboard Gaming Keyboard by SteelSeries
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Digital camera reviews of SteelSeries Zboard Gaming Keyboard
Digital camera Review: Great Idea, poor execution, NO MAC SUPPORT
Summary: 2 Stars
First and Foremost *NO Macintosh Drivers!!!*
It is bad enough not having Mac drivers, but then to omit that information so unsuspecting buyers, get caught... Disgraceful!
On a PC... System hangs at boot. I keep two keyboards on this system (waste of valuable desk space). I usually end up unplugging the zboard when I boot and use the other board. Once I log into system I can then connect zboard. I am always checking for updated drivers, but this issue never goes away. I've had boot hang on multiple systems and OS versions including... Dell Optiplex, Lenovo laptop T60p laptop as well as Asus based homebuilt system running XP, Vista and Vista-64.
USB power issue, I don't seem to be able to use USB ports on zboard as I get out of power errors in OS. Not an issue with my Dell USB keyboard.
I do like the key layout, especially with WoW insert.
Key touch is good. It runs fine when in-game. Something actually worked in Vista-64 :-)
Conclusion, this wasn't my worst PC experience, but it was very disappointing. It has some potential, but buyer be ware. I like it well enough to keep it on my desktop and do swap out.
Ideazon, if you are reading... You would get 5 star, If you fix the Boot and USB with board running on my Macintosh!!!
Digital camera Review: Great Keyboard
Summary: 5 Stars
I really like this key board. I find it to be very responsive and unlike some other reviewers I haven't found that I have to press the keys and longer or harder then I do with a normal keyboard. I often leave a gaming keyset on even when I'm not playing.
My only complaint is that there is not a good instruction manual. I got this keyboard mainly to play WOW. As anyone knows there are many commands in that game and in that respect the learning curve to fully use my keyset has been a little high. I also have the Age of Empires III keyset and I have the same complaint.
All in all I am very happy with this product. I only wish it had better support.
Digital camera Review: Great Keyboard
Summary: 5 Stars
This Zboard is definitely the ultimate gaming keyboard (at least from my perspective). I'm even writing this review with the keyboard now!(Counter-Strike limited edition keyset, actually) The most impressive feature of this keyboard is the ability to exchange keysets. You can use one for gaming, one for everyday stuff, and the unique ones for Counter-Strike, WoW, Battlefield, Call of Duty, etc. You can use one keyboard instead of the hassle of buying more for different games. It is very to change keysets! Just pop one out and pop another one back in! The Zboard Gaming Keyboard would, in my opinion, beat all the other ones out there, and it is set as a reasonable price!Digital camera Review: Great Keyboard
Summary: 5 Stars
I don't know how I got along without it. Just follow the instructions, and you shouldn't have any problems.Digital camera Review: Great board!
Summary: 5 Stars
The zBoard is sweet. The ease of the keysets and the keysets that are available (like the World of Warcraft one) make it a worthwhile buy. The keyboard is comfy and feels good on the fingers. And it has TWO low-power USB ports on it for accessories like your mouse. If you are into gaming and looking for a good keyboard to use, this is one to look at. I am quite picky when it comes to keyboards and I love the zBoard system. ^_^
If you decide to buy one, buying from Amazon.com will save you a few bucks. BUT BE FOREWARNED! As someone else has already mentioned here in feedback, when I received my zBoard, it came with the OLD version of the standard keyset. I have been told by [...] support that that keyset is not even produced anymore so why (and how?) Amazon.com is shipping them with the new zBoard base and gaming keyset is beyond me?? FYI, the current zBoard model is ZBD101.
Amazon.com did offer a replacement if I wanted to send the zBoard gaming system back in, but I really don't want to wait on shipping. lol Plus, I bought mine for gaming mostly anyway so no big deal as I won't be using the standard keyset much. Amazon.com did offer me a 20% refund, though, since I didn't choose to return the item. (So yay! I saved even more money. ^_^) In case you are wondering, the new version of the standard keyset has colored-coded labels (green, blue, white) with more keys/shortcuts labeled. The old version (which I was sent) has all white labels with fewer keys/shortcuts labeled.
The zBoard is a 5/5 for me.
Note: You will want to get the newest drivers from [...]. I have had a problem in the past with updating the driver and had to contact zBoard support to have them tell me all the registry keys that I needed to remove before I could suceessfully install the newest version. I have never again experienced that problem, though. ;)
EDIT 2/4/05: I was contacted via e-mail by [...] support again. They're going to replace the old version standard keyset that I received from Amazon with the new version. I think this is very nice of them, especially considering I never asked for a replacement. Just some food for thought since a couple people here have had problems with [...]/Ideazon.
EDIT 2/21/06: Well, it has been a little over a year that I've had my zBoard. I've had no problems with it - with exception of the wrist rest tabs breaking off, but that's because that part is cheap and the zBoard got knocked off a table twice by my cat. The zBoard base and keysets are very durable, however, (it's been knocked off the couch a few times, too. lol) and work fine. ;)
The gaming keyset IS very awkward to type on like others have mentioned. Usually, I have my World of Warcraft keyset in, though, and have no problems typing. (My boyfriend hates it -lol- and complains until he snaps in the standard keyset.)
Easy, durable, functioning, feels good on the fingers.... Those all describe the zBoard.
Still 5/5 after a year.