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   You can spend thousands on a mid/top level gaming rig. There are two pieces of hardware that you definitely cannot live without. That is the keyboard and mouse which is one of the most important parts of your game play. A good keyboard/mouse will take your game play very far and will be with you for a very long time.

   There are several top of the line keyboards and mice but I can only review a few. Let's take the top of the litter and throw our chips in, seeing what happens.

Zboard Gaming Keyboard from ideazon.
Zboard Gaming Keyboard
Limited Edition Key Sets

   I had some problems installing my drivers/software but after a few shortcomings I was able to successfully install my Zboard base. The first thing I saw and liked is that the Zboard base comes with a standard keyboard as well as an overall gaming key set. A quick and easy way to switch out key sets for a particular game or back to standard is very useful especially if you play several games during a day.

   While I was, um playing, I split some tea on my keyboard. This happens a lot too players and sometimes ends that keyboards life unless you clean it up real quick, which turns out to be sticky keys from then on. With the function of being able to remove the top half of your keyboard, clean up was easy. I don't advise purposely spilling your drink to test this just believe me.

   With the special Zboard software you are able to customize every button on your keyboard. How cool is that? I was playing with this software earlier and I felt like a kid in a candy store. After being excited and amazed at this, I had to calm down or I would get drool all over the keyboard. Like a lot of people I never read the instructions until I wondered why my little Z icon turned yellow or green when I switched out the key sets. The software recognizes each key set you put in and take out for easier customization of your keys. Drool time.

   The buttons on the standard key set is just like any other keyboard but put that gaming key set in. Once you get use to the new layout of a particular key set such as the Guild Wars: Faction Key Set, it is pretty much simple. The rounded buttons made my fingers slip from some of the keys but after a wile you get used to the design and feel of the keyboard.

   There are many other types of key sets like the Battlefield 2 Key Set, which for me was hard to use the first time. This particular key set took me a few hours to learn because of the new button layout.

Pros 1) Fast switching between key sets. 2) Design – Yes this helps a lot in     choosing your keyboard. 3) Mods – Allows you to use or develop     your own mods for your Zboard. 4) Easy cleanup if you spill something. 5) Several types of Limited Key sets. 6) Easy to use software. 7) Inexpensive. 8) Programmable buttons. 9) USB or PS/2 buyable. 10) Comes with a plastic hand rest. 11) Two USB hubs on back of keyboard for quick     usage. 12) Can hold down more buttons than a regular     keyboard. 13) Colorful Design for the key sets. 14) Packaging is easy to open.

Product Pictures

Cons 1) Depending on key set, easy or hard to learn     at first. 2) Fingers will slip from rounded keys if not     careful. 3) If you buy several keysets, will need space     to put them but still better then having full     keyboards that do not fold lying around.

Overall Rating: 8/10
   Overall this keyboard gives you more bang for your buck. Multiple key sets, mods and programmable keys will keep you coming back for more. With tons of appeal and stylish glamour the Zboard exceeds my expectations. Even though there are a few faults, these faults can be overlooked by the versatility of the keyboard. I also suggest that you download the new Z Engine which offers a bit more versatility over your Zboard.

Keyboard/Mice Review Part 2

© Ideazon, Inc. 2006. All rights reserved. Ideazon and Zboard are owned and registered by Ideazon, Inc. All other trademarks referred to are the property of their respective owners.