The Zboard is constructed out of the plastic that is commonly found on monitors and keyboards. In an effort to save space the device utilizes the common rectangular design that graces more USB keyboards. On the top of the keyboard are various “hot buttons” which can be user-configured to place any program at your finger tips. There are two powered USB ports on the back side of the keyboard, effectively turning the device into a decent USB hub. It can’t handle heavyweights like printers or scanners but they’re capable of handling my
Logitech MX700 and
Griffin Technology Power Mate at the same time without causing any problems. The unit itself is USB powered so the two ports will yield you an extra port. There are legs on the bottom of the unit that can be extended to elevate the keys while an included guard helps to prevent soreness in the wrists.
Of course this is nice and all but the keyboard has a trick up its sleeve that separates it from the pack; interchangeable keysets. That’s right, the keys can be replaced to cater to both gamers and productivity-minded users. Changing the keys is a snap, literally. All of the keysets are comprised of three panes which fold and unfold along the hinges. All you have to do is unsnap the side of the keyboard and pull the existing keyset out. Replace it with another keyset and the Zboard software (which runs in the background) automatically detects which keyset is in place.. The Zboard comes bundled with two keysets to start you off with with well over 10 optional keysets available for purchase.
The retail product comes packaged with two keysets; the standard 101 keyset that you'll find on most keyboards, and the gaming keyset that enhances the gaming experience. What's nice about the standard keyset is that it effectively emulates the natural keyboard experience. Similar competing products smush the keys together, removing that bridge between the letters, directional keys and the number pad. Here they're all separated which removes un-necessary cramping caused by similar devices such as the eluminx keyboard. All of the keys feel very sturdy but the resistance leads a little to be desired. When surpressed, the keys exhibit a minor "clicking" feel but not quite as pronounced as I would have liked. It's semi-mushy, almost laptop-esque which makes it very hard for speedy typers.
That's not what the product was designed for though; when used as a gaming device it performs superbly. What’s nice about the gaming keyset is that it doesn’t just remap your keys, it changes them entirely. Designed with first person shooters in mind, the device places all of the major commands within reach of your left hand. The WASD keys are replaced by larger keys that look and feel better than standard keys. Functions such as crouch and jump are mapped out to specific buttons that mimic the placement of the spacebar and control keys while the Q and E functions (generally used for peaking around corners) are placed in similar positions. You are able to still type with the gaming keyset but the character keys are shifted over to the right by a couple of inches. In addition to becoming compacted the numeric pad is removed entirely, forcing you to rely on the horizontal line of numbers on the top of the keyboard. In essence, you're still able to type with the gaming keyset (which is nice) but you probably won't be able to do so without having to look at the keys when you're doing so.
In addition to the gaming keyset a number of game specific keysets are available for purchase. It was developed to give the gamer every possible advantage so it’s no coincidence that the keysets currently available for purchase cater to the competitive online crowd. At the moment you can purchase game-specific keysets for
Neverwinter Nights, Medal of Honor: Allied Assault, EverQuest, Age of Empires, DOOM 3 and in the near future,
EverQuest II. Each of them retails for $20 a piece and features game-specific layouts and gorgeous artwork from the game.
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