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Input Devices Entertainment Games

Ideazon ZBoard Customizable Gaming Keyboard Review 177

Posted by CmdrTaco from the now-thats-just-strange dept.
An anonymous user submitted a review of the ZBoard Gaming Keyboard. You really ought to check this one out just to see how nuts it is. It has custom plates with keys that are movable and... well just look at it. I can't decide if its pure genius or just ridiculous.
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Ideazon ZBoard Customizable Gaming Keyboard Review More

Ideazon ZBoard Customizable Gaming Keyboard Review

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  • Took for a while for TFA to load, but it looks really awkward to me. Besides, how many keys and configuration options do you *really* need to play CS/BF2/Whatever it is? LMB, RMB, Space, Ctrl are pretty much sufficient, at least IMHO.

    • Sitting duck. (Score:4, Funny)

      by Poromenos1 ( 830658 ) on Tuesday January 17, 2006 @12:37PM (#14491646) Homepage
      You don't move much, do you?

    • Oblig pure pwnage [purepwnage.com] reference:

      "You know, there's more keys than ``WASD''"
      -Stunned Silence
      "Yeah, like a hundred more"

    • The *idea* is pretty nifty ... customized keyboard layouts for particular games (flight simulators come to mind). However, the *execution* sucks ... I bought one last year with a few keyboards.... the keyboard quality itself is awful (as in "clack clack" and if you hit a key too hard or too soft it doesn't register), and it has a USB issue of "disappearing" rarely (found to be true on several machines). The typing quality on a $19 Microsoft Comfort Curve Keyboard exceeds it manyfold. Nice try but I find
      • I have a zboard keyboard that I primarily use for BF2 and other FPS games. It's great for gaming. I'm able to get to critical keys very easily and my scores have improved quite a bit.

        That being said, it sucks horribly for typing (it's mushy and vague feeling). I usually end up removing it after gaming and switching to a decent keyboard. I also HATE the split space bar while using the "normal" keyset. It will frequently jam with the right side of the split spacebar down and I end up with a couple hundred spa
        • yeah, thats probably the best solution for it.. .keep a keyboard handy for typing and use the zboard specifically for gaming (aren't USB keyboards wonderful?)
        • Recently started using the Nostromo 52 [belkin.com] here and I haven't noticed any difference with or without the driver loaded (the machine has 1GiB of RAM though which might make a difference).

          I just got it last week but having the keys lined up is indeed more comfortable than the standard "diagonal" keyboard layout. I did have to grab an updated driver because the one that came in the box wouldn't repeat the keypresses (not good in a FPS).
          Creating the profiles then takes quite a bit of time. Luckily Battlefield 2 (wh
    • You need a few more keys for most modern games. Lets see for Call of Duty 2:

      basic movement (forward, backward, strafe)
      lean left and lean right
      jump
      standard fire
      melee attack
      aim down sight (zoom)
      select weapon
      throw grenade
      select grendae
      run
      crouch
      go prone
      stand up

      BF2 is pretty similar.
    • Yeah, the whole keyboard is a gimmick.

      The positions of the keys don't actually change all that much, so what you get is a slightly different advertised function.

      So, let's look at the reality of this keyboard:

      Scenario 1
      You're playing an FPS. You look down at the keyboard to see what button crouch is. This keyboard will not save you from not knowing where the keys you mapped are, because glancing down takes your attention from the enemy running right up to you. You die.

      Scenario 2
      You're playing an FPS. You'

  • I know the answer to this one! (Score:3, Insightful)

    by mahdi13 ( 660205 ) <icarus.lnx@gmail.com> on Tuesday January 17, 2006 @12:35PM (#14491619) Journal
    I can't decide if its pure genius or just ridiculous.

    Ridiculous

    This is for people that can't even type let alone find asdw and spend more time looking at the keyboard then playing or doing anything else productive with the keyboard...mouse people
    • "This is for people that can't even type let alone find asdw and spend more time looking at the keyboard then playing or doing anything else productive with the keyboard...mouse people" Uh, right. So a product aimed at a well defined group of people is ridiculous?

      • So a product aimed at a well defined group of people is ridiculous?

        Not at all, but this product in particular is one of those "good idea but misdirected" products

        Something like this would be great for a console system and might have potential on a PC like they are trying to do. But in the end, this product was poorly made, rushed and never refined.
        As I stated, this is useless for anyone other then those that can't remember where the 'asdw' keys are and I'll add that it should have been targeted for consol

    • I actually tried one of these back a year or two ago, since I needed a new keyboard. (Honestly, one thing that made me consider it a little more was it would be a lot easier to clean. My KBs attract cat hair and other stuff like mad.)

      Sadly, the thing was a piece of crap. Using it for gaming was okay, but not a revolutionary difference. Worse though, was the regular keyboard. All talk of "key feel" and whatever aside, I had consistent problems with keys sticking down. Especially the shift key. I assum

  • Is this not a two or three year old product now? (Score:5, Informative)

    by Lukano ( 50323 ) on Tuesday January 17, 2006 @12:35PM (#14491620)
    Is this review not two or three years late? I remember selling those ZBoards when I worked computer retail - and that was 2 1/2 - 3 yrs ago.

  • genius or ridiculous? (Score:3, Interesting)

    by engagebot ( 941678 ) on Tuesday January 17, 2006 @12:35PM (#14491622)
    This thing has been around for a while, and as for your question... the latter is true. Its ridiculous.

    People keep trying this custom keyboard stuff, and it never takes hold.
  • I could have sworn this thing was over 2 years old. And poorly reviewed at the time of release. I see these things all over my local computer shops, discounted.
  • I fear that the keyboard will be rickety. I like the gaming keys, but Internet keys? Come on, have you ever seen anyone really use those?

    My favorite keyboards are designed specifically for typing. Gaming works fine with what I have -- as long as the keyboard is heavy, doesn't have pieces to move around, and feels good on the finger. The old Compaq notebook keyboards were some of my favorite "mini" keyboards, but I like a full sized full weight keyboard that is one solid piece.

    I don't think this keyboar
  • Someone's webhosting career melted...

  • Yes but........ (Score:2, Insightful)

    by stunt_penguin ( 906223 )
    does it have those stupid alternate functins on all the F-Keys, and if so, are the bloody things turned off by defaut.

    Now I kinda like my Micorosft Natural Keyboard wing-ding, it saves my hands a bit, but it pisses me off whenever I'm playing a game and cant figure out whether PrntScrn is working, or whether the F-keys will work when i need them to. GRR!

    • I don't know which one you're talking about, but the latest MS Natural Keyboard (Ergonomic 4000) has a very nice feature: it saves the state of that fscking F-Lock button somewhere inside the keyboard itself, which means that not only does it save the state of the F-Lock when you reboot or shutdown your computer (which is good), but you can even switch your keyboard from one computer to another and it will keep the same F-Lock setting.

      This is VERY cool. Basically, you turn the F-Lock on (so that you can ac

      • Aha thanks for letting me know about that feature; I've been after that keyboard since I saw it (wonder if I can get it in white) and am glad to hear that I'll never have to repeatedly punch the f-lockkey and then prntscrn again :D I've got the MS Wireless Natural Keyboard. It's nice for typing but a pain in the ass otherwise

        Also, can any computer science/hardware dudes here give credence to/piss all over the claim from gamer that there is lag with wirelss peripherals?

        Thanks!
    • Try this for your Microsoft Keyboard...
      http://www.mvps.org/jtsang/flock.html [mvps.org]
      The site has a nifty little registry key that swaps the funcionality of the F-Lock button. (When it's off, the F-Keys function, When it's on, it's the "special" functions)
    • The answer is to suss out an original MS Natural Touch keyboard without all the fancy dan functions.

      I've been looking around local computers stores for a second one for when this one eventually dies and haven't found one, but I'm sure I can find one on the Internet. Hell, maybe MS even still sells it. Worth a look.

  • Neat idea, but not worth it. (Score:5, Informative)

    by Andy Dodd ( 701 ) <atd7@@@cornell...edu> on Tuesday January 17, 2006 @12:42PM (#14491695) Homepage
    They have keysets for only about ten games, if they even have ten.

    If you don't play one of those games, it's just a really expensive (and in some ways inferior) QWERTY.

    Logitech has the right idea with the G15 - A high-quality QWERTY keyboard with nifty extra features (namely a bunch of keys that can be assigned to macros, and an LCD display.) Same with Saitek's gaming keyboard - basically a standard keyboard + lots of macro functionality.

  • Don't knock it till you've tried it. (Score:5, Informative)

    by Da Stylin' Rastan ( 771797 ) on Tuesday January 17, 2006 @12:42PM (#14491697)
    I know this thing looks stupid, and I would agree with you, but I've owned one for a little over 6 months now (I bought it with Battlefield 2) and I have to say it is fantastic. Not only is the base layout one of the best I've ever used (snappy keys, great look, function buttons are easy to use and reach), but the additional gaming layout (known as crossfire) is great. I know at first it just looks like a keyboard for dumbasses who don't know where the keys are. The first few days it took a bit of getting used to, but the blown-up arrow keys and convenient surrounding buttons make long gaming sessions *much* more comfortable, whereas with standard keyboards I get a tendency to cramp up. And I'm not a noob either. I've been an online gamer since Quake and offline since long before then. And my BF2 stats speak for themselves [bf2s.com] I was just as skeptical as about 80% of the "rediculous" posts that will probably be posted on these forums, but after having actually used it, I don't think I could ever go back. -DSR
    • 0.94 kills a minute? 14.21 kills per round? That's just bollocks.

      It's been a while since I played Battlefield 1942, haven't played BF2, but one kill every sixty seconds? Crap. Maybe you play to succeed (take over/defend), but killing is my forte. If I go into an enemy base (almost always on foot or via parachute from a kamikaze plane) I end up killing everything in sight. Two minutes between runs, at least 10 kills per run (depending on size of other team, and how cramped together they are).

      Racking up k

  • Please explain the Slashvertisement concept. (Score:5, Insightful)

    by XorNand ( 517466 ) * on Tuesday January 17, 2006 @12:44PM (#14491713)
    Taco,

    You recently and candidly discussed the supposed "conspiracy" [slashdot.org] surrounding article submissions. One thing that I felt was left conspicuously unmentioned was what has been coined "Slashvertisements" e.g. enthusiastic submissions that promote underwhelming and uninteresting products. I remember seeing this keyboard in CompUSA (of all mundane places), at least six months ago. The only logical conclusions are: a) the editors don't get out much and have lost touch with what's considered new and exciting tech or b) OSDN is being compensated to provide stealth marketing services. Please provide some insight.

    Thank you,
    The Slashdot Community.

  • Cost (Score:2, Interesting)

    by xXBondsXx ( 895786 )
    Things like this just add to the cost of being a hardcore gamer. Lets say you get:
    (all prices from amazon)
    Zboard: 40.84
    COD2 keyset: 18.99
    BF2 keyset: (unavailable price but probably around 18.99)
    COD2 directors edition: 59.99
    BF2: 44.99
    Fatal1ty mouse: 49.99

    total price: $233.79. And that's JUST for mouse + keyboard and games, not to mention new graphics card etc etc.

    This is why I think more hardcore gamers will go over to systems like the xbox 360. Get the system, xbox live, and a microphone and you'
    • Show me an X-Box 360 that you can circle-strafe while mouse-look shooting on, and I'll believe you.

      Computer controls are lightyears ahead of console controls.

      • That's why they have two analog thumbsticks; the left moves you forwards and backwards, and strafes left/right; the right controls your look. You can quite happily circle-strafe.

    • total price: $233.79. And that's JUST for mouse + keyboard and games, not to mention new graphics card etc etc.

      On my most recent system I sent spent ~ 800 UKP on the CPU (AMD FX-57), and have 2 x (for SLI) 360 UKP GeForce 7800 GTX graphics cards (which are not even the top of the like 512 MB's, which come in at 460 UKP!). Note that's USP (total 2,679 USD) - a price which doesn't include the 2 GB of fast (2-2-2-6) DDR RAM, motherboard, 10K RPM SATA Disks, 600 W PSU, etc.

      My old (at the time, brand new) DiNov

  • ZBoard Review. (Score:5, Informative)

    by Calmiche ( 531074 ) on Tuesday January 17, 2006 @12:46PM (#14491727)
    Err.. What? This thing has been out for a LONG time. I've actually got one. It's okay, but not fantastic. I've got the World of Warcraft keyset, which is okay, but I eventually went back to the default keyset. It's a cute gimic, but the execution dosen't make up for the convenience of having a normal keyboard. The Pad Lock is pretty cool. It changes your numpad to useful windows shortcut keys.

    Where it actually shines is in applications. I have a keyset for Photoshop http://webstore.ideazon.com/product.asp?pf_id=IW0U SE1-X2PHS01 [ideazon.com] that is increadible! It has cut down my searching for shortcut keys by quite a few minutes.

    However, the keys are pretty mushy, it is way to quiet for gaming with surround sound, and the different keysets tend to take a LONG time to get seated correctly so that the keyboard sees them. It's not to bad for speed typing though. (The review says otherwise, but I don't have any problems.) The programable top set of keys is really nice though.

    There are also 2 USB ports along the top. I've got my mouse attatched through there, meaning that I've got a longer reach and less cord clutter. I also plug my media card reader in there when I need it.

    • Where it actually shines is in applications.

      I seem to remember writing this ZBoard thing up in a story submission (that didn't get accepted) a few years ago.

      A novice AutoCAD user typically has to wander his/her mouse around the (often very deep) screen menus to find and invoke commands. More experienced users just use customized, typed commands and modify the acad.pgp file to suit their own preferences and typical use of the program (customizing keystrokes now is a lot more complicated so as to furthe

  • I actually saw an 'extension' (aka keyset) for this device a while back - snap on keyset for BF2 controls. At the time I thought the keyset was for regular qwerty keyboards, but they are actually for the product being reviewed.

    TFA loaded too slowly for me to have a look at (read: short attention span), but it strikes me that this product is a bit redundant. How many CS players suddenly forget which is the flashlight key? How many people in BF2 have to stop and think "How the hell do I crouch??". No-one th

  • I have one of these (Score:3, Informative)

    by OglinTatas ( 710589 ) on Tuesday January 17, 2006 @12:47PM (#14491738)
    My rating: eh...

    I have the WoW and NWN plates, I thought it was a good idea at the time (November 2004) If you play different games which don't let you change the key mappings, maybe it is useful, to spare yourself from memorizing multiple control schemes. It certainly is helpful to look at the board and see the controls if you don't have any key mappings memorized.

    The keys don't feel quite right, though, which makes in-game texting wierd, and I certainly don't like the base keyboard for everyday use.

    It's all moot for me now, because I do most of my gaming on a Mac these days (WoW, NWN, some CoD, puzzle pirates, and misc. casual games. Nothing latest and greatest.)

  • I've had one for awhile now (Score:3, Informative)

    by iCEBaLM ( 34905 ) on Tuesday January 17, 2006 @12:48PM (#14491751)
    Picked it up when Doom 3 came out. It's good for FPS games. The way the keysets attach to the base unit needs some work however. The metal contacts are in the upper right corner of the board and the snap down mechanism is on the right side in the middle. I have to press on the upper right corner of the keyset sometimes to get the software to recognize the board is there, it'll intermittantly lose contact and the software wont recognize it.

    Novel idea, poor implimentation, only worth it if you play a lot of FPS games.

  • But... (Score:1, Funny)

    by entrex ( 580367 )
    does it run linux?

  • Life Saver (Score:2, Interesting)

    by Sabot98 ( 935469 )
    If you have not used this keyboard you don't know what you are missing. I got sick and tired of pressing the tilda or caps lock key while I was trying to gun down some dude in BF2 or Call of Duty. This keyboard removes those keys from under your fingers giving you just the keys you need. It is a great gaming keyboard. I have had no problems using the keyboard, and I did not even have to use the software that came with the keyboard. I just plugged it in and off I went. If you are tilda and caps lock c

  • Not Totally Ridiculous (Score:5, Informative)

    by Azarael ( 896715 ) on Tuesday January 17, 2006 @12:53PM (#14491796) Homepage
    • The Keyboard inserts work well, they are quick to take in and out and they are easy to store.
    • The alternative button layout is good and bad. You don't loose your home key as easily when you are rushed, but on the other hand, the key size and spacing could be tweaked and the arrangment of the regular keys makes it pretty difficult to type chat messages.
    • No one really needs or wants the weapon laybels on the number keys, overall though, the keyboard looks cool and makes an interesting computer accessory if you're interested in that sort of thing
    • Zboards have very good game recognition and make it easy to set up and store your custom key mappings in one place. The utilities work well and aren't a major system hog.
    • Zboards have better driver support for large key sequences. Some keyboards don't work properly when holding down 3 or 4 keys at once.
    • I haven't had any reliability problems with mine in the year I've owned it. My girlfriend even melted a bunch of the keys by accident and that still didn't damage anything other than those keys
    • Zboards have better driver support for large key sequences. Some keyboards don't work properly when holding down 3 or 4 keys at once.

      THAT is a valuable feature. There have been several games where I've tried to do things like strafe left while firing, only to hear the PC speaker beep, and see my character stand in place idly.

      I've always wondered when someone would start marketing a keyboard with _that_ specific feature. THAT's what a gamer keyboard needs to do. AFAIK, even logitec's "Gamer" keyboa

  • My review: Good, but not great (Score:3, Informative)

    by xTK-421x ( 531992 ) on Tuesday January 17, 2006 @01:03PM (#14491900) Homepage
    My Microsoft Natural Keyboard Pro [amazon.com] was 5 years old and was quite dirty, so I decided to replace it. I have been gaming for a long time, so I was trying to decide between the Zboard and the Logitech G15 [logitech.com]. I decided to go with the Zboard because I thought the idea of a customized keyboard for a particular game was a good idea. I picked up the Zboard, plus a Doom3 Keyset [zboard.com] and a Battlefield 2 Keyset [zboard.com].

    After setting up the software, I tried playing games with it. After about two weeks of using the keyboard exclusively for gaming, I realized that I'm too used to the way WASD is layed out on a typical keyboard. In the end, I'm spending more time making sure I'm hitting the correct key, rather than the one I've been used to for all these years.

    I think the Zboard is great for people who are new to computer gaming, maybe console users coming over who are used to joypads. Give them a Zboard so they have easily identifiable keys to use and get used to the idea of a keyboard/mouse combo. However, if you've been PC gaming for a long period of time, you're better off skipping this one and going for a G15. The integrated LCD is beginning to get useful plug ins which can be found at either G15 Forums [g15forums.com] or G15 Mods [g15mods.com].

  • Optimus ZBoard (Score:3, Informative)

    by 2obvious4u ( 871996 ) on Tuesday January 17, 2006 @01:06PM (#14491931)
    Back in October 2005, Wired Magazine showcased a keyboard called the Optimus Keyboard. This is truely the ultimate keyboard. It uses tiny organic-LED screens on the keys to dynamically change the keys for whatever your using them for. http://www.artlebedev.com/portfolio/optimus/ [artlebedev.com] ZBoards are overprices and you have to pay for each additional key layout. Personally I'm waiting for the Optimus.
    • Should only have to wait until February 1st, and they promise it will "cost less than a good mobile phone."

      I'm with you, but really, I'd go for any keyboard named after a Transformer [wikipedia.org].
    • I too can't wait for the Optimus although it's still vaporware if it ever comes out I will be first in line. This is definately the way to go not some custom hardware you have to change everytime you exit or enter a game. i agree with alot of other people here that this thing is a step backward and hotkeys and keymapping are much easier. On the ridiculous or genius vote, this is definately ridculous.
    • The title was supposed to be Optimus (greater sign) ZBoard. Now it looks like ZBoard makes the Optimus...
    • It'll be great for playing Duke Nukem Forever.
    • That's so cool it hurts. It hurts because, for the time being, it's vaporware, and also because when it is released, I won't be able to justify spending what will probably be at least $150 on what amounts to a novelty (and if I did, I'd probably just spill something on it and destroy it).
    • I believe engadget or joystiq reported that in fact it will not be a 104 key board but instead a 3 key board that is released on febuary first for 'less than a good mobile phone'. 200 USD just sounded too good to be true, and it probably is.
  • A normal keyboard with custom hotkeys set? It's a lot cheaper, and I find, more practical.

  • I had one. (Score:2, Informative)

    by Superfarstucker ( 621775 )
    They aren't very durable, their design means if anything is spilled on them they are gone, and you can guess what happened to mine. Honestly, I never used the alternate keysets, as many others have pointed out, most are far too used to the wasd key layout for it to make a difference. However, another problem is that the keys stop feeling very firm after you use the thing for awhile, which makes typing feel all mushy, not very exciting. Somebody also had the brilliant idea of making a good number of the k
  • It's a fine idea, but the keys feel sorta mushy and the general construction of these things seems kind of cheap.

  • Eh, if you need something nifty (Score:4, Informative)

    by phrackwulf ( 589741 ) on Tuesday January 17, 2006 @01:21PM (#14492108)
    Buy a Belkin Nostromo N52 or N50.

    http://catalog.belkin.com/IWCatProductPage.process ?Merchant_Id=&Section_Id=2071&pcount=&Product_Id=1 57024 [belkin.com]

    You can program any key layout you want for as many programs as you want and never have to bother with buying additional keyboard sets for the z-board. I picked mine up for $29.99. That's cheaper than any z-board I've seen anywhere plus the added costs of the "custom" inserts for each game you play. Who needs that.
    • Ditto. I have used the Nostromo for years, and I cannot imagine a more useful device for gaming. Not only is it great for games, but that fact that it has a launcher that detects the application/game and loads a custom profile for that application makes it extremely useful for things like Photoshop, or any other program where custom keymaps would benefit.
    • I don't know about the N52, but I have a N50 and it's pure crap.

      The keys feel stiff and are not sensible enough. It also has a throttle. WTF? No FPS whatsoever needs that. As for the thumb D-pad, it's nice but there really should be buttons instead.

      But the worse thing is it has major "keyboard matrix"-style issues, ie. most 3+ key combinations don't register properly, for example I couldn't crouch while moving diagonally left and back. Yes, they actually made a *gaming* input device that can't handle 3 mult
  • I looked at the ZBoard for all of five minutes once, about two years ago. It always looked and felt chintzy when I was in CompUSA looking at the display model (which was usually set up with something like an EverQuest keyboard module) and hated it because yet again, it not only screwed with the tried-and-true classic keyboard layout, but it was impossible for lefties to use.

    For a while, I wanted the Saitek Eclipse - a nice gaming keyboard, backlit keys, not too much extra crap other than a good feel and the sort of look that would go over well in LAN sessions, but then the Logitech G15 was announced. Holy crap. Logitech actually went and did a gaming keyboard -right-. The only thing that bugs me is that the 'Gamer Keys' are on the left side instead of the right (which is really understandable) and that my first one (I'm on a warranty replacement now, and Logitech was amazingly good about it) had problems with the paint coming off the keys.

    Logitech's usual decent quality, keys with lighted letters, a hackable LCD, 18 programmable macro keys with three modes and built-in on the fly programming. And best of all, NO FREAKY FUCKING LAYOUT. I despise what Microsoft has done with newer keyboards, screwing up the home/end/pgup/pgdown/etc. cluster, curving the arrow keys, etc. For a left-handed gamer especially, the G15 just rocks.

    Note to lefties: For games like Counter-Strike and other FPS titles, I strongly suggest arrow keys with control for ducking, keyp/ins for jump, delete for reload, and end for use. Those keys are a really good layout once you get used to them, unless you mouse with your right hand.
  • I think these kinds of 'gadget' based keyboards have a limited future, if they can ever get something like that Optimus OLED keyboard [artlebedev.com] on the market. Of course, it'll cost more, but can be customized for *any* game and any application.

  • There are MUCH better options, like... (Score:3, Interesting)

    by wernst ( 536414 ) on Tuesday January 17, 2006 @01:23PM (#14492146) Homepage

    So you want a programmable keyboard for gaming? One that's ergonomically shaped for your left hand? One that works on PCs and Macs via USB? One that also comes with a mouse-wheel-like device that's also programmable? And has a d-pad positioned correctly (under your thumb), which is itself also programmable?

    And costs around $30? And lets you keep your existing keyboard for, you know, typing text?

    Then you want a Nostromo N52 from Belkin [belkin.com]. Pure gaming heaven.

    Between it and my Logitech MX510 mouse [logitech.com], a Mouse Bungee [mousebungee.com], and LogiGamer [logigamer.com], I'm in gaming heaven, and I get to keep my 15-year old IBM Model M keyboard and 15-year old Apple Extended I keyboard for thumping out articles.

    • I've thought about getting something like the Nostromo for ages, but was worried it might be a daft gimmick.

      Can you (or other users) share what sort of games you play with it, and what it works well with it (and what doesn't work so well)?

      Do you use it as a complete keyboard replacement while playing, or as a suppliment for the main keyboard and just jump to some of the time while gaming?

      • The two main games are CounterStrike: Source and Unreal Tournament 2004. I use it exclusively while playing, in-game chatting excluded, of course.

        (On second thought, I still manually buy weapons in CS:S with the main keyboard. I know a lot of guys who use macros or the N52's macros for this, but honestly, after a week you get to know the weapon-buy keystrokes so well it comes automatically. Example: O2B42,.O3O3O4 gets me kevlar with a helmet, an AK47, full ammo for the AK and the Gloc, two flashbangs, and

      • It's pretty good for all the keybindings you need for FPS
        games like Q3 or COD, the problemI had with it was it
        limited me in the Q3 games where you have to use all those
        multikey sequences to get things like strafe jumping and
        bunny hopping to work properly. I could never make the long jumps
        or ledge grabs with the N50. That stuff makes a difference when you
        are playing with a bunch of skilled opponents.
        For other games than Q3 engine ones, it's really nice to have macros
        for some of the more complex stuff and rad
  • Got one for Christmas.. I love it. Do you NEED IT? No.. but it's nice. I like it. I dont' use all the WoW keys that it has but I don't care. My wife bought it for me and I thought it was a thoughtful gift.

    Anyway.. I think getting this keyboard and the keysets when you first start playing the game is much better then relearning after you'd already learned the game on a normal keyboard.

    Bottom line for me is it's a nice keyboard that has custom keyboard sets for a variety of games.

  • In December 2004, I bought the ZBoard and the key plate for use with World of Warcraft. It was instantly apparent that it was a crappy product for the simple reason that the "special" keys were on the right side of the keyboard. 99% of gamers I know are familiar with wasd and use their left hand to move and use the right hand to control the mouse. Having the extra keys on the right side of the board means you either have to reach over to the right side with your left hand, or take your hand off the mouse
  • I've owned one of these keyboards for 2 years. Great for FPS games, lacking on the other games. Quick trick for people that get one of these baords - ignore installing the software that comes with it, and just slap in the keyboard layouts as you see fit. You'll have less of a headache.

    This is far from new.
  • the ergodex dx1 input system. http://www.ergodex.com/content.php?id=12 [ergodex.com]

    You can put the keys EXACTLY where you want, rather than rely on someone else's layout design. So you also don't need to buy different keysets for different games.

  • have look here [golem.de]. it's a WASD keyboard from Wolf Claw [wolf-claw.com]. quite interesting..

  • I know these keyboards are out there.

    These, and the 1600-dpi mice.

    And I still consistently kick their asses at MoH online, with my plain-vanilla keyboard and my Logitech Wingman USB mouse (which needs its ball and rollers cleaned, badly).

    It's skillz and experience, Chongo. Not some ticky-tack input device.
  • I remember seeing these things about 8-10 years ago in high street stores (I bet there are some old dupes for this one... ;-)

    In other news, the Logitech G15 Gaming Keyboard [logitech.com] (with backlit keys, macro buttons and a programmable backlit LCD display) finally started shipping today (after being hyped last year) - an update on the Optimus [artlebedev.com] is due out on the 1st of February too.

  • Genius-- (Score:2, Interesting)

    by scott_karana ( 841914 )
    These things truly would be pure genius if only there were keyboard layouts for typists: a keyboard that could swap QWERTY for Dvorak or AZERTY would be a god-send in my household.
  • I keep seeing these keyboard replacements, and I don't understand why they have to mess with the keyboard at all. There are a lot better solutions. The key layout of a keyboard, while great for typing, I found a little uncomfortable for playing games. So I went out and bought a Nostromo SpeedPad n52 [belkin.com] from Belkin. It works fantastic, it doesn't replace my keyboard, and it's extremely comfortable.

    I much prefer a secondary control device to replacing my good old keyboard.
  • I tried one in the store. Mushy, gooey, keys that are hard to press and give no feedback. Absolutely hopeless for gaming.

    I don't know why people insist on making keyboards that are physically painful to use.
  • I got confused because I thought I remember reading this before [slashdot.org]...

    Posted by CmdrTaco:
      An anonymous reader sent in linkage to a story running on a few places about a new customizable keyboard. It's a bit beyond anything you've probably seen before. Also tom's has more.


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