Ideazon Zboard Gaming Keyboard

Another bleeding-edge keyboard called the ZBoard has been developed by a company called Ideazon. The ZBoard's claim to fame is that it features interchangeable keysets. What this means is that this keyboard is actually two (or more) keyboards in one. This keyboard essentially allows gamers to have a separate keyset for gaming, complete with specialized gaming keys not found on normal keyboards. In addition, the base keyboard has many useful features as well, including a USB hub, hotkeys, multimedia controls, and specialized "Lock" functions including "Bar Lock" and "Pad Lock".

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From the Manufacturer
Zboard is the first keyboard system of its kind, designed specifically to meet the needs of PC gamers by delivering unparalleled speed, action and control while gaming. In addition to a base unit, the Zboard comes with two keysets, one for gaming and one for everyday use. Additional custom keysets are available for the hottest titles, offering unprecedented control over the games you love.

See the Zboard video (requires Flash).

The Zboard base
A Zboard Base has an auto recognition feature for any keyset you insert. There's no need to install any additional software. It is the brain behind the brawn. Just switch keysets and play your favorite games. The Zboard Base comes with these standard features:

USB hub: The Zboard Base is equipped with two USB (bus-powered) connectors. This hub supports low voltage devices (up to 100mA) such as mice, joystick or memory sticks. Now you can plug devices directly to your Zboard without the hassle of crawling down to your PC.

Hot keys: A set of nine hot keys launch common functions such as E-mail, Calculator and My Computer or allow you to instantly return to a pre-selected destination, such as a file, folder, program or web page.

Ideazon Zboard Gaming Keyboard multimedia control

Multimedia controls: A set of seven one-touch multimedia control buttons: play/pause, stop, next/previous track, volume up/down and mute.
Additional LED indicators: In addition to the standard three LEDs (caps, scroll and num lock), Zboard has additional three LEDs to indicate Zboard enhanced functionality (pad lock, bar lock and enable).

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The Gaming Keyset
Designed for first/third person shooter and action games, the Gaming Keyset provides a better gaming experience, advanced layout, and built-in technology advantages. It comes loaded with a selection of mod files for over 70 of today's hottest games. Features include:

Ideazon Zboard Gaming Keyboard butterfly

"Butterfly" movement keys: Enlarged and sloped "butterfly" movement keys keep fingers comfortable and accurate!

Ideazon Zboard Gaming Keyboard search

Labeled command keys: Commonly used command keys for FPS/action games are labeled for faster and better performance in game.
Dome-shaped keys: Unique domed action keys give gamers the responsive feel that they demand.

Ideazon Zboard Gaming Keyboard control zone

Control zones: Players can easily access more critical commands with the one hand control zone.
Technological advantages: Registers up to seven simultaneous key-strokes, in comparison to 2-4 on most other keyboards! Jump, move forward, lean left, change weapons, and shoot at the same time! The gaming keyset also features standard QWERTY keys for chatting without interrupting the action.

The Standard Keyset
The Standard Keyset is based on the traditional 108-key layout, but it's also packed with Zboard enhanced features. It is specifically designed to optimize the use of Microsoft Windows and applications, including Internet Explorer. The The Standard Keyset includes:

Ideazon Zboard Gaming Keyboard keyboard

Control and Windows labeled commands: The QWERTY typing zone has two sets of commands common to Windows applications labeled for your convenience.

Ideazon Zboard Gaming Keyboard small view

Special "macro" keys: The activation of the "bar lock" and "pad lock" keys reassigns the numerical keys and the function keys to advanced functionality inherent to Windows applications.

Ideazon Zboard Gaming Keyboard keys

Windows quick commands: The Windows Pad includes 16 commands for frequently used Windows features such as Minimize/Maximize, My Computer, Show Desktop, and more.
Internet Explorer quick commands: The Internet bar includes 12 commands for frequently used Internet Explorer features such as Home, Backward/Forward, My Favorites, and more.

KeyTips: Zboard KeyTips is an interactive help application that allows you to quickly and easily test and verify the different labeled key functions of your Zboard Standard Keyset.

What's in the Box
Keyboard base, gaming keyset, standard keyset, wrist rest, installation CD, and documentation.

Product Details
Amazon Sales Rank: #736 in Consumer Electronics
Color: Black/Silver
Brand: Ideazon
Model: PW1USE1-B3ZBD01
Released on: 2004-06-23
Platform: PlayStation2
Dimensions: 4.00 pounds

Features
Box Content - USB Keyboard Base, Gaming Keyset, Standard Keyset, Wrist Rest, Installation CD, and Documentation
USB Hub - Your Zboard Base is equipped with 2 USB (bus powered) connectors
Hot Keys - A set of nine hot keys launch common functions such as E-mail, Calculator and My Computer or allow you to instantly return to a pre-selected destination, such as a file, folder, program or web page
Multimedia Control Buttons - Play/pause, stop, next/previous track, volume up/down and mute
Additional LED Indicators - Standard 3 LED (Caps, Scroll and Num lock) and Zboard enhanced functionality (Pad Lock, Bar Lock and Enable)

Complete Set

Ideazon Zboard Gaming Keyboard

Comments & Reviews

Awesome for Gaming
Works great for my World of Warcraft game time. I should have had this key board a long time ago! It is easier to make all of the moves that I need to make and do all of the things that I need to do. I have lots of extras with this keyboard that i don't have on a regular keyboard. It is awesome - every warcrafter should have one.

Great board!

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 zBoard.com 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 stndard 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 zBoard.com. 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 zBoard.com 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 zBoard.com/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.

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Ideazon Zboard Gaming Keyboard

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