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I just saw a new PC keyboard at Fry's called the "Zboard." It allows you to use "snap in" keys based on the software application you're using. I'm not talking about clear sticky labels, the actual keys.

For example, the Medal of Honor keyboard reshapes the keys for easier movement and use of keyboard commands. You've got to see it.

Check out reviews here:

http://www.bytesector.com/data/bs-ar...t%20Resources.
http://www.gamingunleashed.com/reviews/zboard/body.html

The keyboard is PS/2 and is $35. The keyboard templates (or whatever they are called) are around $20 I think.

Main site: http://www.ideazon.com/

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The_Dude

real neat.

switchin kewys, wow. i'm sure it increases game performance.

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Hydralisk

getting a different template for each game could get expensive

good idea, but I wouldn't buy it

bemick

Here is another review of it
http://gear.ign.com/articles/425/425726p1.html

Think I might get one of these next though
http://gear.ign.com/articles/425/425192p1.html

Cynthetiq

interesting....

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YourNeverThere

i would use it just to be different

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wakelagger

it sounds like it could be an expensive gimmick

manalone

I think that would really get on My nerves. I would probably lose the crouch key from one of My templates or somethn

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Antagony

I'd be all for it if it weren't so freaking expensive.

$50 for a new game, then another $20 to get a template? Bah, says I.

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Gambrinous

I went to a frys pretty recently myself and I saw that they had one for photoshop... I think that its a huge waste of cash, I didnt inspect it all that much but from what I saw it had just labeld the shortcuts on the keys...
anyone who uses a program for a long enough time will get to know the shortcute
I think it wouldnt be such a rip off if it could just fit over a standard keyboard... that may be worth $10 for a cover
but to buy a whole difrent keyboard(that is pretty lacking as far as a keyboard of that price is consernd imo) and then the difrent things to put ontop of it is a rip off

Jinn

Anyone know if this keyboard has changed much in the last two years? There's a relatively cheap one for sale on newegg, and I'm pondering if I should pony up and get the Zboard and a BF2 insert. I know all the shortcuts already, so I'm just debating if I'd get much advantage out of it. It would replace this:

http://www.thinkgeek.com/computing/input/5c3f/

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Magpie0001

Gamespy.com says zboards are a no-no. I was impressed at first too. It sounds like a great idea.

Heres the link: Click

& Heres what they had to say:


Zboard (by Ideazon)
MSRP: $50 for basic system
$20 for additional keysets

Targeted directly at gamers, the Zboard system was designed to be the Better Gaming Keyboard by offering swappable keysets with specially designed keys for different games. FPS keysets would provide (in theory) properly-aligned direction buttons instead of the offset W/A/S/D configuration, and then place the rest of the buttons in a more optimal manner for each game. In addition to a generic FPS board, keysets have been released for several games, including DOOM 3, EverQuest 2, World of Warcraft, and, most recently, Battlefield 2.

Sluggo's Take: I've tried several of the Zboards in the past few years, and while they're getting better, the system doesn't seem quite there yet. The early boards had little round buttons for the A-Z keys, which were a pain to use. I tried again with the DOOM 3 board last year, but gave up after about an hour -- the direction keys didn't quite feel right, and forget about any of the FPS boards if you plan on chatting with teammates; the A-Z keys are laid out so awkwardly (see the BF2 board above?) that you'll have to hunt and peck for every message.

Ironically, the Zboards I've liked the most are the ones for EverQuest II and World of Warcraft, which ditch the special keys and simply build in a ton of shortcuts to key commands. On top of that, I actually like the basic board -- it has two USB ports and a nice selection of extra hotkeys. If it weren't for the odd split in the space bar, I might consider it for normal use. Maybe the Zboard guys should think about making a "regular" keyboard?

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muckluck

I would personally perfer this keyboard . It seems like it would be alot better then the Z board, but it comes at a cost. I have never actually purchased a keyboard I juts picked up ones noone was using and never really cared about their quality. The only real problem with keyboards that I have had is this annoyiong MS one I'm using now. It requires you to press the f lock key to use the f keys. I'm not sure if I would be willing to pay more then 50$ for a keyboard. FPSes are the only games I really play that much and all the key layouts are pretty much the same.

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AxelF

This is not out yet, but quite sexy I think:

http://www.artlebedev.com/portfolio/optimus/

Is has configurable OLED displays on the keys...

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MontanaXVI

I know this is an old topic which has recently gotten some new hits, but search can be a mighty powerful thing to use.

http://www.tfproject.org/tfp/showthread.php?t=92146

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Jinn

I bumped this becuase I was curious if the Zboard had made many improvements in their design lately, not because I wanted an LCD keyboard. Thank you, though. From that Gamespy review, however.. I'm thinking I might not buy one after all..

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