Entered CNET Catalog: 11/06/2003
SKU: 0826734000174
Manufacturer: Ideazon Inc.
Manufacturer description
When you want to master applications and games quickly and easily, look no further than the Zboard from Ideazon. The Zboard is a revolutionary, two-piece, interchangeable keyboard system that is designed to optimize your computing experience. The Zboard system is comprised of a base and interchangeable keyboard interfaces for many of today's popular business applications. The unique system design delivers maximum flexibility so that you can quickly and easily exchange between businesses, gaming or educational interfaces depending upon your current need. Zboard sistem supports all Zboard keyboard interfaces, can support up to 136 unique keys and hundreds of short cut keys. Mastering keyboard shortcuts is the best way to achieve maximum results from Windows and Internet Explorer. The Zboard system can make it easier to use these applications and increase your productivity by providing important shortcuts right on the keys and providing specialty keys physically group similar commands in one location. Now you can focus on the tasks at hand and avoid wasting time searching through pull down menus for commonly used commands. The Zboard keyboard interface for Microsoft Windows and Internet Explorer provides keys that are clearly labeled with icons and text, color coordinated and intuitively laid out. Easily learn how to use Windows and Internet Explorer with 40 labeled keys, and special Internet Explorer and Windows system tools keys on your Zboard Bar Lock and Pad Lock. Other Available Keyboard Interfaces are Microsoft Word, Microsoft Excel, Microsoft Office, Adobe Photoshop, Electronic Arts Medal of Honor, Microsoft Age of Mythology.Product summary
The good: Innovative; good teaching and gaming tool.
The bad: Tight, sticky keys; some boards look distracting; may not be useful for advanced users.
The bottom line: If you're into PC gaming or you're just learning to use Windows apps, the Ideazon Zboard is the tool for you; otherwise, stick with your standard keyboard.
Editors' review
- Editors' Choice: No
- Reviewed on: 11/20/2003
The affordable $29.99 Zboard base, which holds the interchangeable boards, is sharply designed, with hot keys that can be assigned to open apps, files, and folders. Setup requires running the installation CD and plugging the keyboard base into your system's PS/2 port--sorry, USB devotees. To use a board, you lay it into place and snap it down. Boards fold for easy storage and range in cost from $19.99 to $29.99.
We tested the device with the basic Microsoft Windows and Internet Explorer interface. Like all of the Zboards, this one has keys labeled and color-coded for specific functions. For instance, the C key is labeled Copy in green, to use in conjunction with the green Ctrl button. For Internet surfing, the function keys and the number-pad keys have specific duties.
On the nicely designed Age of Mythology board, you'll find a full QWERTY setup, but the keys are round, and they're best used for their game functions or quick chat sessions. Although we didn't get a chance to play with Ideazon's Medal of Honor board, first-person shooter games--where a single wasted keystroke could be your downfall--should work especially well with this keyboard setup. Among others, Ideazon has also released boards for Adobe Photoshop, Madden NLF 2003, Microsoft Excel, and Macromedia Flash. The company plans to offer new interfaces frequently.
We found two problems common to all of these interfaces: the spacebar has a gap in it (along the board's folding lines) right where our thumbs naturally hit when typing, and the keys themselves were tight and slightly sticky.
User opinions
Select a User Opinion to view: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12out of 12 user reviews
Dont expect help from steelseries
Pros: I have not been able to use the keyboard much. I have spent more time trying to troubleshoot the product than I have in playing WoW
Cons: When I installed from the disc, it never allowed me to access the zengine. I downloaded from the internet. Last driver update was 2006. I now had access to zengine. I updated mods for WoW The WoW mod is suppose to be there but i cant find it.
out of 12 user reviews
No customer support.
Pros: There really isn't much that I like - have had nothing but trouble from the start on both xp and vista.
Cons: Nothing but trouble.
out of 12 user reviews
Best system I've ever used!
Pros: Modular keysets, extra USB ports, custom setup
Cons: little buggy on 64 bit vista SP1, keys sometimes stick
out of 12 user reviews
No product drivers for mac users, how do you customize your board without a driver?
Pros: If you don't need to customize your gaming experience, why purchase the board?
Cons: DO NOT BUY THIS PRODUCT IF YOU OWN A MAC!!!!!
out of 12 user reviews
No Customer Support
Pros: Easy to Use
Cons: No Customer Support
out of 12 user reviews
The new USB Zboard deserves a second look
Pros: Forget the PS2 version. The USB version comes with 2 ports for your mouse. The keysets are plug in play. There is no need to load a keyset the Zboard detects it automatically. The keysets are designed for gamers and applications alike. With the new Z
Cons: Configuring keys yourself with the standard game keyset is limited. The new USB Zboard is ideal for any user and highly recommended as a keyboard replacement because of the easy plug and play installation of the keysets. Gamers should consider this as
out of 12 user reviews
Only customizable with new keysets
Pros: If you don't mind buying a $20 keyset for each of your games then this is an option
Cons: Each keyset is good for one only one game. Only the 10 keys are programable which is available on many less expensive keyboards. The pad keys cannot be modified except for thier function. You can change the "paint" function to bring up photoshop ins
out of 12 user reviews
Works without a flaw
Pros: Good hotkeys, ease of set up, and kicks ass for playing first person shooters. The other comments must have been an earlier model. Even my wife could change it out and get it working.
Cons: Some trial and error in changing out the boards. Manual could be better in details on customization.
out of 12 user reviews
Save time while using Adobe Photoshop like the pros by using keyboard commands.
Pros: It helps alot using professional apps like word, photoshop, flash etc. Since i'm using the keysets for my day-to-day work, i've noticed big improvement in my performance. Now i don't need to memorize commands - i just look at the keys and its magic!!!
Cons:
out of 12 user reviews
Perfect for gaming
Pros: This peripheral is one of the most innovative and useful ideas to have existed. It works very well if you install everything correctly and it makes commands easier for windows and other apps. Individual boards for each Microsoft Office application really
Cons: The extra boards are kind of pricey. If you are a diehard fan of a certain game, by all means get the appropriate keyset. They do add a whole level of immersion in the game. If not all you really need is the basic gaming and the I.E./ Windows boards.
out of 12 user reviews
Nice concept. Won't boot.
Pros: The idea behind this keyboard is definitely interesting. It's a great way to make gamers shell out more and more money for each game they want to play.
Cons: For starters, it doesn't work. It doesn't behave like a standard keyboard, so if you have a BIOS password, good luck getting past it without hooking up a NORMAL keyboard for that mundane function. Once the computer boots into windows (XP in my case), it
out of 12 user reviews
Flimsy and poorly designed.
Pros: Innovative and interesting. Being sick of keyboard clones, this was a breath of fresh air.
Cons: Designed so poorly it's almost unusable. Standard key layouts (such as the Office one) have a space-bar split directly where your thumb falls, forcing an awkward shift of the hand to use. Keys are alternately sticky or mushy, making typing for extended pe
