Reviewed – SteelSeries Aion Zboard Keyboard

Product Specs:

- SteelSeries Z Engine allows full customization of each key

- Pre-defined profiles for more than 150 games

- Anti-ghosting capability: Up to 7 simultaneous keystrokes

- Special gaming key area

- Interchangeable Keysets

- Internal hub with 2 USB ports

How the ZBoard works

This is the first proper gaming specific keyboard I’ve ever used so I’ll be honest and say I am a real noob when it comes to keyboards like the ZBoard. I’ve used gaming keyboards before but none quite like the ZBoard which can be skinned and used specifically for a particular type of game you’re playing, in this case – Aion. This hardware isn’t new so I guess as a gamer, I’m still learning about hardware too, even after all this time. What I can say is that the ZBoard is extremely KICK ASS when it comes to being able to play a game efficiently.

The ZBoard is so-called because it houses the ZEngine technology. This technology allows you to download a driver that will turn your normal looking keyboard into a gaming beast by allowing the keyboard’s interface to change. For Aion, this means being able to do everything in-game at the simple touch of a key – everything from flying to using emotes. The shortcut keys are endless and this technology is specifically designed so you can change the keyboard to suit your style of play. Obviously the default settings will work for most Aion gamers but you can also program the keyboard to do whatever you need in-game.

Macros be gone!

Once you’ve downloaded the software, you can enable the keyboard so that the keys setup for Aion will work in-game. I’ve had a play with most of the keys and I can’t believe how much easier it is to do everything using this keyboard. I’m also not a huge macro user either so this is where the Aion keyboard really does alot of the work for you rather than having to program in your own macros. Obviously, you can still do this but for people not so happy creating macros like me, this keyboard pretty much does all I need and then some.

One of the coolest things about the ZBoard is that you also receive more than one keyset (in fact I received three including the Aion keyset) which you can take off and interchange as often as you want.

Rounding it up

Bottom line is the ZBoard offers functionality that you just wouldn’t get from an average keyboard already preset and ready to use. For Aion gamers like me, that’s as perfect as it gets to having your own macros already setup to do whatever you need. I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend this keyboard to anyone playing Aion (and I’ve already boasted about it to mates). For general use the ZBoard is also extremely well-made even if gaming isn’t your thing. As a touch-typest, I actually found this keyboard to be one of the best I’ve used next to the Microsoft Natural keyboard range.