Computing on Demand PC News & Reviews
Enough about keyboard switches, let’s talk about the keyboard. The Poseidon Z is marketed as a gaming keyboard, its black, sports a USB interface, features the Blue Kaihl switches, is fully back-lit, has 104 keys, and weighs in at a very hefty 995 grams. The intensity of the back-lighting can be adjusted and the keyboard features 7 multimedia functions for Windows users. Additionally, the Poseidon Z offers up the ability to disable the Windows key for those intense gaming sessions. Personally, I have never been an A S D gamer (I hope you know what that means, if not… look at your keyboard) and always had my left hand firmly planted by the arrow keys. I was always able to key-map a larger array of functions and eliminate extraneous key presses by moving to the right side of the keyboard.
The LED back-lighting is flat-out cool. Each of the keys is illuminated and the various intensity settings range from off to bright (FN + F11 for lower intensity, FN + F12 for greater intensity). The bottom of the keyboard adds some cable routing elements that will allow you to have the USB cable exit at center, left, and right. The back has two rubber bumpers to protect anything your late night frag session finds you slamming your keyboard up against in the event of a sudden surprise. There are two feet that can be extended to help increase the angle of the keyboard… when raised, they add approximately a half of an inch of extra height. No wrist wrest… I don’t want one either. I want my keyboard to be a keyboard.
As far as the feel of the keyboard goes, I like it… a lot. Each of the keys responds well and commands are issued with authority. The 4mm total travel seems appropriate for gaming. If I were a typist, I would like to have a little more travel (something like 5 or 6mm) as key presses seem like they are getting cut short in long runs. In testing, I was able to best 90 words per minute and frag countless zombies.
There has to be something said for a keyboard that is just a keyboard. This one doesn’t inundate you with a bunch of unnecessary functions. The only extra button is one to disable a button! I don’t care what kind of “gamer” you claim to be, this keyboard can make a home on your desk. The Poseidon Z is a sturdy, well designed, and inexpensive mechanical keyboard. Fit and function are brought together masterfully. The illuminated keys don’t do much for function, but they certainly add an element of funk to your setup. In my case, it matches my liquid.
Bottom line, if you are in the market for a new keyboard, whether your game or not, there is something to be said for mechanical vs membrane. For $79.99 USD you can bring back that loving feeling. The Poseidon Z will be on my desk… what will be on yours?
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