Final Thoughts
Now to be honest when Zalman asked to send me a gaming keyboard I was not all that excited, I mean we don’t know them for amazing keyboards or anything. But after spending time with the ZM-K700M I am quite impressed, and hell I am still even using the keyboard to write this review so that should tell you something.
Zalman has done a great job of making a solid keyboard without all the flare and bling we see on many other keyboards. While there is backlighting it is only one color and there are no extra bells or whistles here, most gamers will actually appreciate that. The keyboard is a full-sized keyboard and the only extra keys are the five macro keys on the far left of the keyboard. The combination of the Cherry MX Red mechanical key switches, solid build, and weight of the keyboard will bring an enjoyable typing and gaming experience alike.
Now of course one of the biggest highlights of the ZM-K700M is the lightning. The keyboard is fully backlit with white LEDs, which are very bright. This is not just typical backlighting you touch mode, wave mode, KeyLED mode, mask mode, demo mode, breathing mode, and EQ mode. All of these we have gone over in our ZM-K700M Illumination video. If you can guess our favorite mode is EQ mode, if you check out our instagram we’ve posted quite a few different videos showing off the EQ mode listening to music. Also on the right side of the keyboard is a unique LED bar that will actually show you how fast you are typing in real-time, which is another feature we love.
Now there are some things you might not like with the ZM-K700M. The biggest thing is that it does not come with any software, this means you have to set up your lighting modes and macros on the keyboard itself. While this is not a huge deal, software definitely makes it easier. The keys are also ONLY backlit in white. Again, not the biggest deal, but we’ve seen a plethora of RGB keyboard come out lately.
At the end of the day this keyboard really opened my eyes to Zalman can do in the gaming accessory space. Now if they come out with a tenkeyless version of this keyboard I will really be sold! Right now the keyboard is selling for $139.99 at my favorite online retailer. Overall ThinkComputers gives the Zalman ZM-K700M gaming keyboard a 9 out of 10 score and our Recommended Award!
Pros:
– Solid build quality
– Cherry MX Red mechanical key switches
– Excellent backlighting and effects
– Unique light bar on the side
– Compact with no extra size added to the keyboard
– 5 macro keys
Cons:
– No software to help you customize things
– Backlighting is only one color
