A Premium Mechanical Option Under $100
A gaming keyboard with Kailh Blue switches and RGB lighting
In the past year or two we have seen a number of sub-$100 mechanical gaming keyboards on the market, and several of these have passed through our hands here at the PC Perspective offices. The latest of these to garner our attention is the ZALMAN ZM-K900M, a premium gaming design featuring RGB lighting effects and Kailh Blue key switches, along with a 1000 Hz polling rate and full N-key rollover. It currently retails for $89.99, though it can be found for as little as $79.99 (currently, at least) with a little googling. How impressive is it in person? Read on to find out!
The ZM-K900M offers a variety of RGB effects
The ZM-K900M certainly checks the right boxes as a gaming keyboard, with the above-mentioned 1000 Hz polling rate (which ZALMAN calls 'Z-Engine') and customizable RGB lighting, supports simulanious key presses for the full 104 keys, and offers programmable macro keys. All of the keyboard features are controlled via hot keys on the ZM-K900M itself, eliminating the need for software.
“The ZM-K900M requires no software installation and is universally compatible with any operating system. The macros automatically remember the time interval between the inputs and run exactly as you typed. The keyboard stores the data inside the keyboard so you can instantly run your macros on any computer.”
Features and specifications from ZALMAN:
- Simple and minimal design
- Equipped with Z-Engine
- Supports USB and PS/2 connection
- Intelligent hardware macro with option to add mouse clicks
- Multimedia hotkeys
- 4-stage macro speed adjustment
- 6-key and N-Key rollover
- Option to lock Windows key or entire keyboard
- High quality laser-etched keycaps
Specifications:
- Model: ZM-K900M
- Keyboard Layout: 104-key
- Key Switch: Kailh Blue mechanical key switch
- Keyboard Matrix: USB & PS/2 N key rollover (anti-ghost function)
- Key cap type: Step Sculpture 2
- Interface: USB
- Cable length: 5.6 ft
- Dimensions: 17.32 x 5.51 x 1.34 inches, 2.75 lbs
- ZALMAN ZM-K900M Keyboard: $89.99 – Amazon.com
The keyboard arrives in a colorful box (it's an RGB keyboard, so this is only fitting) and inside the box the keyboard was well protected and accompanied by a USB to PS/2 adapter and a paper manual.
And now a look at the keyboard itself:
The ZM-K900M is all plastic, but it felt quite solid and had minimal flex and no audible creaking when twisting it with both hands.
The underside of the keyboard has soft rubber pads to keep it firmly in place on your desk or table, and the pop-out rubber feet are capped with the same soft material.
The cord is just about 5 1/2 feet long, and while terminated in a USB port a PS/2 adapter comes with the ZM-K900M in case you prefer (or need) that connection.
Typing Impressions
While everyone has their own preference when it comes to mechanical key switches (and ZALMAN offers versions of this keyboard with blue, black, brown, and red), it is the blue variety of switch that our review unit arrived with, and I must admit I enjoyed them a lot more than I was expecting to. The key caps themselves felt very good, and the action of the keys was very smooth and quite solid. It has a premium feel, with each keypress devoid of any loose or unsteady feeling you might find with some of some ultra-budget designs out there. While $89.99 is still a lot for many people (though really not for a mechanical keyboard), the quality of this ZALMAN design is apparent with use, and I was very impressed with it after exclusively typing on it for a few days.
The key caps are laser-etched and have a solid feel
Most of the keyboards I encounter have the ever-popular brown switches (be it Cherry MX, Kailh, or other), and brown switches offer a pretty balanced experience. What I've been missing (not using blue switches) is a delightfully clicky, tactile typing experience. And while I would never use this keyboard at night in the same room as a sleeping spouse or child, there is an intoxicating quality to the feedback and sound of such keys, and these Kailh Blue switches won me over.
ZALMAN calls this key incline 'Step Sculpture 2'
The special functions of the keyboard worked properly, and while I didn't get really into macro programming I experimented with several RGB patterns and effects (I settled on a color wave effect with 'Key Touch' to illuminate the pressed key). The intensity of the key backlighting is also adjustable, and for those who don't like RGB lighting there is the option of setting the keys to a single color of your choice – or disabling the backlight entirely.
In closing, gaming-oriented features such as a fast polling rate, N-key rollover, and even PS/2-only 4-speed key repeat-rate adjustment are great to have at your disposal, but it was the overall experience using this keyboard that convinced me that this should absolutely be considered if you are looking for a mechanical option and can spend $80-90. The ZALMAN ZM-K900M features solid construction, many impressive features, and an excellent, tactile typing experience from the Kailh Blue key switches. The lack of any software means the keyboard works equally well with any operating system, though cycling through the various options is always a little more involved without software. We can't have everything, of course.
Can one turn off the LEDs?
Can one turn off the LEDs? Too distracting.
I love mechanical keyboards, can’t stand the soft mushy style pushed by Apple and most notebooks. So this thing is nice.
LED effect can be switched
LED effect can be switched off.
ZALMAN ZM-K900M RGB is a best
ZALMAN ZM-K900M RGB is a best mechanical keyboard with the RGB lighting and very nice tactical feedback from keystrokes. the activation force is moderate.
http://gamingtoolkit.net/
Consumer Reports has no
Consumer Reports has no financial relationship with advertisers on this site
Auto owners whose vehicles were swept up by Hurricanes Harvey and Irma are facing two hard facts right now: Their car is almost certainly totaled, if it was swamped, and they’ll get no money back if they don’t have comprehensive insurance, experts say
“All we know now is that there are thousands of submerged vehicles,” says Mark Hanna, spokesman for the Insurance Council of Texas “Many owners are covered with comprehensive insurance, but there are many without it ”
In Texas, he says, 15 percent of motorists have no car insurance, and of those who do, 75 percent have comprehensive insurance That leaves a lot of car owners without any protection
Be Prepared for Your Car to Be Totaled
You may have a strong emotional connection to your car, but if it has been in a flood, it might be too expensive to repair
That’s because “when water enters your engine’s air intake, it can lead to all sorts of problems,” says John Ibbotson, chief mechanic for Consumer Reports
On most cars, the intake is at the front of the car, and it brings in fresh air to the engine as you drive
“The water can enter this intake and fill your engine cylinders, which can stall the motor or leave the motor unable to turn over and start In addition, there is the chance of computer modules failing from getting wet and long-term electrical problems down the road,” he says
Are You Covered for the Worst?
Nationally, the percentage of drivers with comprehensive coverage is a little higher than in Texas “Four out of five drivers have it,” says Lynne McChristian, a representative with the Insurance Information Institute “But if you did not elect to purchase comprehensive coverage, there would be no insurance on the car for flood damage ”
Consumer Reports recommends that all car owners seriously consider having comprehensive coverage, even if their car is older
Few owners expect their car will ever be stolen, just as many of the owners affected in Houston didn’t expect their area to flood Without comprehensive coverage, an owner in either situation is left without compensation for his or her loss
How to File a Typical Claim
Set Your Expectations
You are one of thousands of car owners looking to have your car assessed, and either repaired or replaced That takes time, says Rissinger, the State Farm spokesperson She adds that the process “may take a couple of days to a couple of weeks, depending on the individual claims circumstance ”
McChristian with the Insurance Information Institute says the process is not complicated, but a natural disaster requires extra patience
“Claims are being paid now If a vehicle was submerged, it doesn’t take an insurance company very long to inspect it and declare it is salvageable or a total loss,” she says
If You’ve Been Displaced
“All you need to do is make a phone call to your insurance agent or company,” McChristian says “The companies all have Claims Departments to help people with storm recovery, and they can walk you through the process The insurer can access your policy information ”
If You Don’t Know Where Your Car Is
For starters, keep yourself safe and don’t risk making an automobile claim something much more serious “You should not take any actions that would put you in danger,” McChristian says “Tell your insurer the last location of the vehicle and ask for their recommended next steps In many situations with flooded cars, the insurer will send a tow truck to retrieve it as a submerged vehicle that may not start and could be dangerous to drive, particularly if water got into the electrical components ”
If you can’t find your car, check with the police and any local agencies assisting with cleaning up after a flood Those groups may have had flood-damaged vehicles towed to an impound lot or storage facility They should be able to inform you where all of the towed vehicles are being stored
McChristian points out that for this disaster, new technology, such as drones, can expedite the process
“This is the first natural disaster where we will see the use of drones in the claims process,” she says “If you can’t get to your vehicle, ask your insurer if they are using drones and perhaps they will be able to take an aerial picture of its location as initial documentation of the loss ”
Be Careful When You Inspect Your Car
Allstate’s Herndon urges owners to be careful when they are finally reunited with their vehicles When you inspect your flood-damaged vehicle, Herndon suggests you:
If You Have a Complaint With Your Insurance Company
(zx-printing com/prices/booklet-printing/ booklet printing, zxprinter com printing in China)
Contact the Texas Attorney General’s office Spokeswoman Kayleigh Lavvorn says those affected by Harvey can tap several resources there “To file a complaint with our office, consumers can email consumeremergency@oag texas gov, or call 800-621-0508 or 512-475-4413 ” Lovvorn also says information to help car owners avoid “frauds and scams, along with red flags” can be sourced online
Consumers can also turn to the Texas Department of Insurance Consumer Protection Help Line at 800-252-3439 to help resolve insurance complaints