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SteelSeries Introduces the Shift Gaming Keyboard

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Today, as the leading manufacturer of gaming peripherals and accessories as well as product partner to some of the world's most successful game publishers, SteelSeries announced the new SteelSeries Shift gaming keyboard. Named for the ability to alter its appearance and functionality through interchangeable keysets, the SteelSeries Shift brings gamers advanced customization capabilities that improve the way they approach, experience, and master their game.

"With the introduction of the SteelSeries Shift, we're able to bring another unique and powerful gaming tool to consumers, said SteelSeries CEO, Bruce Hawver. "The Shift greatly expands the functionality and concept of the original Zboard, which joined our product line in 2008 as a result of our acquisition of Ideazon, with new SteelSeries features that will provide gamers with a keyboard experience that can be customized for all types of games. As we bring the SteelSeries Shift to market, we are continuing to work with the best developers and publishers in the games industry to offer player's unique layouts and functionalities that will enhance their entire gaming experience."



Premium Build Quality
The interchangeable keyset design is the only common denominator between the SteelSeries Shift and Zboard. The new keyboard was constructed from ground up with high-quality, strong materials that add durability and functionality. The base of the Shift and the new Shift Keysets are all made with premium plastic and finishes for a superior look and feel. With three height levels, extra wide feet, and a wrist rest that include rubber inserts to prevent slipping, users are able to choose what feels most comfortable for their preferences. Additional hardware features include:
  • Gold plated audio-out and microphone-in 3.5mm ports
  • 2 USB 2.0 ports, including 1 powered
  • LED indicators to alert when profiles and functions are active

On board memory allows users to easily record up to 3 layers of on-the-fly macros at the top of the SteelSeries Shift base and have access to instant media controls on the left side of the keyboard. The Bar and Pad Lock keys allow additional layers of mapping on the F and NUM Pad keys that can be utilized in games or in daily applications.

Every key on the SteelSeries Shift can be customized; more than just macros, players can record a sequence of actions with delays and then map that sequence to a single key. Users can then program advanced capabilities in multiple layers per key. Players can take advantage of an endless amount of layered movements with the support of its anti-ghosting capability, which allows up to simultaneous 7 keystrokes.

Customized Gaming Terrain
Equipped with an advanced chip reader in the SteelSeries Shift base, users can easily interchange SteelSeries Shift Keysets from the Standard QWERTY Keyset, which is included, to licensed Keysets of blockbuster game titles that are each sold separately. Every keyset is uniquely designed in cooperation with game publishers and configured with input from expert players to establish an intuitive command setup and predefined game mods for games of all types.

The SteelSeries Shift and Shift Keysets are forward and backward compatible with SteelSeries Zboard and Zboard Keysets. Keysets that support backwards compatibility includes Aion, World of Warcraft: Wrath of the Lich King, and StarCraft II: Wings of Liberty. Check out our product page for further details about compatibility.

The SteelSeries Shift has an MSRP of $89.99/ €89.99 and includes the Shift Base, and the Standard QWERTY Keyset. The SteelSeries Shift Keysets will be sold separately for $24.99 USD/ €24.99.

View at TechPowerUp Main Site
 
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Sounds like a money pit to me.
 
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SteelSeries Introduces the Shit Gaming Keyboard
 
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Took me a second :laugh:
 
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Seems to be very easily cleanable - 10+ if it really is. Also is sober, dark and good looking. If the materials are that good, it might just be worth 50 USD.
Don't give a rats ass about the WoW and Aion etc. sets... stupid feature.
 
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Seems to be very easily cleanable - 10+ if it really is. Also is sober, dark and good looking. If the materials are that good, it might just be worth 50 USD.
Don't give a rats ass about the WoW and Aion etc. sets... stupid feature.

The split space bar takes a little getting used to, I used to have a z-board before SteelSeries took Ideazon over. They're decent quality but it's just not a keyboard made for typing really.
 
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why would you buy this when you can buy the 6gv2 from SS?
I strongly recomend that keyboard, it's really a gamechanger
 
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why would you buy this when you can buy the 6gv2 from SS?
I strongly recomend that keyboard, it's really a gamechanger

Well seeing as that is twice the price of this keyboard, I'm sure that's why. Not going to argue that it's worth the money, with cherry blacks at $100 a keyboard with a quality company standing behind it I may pick one up, I didn't know they did a replacement for the G7.
 
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why would you buy this when you can buy the 6gv2 from SS?
I strongly recomend that keyboard, it's really a gamechanger

I own 7G, its my first mechanical after long years (yea I remember era, when most keyboards were mechanical :D). I agree its very good product. But first, its just rebranded. Second, there are better ones, like Das Keyboard for example. Theres couple more of them, just search them.

7G and I guess 6GV2 too, have slight issue of being bit slower than other true top mechanical keyboards. And you can really force that keyboard to miss a key.. which shouldnt happen. Also theres "rumor" about their keyboards (well, built-in controler) failing after some time.. Though, its just rumor for me now, my 7G is fine. :)

I dont think this Shifty thing is usefull for something.. Just another gaming keyboard, nothing more.
 

Kitkat

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SHIFT!

You think ppl will know its called a shift keyboard?
 
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I own 7G, its my first mechanical after long years (yea I remember era, when most keyboards were mechanical :D). I agree its very good product. But first, its just rebranded. Second, there are better ones, like Das Keyboard for example. Theres couple more of them, just search them.

7G and I guess 6GV2 too, have slight issue of being bit slower than other true top mechanical keyboards. And you can really force that keyboard to miss a key.. which shouldnt happen. Also theres "rumor" about their keyboards (well, built-in controler) failing after some time.. Though, its just rumor for me now, my 7G is fine. :)

I dont think this Shifty thing is usefull for something.. Just another gaming keyboard, nothing more.

I've never heard of key transposition errors or missing keys on a 7g. I can't find anywhere of it reported either?
 
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just a money milking device for the 'ubergamers'.
no idea of what the quoted games are like...

I'd prefer more development effort in the joystick department, after the death of sims (no, not 'The Sims' crap), its halted, as many got caught in the consolitis syndrome and switched to gamepads, bluuuurp!

My religion is based on 3 Holy Devices: mouse, keyboard, joystick! No holy books or other shit...
 
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imo a very good idea, however how good it truly is, is yet unknown. I honestly couldn't care less for customizability in keyboards since I'm a native FPS player but those WoW addicts could find this pretty niffy (or not, since I wouldn't know).

just a money milking device for the 'ubergamers'.
no idea of what the quoted games are like...

I'd prefer more development effort in the joystick department, after the death of sims (no, not 'The Sims' crap), its halted, as many got caught in the consolitis syndrome and switched to gamepads, bluuuurp!

My religion is based on 3 Holy Devices: mouse, keyboard, joystick! No holy books or other shit...

Pardon my trolling, but nobody uses joystick anymore. No offence and I'm not sure how long you haven't played a game but within the last 5 (maybe even 10 years) about 5% of games have required joystick (now, joystick and gamepads are 2 different things) in order to properly play and this is including things like simulators etc.
 
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so this is the zboard 2.0?

Joysticks seriously there's no room for improvement there, my satiek cyborg evo worked awesome with hawx after sitting in my closet since the release of windows xp which killed Janes USAF
 
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what is good in this?
 
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Saitek and Thrustmaster, and Logitech & other, make joysticks for the knowing specialists!!!
For airplanes, cars, bikes, tanks, BMPs, helos, etc... All vehicles!!!!! AND IT ROCKS, the solid feeling is unparalleled!
;)

Back to topic: hopefully the build quality is good. Gamers tend to abuse hardware :)
 
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I still cant see how that can be usefull.
It cames to my mind, a table, that is so thin, that you can Z the keyboard and put a box under the numpad to set it higher, but... to type will be like.... well nvm,
I still cant see how that can be usefull.
 
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