Cyber Snipa Warboard
RDNx, 11-Jul-09 » 
Warboard is the cool-sounding name CyberSnipa have come up with for their gaming keyboard, and with a name like that, you might be tempted to think there is something different about this keyboard. However for the most part this is a pretty standard gaming keyboard. The Warboard is a compact, cost effective gaming keyboard, incorporating a standard 104-key design along with 10-programmable macro keys that can support 2 functions per key.
It has standard 104-keys in the locations you would expect, along with a set of extra function buttons located at the top for media control of Stop, Play, Back, and Next. There is also a Search and Calculator button in this set. Oddly, and also located at the top and centre, the largest and most assessable key on the entire keyboard is the function to disable the Windows key. Whilst understanding the need to disable the Window key is important for gamers, so as not to accidently exit a game in the middle of an important fight, it seemed a waste of prime keyboard real estate for such a function.
There are ten programmable macro keys, located in two banks of five one at each end of the keyboard. There is also a “Macro” button to switch the set of macro keys between the first ten functions and a second ten, thus providing twenty programmable function keys which hopefully will keep even the most hard-core macro gamers happy. Included with the package is easy-to-use software to assign the macro keys to multi-keystroke gaming functions.
As gaming keyboards go, the Warboard is quite compact which is good if you have limited desk space. However the down side of the compact design is the navigation keys (Home, End, Page Up Page Down, Insert and Delete) are arranged in two columns and three rows unlike the traditional configuration of two rows and three columns. This takes a little getting used to. Also to save on space, the arrow keys are tucked next the main set of keys, with the left arrow underneath the right shift. This tight configuration also required a little practice before feeling comfortable.
The Warboard package is supplied with a set of seventeen extra light grey coloured “gaming keys” that can replace the normal black ones. These keys have both letter and icons to indicate function. The replacement gaming keys are slightly larger than the standard black keys, which is a good thing for gamers as they spend a large percentage of their time pressing these particular keys. The supplied key removal tool – a simple tweezers-like device - makes exchanging the keys a simple process.
We tried the keyboard across a range of game types including First Person Shooters (FPS), Real Time Strategy (RTS), and Massively Multi-player Online Role Playing Games (MMORPG) and it generally performed well. When using the keyboard for general typing duties it did the job, however, the single key sized Backspace is a little annoying, especially for those of us who do not touch type well. A double-sized backspace key would have been preferred.
Another minor annoyance is the keys are a little “clacky” and do not have quite the soft but distinctive feel of other keyboard available. However, this may be a personal preference. The Warboard is one of the cheapest gaming specific keyboards on the market and although it might not have all the exotic features of other keyboards such as LCD screens or detachable numeric keypads it does come with all the basic features needed to call itself a gamer-specific keyboard.
In summary, the Warboard is a good choice for gamers looking for a smaller footprint, cost effective keyboard with some important gamer-features such as programmable macro keys.
Value for Money Rating: 4/5
Overall Rating: 3/5
netGameRadio Subscribers have access to exclusive discounts on the Cyber Snipa keyboard range in July & August - for more information on how to become a netGameRadio subscriber visit http://www.netgameradio.com/Forums/viewtopic.php?f=3&t=2138
For more information on the Warboard from Cyber Snipa visit http://www.cybersnipa.com
Review by Russell 'RDNx' Norman.
Warboard is the cool-sounding name CyberSnipa have come up with for their gaming keyboard, and with a name like that, you might be tempted to think there is something different about this keyboard. However for the most part this is a pretty standard gaming keyboard. The Warboard is a compact, cost effective gaming keyboard, incorporating a standard 104-key design along with 10-programmable macro keys that can support 2 functions per key.
It has standard 104-keys in the locations you would expect, along with a set of extra function buttons located at the top for media control of Stop, Play, Back, and Next. There is also a Search and Calculator button in this set. Oddly, and also located at the top and centre, the largest and most assessable key on the entire keyboard is the function to disable the Windows key. Whilst understanding the need to disable the Window key is important for gamers, so as not to accidently exit a game in the middle of an important fight, it seemed a waste of prime keyboard real estate for such a function.
There are ten programmable macro keys, located in two banks of five one at each end of the keyboard. There is also a “Macro” button to switch the set of macro keys between the first ten functions and a second ten, thus providing twenty programmable function keys which hopefully will keep even the most hard-core macro gamers happy. Included with the package is easy-to-use software to assign the macro keys to multi-keystroke gaming functions.
As gaming keyboards go, the Warboard is quite compact which is good if you have limited desk space. However the down side of the compact design is the navigation keys (Home, End, Page Up Page Down, Insert and Delete) are arranged in two columns and three rows unlike the traditional configuration of two rows and three columns. This takes a little getting used to. Also to save on space, the arrow keys are tucked next the main set of keys, with the left arrow underneath the right shift. This tight configuration also required a little practice before feeling comfortable.
The Warboard package is supplied with a set of seventeen extra light grey coloured “gaming keys” that can replace the normal black ones. These keys have both letter and icons to indicate function. The replacement gaming keys are slightly larger than the standard black keys, which is a good thing for gamers as they spend a large percentage of their time pressing these particular keys. The supplied key removal tool – a simple tweezers-like device - makes exchanging the keys a simple process.
We tried the keyboard across a range of game types including First Person Shooters (FPS), Real Time Strategy (RTS), and Massively Multi-player Online Role Playing Games (MMORPG) and it generally performed well. When using the keyboard for general typing duties it did the job, however, the single key sized Backspace is a little annoying, especially for those of us who do not touch type well. A double-sized backspace key would have been preferred.
Another minor annoyance is the keys are a little “clacky” and do not have quite the soft but distinctive feel of other keyboard available. However, this may be a personal preference. The Warboard is one of the cheapest gaming specific keyboards on the market and although it might not have all the exotic features of other keyboards such as LCD screens or detachable numeric keypads it does come with all the basic features needed to call itself a gamer-specific keyboard.
In summary, the Warboard is a good choice for gamers looking for a smaller footprint, cost effective keyboard with some important gamer-features such as programmable macro keys.
Value for Money Rating: 4/5
Overall Rating: 3/5
netGameRadio Subscribers have access to exclusive discounts on the Cyber Snipa keyboard range in July & August - for more information on how to become a netGameRadio subscriber visit http://www.netgameradio.com/Forums/viewtopic.php?f=3&t=2138
For more information on the Warboard from Cyber Snipa visit http://www.cybersnipa.com
Review by Russell 'RDNx' Norman.
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Article Stats
| Category: | Hardware Reviews |
| Posted: | 11-Jul-09 2:10:40 pm |
| Author: | RDNx |