EVGA Z10 RGB Keyboard Review 6

EVGA Z10 RGB Keyboard Review

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Value and Conclusion

  • The EVGA Z10 RGB keyboard costs $179.99 from the EVGA webshop with the Kailh Brown or Kailh Blue switches for customers in the USA, as of the date of this review. The older, red backlit-only version costs $69.99 for the same switch options.
  • Integrated display allows for quick visual indication of keyboard and system specs provided you have compatible hardware from EVGA for the latter
  • Extensive onboard controls over volume and media playback, in addition to dedicated macro keys and profiles
  • Full programmability and software profiles via the driver allow for the use of different OS/typing/language layouts
  • Per-key 16.8 M RGB backlighting with software control over lighting effects
  • Two spare USB ports on the keyboard for other USB devices, such as mice and headsets
  • Expensive relative to the general keyboard market, especially relative to the non-RGB Z10
  • Stock keycaps are average at best and will show signs of wear and tear sooner rather than later
In many ways, this review of the EVGA Z10 RGB keyboard is also a review of the older non-RGB EVGA Z10. I had planned on reviewing the non-RGB variant, but things came up and got in the way, and by the time everything was back on track, EVGA had released the Z10 RGB which made more sense to cover. It is understandable why the older Z10 has a much bigger discount now, with the average consumer preferring RGB backlighting in 2019/20, but that massive price difference makes it all the harder to justify the Z10 RGB now. Indeed, I have no problem recommending the Z10 with the red backlighting at $70 to anyone as it is a really good keyboard for that money and you get nearly everything included with the newer RGB version. The multi-color lighting aside, the software program is also different, so keep in mind that EVGA may prioritize features and updates for the newer Unleash RGB. But this review is not of the Z10, so let's get back to the Z10 RGB.

At $180, the EVGA Z10 RGB faces tough competition from a lot of companies, including direct competitors in the more mainstream market that offer similar/better built keyboards with more popular switches and a more refined software. A lot of this cost no doubt comes from the extra hardware here we do not see typically, including two spare USB ports, nice metal sliders for backlighting brightness and volume, and more added keys on top. Then there's that display looking back at you. This really is where EVGA could have turned things massively in its favor, but the execution is lacking. With initial promises not coming to fruition and customers needing EVGA GPUs/motherboards to make the most of the feature set of the display, the default functionality is nothing special, and it comes off more as a "What if?" situation instead. There is not enough offered here to recommend this to everyone, but I appreciate EVGA trying out different things, and the concept of re-introducing a display on a keyboard, where it makes a lot of sense, merits an innovation award. It is not a true innovation, but might as well be one in 2019/20 given no one else is really doing it anymore. Hopefully, we see another iteration or update to this very one for compatibility with freely distributed monitoring programs, such as our own GPU-Z, which would make the Z10 RGB a more attractive keyboard and information device.

Innovation
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Dec 22nd, 2024 17:29 EST change timezone

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