Closer Examination

The EVGA Z20 is a departure and a half from the design of their previous Z10 keyboard. The biggest change no doubt is the omission of the integrated LCD display which, let's face it, was already cut down from their original promise (EVBot, global PC specs monitoring) before release. So we instead have a keyboard that looks more like a lot of other keyboards, and I dare say there's some inspiration taken from the CORSAIR K95/K100 series which will get stronger the more we get into the specifications aboard here. The Z20 is lager than full size with its dedicated volume and media playback controls above the numpad, with the indicator LEDs above the arrow keys instead. There is also a column of five macro keys labeled E1-E5, which falls in line with the replacement keycaps we saw on the previous page. The case uses ABS plastic at the bottom and a brushed aluminium frame in black at the top, with a generally monochrome finish in contrast to the blingy EVGA logo in the center at the top.

Bezels are about average throughout, although the additional keys and features do result in a keyboard that is on the larger side of average even for full-size keyboards. Light bars with translucent plastic diffusors have been placed on the left and right sides, which will allow for side lighting in addition to the supported RGB backlighting. There is a beveled edge with a chrome finish, and then there's the TOF sensor at the bottom under the right Alt key. A TOF sensor/camera is a tool to measure the distance between the sensor and the first object blocking the path of an outward-shining light source. Meant to perform keyboard actions depending on the user's motion towards or away from it, it is clearly pointing towards the user, and we will discuss it further in due time. On the keycaps, secondary legends have been put below the primary legends unless there are also tertiary ones, as those displace the secondary legends. As seen above, single legend placement is in the top center of the keycap, which suggests that backlighting is stronger towards the top of the keycaps. As such, legends placed further below may not be backlit to the same extent.


Flipping the keyboard around, we see a textured finish similar to what we saw on the underside of the wrist rest. There is an EVGA logo in the plastic case panel, as well as the usual certification sticker with another logo and the product certification. We also see five long rubber pads along the top and bottom edges for friction against the resting surface and to prevent scratches to the case itself. There are also two sets of keyboard feet at the top corners, each of which allows for two optional elevations. Continuing the design scheme, these feet have rubber pads, which prevents scratching the feet as well.


EVGA has gone with an attached cable, and a thick one at that. It protrudes from the middle at the top facing away from the user and is braided in black. The cable terminates in three different connectors, including two male USB Type-A connectors and a 3.5 mm audio jack. To no one's surprise, the other two connectors are pass-through offerings on the sides of the keyboard, meant for users to connect, say, a mouse and a headset to the keyboard as a way to reduce any cable mess or management. The USB pass-through is USB 2.0 only, which is plenty enough for just about any mouse today. The connectors are gold-plated for additional oxidation resistance.


Installing the wrist rest is the simplest thing you will do when using this keyboard given the magnets at the base of the keyboard and the top of the wrist rest itself. Simply align accordingly and you are done! The wrist rest is quite comfortable to use, though you may want to try typing without it first to see if it is ergonomically better for you.


EVGA is using the OEM profile for the keycaps with the standard 104 keys all sculpted and angled as with your average pre-built mechanical keyboard. Then there's the E1–E5 column that changes things slightly to for easier distinction when touch typing. The included keycap puller works fine, although given its ring design, it can scratch the sides of keycaps. The stock keycaps are all ABS plastic with laser-etched legends, which unfortunately does mean they will wear out sooner rather than later. The WASD and E1–E5 keycaps are what EVGA describes as "4D Bump," which just refers to the textured surface. This also explains the replacement keycaps that are more in line with the rest of the keycaps. The keycaps are backlighting compatible, although as we speculated above, the legends below the primary ones do not get as brightly backlit.


There are two switch options for the EVGA Z20 keyboard, and both happen to be optical-mechanical switches from A4Tech, the company behind the Bloody Gaming brand. The Light Strike LK Linear and Clicky switches—no word on what generation these are—make for two different feedback options, and my sample has the LK Linear switch that has a silver stem, which hints at a mechanism akin to the Cherry MX Speed (Silver), but we will check on that in due time. Notice also the RGB LEDs separately associated with each switch instead of being under them. This allows for the use of the more traditional opaque switch housing, as well as potentially brighter backlighting depending on the hardware chosen. It's funny that we have come far enough in the gaming keyboard market to where EVGA did not even feel the need to add "RGB" to the Z20 name, as RGB is now included implicitly. The larger keycaps use one of the worst, if not the worst, implementations of the Cherry-style stabilizer. Unfortunately, these are extremely wobbly and very hard to insert the keycaps into, which made for a good test of my patience.


Here is a look at the keyboard with the optional keycaps installed, which also convert the E1–E5 column into an OEM keycap profile. I did prefer this look over the stock keycaps, and used this keycap configuration for the rest of the review.