Zalman ZM-K700M Dynamic Mechanical LED Keyboard Review

Introduction, Specifications, and Pricing

In our time reviewing peripherals, we have not seen much from Zalman in the past. In fact, the only product we have seen is the ZM-GM4 or the Knossos mouse, and that mouse went through the lab some eighteen months ago. Basing everything we know about Zalman peripherals off of that one sample, we do recall it was a beast of a device, offered plenty of options, and was built around top tier components. So even though we have little to go on to give an opinion on the fourteen mice and eight keyboards now being offered, all we can truly say is that in the instance of the ZM-GM4, we were left very impressed and enjoyed using the mouse in general.

Today we are flipping the script to the other end of the peripherals spectrum, away from mice, and are now looking at one of their latest in keyboard designs. From what we have seen on their product site, and just glancing around the packaging, we have high hopes for this keyboard. Not only does it offer users the full 104-key layout, but this board is also truly intended for gamers. Left side Macro keys, multimedia support, repeat rate, LED lighting in many modes, Windows lockout - the works. On top of all of that, this keyboard is designed to work without software support, so in this instance, everything you need is built right in.

Zalman asked us to have a look at their ZM-K700M Dynamic Mechanical LED keyboard, and we happily obliged to that request. While we insist that we are very clouded on what Zalman has produced in the past, only have one product in this market to base things from, just on paper alone this is a keyboard that will turn heads and make potential customers look a bit deeper into it. What you are about to see is impressive, and to get all of what they did accomplish without relying on software, and at the same time not mucking up the overall design is impressive on its own.

Zalman does provide a contents and specifications chart, but what is provided here is just the tip of the iceberg. At the top, we are shown that there is a ZM-K700M keyboard, a keyboard cover, PS/2 converter, and a manual included inside of the box. The layout of the ZM-K700M offers 112 keys in total with the typical offerings of keys along with nine special keys. Also included using the Function key, you get multimedia, volume, Z-key, Macros, repeat rate, LED modes, and even a pair of Macro speed buttons.

Inside of the keyboard we see it is based on Cherry MX Red switches, and currently, that is the only switch option for this design. The caps used are the typical opaque caps with paint but are noted as Step Scalpture 2 type. After connecting the 1.7 meters of cable to the PC, you are offered anti-ghosting as well as NKRO support. The last bits mentioned offers the 475mm width, the 145mm depth, and the 45mm height, as well as displaying the 1.23 kilograms of weight. The fine print states that key quantity may depend upon region and language support and that things may be revised to improve quality and performance.

As of this moment, there is only one location that even recognizes this model number. Google shopping comes up with other Zalman options, as did Newegg, but neither could find the ZM-K700M. So off to Amazon we went and found they are indeed showing stock available. The pricing set there is at $139.99 and is also offered with free shipping as well. This may not be the most cost effective solutions when compared to base model mechanical keyboards, but for what it brings to the table, we have seen many other charge $50 more for keyboards offering similar features. That is another feather in the cap of Zalman, and we haven't even taken the Zalman ZM-K700M out of the box yet.

Chad's Peripherals Test System Specifications

• Motherboard: ASUS X99-E WS - Buy from Amazon / Read our review
• CPU: Intel Core i7 5930K - Buy from Amazon
• Cooler: Corsair H100i GTX - Buy from Amazon / Read our review
• Memory: KLevv Cras DDR4 3000 - Buy from Amazon / Read our review
• Video Card: ASUS GeForce GTX 980 Matrix Platinum - Buy from Amazon / Read our review
• Storage: Intel 730 480GB - Buy from Amazon / Read our review
• Case: SilverStone TJ11 - Buy from Amazon / Read our review
• Power Supply: Corsair AX1200 - Buy from Amazon / Read our review
• OS: Microsoft Windows 10 Professional 64-bit - Buy from Amazon