SteelSeries Shift Review

👤by David Mitchelson  Comments 📅17-10-10

Closer Look (2)

As already mentioned, along the edges there are additional keys on the Shift. On the left hand side quick access multimedia keys to manage things like volume, pausing, next and previous track as well as the especially useful mute key.

Multimedia keys for on-the-fly management of things like volume

On the topside of the Shift we have up to 8 keys for macros, and 3 buttons for controlling layers on the keyboard. The key with the red circle printed on it below, allows for the recording of particular actions. With 3 layers and 8 macro buttons there is a access to a total of 24 keys.

8 macro buttons along the top with access to 3 layers and a record macro button

The keys around the Numpad area are fairly standard although there are 'Bar Lock' and 'Pad Lock' buttons. The Bar Lock buttons are in fact what you would commonly call the F buttons underneath an additional layer whilst the Pad Lock buttons are located in the Numpad area again under a separate layer. There is a key with the SteelSeries emblem printed on it. This button when pressed launches the SteelSeries Engine software. NOTE: you do need to download this from the SteelSeries website. We will take a look at this in the next section.

Numpad with LED indication above

There are two feet on the underside of the Shift. These feet allow the height of the keyboard to be changed at 3 different levels giving you the choice. Quite a novel idea for a simple function.

Feet that allow the option of 3 different heights

The Shift also gives you even greater functionality because onboard are two USB2.0 ports. Audio input sockets are also present, allowing you to easily slot in headphone and microphone jacks.

Audio and USB functionality multiplying use of devices

Gold plated cables for both USB cables and headphone-in and microphone-out. On the USB cables there are EXT and K/B labels. The EXT is for powering the 2 mounted USB ports and the K/B is for powering the actual keyboard. All of these cables sprout from a neat looking rubber hub.