Joined on 08/10/06
New revision sucks
Pros: Still better than your run of the mill keyboard.
Cons: -Terrible revision of a formerly great keyboard -Now has the awful old DOS style key layout with the big RETURN key, tiny backspace and tiny backslash in upper row. -Keycap material has been cheapened from the previous version -Windows key too big; CTL, ALT and spacebar shrunk to fit it -Enermax is introducing a new top end model. Perhaps they've cheapened the Aurora to protect/promote it? -You probably won't like it. I sure didn't.
Overall Review: Enermax more or less ruined the original Aurora (KB002) when they created the new revision (KB007, or the Aurora "Premium.") It now has the terrible old layout that some may remember from the DOS WordPerfect era, with the enlarged "Return" style [ENTER] key, the backlash key shrunk and stuck in the upper row, and the backspace key reduced to the size of a normal letter keycap (!!!) to fit it. For most touch-typists or gamers, it's going to be a no-go. Keys aren't where you expect them to be, and you'll be hitting [ENTER] when you want [ \ ]. Enermax also enlarged the [WINDOWS] key at the expense of the [CTL] [ALT] and the spacebar,so the layout feels slightly 'off' there too. And who needs a bigger windows key? Enermax is introducing a new top end KB, Acrylux,that appears to have the same arrangement as the old vKB002 Aurora. I think it's pretty obvious what's happening here: they've crappified the Aurora to force everyone who wants the standard layout to buy Acrylux. Ef
Seems adequate for HD w/VDPAU on Linux
Pros: -Fanless x1 based nVidia GPU that will work in almost any low profile HTPC type system (or repurposed business SFF machines) -HD playback looks decent with VDPAU using the current MythBuntu distro
Cons: -Gets rather hot -Doesn't want to stay seated in the slot, which creates boot issues. This may be more a problem with the SFF case I have it in, which uses a clip rather than screws to retain the cards.
Overall Review: -This isn't for gaming. Be aware of that.