Razer Readies BlackWidow Ultimate Gaming Mechanical Keyboard

[btarunr]

Razer is readying a new high-end mechanical keyboard for gaming. Named the Razer BlackWidow Ultimate, the keyboard is one of the first to feature illumination. Being a mechanical keyboard, each key has its own mechanical switch compared to conventional keyboards that have a common plastic printed circuit membrane with rubber dome switches. Mechanical keys give better tactile feedback for better control. Apart from the standard 102-key US layout, Razer added several special and macro-bound keys that can be managed from the included software. The keys as well as the company badge is illuminated blue. Razer's BlackWidow Ultimate is expected to cost $129 in the US, when it launches later this week.

Update (18/8): Razer also has a standard variant of the BlackWidow (minus the "Ultimate" marker, which lacks key illumination. This one is expected to be priced at $79.99.

[NdMk2o1o]

Lets hope they can sort the drivers out for this being as the Lycosa's are crap in Vista/7 and keys just stop responding randomly

[btarunr]

Many Thanks to Bumblebee and Rakesh_95 for the tip.

[The Witcher]

Man, Razer products are quite overpriced when you compare the price to the actual quality, I mean their products looks cool, feels good but it's still a poor quality.

Two weeks ago I opened my Razer 5.1 headset because it kept changing the from 5.1 to 2.1 to 4.1...it was a mess, anyway I opened it up and it was completely empty, just 3 speakers in each side and a few wires here and there plus cheap plastic look, the bottom line it looks like a very low quality-made-in-china product.

I bought that headset for $125, I think that the cost to make one for Razer is $20 or $30

[btarunr]

I use this mechanical keyboard: http://www.tvs-e.com/keyboard-landing.asp

TVS Gold. Made in India, $20, works like a charm.

[Faith[ROG].Anarchy]

At last, Mechanical Gaming Keyboard from Razer

[MomentoMoir]

Originally Posted by NdMk2o1o

Lets hope they can sort the drivers out for this being as the Lycosa's are crap in Vista/7 and keys just stop responding randomly

WHo actually uses the drivers that come with a keyboard? My Lycosa has never given me a problem and ive beaten the crap out of it during gameplay many times over.

[DonInKansas]

Originally Posted by The Witcher

I bought that headset for $125, I think that the cost to make one for Razer is $20 or $30

I'm pretty sure it's like this with most products you buy. You think your shoes are made of more than a dollar's worth of materials? What did you pay for those?

[BumbleBee]

the mechanical key switches and backlighting are not cheap.

mechanical key switches are rated for 10-50,000,000 strokes. there is 1 LED underneath each key. rubber dome keyboards use less than 20 SMD LED to illuminate over 100 keys.

[Zehnsucht]

Hmm I need a new keyboard, and one with illuminated keys. Maybe I'll hold out for this one...

[lemode]

i will be buying one around April that's for damn sure.

[The Witcher]

Could someone explain to me the difference between a normal keyboard and these mechanical keyboards ? to be honest this is the first time to hear about mechanical keyboards.

Please use simple words :P

[fenurch]

Finally, a proper 'gaming' mechanical keyboard. I say proper because Steelseries have 2 and both of them are fairly identical and both don't have backlight, macro's or virtually anything out of ordinary.

I'm actually really loving this and might get it once I get enough money. Really expensive though

[Black Haru]

Originally Posted by lemode

i will be buying one around April that's for damn sure.

this does look good, but why is April significant? seems rather far off...

I should really look into this for the desky, cause it's a PITA if its cloudy, say nothing of night time (lights just cast bad shadows to.)

[cadaveca]

Originally Posted by BumbleBee

the mechanical key switches and backlighting are not cheap.

mechanical key switches are rated for 10-50,000,000 strokes. there is 1 LED underneath each key. rubber dome keyboards use less than 20 SMD LED to illuminate over 100 keys.

LOLOL. It's bloody plastic...the entire cost for those things is less than pennies for each unit, when bought in the bulk that is needed to produce a product like this. Manufacturing is really, really cheap. It's the shipping out of china, and imposed tarrifs, that kill prices.

Originally Posted by MomentoMoir

WHo actually uses the drivers that come with a keyboard? My Lycosa has never given me a problem and ive beaten the crap out of it during gameplay many times over.

Yeah, I agree with you here. I hear many people having issues with the Razer mouse I use...as sson as I got rid of the bloatware to configure it, I haven't had a single issue. Recently I went back and tried the software gain...issues abounded...



I'm just happy to see more mechanical keyboards...they are far better for your fingers than pounding in rubber divots found in most non-mechanical keyboards.

[jimmyxxx]

i would like to know what switches are they using (cherrys maybe?)

[runnin17]

I am hoping it is a non-clicky switch. I like the look of the keyboard, but whether or not Razer will implement the idea well is a crap shoot.

[BazookaJoe]

I must say I LOVE actual KEYS on my keyboard

[DonInKansas]

Originally Posted by The Witcher

Could someone explain to me the difference between a normal keyboard and these mechanical keyboards ? to be honest this is the first time to hear about mechanical keyboards.

Please use simple words :P

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Keyboard_technology

[The Witcher]

Originally Posted by DonInKansas

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Keyboard_technology

ummm....so it's supposed to have a faster response time ?

Is the change really noticeable ?

[zithe]

Mechanical keyboards have a different feel, I think. All the ones I see have a very satisfying click to them.

[Mescalamba]

Interesting, never thought that Razer will do something really wanted. Its actually priced ok, my SteelSeries 7G wasnt exactly cheap. Same as Das Keyboard and similar products, mechanical keyboards are bit on expensive side..

But worth it, even if it cost 2x times more. Mechanical keyboard FTW.

[Frederik S]

Mechanical keyboards are favored by some due to the tactile feedback and comfort because the resistance varies somewhat over the travel length.

I doubt that it changes your gaming performance, but it might increase comfort and the tactile feedback makes you more confident of every key press.

[cadaveca]

Originally Posted by Frederik S

Mechanical keyboards are favored by some due to the tactile feedback and comfort because the resistance varies somewhat over the travel length.

I doubt that it changes your gaming performance, but it might increase comfort and the tactile feedback makes you more confident of every key press.

Exactly. Also, mechanical switches are typically "thrown" mid-stroke, whereas with rubber-based keys, it's solid contact that "throws" the switch. It's why people that use mechanical keyboard for some times swear by them...imagine running, but never touching the ground...


That's what I'm looking for in a keyboard. Comfort AND function, and rarely can you get both together. it will be the switches used that make or break this one, an I expect at least $150 price for a good one, and am more than willing to pay that for a keyboard done right. That leaves me a bit unexcited, but I can only hope they have made the right design choices.

[Rakesh95]

Originally Posted by btarunr

I use this mechanical keyboard: http://www.tvs-e.com/keyboard-landing.asp

TVS Gold. Made in India, $20, works like a charm.

http://img.techpowerup.org/100818/bta98dms.jpg

I thought TVS only made good motorbikes