Razer to Release Deadly Mechanical Keyboard
Mechanical switches keyboard fans rejoice!
Keyboards just aren't what they used to be. Those who know computers and care about how their keyboards feel will know that getting one with mechanical switches is preferable.
Those who have been in pursuit of such a keyboard know that there are multiple sellers who offer mechanical switches, but now a big peripheral maker is jumping into the fray. That company is Razer.
Razer announced at GamesCom the BlackWidow mechanical gaming keyboard, which the company said that it has been working on for the past 3 years. Like the other Razer keyboards, the BlackWidow features fully programmable keys with on-the-fly macro recording as well as five additional gaming keys.
Razer claims that most mechanical keyboards in the market today are standard mechanical keyboards rebadged as gaming keyboards that feature stiff keys that cause key actuation fatigue, but that the BlackWidow features a "uniquely tactile mechanical key architecture that provides each key on the keyboard with a crisp response and tactile feedback similar to a mouse click."
The key actuation point is actually halfway through the full travel distance, rather than near the bottom on traditional mechanical keyboards. Razer also says that the keys have one of the lightest actuation forces for all keyboards making it type and click much faster than other mechanical keyboards in the industry.
"The Razer BlackWidow is the world's first mechanical keyboard that has been engineered from ground up for gaming," said Robert Krakoff, president, Razer. "Imagine every single key on the keyboard with the precision of a mouse click – no more pressing of keys without knowing for certain if they have been actuated. Precision clicking coupled with an optimized lighter key actuation force, this changes the way gamers will play from now on."
The BlackWidow will be available in September 2010. Also available in the same month is the Razer BlackWidow Ultimate, a step up from the original edition with the added features of individually backlit keys with 5 levels of lighting, 3.5" audio and microphone out jacks as well as an additional USB port.
The regular version will retail for US $79.99/€79.99 and the Ultimate will be $129.99/€129.99.
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Sounds great!
As I was reading I was expecting some massive price, and I was pleasantly surprised to see it isn't entirely unreasonable.
So, are thy saying every other keyboard they have sold were standard mechanical keyboards rebadged as gaming keboards?
The backlight is pretty neat. But at that price I would expect an ergonomic keyboard. As for key presses my $20 Microsoft Comfort Curve 2000 is mechanical enough for me. When they say partial press and really easy to press down keys. I picture a lot of errors when touch typing as fingers just resting on keys accidentally depress them from the slightest touch.
Sweet might just replace my G15 rev 2 with one of these
idk, the buttons in their mice have always died really fast for me
Sounds great!
clickclickclickclickclickclick What? clickclickclickclickclickclick I can't hear you clickclickclickclickclick my keyboard is too loud! clickclickclickclickclick
At $80, I'd rather wait for the reviews. And at $120, I REALLY struggle to find the justification...unless you're a pro-gamer or something, this is just excess gone wrong.
It is nice to see that the design of keyboard is fairly conservative and they are not just marketing it to kids who want some kind of off-beat radical looking gizmo.
Hopefully it's not a total piece of junk like the mamba.
Hw the hell d yu nt know if yu've pressed a key or nt?
Hw the hell d yu nt know if yu've pressed a key or nt?
i have a monitor which shows the output. if no output, i havent pressed the button.
I always like these types of keyboards, like the old IBM ones, but the problem is, for most men, the natural keyboards are much faster. Only the narrow shouldered will find the angle on normal keyboards anything more than unacceptable, once they try the "natural", or ergonomic spacing. Sadly, I haven't seen one that's set up with these mechanical keys, which makes me wonder why they'd make a mechanical keyboard for people who type very well, but then not make it the correct layout for these people. I guess girls will be OK, but, for men, the normal keyboard is not the right angle.
So, are thy saying every other keyboard they have sold were standard mechanical keyboards rebadged as gaming keboards?
No, reread it: "Razer claims that most mechanical keyboards in the market today are standard mechanical keyboards rebadged as gaming keyboards..."
They don't currently sell any mechanical keyboards, so this doesn't even apply. They're referring to products like: http://elitekeyboards.com/ or www.daskeyboard.com/ or http://www.steelseries.com/int/res [...] series_7g.
Hate the price, love the 'board.
If there are already keyboards out there that are mechanical keyboards and most gaming keyboards are just rebadged mechanical keyboards why blow 80 clams on one made by this company? For the macro keys?
Hw the hell d yu nt know if yu've pressed a key or nt?
i have a monitor which shows the output. if no output, i havent pressed the button.
Obviously no one around here understands irony
I got it, it was hilarious
ROFL!!! I knew I'd be back in style some decade. I still have two working being used daily IBM 101 key tactile feedback keyboards. THE industry standard for data entry. This one I'm typing on has a manufacture date of August 1994 and it is the new one! There is nothing new under the sun....just rehashed old ideas and products.
So they are actually going backwards with innovation? I have an old IBM keyboard like this and I prefer the newer keyboards as I can be typing and still have a conversation without having to yell over the clicking.
Actually tried out the board the other day at Gamescon. I was never really into mechanical keyboards, always preferred the slim laptop styled keys myself, but this is amazing. Brings me back to the days of those amazing old IBM mechanical keyboards.
Having said that, you'd think that Razer would release a keyboard with green back-lighting since it is their company color and all... which is the only thing that is preventing me from ordering the Lycosa or the Ultimate edition of this keyboard. Call me crazy, but in my opinion, blue back-lighting is too bright and tends to cause some glare if your monitor is right next to the keyboard. Never had that problem with green back-lighting.
I didn't see any information regarding its support for full n-key rollover on ps/2 or 6-key on USB, plus modifiers. They also don't mention how the keys are printed (laser etched, dye sublimated, injection molding, pad printed) or which switches they are using. Still, even the ultimate is a lot more cost efficient than the Deck Legend - Ice (Tactile), I was eyeballing.
I didn't see any information regarding...
My thoughts exactly. I've had too many keyboards wear out like they were sprayed with aerosol paint or something. +1 sir.
Ugly, i won't even pay 10 bucks for a keyboard like that, sorry.
So they are actually going backwards with innovation? I have an old IBM keyboard like this and I prefer the newer keyboards as I can be typing and still have a conversation without having to yell over the clicking.
Best keyboard I ever used was on an old IBM XT.
Keyboards haven't innovated for quality, but more for manufacturing cost. Back in the 80s (and even early 90s), keyboards (and computers in general) were built to last. These days they're built under the assumption that it will probably be replaced in 5 years.
IMO, going back to mechanical switches is a good thing. The extra features are great too (like backlighting and programmable keys) but if they're flimsy and get gunked up easily, and don't have great feedback, then I don't like it.
I've said it multiple times, you could take the XT's keyboard and give someone a concussion with the thing, and it still would work perfectly. That is the definition of quality.
unless you're a pro-gamer or something, this is just excess gone wrong.
Most of Razer's products are designed for the more serious gamer.
I ordered the Lycosa about 2 years ago. After using it for a week, I had to return it. The keys didnt feel right, the footing wasnt right, and the stance with the stupid attachement on the front was too large. I was usable, but for 80$ you want top of the line. I ended up with a Kaitech that is twice as fun to use, and cost 30$.
I hope this new keyboard covers the short falls of the lycosa.
exciting... im getting it! As a programmer i need a good keyboard
...you'd think that Razer would release a keyboard with green back-lighting since it is their company color and all... which is the only thing that is preventing me from ordering the Lycosa or the Ultimate edition of this keyboard. Call me crazy, but in my opinion, blue back-lighting is too bright and tends to cause some glare if your monitor is right next to the keyboard. Never had that problem with green back-lighting.
I got the HP version of the Lycosa, which has a nice design printed between the keys, and the backlighting is white instead of blue like on the normal Lycosa. I find it to be significantly better than my friend's Lycosa with the blue backlight, much easier to read during the day (if the backlight isn't on, the keys are almost fully black), and not as blinding at night.
At $80, I'd rather wait for the reviews. And at $120, I REALLY struggle to find the justification...unless you're a pro-gamer or something, this is just excess gone wrong.
I actually strongly disagree. So, you're going to spend 200 bucks on a hard drive, 110 on some RAM, toss a 150 dollar processor in there, get some 100 dollar power supply, a 40 dollar heat sink, 60 dollar case, with about 20 bucks extra in fans for it, dump in a 200-400 dollar videocard, like 50 bucks in opticals, dump another hundred on a HDD, get a 50 dollar laser mouse.... and then go get a POS 10 dollar keyboard that's primary tactile feedback is the cheap plastic bottoming out at the bottom of the board..
This might be great, but as was pointed out, too much information is missing. How durable / spill-resistant is it? How easy to get accidental keypresses? What's the rollover? Will it sit still on the desk, or slide around?
The price looks a little high, but that's probably MSRP, and fulle has a valid point; this may very well be worthwhile. I will look forward to a THOROUGH review of this keyboard (please!).
I prefer spill proof. I guess I'm not an old enough man to need mechanical keys. Those old IBM keyboards get stiff over time with all the metal they put in the keys. No thanks. I've been using NEC spillproof ps/2 keyboards since about 1998. They still work. Actually would like to buy another spare.