Razer Mechanical Keyboards Improved in BlackWidow Series

By Doug Crowthers
published

Razer has updated its BlackWidow mechanical keyboard line with the release of its Ultimate 2013 and Tournament Edition 2013.

We first reviewed the Razer BlackWidow Ultimate back in 2011 and now the 2013 model features green backlighting and an anti-fingerprint matte black finish. The Razer BlackWidow Tournament Edition is designed for gamers looking for an entry level mechanical gaming keyboard with just the minimum features needed. Like the Ultimate, the Tournament Edition uses blue switch mechanical keys.

The BlackWidow Ultimate and Tournament Editions all come in standard and Stealth versions, along with improved anti-ghosting and Razer's Synapse 2.0 cloud technology. Stealth models feature brown mechanical switches for superior tactility and faster response that only requires an actuation force of 45 g and a reduced actuation of 2 mm.

The keyboards enhanced anti-ghosting supports up to 10 simultaneous key presses in game mode. Razer Synapse 2.0 automatically synchronizes user profile settings to a cloud server, allowing for customization of the keyboard and other related Razer products with a single login. The braided USB cable can be detached for extra portability and locked into place on the keyboard.

Check out the full specs of Ultimate 2013:

  • Full mechanical keys with 50 g actuation force (45 g actuation force on Stealth model)
  • 1000 Hz ultrapolling
  • Fully programmable keys with on-the-fly macro recording
  • 10 key anti-ghosting
  • Razer Synapse 2.0 enabled
  • Individually backlit keys
  • Gaming mode option
  • 5 additional dedicated macro keys
  • Audio-out/mic-in jacks
  • USB pass-through
  • Braided fiber cable
  • Approximate Size: 475 mm/18.72 in. (Width) x 171 mm/6.74 in. (Height) x 20 mm/0.79 in. (Depth)
  • Approximate Weight: 1500 g /3.31 lbs. 

The Razer BlackWidow Ultimate 2013 will set you back $139.99, or €139.99 if you're in Europe. The Razer BlackWidow Ultimate 2013 is expected to be available in August 2012.
 

Check out the full specs of Tournament Edition 2013:

  • Full mechanical keys with 50 g actuation force (45 g actuation force on Stealth model)
  • Silent, tactile feedback on key press
  • 1000 Hz ultrapolling
  • Programmable keys with on the fly macro recording
  • Gaming Mode option for deactivation of the Windows key
  • Anti-ghosting capability for 6 simultaneous key presses, 10 key presses in gaming mode
  • Multimedia controls
  • Glowing Razer logo
  • Detachable Braided USB cable with Velcro
  • Synapse 2.0 enabled
  • Sleeve for protection
  • Approx. weight: 950 g / 2.09 lbs.

The Razer BlackWidow Tournament Edition 2013 will set you back $79.99, or €79.99 if you're in Europe. The Razer BlackWidow Tournament Edition 2013 is expected to be available in August 2012.

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18 Comments Comment from the forums
  • noobzilla771
    Tournament Edition's size looks great! Something that would fit backpacks for LAN parties.
    Reply
  • amk09
    Why do they always have to put the 'Glowing Razer logo' on their products? I understand its their logo, but it looks so childish. I hope you can turn it off the like their mice, while still allowing the keys to be backlit. I will probably buy the tournament edition regardless, I have been waiting for an affordable and attractive backlit mechanical keyboard. Hopefully it works as well as their mice!
    Reply
  • spookyman
    Still the best keyboards ever made were from IBM.

    The old IBM PS/2 101 keyboard was sturdy, great typing and 100 times better then these new keyboards. I have 2 that are over 20 years and still are as great as day 1.
    Reply
  • burns11
    I have to agree with the glowing logo: don't need it, don't want it. Maybe if you were from the Isle of Man it would make you feel warm inside, but I'd rather not.
    Reply
  • jiyung
    I hope the quality is improved.
    Reply
  • internetlad
    spookymanStill the best keyboards ever made were from IBM. The old IBM PS/2 101 keyboard was sturdy, great typing and 100 times better then these new keyboards. I have 2 that are over 20 years and still are as great as day 1.
    If you want a modern offering check out a Unicomp keyboard. They're made with the same equipment and are of similar quality. I've got a Unicomp Spacesaver 104 that I"ve had for a year and it still feels like the day I bought it. even the caps aren't shiny yet.
    Reply
  • molo9000
    No PS/2 ?
    Reply
  • southernshark
    Seems kind of small.
    Reply
  • jimmysmitty
    spookymanStill the best keyboards ever made were from IBM. The old IBM PS/2 101 keyboard was sturdy, great typing and 100 times better then these new keyboards. I have 2 that are over 20 years and still are as great as day 1.
    They are but they are also the old beige and normally PS/2 which is slowly dissapearing from new motherboards (my P8Z68-V Pro/Gen3 does not have any). Of course you could use a PS/2 to USB.

    As for sturdy, I can atest that the Corsair Vengance series keyboards are very sturdy, considering it has an aluminum bezel. Plus it has Cherry MX Reds which have been rated as the best switches.
    Reply
  • boiler1990
    spookymanStill the best keyboards ever made were from IBM. The old IBM PS/2 101 keyboard was sturdy, great typing and 100 times better then these new keyboards. I have 2 that are over 20 years and still are as great as day 1.
    Typing != gaming use. I would agree the buckling spring switches are the best for typing, but typically gaming requires much faster switch resets. I'm suprised Razer hasn't made a MX Red/Black board yet; those are much better for gaming than MX Blue/Brown IMO.
    Reply