Posted on Wednesday, August 18 2010 @ 19:38 CEST by Thomas De Maesschalck
Razer presents BlackWidow, a new line of gaming keyboards with mechanical switches. Gamers who only need the basics can get the Razer BlackWidow, a keyboard with fully programmable keys, five additional gaming keys with on-the-fly macro recording, ten customizable software profiles for on-the-fly switching and easy access media keys, while gamers with a larger budget can get the BlackWidow Ultimate, a more advanced edition that features individually backlit keys with 5 levels of lighting, USB pass-through and audio ports. Both keyboards will start shipping in September, the basic BlackWidow should be available for $79.99 (79.99EUR) while the BlackWidow Ultimate has a MSRP of $129.99 (129.99EUR).
Razer™, the world’s leading
manufacturer of high-end precision gaming and lifestyle peripherals, today announced the Razer
BlackWidow™ mechanical gaming keyboard engineered for gamers who demand superior tactile
feedback and comfort while playing.
Most mechanical keyboards in the market today are standard mechanical keyboards rebadged as
gaming keyboards that feature stiff keys that cause key actuation fatigue. Such keyboards are
inherently worse off for gamers as it actually decreases gameplay performance as opposed to
enhancing it. As a result, most professional gamers eschew such marketing gimmicks for regular
membrane keyboards.
For the past 3 years, Razer’s design and engineering teams have been working on a mechanical
keyboard – developed for gamers from the ground up, resulting in the Razer BlackWidow.
The Razer 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. Coupled
with a unique key actuation point halfway through the full travel distance, the optimized
mechanical key structure found in each of the Razer BlackWidow’s keys provide for greater
precision and accuracy versus other traditional mechanical keyboards.
The keys on the Razer BlackWidow also feature one of the lightest actuation forces for all
keyboards. The key actuation force has been optimized by the Razer design team from readily
available components but sorted with the rigorous quality standards that Razer is known for. As a
result, this enhanced key force allows gamers to 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 “Razerguy” 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 Razer BlackWidow is the only mechanical keyboard that features fully programmable keys
with on-the-fly macro recording as well as five additional gaming keys, further leaving other
mechanical keyboards in the dust when it comes to gaming compatibility and performance.
The revolutionary Razer BlackWidow mechanical gaming keyboard 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.
About the Razer BlackWidow
The Razer BlackWidow’s full mechanical key architecture provides a distinctive tactile feedback
that simulates the experience and precision of performing a mouse click, giving gamers an
entirely new feel with this keyboard. With its optimized actuation force of 50g and an actuation
point halfway down the full travel distance of 4mm, the Razer BlackWidow’s keys deliver crisp
response with exceptional actuation speed. An ultra robust construction, fully programmable
keys, 5 additional macro keys, and on-the-fly macro recording round off this revolutionary
gaming keyboard.
Product Features:
Mechanical key architecture for faster actuation and extended lifespan
Fully programmable keys + 5 additional gaming keys with on-the-fly macro recording
10 Customizable software profiles with on-the-fly switching
1000Hz Ultrapolling™ for a blistering fast 1ms response time
Gaming optimized key matrix
Easy access media keys
Gaming mode option
Approx. size in mm: 475(L) x 171(W) x 30(H)
About the Razer BlackWidow Ultimate
The Razer BlackWidow Ultimate is a step up from the original edition with the added feature of
individually backlit keys with 5 levels of lighting, so players will never miss a step in the dark
while giving them the cutting edge to launch assaults and flank foes even in low light conditions.
Its full mechanical key architecture with an actuation point halfway through the full travel
distance of 4mm, combined with its distinct tactile feedback that simulates a mouse click, allows
the Razer BlackWidow Ultimate to provide gamers a keyboard that responds like no other. The
ultra robust construction, fully programmable keys, 5 additional macro keys, and on-the-fly
macro recording round off this revolutionary gaming keyboard. The Ultimate keyboard also
includes 3.5” audio and microphone out jacks as well as an additional USB port. Now, the fate of your game is all at your fingertips with the BlackWidow Ultimate.
Product Features:
Mechanical key architecture for faster actuation and extended lifespan
Individually backlit keys with 5 levels of lighting
Fully programmable keys + 5 additional gaming keys with on-the-fly macro recording
10 Customizable software profiles with on-the-fly switching
1000Hz Ultrapolling™ for a blistering fast 1ms response time
Gaming optimized key matrix
Easy access media keys
Gaming mode option
Audio-out / mic-in jacks
USB pass-through
Approx. size in mm: 475(L) x 171(W) x 30(H)
