Razer Arctosa
Essential Gaming Keyboard
Overview
In this edition of Gang Gamer Grean: Razer Review, Thailand, we are going to be reviewing the Razer Arctosa.
Pros
- Wrist rest can be removed
- Fully-programmable keys
- Windows key can be turned on/off
Cons
- No back-lighting
- Media buttons are not responsive
- Very bright caps/scroll/num lights
Arctosa Review
Technically speaking the Razer Arctosa is much like the Lycosa, prehaps a very close relatives. There is only a few differences separating them from being called the same name.
Much like the Lycosa, the size is small, even smaller when taking the wirst rest off. The keyboard is lightweight, no hustle when taking it to use somewhere, a friends house? Maybe, just slip it into a backpack.
Like its relative, the Razer Lycosa, this model lets users program any key to serve as a quick-access macro. ANY keys. Creating and modifying them is zero hassle, thanks to well-designed software. It’s also highly flexible, allowing for 10 different profiles. Changing the profiles you set is a breeze here, too. A quick press of the Razer Logo button then a tap of one of the F1-F10 keys, you’re done. You use that same Media Control Panel for, well, media control.
“HyperResponse Technology” may be silly marketing buzzwords, but they actually have a valid meaning in this case. The keys have a very functional, tactile feel in part due to their low profile. The hyper-responsiveness also extends to speed. Razer created 1000Hz Ultrapolling (granted, another marketing buzzword) that makes the system respond lightning quick to a pressed key. You couldn’t sense those individual tiny 1 ms actions, but they do add up when you’re playing at top speed. For skilled gamers, that’s a real advantage.
Unlike its big brother, the Lycosa, there’s no backlighting feature. For those who enjoy playing in the dark, or just like the cool factor of a lit-up keyboard, that will be a disappointment. The black lettering on black keys doesn’t help, either. Others will appreciate the lower price that results from leaving that feature off.
The Razer Arctosa is not the company’s top of the line gaming keyboard; it wasn’t intended to be. But at this price, you wouldn’t expect it to be. Nevertheless it does have some great features.
First Hour Hand-on Review
4th minute: Rubbing my hands on the keyboard glossy surface
5th minute: Reminding myself not to rub the keyboard ever again, very smudgy
24th minute: Wonder how bad it would be to get the black keys edition
37th minute: Multimedia keys panel is a let-down
49th minute: The Arctosa gives the minimum of game-play helpfulness, but it is better than a no-namer cheap keyboard
Technical Specifications
- Fully-programmable keys with macro capabilities
- Selective anti-ghosting for WASD gaming cluster
- Slim keycap structure with Hyperesponse technology
- Easy access media keys
- Gaming mode option for deactivation of the Windows key
- 10 customizable software profiles with on-the-fly switching
- 1000Hz Ultrapolling / 1ms response time
- Detachable wrist rest
-Approximate size:
470mm (length) x 165mm (width) x 24mm (height) - without wrist rest
470mm (length) x 222mm (width) x 24mm (height) - with wrist rest
Unboxing Video
Gallery
Ratings (out of 10)
Build Quality - while it is lightweight, non-rectangular design, that and all, but it does look very plasticly ugly
6.5
Ease of Use - the wrist rest provides additional comfort, multimedia keys are easy to access
8.0
Features - very little to offer, but understandable for the price
Features - very little to offer, but understandable for the price
7.0
Performance - minor issues with ghosting and unresponsiveness of certain keystrokes
Performance - minor issues with ghosting and unresponsiveness of certain keystrokes
8.0
Value - one of the best for a gaming keyboard of its price range
8.5
Overall - Great
7.6
