Gang Gamer Grean: Razer BW Ultimate

Razer BlackWidow Ultimate

Elite Mechanical Gaming Keyboard

Overview

In this edition of Gang Gamer Grean: Razer Review, Thailand, we are going to be reviewing the Razer BlackWidow Ultimate, the first tactile-response mechanical keyboard by Razer.
Razer, well known for its high-end gaming mice, got off to a very slow start when it comes to gaming keyboards. the previous releases weren't that bad, but the company hasn't had a must-have product yet. The BlackWidow Ultimate is Razer’s first.
Pros

- Tactile Feedback
- Back lighting
- Fully programmable keyboard
- Macro editing

Cons
- Glossy surface attracts smudges

BlackWidow Ultimate Review
The Razer Black Widow Ultimate at first glance, looks ordinary and plain, but once your fingers starts pressing those highly responsive and sleek mechanical keys, it’ll be hard to walk away and you’ll never want to go back to those “traditional” keyboards.

The Black Widow’s keys are based upon mechanical switch technology. As opposed to typical PC keyboards which are based upon rubber-dome, membrane, or even a hybrid version, which tends to give a quiet soft emotion-lacking feel when typed upon. But one may question why the keys are encased by a glossy finished body which attracts finger print of the softest of touches. Also adding to the superior tactile response to every keystrokes, mechanical keyboard are definitely more durable. The slightly angled placement of the rows of keys can be said to neglect the effect of not having an arm rest but the keys are slightly smaller than most keyboards, it will take a while before getting used to it.

Aside from this outstanding feature, being a gaming keyboard, sports a USB pass-through connection and also audio pass-through connections (1 microphone, 1 stereo) as previously seen in Razer keyboards, such as the Lycosa. Black Widow Ultimate also features five macro-keys along the left side of the keyboard, being from Razer, any keys are fully programmable through their configurator program downloadable through their official website.

A typical Razer style, black with blue backlighting, the Ultimate have 5 levels of backlighting brightness, off, 3 levels of brightness, and a 5th one that goes on and off that look like it’s about to emit a powerful lighting beam.
The fonts style is questionable and the bottom half character keys that aren’t back lit may cause a minor concern.

Gaming and/or typing-wise, the Black Widow Ultimate feels like a dream. Despite some design concerns, the Razer Black Widow Ultimate packs a devastating blow for any gaming keyboard manufacturer to come up with something better than this phenomenal powerhouse.

First Hour Hand-on Review

8th minute: Rubbing my hands on the keyboard glossy surface

9th minute: Reminding myself not to rub the keyboard ever again, very prone to finger print

17th minute: Random button mashings, feel like a typewriter, actually

23rd minute: Trying to see which level of LED intensity is suitable

26th minute: A few rounds of Battlefield Bad Company 2, does actually see the differences, faster movement, faster response time

34th minute: Touch Typing seems difficult, maybe need more practice

49th minute: Starting to feel annoyed by the "typewriter" sounds

Technical Specifications
- Full mechanical keys with 50g actuation force
- Individually backlit keys with 5 levels of lighting
- 1000Hz Ultrapolling / 1ms response time
- Programmable keys with on-the-fly macro recording
- Gaming mode option for deactivation of the Windows key
- 10 customizable software profiles with on-the-fly switching
- 5 additional macro keys
- Gaming optimized key matrix for minimized ghosting
- Multi-Media Controls
- Braided cable
- Audio-Out / Mic-In Jacks
- USB-Pass-through
- Approx. size in mm: 475(L) x 171(W) x 30(H)
- Weight: 1.5kg

Unboxing Video

Gallery