Razer BlackWidow Ultimate Mechanical Keyboard Review – Mechanically superior? Just mechanical?

Buy? Eye? … Sigh?

As we said the Razer BlackWidow Ultimate is Razer’s first attempt at a mechanical keyboard through their partners at iOne of XArmor fame. Their choice to limit users to just Cherry MX Blue switches may put off potential buyers if they prefer a quieter keyboard or they do not like the way the switch actuates for gaming. For a keyboard lauded as a gaming device you would expect that they would have used the switches that are themselves typically lauded for gaming: the MX Blacks or the MX Browns. I am personally satisfied with gaming on MX Blue switches as most gamers would be if contrasted against membrane-based keyboards. That said; it is neither quieter nor better responding than the black or brown counterparts and stereotypically performs worse in both categories to both of those switches. Their decision does not seem to make sense unless it was some simple behind-the-scenes cost argument.

How does it stand up?

Compared to other mechanical keyboards it does not perform to the true potential of what mechanical keyboards can do. Without backlighting it is very cheap for a good but not great mechanical keyboard; with backlighting it can be quite expensive but distinguishing. If you are thrifty and find it on sale the Ultimate could be neck and neck with the recently expanded product line of the Rosewill RK-9000 which is not a clear choice to make: if you want the choice between four different Cherry MX switches or you want a more precise mechanical keyboard the Rosewill will not disappoint; if you want Razer’s keycaps or you deem backlighting a necessary feature than you should check out the BlackWidow Ultimate.

Two boards enter, one board return.

In any case: you are buying a keyboard. No-one can ultimately make the decision for you; it is still up to you to make the purchase based on your personal preferences and needs. If you have a local small-business computer store which has a demo model of the Razer BlackWidow then definitely experience how it feels to the touch. While you are there be sure to check out the SteelSeries 6Gv2 keyboard to feel the difference between the blue and the black switches since if gaming is your priority you may prefer the latter switch whether or not on that keyboard (sorry SteelSeries!)

Check it out; the BlackWidow Ultimate will likely be my keyboard of choice though it will definitely not be everyone’s. Play around with it and see if it is worth the price tag.