RAZER Blackwidow Ultimate 2013 RZ03-00381900-R3U1 Black USB Wired Elite Mechanical Gaming Keyboard

Pros: This is the first mechanical keyboard I have owned and am very happy about purchase. The first thing I noticed about the keyboard was the weight. I first I was rather disappointed not realizing just how heavy it was. Turns out I rather like that about it now, it never slides around my table no matter how abusively I am using it. The macro buttons on the left side are also a very nice touch; they are all easily within reach of my hand and have been quite useful for a handful of things. I also enjoy the sound of the switches for the keyboard, something about it is very satisfying while typing (which feels great on this keyboard) or playing a game. Another thing is for the amount of time I have owned the keyboard I’m am surprised how little the keys have faded, especially the w,a,s and d keys.

Cons: The only con i really have is I'm not a fan of the braided wire Razor uses, but i suppose that is really just personal preference.

Pros: I was pretty warry about buying a razer product because there mouses are pieces of cr*ap in my opnion. But this keyboard is actually really solid, and alot better than i expected. I highly recommend this keyboard it feels very nice to type on and seems very high quality unlike some of the flimsy razer mouses out there that break within a few months

Cons: none that i can think of at the moment, as im writing this the cap lock key is being kind flimsy but o well.

Pros: - A great heavy feelings.
- Satisfying mechanical key action.
- The green LEDs look great to me when they're at their dimmest setting (in most cases it actually just looks like the key paint/font is written in green)
- Nice USB pass-through

Cons: As others have noted, the caps/num/scroll lock lights are very dim in contract to the keys. Not worthy of a full egg subtraction, but worth noting if the locks are of special import to you.

Other Thoughts: If Razer made keyboards with alternate switches, I would have happily bought browns, but as it is I installed o-rings onto these blues and I'm much more satisfied (my whole neighborhood doesn't need to hear me typing an email).

Pros: Very affordable with performance to match the cost. This is my first mechanical board and I could never go back. Each keystroke is a pleasure and the back lighting is the best that I have seen. I have had n o problems with the Synapse software as of yet. Very happy with Razer and their products.

Cons: None so far

Other Thoughts: Just get it already

Pros: Keys feel great, Quality is exceptional, Another great addition to my Razer Collection

Cons: Not a con for me, but as mentioned the font of the keys are not the best for people who are not used to a keyboard layout.

Pros: Nice feel, responsive, just what I was looking for in a mechanical.

Cons: Synapse.
USB port is right where I have my mouse pad and no others.
The paint is coming off of one key after only two months... suppose this is just this beginning. I have had 20 dollar keyboards that didn't lose paint.

Manufacturer Response:

Hi Haze,

Please don't hesitate to contact us at http://razersupport.com/contact-us. We'll be sure to help you with any issues you're having with Synapse, as well as your key paint fading.

Thank you for understanding.

Razer Customer Satisfaction

Pros: Seems reasonably sturdy and is heavy enough to keep from sliding around on the desk. The back feet keep it at a nice angle for my typing.

The feel of the thing is fantastic, absolutely amazing. Key feel is light yet positive, although I'm surprised that the spacebar and bottom-row keys (shift, ctrl, etc.) seem considerably stiffer than the others. Still, if you are a good typist you will FLY on a Blackwidow. I actually want to find stuff to type while sitting in front of it, it feels that good. I don't know how good an advantage a keyboard like this would be for just playing games, but it's certainly working well for me in WoW and SWTOR and also Planetside 2.

The bright green lighting is five-step adjustable on the keyboard or (I think) infinitely adjustable through Razer Synapse. Unless you are in a very bright room you will want it turned way down, I think mine's at about 6%. It's quite bright even at the lowest step. As others have noted the lighting doesn't show the alternate or shifted functions on the keys but I'll give it a bonus for lighting up the gap between the keys--it looks good.

Cons: Only a very few minor things, not really enough to take an egg off it even all added up:

- It could use a bigger wrist rest (a la Logitech) but those are easy enough to find or make aftermarket.
- The lock lights are very dim compared to the keycap lights.
- The ability to switch lighting colors would be a nice-to-have, but it's a Razer circa 2013, and therefore it Must Be Green.
- I'm not a fan of the silly "look at me I'm so futuristic" font. I touch-type so I don't really need to see what keys I'm on but it still looks a bit dumb.
- It is LOUD. This isn't really a Con but I put it here just so people would see it. Unless they wear good headphones or are deaf, people in the same room will get sick of you typing on this thing in a hurry, especially if you're a heavy typist like me and bottom the keys out. Your friends on Ventrilo or TS3 will hate you unless you have a good unidirectional mic. If noise is an issue, don't get a keyboard with Cherry MX Blue switches like these.

Other Thoughts: I got this to replace a second-generation Logitech G15 which I'd never quite been happy with the feel of. I'll admit I was skeptical about dropping $130 on a keyboard, but I'm also old enough to remember the IBM Model M (the Greatest Keyboard of All Time) so I know how good mechanical keyboards can be. Also, since I worked on a Model M for several years, to me the Blackwidow isn't all that loud--Ms were buckling-spring keyboards that have an even heavier and more positive "click" to them than any MX switches.

Pros: -The clicking noise while gaming and typing.
-USB port on the side as well as an audio and microphone jack.
-High quality feel.

Cons: -No drivers for Linux so I cannot use the lights on the keys nor can I use the macro keys :(.

Other Thoughts: If they had drivers for Linux I will change my review to five stars. Should've bought the generic blackwidow keyboard instead and saved some money.

Pros: Nice fit, finish and feel. Cherry switches, it's a Razer... Bought to replace a well loved Tarantula.

Cons: Synapse... Razer what were you thinking? Why would anyone want a top tier keyboard that requires an internet connection to use all it's features? I need to login to my keyboard drivers to make my macros work? Breathtaking FAIL. 20 futile minutes trying to find a feedback link on Razers site.

Other Thoughts: Loyal customer since 2000 Boomslang, Copperhead, Diamondback, Habu x2, Tarantula, Naga x2

Sending it back for a G710+

Pros: Mechancial with cherry mx blues, green backlight, gaming mode, macro keys, matte black finish.
Replaced my old membrane keyboard (razer lycosa), before I never knew why people thought that mechanical keyboards were so awesome, now I know why I'll never go back.

Cons: Why are cons even required?

Other Thoughts: Keyboard doesn't have dedicated media keys like my old lycosa did... it still has the ability to play/pause and skip music, you just have to use the FN key. It's not a con, and I knew this when I bought the keyboard so it's not a big deal by any means, no eggs of for that, just something I wish it had included.

Cherry MX blues are a little loud... but then again I knew this when I bought it as well and decided I could live with it, so again no eggs off.

This keyboard owns! Buy one, you won't regret it!