Razer upgrades BlackWidow Chroma V2 keyboard with wrist rest and switch choices

Featuring a linear and silent design that's claimed to reduce travel distance, the Razer Yellow switch allows keys to be pressed faster.

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Razer BlackWidow keyboard, which has been around since 2010, is one of the most popular gaming keyboards. But recently the PC gaming accessory makers announced a major refresh of its keyboard line-up starting with the new BlackWidow Chroma V2 mechanical gaming keyboard and this one comes with more choices for the gamers.

Razer BlackWidow Chroma, after first hitting the gaming scene in 2010, was upgraded with Razer's own mechanical Razer Green and Razer Orange switches in 2014. But this new BlackWidow adds more to it, a third option - brand new Razer Yellow switch.

Featuring a linear and silent design that's claimed to reduce travel distance, the Razer Yellow switch allows keys to be pressed faster (think FPS and MOBA-type games). Like the Green and Orange switches, the Yellow switch is rated for 80 million keystrokes with an actuation force of 45 grams (the same as the Orange switch, while the Green switches have a 50 grams actuation force).

First impression of this keyboard might be that it's small but wait till you look closely. The creators have this time added a magnetically attached wrist rest, similar to some of their other models like the Razer Ornata for added comfort during marathon gaming sessions or while typing. Those who like to play with a smaller keyboard can also detach it from the main keyboard. This is definitely a cool value-add for Razer, and should please many buyers.

Just like most of the Razer products, the BlackWidow V2 features Razer's Chroma lighting, with individually backlit keys offering 16.8 million colors per key, as well as the Chroma effects powered by their Synapse software.

It also includes other gaming-minded features such as 10-key roll-over anti-ghosting, macro keys, USB pass-through and many more. Despite including the wrist rest and yellow switches, the new BlackWidow V2 Chroma keyboard has a price that is unchanged from the previous model and select models are shipping now for $169.99.

This article was first published on January 25, 2017
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