Full on gamers are always on the lookout for that full on battlestation to command with their fingertips and take their gaming experience and skill to a whole new level.
If you are one of these full on gamers looking to reach new heights and achieve gaming greatness then Razer has the ultimate powerhouse keyboard for you.
Tech Talk
The BlackWidow range of keyboards from Razer has long been a well known name and has proudly been found in the upper echelons of the keyboard realm for many years. The latest version of this top-tier keyboard is no different.
The V4 Pro edition of the Razer BlackWidow combines performance, convenience and customisation and packages this all into a sleek, neat design that would look good with any set up.
One of perks of going with this Razer flagship keyboard is that you have an option of not one, or two but THREE different mechanical switches.
Razer Yellow – Linear and silent.
Razer Green – Tactile and clicky.
Razer Orange – Tactile and silent.
Disclaimer: I have only seen 2 of these switches available in South Africa (green and yellow), of which mostly the yellow switches.
This small choice plays a massive role as it allows the user to get the perfect press-feel under their fingertips and is the start of the comfort and confidence that all gamers need to know that can pull of those crazy drifts or insane drop shots.
The overall build quality of the BlackWidow V4 Pro is sleek, yet incredibly durable as Razer have elected to use 5052 Aluminium Alloy for their top case. If you don’t know what that is, you’re forgiven.
Allow Wikipedia to educate us…
Do with that what you will but this thing is TOUGH!
Lending itself to the durability of this keyboard, Razer have included Doubleshot ABS keycaps that are perfectly designed to withstand INTENSE USE (taken from the official Razer site) and to ensure that the labels never wear off, so you always know exactly which key you’re hitting. They also have extra-thick walls so they can survive all the clutch moments when you’re being just a little bit of a sweat.
To add to the convenience and customisation options of the keyboards, Razer included a command dial, 8 dedicated macro keys AND a multi-function roller with 4 media keys.
The options for change here are almost limitless as you can save up to 5 different profiles to the keyboard alone. Allowing you to take your gaming experience and set up into any gaming rig, or workstation, that you plug your BlackWidow V4 Pro into. No more awkward start to sessions as you try to remember your layout.
Razer have ensured that their flagship keyboard is fully Chroma compliant with immersive underglow, as well as per-key lighting. All this lighting allows you to change every key to a different colour if you so desired and get the exact lightshow/display that you’re after.
On top of this, Razer’s focus on comfort and minimal fatigue for user over extended sessions, the removable plush leatherette wrist rest is also included in all that lighting and when you magnet it on, it completes and rounds off the BlackWidow V4 Pro’s underglow RGB.
For convenience sake – Razer has included an onboard USB 3.0 slot that brings one of your PC’s USB slots right up to your hand for ease of use. No need to move your tower, or tweak yourself reaching for the slots at the back.
Experience
My overall experience with the Razer BlackWidow V4 Pro was overwhelming good, as is expected with one of the best keyboards available on the market today.
I was lucky enough to get my hands on (excuse the pun) the yellow switch version of the Razer flagship keyboard and the switches were as promised, linear and silent. They required very little effort and the finesse needed to fully use them was a learned skill for me as I was used to using sledgehammer keystrokes on my older mech keys. Once I learned that soft touch needed for the BlackWidow V4 Pro’s yellow switches, the user experience really was otherworldly. I found that I could type and game for longer as fatigue on my fingers was almost nonexistent and the wrist rest kept my wrists in a very comfortable and optimal position for using the keyboard.
I had great fun playing with the customisable keys and RGB and had the keyboard settings down to an absolute Tee with both gaming and video editing. All the options, once I settled on profiles that worked for each use, really optimised my gaming experience and work flow, and in turn – my life (kidding? Maybe? I don’t know…)
With all things considered, including the hefty hole this keyboard will leave in your pocket, this keyboard really is an elite, top-tier beast of a keyboard.
The features, build quality and experience that the Razer BlackWidow V4 Pro will give you really are priceless (but there is a cost – obviously) and if you can get yourself one of these keyboards, it will optimise and maximise your overall PC experience.
With all things considered, I award the BlackWidow V4 Pro a whopping 100% rating.
5 out of 5! Full marks. A++.
This thing really is great!
REVIEW UNITS SUPPLIED BY APEX INTERACTIVE SA.