PC gaming accessory maker Razer on Tuesday announced a major refresh of its keyboard lineup starting with the new BlackWidow Chroma V2 mechanical gaming keyboard.
The original Razer BlackWidow Chroma hit the scene in 2010 and was upgraded in 2014 with Razer's own mechanical switches, the Razer Green and Razer Orange switches. This new model retains those switch choices but can be outfitted with a third option, the new Razer Yellow switch.
Featuring a linear and silent design that's said 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).
Razer's latest also includes a new wrist rest that magnetically attaches to the bottom of the board for added comfort during marathon gaming sessions or while typing. It also includes other gaming-minded features such as Razer's Chroma lighting system, 10-key roll-over anti-ghosting, macro keys and USB pass-through, just to name a few.
Min-Liang Tan, Razer co-founder and CEO, said they've made improvements across the board and remain the only company designing keyboard switches made specifically for gaming (what about the Division Zero line from Das?). The BlackWidow Chroma V2, Tan says, is the best mechanical keyboard they've ever produced.
The Razer BlackWidow Chroma V2 keyboard is available as of writing via Razer's website starting at $169.99 (pricing remains unchanged from the previous iteration).