Razer has introduced the third iteration of its BlackWidow series of mechanical gaming keyboards, and promise customers a resilient, customizable product. Both tenkey and tenkeyless models are available now, boasting several upgrades over Razer's prior version of the peripheral line.
The BlackWidow line of mechanical keyboards first launched in 2010, and Razer has continued to iterate on the peripheral since. Razer has also recently branched out into being a "lifestyle brand" with products such as apparel, including surgical masks, and a new partnership with Mars Wrigley to create gamer-themed Respawn Gum.
Gaming peripherals are still the company's primary focus, and one of the most impressive feature of the new board are Razer's improved Mechanical Switches that have a reliable durability of up to 80 million keystrokes, according to a press release from Razer. The mechanical switches are available in a green "clicky" variety, and a yellow variety for a quieter gaming experience. Other notable features include dedicated media controls such as a textured roller bar, and a brushed aluminum construction.
Razer is also known for its use of fancy lighting, which is evident in products ranging from computer mice to the company's gamified Visa credit card. The keyboard is no exception, featuring Razer's Chroma customizable lighting system. The keyboard's Doubleshot ABS keycaps are also designed to take advantage of this lighting system by using molded caps rather than printed letters, ensuring that the symbols on the key should never wear away.
Some may wonder whether these improvements warrant an upgrade, however, given the tenkey board's relatively steep price of $140, and the tenkeyless' $100 price. The BlackWidow seems like a natural partner for Razer's Naga Pro Gaming Mouse, but while the Naga delivers upon what gamers expect, it offers a similar user-experience to its predecessor.
Razer is having a very good year, with their customers working from home and doubling down on gaming as entertainment. The company, which had already become one of the standards for gaming hardware, recently announced a surplus of nearly $500 million over its estimated $2 billion worth. This kind of year-on-year growth may help cement them as a household name for gaming peripherals and associated products.
Razer is primed to show off their flagship products and more during RazerCon 2020, set to take place on October 10. In addition to showcasing Razer's product line, the event is also slated to preview upcoming titles like Torchlight 3, with a special emphasis on delivering a more visual experience than viewers might expect from a typical corporate livestream.
The Razer BlackWidow V3 tenkey and tenkeyless mechanical keyboards are available now.