Razer Expands BlackWidow Line With New Budget Friendly Option

[btarunr]

Razer, a world leader in connected devices and software for gamers, today announced a new line of mechanical keyboards for gamers, the Razer BlackWidow X series.
The new line of keyboards is a pared down minimalist version of the original Razer BlackWidow by removing the protective top cover and exposing the military-grade metal top plate construction that is found inside all current Razer BlackWidow keyboards. The original Razer BlackWidow with the inner metal chassis and additional protective top cover will continue to be sold as a premium model to the Razer BlackWidow X.

The stripped-down, minimalistic design of the Razer BlackWidow X line allows Razer to establish a new, lower price point for premium mechanical keyboards without compromising any of the core features for which the Razer BlackWidow is renowned. The Razer BlackWidow X series includes models Powered by Razer Chroma technology, which unlocks customizable lighting on each key, with 16.8 million colors and a variety of lighting effects. Customized profiles can be created on the Razer Synapse software and shared with millions of other users via the Razer Chroma Workshop. In-game Chroma lighting effects are also integrated into popular game titles, including "Call of Duty: Black Ops III", "Overwatch", "Blade and Soul" and more.



Razer is also outfitting Razer BlackWidow X models in non-Chroma configurations. The Razer BlackWidow X Ultimate, at $99.99, with dynamic lighting effects, provides gamers a premium mechanical keyboard at a value price point.

The Razer BlackWidow X keyboards feature the multi-award winning Razer Mechanical Switch, the world's first key switch designed specifically for gaming. With an optimized set of actuation and reset points and increased durability of up to 80 million key strokes, Razer key switches possess almost double the lifespan of other switches on the market today.

Additionally, select models of the Razer BlackWidow and Razer BlackWidow X are now available with classic Cherry MX Blue switches to cater to the traditional mechanical keyboard enthusiasts. Razer BlackWidow keyboards with Cherry switches will be available at a lower price than those with Razer Mechanical Switches and start at the price of $59.99 for the Razer BlackWidow X Tournament Edition available exclusively via RazerStore.

"The Razer BlackWidow X builds on our massive success with gaming keyboards and broadens the choice of keyboard design for gamers," says Min-Liang Tan, Razer co-founder and CEO. "By removing the protective top cover and exposing the inner metal top chassis of the current BlackWidow, I'm pleased that we're able to establish a new low price point for a premium, metal-chassis, mechanical keyboard with the new BlackWidow X."

Razer BlackWidow X keyboards are shipping now.

About the Razer BlackWidow X Chroma

MSRP: USD $159.99 / EUR €189.99

Product features:

• Razer Mechanical Switches with 50 g actuation force
• 80 million keystroke life span
• Chroma customizable backlighting with 16.8 million color options
• Individually backlit keys
• Military-grade metal top construction
• Razer Synapse enabled
• 10-key roll-over anti-ghosting
• Fully programmable keys with on-the-fly macro recording
• Gaming mode option
• Cable management routing
• 1000 Hz Ultrapolling
• Braided fiber cable

About the Razer BlackWidow Tournament Edition X Chroma

MSRP: USD $129.99 / EUR €149.99

Product features:

• Razer Mechanical Switches with 50 g actuation force
• 80 million keystroke life span
• Chroma customizable backlighting with 16.8 million color options
• Individually backlit keys
• Compact layout
• Military-grade metal top construction
• Razer Synapse enabled
• 10-key roll-over anti-ghosting
• Fully programmable keys with on-the-fly macro recording
• Gaming mode option
• Cable management routing
• 1000 Hz Ultrapolling
• Braided fiber cable

About the Razer BlackWidow X Ultimate

MSRP: USD $99.99 / EUR €119.99

Cherry MX Blue Switch: USD $89.99 / EUR €109.99

Product features:

• Razer Mechanical Switches with 50 g actuation force
• 80 million keystroke life span
• Individually backlit keys with dynamic lighting effects
• Military-grade metal top construction
• Razer Synapse enabled
• 10-key roll-over anti-ghosting
• Fully programmable keys with on-the-fly macro recording
• Gaming mode option
• Cable management routing
• 1000 Hz Ultrapolling
• Braided fiber cable

About the Razer BlackWidow X Tournament Edition

MSRP: USD $69.99 / EUR €79.99

Cherry MX Blue Switch: USD $59.99 / EUR €69.99

• Razer Mechanical Switches with 50g actuation force
• 80 million keystroke life span
• Compact layout
• Military grade metal top construction
• Razer Synapse enabled
• 10 key roll-over anti-ghosting
• Fully programmable keys with on-the-fly macro recording
• Gaming mode option
• Cable management routing
• USB pass-through
• 1000 Hz Ultrapolling
• Braided fiber cable

View at TechPowerUp Main Site

 

[xvi]

Well, that's odd. Charging less for keyboards with their competitor's switches?
Nice to hear they're working on getting some more value-oriented keyboards. What's the sacrifice though?

 

[Primalz]

So razor want...

http://www.xe.com/currencyconverter/convert/?Amount=159&From=USD&To=AUD

AU $210.00 for the BlackWidow X Chroma, I mean that's not very budget friendly. My K70 RGB cost me AU $190.00 & it's got volume scroll wheel & wrist pad & WAY BETTER lighting & it's cheeper. Go home razor your drunk.

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[PP Mguire]

Well, that's odd. Charging less for keyboards with their competitor's switches?
Nice to hear they're working on getting some more value-oriented keyboards. What's the sacrifice though?

They're using their own Chinese made switches. That's the sacrifice, and these prices aren't that great to begin with for a keyboard that will probably only last 6 months before it's due for an RMA.

 

[Toothless]

Lower prices with the added bonus that you can break it in half easier.

 

[AsRock]

Feature

Razer Synapse enabled

Gotta be frigging kidding me. And i will not get another Razer keyboard mine failed before 12 month and the replacment lasted 5 month which was clearly used although it was the switches that failed to press or\and click so will not even touch a blue switch again.

This is whats left of mine lmao.

 

[Digital Dreams]

These prices are considered budget friendly?!

 

[Bjorn_Of_Iceland]

Yuck.. Razer chinese switches. No amount of Corsair rip off look can make me buy one. Won't even touch the Cherry MX one.

 

[jaggerwild]

Black Widow is (company made knock off) cherry switches, Oh thank you RAZOR!!!

 

[AsRock]

Funny though, i have had problems with Cherry switches but not those knock Khail switches. And i am not talking about 1 or 2 switches but like a dozen plus.

 

[xvi]

Funny though, i have had problems with Cherry switches but not those knock Khail switches. And i am not talking about 1 or 2 switches but like a dozen plus.

That's the rumor I've heard, that Kali switches are knockoffs, but they're really good knockoffs.