Introduction

In August 2012, Razer induced sticker shock across the world with the launch of a $250 DeathStalker Ultimate membrane keyboard that also had an integrated touchpad/numpad on the left akin to what we see today in ASUS Zenbook Duo and ROG Zephyrus Duo laptops. It was arguably ahead of its time since we saw several living-room solutions come up over the years from the likes of CORSAIR and ROCCAT, and mid-cycle upgrades in the form of a Chroma variant only did so much before the product was discontinued. The last couple of years have seen a resurgence in low-profile mechanical keyboards from the likes of Logitech and CORSAIR, among other direct competitors to Razer, and it seemed only a matter of time before we would see the Singapore-based brand strike back.


Aptly named the DeathStalker V2, Razer today introduced three new keyboards through a new lineup using its own brand-new low-profile optical mechanical switches. There's the DeathStalker V2 Pro—the subject of this review—and the DeathStalker V2 Pro TKL, which is the tenkeyless version of the same. Then there is the less expensive DeathStalker V2 differing from the other two by only offering wired connectivity as opposed to the three connectivity modes here. We of course get per-key RGB lighting with Razer Synapse support, although I wonder how the world would react to the numpad having been replaced by an updated LCD touchpad/numpad as with the original. Join me as I muse on about what if's and take a closer look at what we actually get in this review beginning with a look at the product specifications in the table below, and thanks to Razer for providing TechPowerUp a review sample!

Specifications

Packaging and Accessories

As with the Razer Huntsman V2 TKL we saw last year, Razer green accent strips are on the front and back of the packaging for the new DeathStalker V2 Pro before it takes over the sides completely. The black and green combination is one I can get behind, and I expect it to continue throughout the user experience. The product box is relatively thin, which is expected because of the low profile keyboard inside. On the front is a large render of the keyboard all lit up, with the company logo, product name, and salient marketing features for customers who chance upon the keyboard in a brick-and-mortar store. This continues on the back and sides to where there is a lot to learn simply by reading through what is on the box,including that this is a "high-peformance" item apparently. Two seals in the middle and side flaps keep the contents in place during transit.


Opening the box, the keyboard is in a plastic wrap to keep it clean and pristine. It is held in place between two thick foam pieces, and the accessories are in a compartment on the underside of the lid or in a separate cardboard compartment altogether. The paperwork includes a set of stickers and a handy quick start guide I recommend going through to make the most of the onboard functionality and customization options galore. No doubt Razer will have a detailed user manual on the product page at launch, too.


I only expected the detachable USB Type-A to Type-C cable, but Razer also includes an extension adapter for the wireless connectivity options. No doubt a low-profile USB dongle is in the keyboard for 2.4 GHz wireless connection, and this would plug into the Type-A side of the Razer-branded accessory, with the cable going from the PC to the Type-C side of the adapter. This effectively brings the dongle closer to the keyboard if facing connectivity issues and is an appreciated item.