14 DAY TRIAL // Razer BlackWidow Ultimate 2017 is the latest version in a long line of mechanical keyboards, and it looks like it’s also their best iteration so far, with just a couple of exceptions.
Razer is well known for their peripherals, and the company has already made a name for itself with its products, and that includes keyboards. Each new generation of the BlackWidow was better than the last one, and the same can be said about the 2017 version.
Fans do need to be aware that unlike previous upgrades for this product, there are some significant differences between the 2016 and 2017 generations, more than what people might expect. All of the improvements have a logic behind them, but a couple of older features were incompatible. We'll have more on that later on.
Size and weight
Before getting into how it feels to use the Razer BlackWidow Ultimate 2017 and what are the new features implemented by the company, we have to get some of the specs out of the way, especially since a few of them are important.
The length is 45.2 cm (17.8 inches), and the width is 17.1 cm (6.74 inches), but that’s not really relevant. What’s interesting is that fact that the reported approximate height is 2 cm (0.79 inches), but that’s not even close.
By default, the keyboard is a little bit tilted (as expected), and the height of 2 cm is only at the bottom. The top part is about 3 cm (1.18 inches). If you raise the two supports underneath, the top part nears 5 cm (1.96 inches).
What I’m trying to say is that it’s a rather tall product, but that’s understandable, especially for a gaming keyboard with raised keys and a sturdy frame. And it’s a heavy one, weighing about 1.4kg (3.08 pounds). It’s a good thing because you’re not going to move it by mistake. It also adds to a feeling of an overall quality build.
The important technical specs
There used to be a time when peripherals were simple, and it only mattered what’s inside the computers. Things have changed tremendously, and we’re now looking at the technical specs of a keyboard before buying it.
So what are we looking for? The main aspect that people should look for is called actuation force, but that’s just a fancy term for the minimal mass that will push the button down. While we’re at it, the gram cannot be a unit of force, only a unit of mass, but let’s not squabble over basic physics.
Razer BlackWidow Ultimate 2017 uses mechanical switches with 50g actuation force, and users familiar with those numbers will know that’s a reasonable force (sigh). The keys will provide some opposition, but not all that much. You can get keyboards with 80g, and those give even more feedback. With this keyboard, they feel just right, but it’s important to keep in mind this is a matter of taste and it might not suit everyone’s desires.
The company also prides itself on another number: 80 million keystroke lifespan. That’s a lot, and most likely other things will give out before the keys. On the other hand, mechanical keyboards are known for their longevity.
The latest Razer BlackWidow Ultimate 2017 also marks the introduction of the IP54 standard, which is water and dust resistance. If you’re familiar with this rating system, you know that it’s not that much, but it’s something.
The IP54 standard will let you spill a glass of water on the keyboard, provided you get rid of it immediately. Water is pretty innocuous, but let’s say you spill a soda or some coffee. Even if you manage to clean it up on the surface, it will get sticky from all the sugar.
Technically, if you read the manual and the instructions you’ll see that you’re not supposed to wash it, but the company also says in the FAQ that if you do have to, then you need to leave the keys inserted and just use short bursts of water.
As for the dust protection, if you’re working in an environment where dust is clogging your keys, you might want to work someplace else, health-wise. The IP54 standard should be the least of your concerns.
Another cool feature is the anti-ghosting option that allows users to press up to 10 different keys at once and they will each be detected.
What makes it cool?
The first thing you will notice after plugging it in is the beautiful green color underneath the keys. There are basically two layers of light, one that spans the entire width of the keyboard, and the other below each key.
“The lighting tech has been borrowed from the Chroma line, with built-in controller and per-key settings”
One of the main differences from the 2016 edition of the same keyboard is the usage of lighting technique from the Chroma line. A built-in controller is implemented, allowing for individual settings for each key. Unfortunately, it does not support the Chroma SDK.
Of course, the macro keys are still present and easy to access with Fn, but that’s not anything new for the people that already have an older iteration.
Razer is also saying that BlackWidow Ultimate 2017 has a polling rate of a 1000Hz. It might sound like a remarkable number, but that’s not really the case. The polling rate, for keyboards at least, accounts for a very small difference in latency. Since 1000Hz translates to a millisecond, it’s unlikely users will notice it.
Functions through Razer Synapse
All peripherals from Razer use the available software called Synapse. It’s a hub for everything and enables users improved control over their hardware. All kind of cool stuff can be done from Synapse, including manual editing of the lights, and access to lighting profiles.
BlackWidow Ultimate 2017 comes with a function called Gaming Mode, which can be activated either from the software or directly from the keyboard. It disables the Windows ket, Alt+Tab, and Alt+F4, all together or individually.
Users also have access to the heatmap through Synapse, and profiles are available for many of the popular games. It’s a nifty little feature that might be overlooked by regular users.
The Good
And then there is the build quality, which is top notch, but that’s to be expected from a Razer peripheral. The keys are sturdy and the frame solid, with a matte finish. The fact that it has some resistance to accidental liquid spills is also a crucial factor.
Another important aspect is the introduction of the Chroma lighting, which helps with the light. All the effects are much smoother and seem to take advantage of the provided profiles in Synapse.
The Bad
Users might notice that not all keys sound the same when pressed, with the most significant differences showing with Enter, Backspace, and Escape. I’m not going to mention the Spacebar because that’s too big and you can expect it to sound different.
And then there’s the base lighting, which is not all that uniform. It’s a little less bright near the space key, but not so much that it’s going to bother people. To be fair, I even forgot about it after a day of use.
Some users will remark that the keyboard doesn’t have USB and audio jack ports, but there is a good reason for that. You can have both IP54 rating and some giant holes in the keyboard. It’s a tradeoff, but I’m willing to bet that some users are not happy about it.
Conclusion
It has some minor issues, but it’s not something that would bother most people. You have to keep in mind that the “mechanical keyboard” part that’s written on the box is not for show. It’s made for gamers, and it’s really noisy.
I wrote this review in a workplace with a lot of other people around, and I got some murderous looks. Unless you’re working somewhere where everyone is wearing headsets, prepare to face the ire of your colleagues.
On the other hand, if you want something that feels amazing when you’re gaming, you simply can’t go wrong with Razer BlackWidow Ultimate 2017. It’s that good, and you shouldn’t settle for anything less.
