Razer BlackWidow Expert Mechanical Gaming Keyboard

I bought one of these back in September(green switches, minus the back-lit keys). The main purpose for the purchase was for a responsive keyboard with some kind of feedback(tactile and/or audible), which I found lacking for most keyboards built for gaming. A secondary purpose was for that keyboard to also function well for just typing. I have heard a lot of good things about mechanical keyboards, but one of their main drawbacks is parts expenses for the switches these types of keyboards are made with. There are few mechanical keyboards that are both affordable, and fewer that are full-sized. Which brings us to the BlackWidow.As far as gaming is concerned, this keyboard rocks. The switches are very responsive, and the tactile feel of the key press, as well as the audible "click", really helps me fine tune my finger coordination and precision. That may sound weird, but I can't stress enough how important accurate key strokes are in twitch gaming situations, to say nothing of Starcraft or MOBAs, where APM is a noticeable factor. You don't want to waste key strokes.I have noticed something weird about it. I'm not even sure where the problem is in the design, but transitioning across the keyboard right-to-left feels...off. I constantly overshoot the left side of the keyboard, and end up offset by...maybe one key? When transitioning across the keyboard like that, I'm not feeling for the F key, I'm feeling for the shift key, because my fingers are trying to land on WASD, no ASDF. It may be the way the keys oriented in a kind of "bend" towards the center(which feels very different from lots of membrane keyboards), or the featureless shift key, or even the set of macro keys that may be positioned a little too close to the end of the key set proper. I would say it's just me, but a friend of mine bought the same keyboard, and reported having a similar problem with it. It doesn't really detract from the keyboard's usefulness, but it's definitely inconvenient at times.As for being a typist's keyboard, I'd say it performs above average, but it hardly excels at the task. The way the keys are sloped, and how high they're raised just doesn't make it overly comfortable. Of course, for all I know, that's a necessity for mechanical switches. But, if nothing else, it's probably too loud for heavy typing. A keyboard with silent switches, and tactile feedback, would probably work better.The BlackWidow offers other useful features than I quite like, such as a USB, headphone and microphone port. I'm not sure why there aren't more keyboards with these simple conveniences built-in, cause it just makes sense. The thing feels really sturdy, and has a mesh-wrapped, thick cable, which is fantastic in my book. Most devices have such flimsy cables attached. The Razer Synapse software is actually quite useful, beyond what it can do for the keyboard. I would recommend a Razer product on the software alone. The worst I could say about the keyboard is the logo's back light is WAY too bright, and I couldn't imagine having any of the keys being back-lit. It'd probably blind me.It really is a good keyboard, and I recommended it to another friend, who is loving the heck out of it. If you've got the money, it seems to be as good a start as any.

After an incident with a bottle of wine and my old Razer BlackWidow 2013, I decided to seek a replacement with a shiny new 2014 model. While the old model still worked (attesting to its gamer proof quality), it had a significantly decreased level of "clicky" as compared to its pre-wine soaked days. I waited in anticipation for my new keyboard late into the night as my wife slept completely unharassed by the normal rhythm of "click clack click" as I pwned noobs into the night. Upon arrival of my new keyboard I threw my still functioning 2013 against the wall - mostly in disgust, but partially to reminisce the good times with one final "clack".I set up my 2014 with glee and loaded up steam. Entering my password, I was suddenly confused. Have I somehow reconnected my old keyboard? did the wine come pre-spilled? But no, the still connected wireless mouse receiver at the side of the old keyboard (at the bottom of the newly dented wall) attested that I was indeed using the new keyboard.In summary - The Razer BlackWidow is still an excellent and durable keyboard (5/5), but for those of you looking for the hard contacting and precises engagement of keys present in previous models, this keyboard may leave something to be desired (3/5). I now have the difficult task of determining whether I would rather a wine sticky jump, sprint and crouch button while maintaining precise (non-wine soaked) WASD movement, or whether I should try to get value for money out of my dulled but still all-round semi-clicky 2014 model.

The Blackwidow Expert provides a relatively inexpensive way to get your hands on a mechanical keyboard, and the included usb and audio passthrough is a nice benefit you don't often see in sub $100 mechanicals. It's full size as well, so you won't find yourself regretting the lack of keypad. Gamer mode works as expected, though I've personally never felt compelled to activate it other than to test it. I do find myself wishing for some sort of backlighting, though, and I'm not a huge fan of the lighter keystrikes compared to the cherry mx blues on my other keyboards, but that's a personal preference on my part.A few complaints, though they're fairly minor: I've had an on and off issue with the period key in which it occasionally double taps or misses entirely. The font boggles me. While most characters are capitalized, some have been made lowercase in what seems to be an attempt at maintaining a square form for each character, which ends up looking fairly poor. This carries into special keys as well (think shIFT, enTer, nuM LK...). The ambersand (&) looks especially ridiculous. Next, in an odd decision, the shift characters all seem to be below their non-shifted counterparts.Overall it's a good keyboard if you don't have the money to go for something fancier but still want a mechanical. The keys feel nice, and that's really what's most important.

Like most Razer products, they're great while they're working but they're not built to last long. Every single Razer product I've bought has been great but none of them have lasted even 5 years, most will break or stop working randomly after 2-3 years. If you're ok with upgrading your stuff regularly then they are still very good to use for the short term, but if you want a long lasting product these aren't it

I have yet to find a less expensive mechanical keyboard with as good QA and a company with such great customer service when it comes to returns. Every other mechanical keyboard I have found was not as responsive.That being said, Synapse is crap (always has been) and slows down Windows systems somewhat. It's entirely optional however, the macro keys being map-able by programmers or light scripting with minimal effort.

I bought this for work & I love it,It has good satisfying clicking sound (not too loud, just I can hear it), precise key strokes without delays overall excellent keyboardthe only thing it could be better is if the keys light up (newer model does but they are ~$40 more)overall 5/5 will definitely recommend

Great mechanical keyboard. The only thing bothering me is the USB port the right side of the keyboard. The Razer Synapse software really helps.

Keyboard is great, love the sound and feel of the keys. There are a couple of keys that don't make the same click as the rest of the keyboard but its not noticeable unless you look for it.