Razer BlackWidow Chroma Review

Software

Razer Synapse 2.0 is Razer's unified configuration software for all its modern devices. It actually requires an Internet connection to use, as the initial set-up requires the creation and verification of an account. Razer has taken flak for this and we can see why, but we can't say we're wholly against it either – if you're spending £150 on a gaming keyboard, you're likely to have internet access.


Once you've logged in once, you can switch to offline mode and your customisations will be stored locally. However, the point is that you can back up your profiles straight to the cloud, so you can access and use them from anywhere (with a working, non-firewalled Internet connection) even on a different keyboard to your own. You cannot save even one profile directly to the keyboard, however, as there's no on-board memory, which we think is a shame.


Thankfully, the software itself is both powerful in what it offers and intuitive in how it offers it to you. Under the keyboard tab, the profile selection and editing area is universal across the sub-tabs, and it's easy to set shortcuts (FN plus a number key) to profiles and link them to programs too. All keys except the Windows key, FN key and FN functions can be customised. Simply hover over a key to see its current function, and click it to change it. You can make a key do almost anything, from keyboard/mouse functions, to macros, program launching, Windows shortcuts and more.


Basic lighting effects (which you can get a feel for using this interactive website) can be controlled easily, or you can launch the more complex Chroma Configurator. This takes some getting used to, but within ten minutes or so you'll have a feel for it, and can easily edit the RGB lighting to you heart's content. If there's an effect you have in mind, chances are the Chroma can do it – you can apply background and foreground (i.e. when pressed) patterns to individual keys, pre-selected groups (e.g. WASD, arrows) or user-made groups, and there are even some presets for popular games like LoL and DotA 2.


Macros are easy to record both on-the-fly and within the editor. You can record delays and mouse clicks, but not scrolls or mouse movements as you can on Corsair's software, and editing mistakes is a breeze as well. There's also a Stats tab to enable data tracking for heat maps and so on, if you're into that.

Synapse 2.0 isn't without issues – we do have our reservations about needing the internet and lacking any onboard memory, but this is also a sign of the times. Corsair's software is even more powerful, particularly with macros and key functions, but the learning curve is much steeper.

Conclusion

At £150, the Chroma is one of the most premium keyboards available, up there with the K70 RGB and NovaTouch TKL. It has lots of positives – robust build quality, a decent typing experience and a powerful and intuitive software suite to go with it. However, we still don't think it does quite enough to justify this price tag – we've seen it for £130, but even this feels slightly too high. No matter how much Razer tries to disguise it, it's still using mechanical switches that are cheaper to produce than Cherry MX ones. The point isn't even whether they're better or worse than what they try to contend with, especially as this is largely subjective anyway.

High quality switches are the primary reason mechanical keyboards are so expensive (see the NovaTouch TKL, for example), so if you're using ones that are cheaper to produce, these savings should be passed onto the consumer unless there's good reason not to. Corsair Gaming's K70 RGB is in the same price bracket, yet it has true Cherry MX switches, a high quality aluminium faceplate, detachable palm rest and just as many if not more customisation options for lighting and key functions. If you love the Chroma's design, have the cash to spare and want an easier job fine-tuning it, then it's the keyboard for you, but otherwise we recommend Corsair's offering if you must have a mechanical RGB keyboard.