Summary
- Razer releases thin low-profile keyboards with redesigned switches, promoting natural wrist alignment.
- New switches have circular stem walls for RGB lighting, are factory-lubricated, and rated for 80 million keystrokes.
- Keyboards feature durable aluminum cases, sound-dampening foam, HyperSpeed Wireless tech, and Power Saving Mode.
If you want a mechanical keyboard, you don’t have to go for the ones with full-size switches and keycaps. There are tons of low-profile options that are just as clacky, even as they might have a tad less travel. Now, Razer’s latest keyboards are here, and they’re as thin as they get.
Razer has announced the launch of two new low-profile gaming keyboards, the BlackWidow V4 Low-profile HyperSpeed and the BlackWidow V4 Low-profile Tenkeyless HyperSpeed. The big thing about them, as we hinted to before, is how thin they are. The company’s green (clicky), yellow (linear), and orange (tactile) switches have been redesigned in a new low-profile flavor, with a reduced key height and a shorter travel distance, which Razer states promotes a more natural wrist alignment for users and potentially increases comfort during extended use without the need for a separate wrist rest. The keyboards feature a front height of 18.5mm and an angled chassis to further support a neutral wrist position.
The new switches have a circular stem wall intended to let Razer’s Chroma RGB lighting shine through the translucent top housing of the switch. Each switch is factory-lubricated to ensure smooth key travel and is rated for up to 80 million keystrokes.
As far as the actual construction, both the full-size and tenkeyless models feature a 5052 aluminum alloy top case for durability. Internally, the keyboards are equipped with dual sound-dampening foam layers and a stainless steel plate, which, combined with pre-lubricated stabilizers, allow for a clean and satisfying typing sound despite what the low-profile switches would otherwise allow for. Yes, these are thin, but they are still mechanical, and Razer wants you to be very aware of that fact while you’re using it.
Both keyboards support Razer’s HyperSpeed Wireless technology, which is basically souped-up 2.4 GHz connectivity with a polling rate of up to 1000Hz for low-latency input. A single dongle can be used to connect both the keyboard and a compatible Razer gaming mouse. The keyboards also support Bluetooth connectivity, allowing you to pair them with up to three different devices for multitasking across various platforms.
These are also probably as feature-rich as a low-profile keyboard can get. The keyboards include a clickable multi-function roller and a set of dedicated macro buttons. These controls provide quick access to functions such as media playback, volume adjustment, and custom macros without interrupting gameplay. The keyboards also feature a Power Saving Mode, which can extend the battery life up to 980 hours on a single charge. We also have Razer Snap Tap, which allows for instant prioritization of the latest input between two keys without needing to release the first—if used well, it could be a huge advantage in fast-paced games.
Both the regular model and the tenkeyless version are available for purchase on Razer’s website.
Source: Razer
