KEYBOARDS
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Not that it isn’t stylish. It’s minimalistic with nothing
more than a backlit logo adorning the matte-black
plastic body. The only thing letting it down is a
cheap-looking glossy plastic section in the top-right.
We also like that Razer provides a sample key
that’s accessible from outside the box so you can
try out which switch you prefer before you buy.
Also included is a proper cushioned wrist rest
that magnetically attaches to the front of the
keyboard. This provides the proper comfort and
support required of a wrist rest, unlike the token
hard plastic efforts you get on most keyboards.
You also get a USB pass-through. It’s only
USB 2.0, and it’s on the side, but it’s still nice to
have. There’s a headphone pass-through there, too.
As for Razer’s keyswitches, the Yellow ones work
well and are rated to last ages. What’s more, they
are compatible with Cherry MX keycaps so you can
customise them to your heart’s content.
The Blackwidow Chroma V2 is
pricey, but it largely delivers the goods.RAZER BLACKWIDOW
CHROMA V2 http://www.razer.com £165
You get six extra programmable keys on the left
side, multimedia buttons and a volume wheel on the
top-right, and the top-left houses buttons for
switching profiles, adjusting backlight brightness
and locking the Windows keys.
There’s more, too. A detachable wrist rest is
included and there’s a USB pass-through on the
back as well. The wrist rest also offers a rubber top
that’s bumpy on one side and dimpled on the other.
Also present is Corsair’s signature brushed
aluminium top section. This is joined by an RGB
strip that runs along the back edge, as well as a full
complement of RGB keys.
The design looks busy, but it still feels nice and
premium. Otherwise, this keyboard delivers on all
fronts. The Cherry MX Brown switches are fantastic
and Corsair’s software makes programming the
lighting and key functions easy. Super-fast Cherry
MX Speed switches are also available.
This keyboard is mighty expensive,
but has the functionality to justify that.CORSAIR K95 PLATINUM
85 % 85 %
4Razer can sometimes be accused of manufacturing
products that are a little style over substance, but with
the Blackwidow Chroma V2, it has proved that statement
is far from the truth.
The Corsair K95 Platinum is the second most
expensive keyboard on this test but it certainly has all
the bell and whistles to show for it, especially when it
comes to extra functions and key customisation.