TechRegular

The Overview

When I bought it in 2014, the Razer Blackwidow Ultimate 2014 more than $100. As of my recent price checking on EBay (one of the few places to pick up a used board) the Blackwidow Ultimate 2014 is selling for about $50, a more than 50% discount off my original purchase price. While the keyboard itself isn’t new, compared to current models, the Blackwidow Ultimate 2014 is missing no critical features in regards to its function. The model that I have been using for the past several years features Razer Orange key switches—very closely related to the Cherry MX Brown key switch. This mechanical switch features a tactile bump with a "silent" actuation (there is still sound with the switch, but it is significantly quieter than the Razer greens or the Cherry MX blues). The force required to press the key is about 45 g and the actuation distance is just under 2 mm. The board itself is hefty and features green LED backlighting with a single lighting zone featuring either a solid effect, a breathing effect, or users can simply turn the LEDs off. The lighting of the board is handled by Razer’s Synapse software which allows users to customize macros, create custom key assignments, and, of course, adjust lighting effects.

The Good

The Razer Blackwidow Ultimate stealth is quite a steal when it comes to performance. Though newer keyboards boast flashy features, the honest truth is that for the most part, the basic function of the keyboard is unchanged. The only truly significant difference between Razer’s top-tier $169 Blackwidow keyboard and the Blackwidow Ultimate is the added color customization. The functionality difference is negligible, allowing budget seekers to hunt down deals on older hardware without missing out on the more significant benefits of a mechanical keyboard.

Another mark in the Blackwidow Ultimate’s win column is its use of mechanical switches in combination with its build quality. The mechanical keyboard purists out there may look down on gaming branded keyboards, especially those like Razer’s with switches that veer from the Cherry MX standard that has been set by a number of manufacturers. That said, to someone entering the mechanical keyboard scene, or someone who really doesn’t care that much, Razer’s switches are plenty acceptable. While not identical to the Cherry MX equivalent, the Razer orange switches are what I would describe as “enough.” They don’t blow me away, but they certainly get the job done.

The Bad

The Blackwidow Ultimate 2014 is an excellent board in many respects, but the reason I swept this board from my own desk setup is its lack of color customization… Yup. I’m that guy. I like being able to switch up the color of my desk setup from time to time to match my desires or needs. While the board itself is excellent, Razer’s signature green color doesn’t always blend into setups the way their Chroma line of peripherals does.

The lack of per-key lighting is also something that left me wanting. With only a single controllable "zone," the Blackwidow Ultimate is only able to produce a breathing or a solid color scheme (LEDs can also be turned off). Newer boards allow users to light up individual keys to help identify critical keys in dire situations. The Ultimate 2014’s lack of this feature isn’t earth shattering, but the envy bug was real for me.

The Verdict

The Razer Blackwidow Ultimate 2014 keyboard is an excellent example of what a ‘budget’ keyboard can look like. When I picked up this keyboard new, it cost me upwards of $100. Now, budget seekers can pick up an Ultimate 2014 for a fraction of the original price from resellers on sites like EBay. With Razer’s Orange key switches and its sturdy construction, the Blackwidow Ultimate 2014 is an excellent investment for someone looking for a quality board—though less flashy board—for a budget price. Were it not for my desire for an RGB board, this particular product would have likely been a part of my setup for several more years to come!