Razer BlackWidow Lite TKL Tenkeyless Mechanical Keyboard : Orange Key Switches - Tactile & Silent - White Individual Key Lighting - Compact Design - Detachable Cable - Classic Black

This is my first mechanical keyboard purchase after it came highly recommended from a friend who has the Razer Ultimate. I have used mechanical keyboards 20 years ago when I first got introduced to computers and the clicky sound of the keys was intriguing; and over the period of time silent keyboards took over my life and became a norm. I think this is a very well made keyboard and the keys are back-lit and responsive. I primarily use it for office work and occasional gaming. I type fast and some of the keyboards I have used in the past have a bouncy feel to them while some others have keys that have resistance built-in them; but this keyboard is not like that; the keys press so easily and retract back very quickly offering good tactile feedback...you type and you are ready for the next press allowing you to type so fast and accurately. The spacing of the keys is good too and the crunchy & clicky sound is like a rhythm for my mind and the ears wanting me to type more. This is Razers compact keyboard version and does not have a number pad; so not ideal for number crunchers. Dimensions of the keyboard is 14 x 5 x 0.5 inch (355 x 127 x 12.7 mm) and comes with a braided detachable cable. This is suppose to be a tactile & silent keyboard but in reality they are not quiet; they have that clicky sound to them which I desired most. However, it comes with orange colored sound dampeners (called O-rings) in the box which need to be put around the keys to keep them silent; I have not done that though. Overall, a great compact keyboard for a super fast typing experience if you can live without the number pad.

Update: Now that I know there is a much bigger world in mechanical keyboard, I see that this one is just an entry level cheaper-than-average keyboard. Considering the price, it is ok, but I want more, and more! I recommend to pay a little more and get a better quality keyboard in terms of feels and noise. So far, this keyboard is an outstanding experience for a new mechanical keyboard user. I’ve been using logitech K800, which uses scissor type low profile membrane keys, which works great with no wrist pain thanks to its extremely low profile, laptop-like keys. However, it lacks the fun, which I did not know there can be any fun in typing before I met this. Typing mechanical keys is so much more fun than typing the membrane keyboards. The mechanical key bounces back after being pressed, and that makes typing a lot more responsive and faster. Typing sound can be a matter of preference. Even though it uses orange keys, your coworkers may not like it. O-rings do not help much. It slightly reduces noise, but the typing feels better without it. The caveat is that the key height is much higher than my old low profile keyboard K800, so I am worried that there might be some fatigue in the wrist. I purchased a wrist pad as well, and so far it looks fine. If I ever purchase another mechanical keyboard, I would purchase the one with integrated wrist pad like the latest blackwidow v3.

My previous favorite keyboard is no longer made. It was Razer Blackwidow Stealth tournament edition. This is basically that keyboard. It is slightly quieter than a standard mechanical keyboard, but it definitely gives those satisfying clicks and feel at your fingers. My only complaint is that the key caps somehow feel slightly cheaper than Ive come to expect from razer. Still a solid TKL if you want a slightly quieter mechanical keyboard. I am a gamer and I love it.

This keyboard is an amazing budget option

Coming from previously using a Razer Ornata Chroma, I was looking to make the full transition to a mechanical keyboard. The tenkeyless was a huge factor and gives so much more space which I love. I went with the Orange switches because I didnt want the typing to be overly loud and also did not want Linear yellow as I like at least some click. Its still quite loud in comparison to the Ornata Chroma which is a hybrid mecha-membrane. With headphones on not so bad but still. I wouldnt say the response times or anything like that have improved for gaming purposes, perhaps the linear yellow would. Overall its a solid keyboard and is aesthetically pleasing.

Excellent secondary keyboard for gaming. Very sturdy. Keys have a resonate, click, when punched (much like the keyboards of yore) but this is pleasing and very beneficial to a gaming rig.

First off, I am not a gamer. I bough this keyboard for my home office setup exclusively for work. Was tired of the slim, flat keyboards and wanted to have something that is better built. Took a little bit getting used to the full key press but once I did, everything is fine and dandy. I got the orange switch despite ordering yellow, (bummer Amazon) but chose to keep it. The included Synapse software is powerful but there is a bit of a learning curve. Pros: - Despite being ABS, keycaps are pretty good. Light shines through each letter perfectly - The key response time is excellent. Very little typo once you adjust to the spacing after spending a year on a laptop - Works perfectly fine (no lights) without the software on the work computer. If your company is allergic to installing third party stuff, you can still use the keyboard without the bells and whistles - PALM REST: I hated palm rests in the past, until I tried this one. It is just the right amount of soft, perfect size and the magnetic connection does not break Cons: - Honestly nothing to note so far, hence the 5* review

TenKeyLess (TKL) with orange switches: Defective key (1/5): the letter U key/switch is defective on my unit. It will intermittently register 2 Us (uu). Luckily I noticed this defect early on. If you look at the 1-star reviews, most of them are reporting similar issue, with multiple/repeat/duplicate/stuck keys. Although 1-star reviews is only 5% of total rating, that is still significant number of users having this issue. The problem is that switches are not user replaceable. If you end up being the unlucky owner with failed switch after warranty, then it will be costly repair or have to replace entire keyboard. Build quality (4/5): Pro is that unit is really heavy. From the weight, it seems like solid built. However, cons are that keyboard top and bottom exterior are made of plastic. Plastic top flexes and squeaks when light force is applied to the edge of keyboard. Wrist Rest (2/5): Included, which is a plus as many other keyboards in this price range do not include wrist wrest. However, the wrist rest is not well made nor very functional. It is made of really cheap plastic casing. The wrist rest padding is very light cushion, instead of heavier foam. The edge of the wrist rest tapers off to no padding with plastic trim that is around 1/4 inch wide. So my left wrist in my normal typing position basically has no support; my wrist is lying over the plastic trim and part with minimal padding. Software (4/5): The pro is software is quite customizable; easily to disable or replace key actions. The downside is that software is quite bloated. There are many modules that can be added on, which I dont need. And changes are only in effect when software is running. Orange switch: I bought the orange switch (tactile and silent). This is personal preference; so I wont rate this. I really like it. I dont think it is as silent as the linear key, but definitely not as loud as clicky switches. v2 vs v3: I purchased v2. With the defective key, I wanted a replacement unit. But Amazon is low on stock on the orange version; prices has gone up $30. So Amazon will not replace. I looked at v3. Unfortunately, Razer only made v3 with yellow (linear) and green (clickey), but not orange (tactile and silent). Instead, I got the Glorious GMMK TKL, with Gateron brown switches (tactile with lowest resistance). So to compare Razer v2 TKL (orange swtich) vs GMMK TKL (brown switch): - Build quality. GMMK is lighter than Razer, but GMMK feels more solid. GMMK top and edges are made of metal. In terms of weight, Razer is heavier. - Value: If you just want lowest price, Razer v2 offers better value (lower price) and includes wrist rest. v3 and GMMK prices are more comparable in prices. - Switches (replaceable): GMMK switches are user hot swappable. I dont think I will change my switches. But with the issue on Razer, I realize GMMK is safer in the long run. If a switch fails, I can easily change out the failed switch. - Switches (feel): Razer orange has more feedback. GMMK brown is more mushy. I personally like the Razer orange feel. - Switches (sound): Razer orange has hollow, higher pitched sound. GMMK brown has a more solid, deeper, thud sound. In terms of loudness, Razer orange sounds louder, which is a bit surprising, as it is suppose to be tactile and silent. I personally like Razer sound better. It adds to the feedback and feel. - Software: Razer software is more much more customizable. But must run software to even keep the RGB color customization. GMMK software is less customizable. Can only save 3 RGB color profiles; do macros. Cannot disable keys or substitute keys. GMMK software is needed to switch profile, and then can exit software and keep the RGB color settings.

I play many different games and its works well with most of them. But recently Ive been playing a rhythm game called Friday Night Funkin. When I go to hold down the notes, for less than a fraction of a second the keys stop registering which causes me to get a miss in the game and it almost makes it impossible for me to play. If you do not care about rhythm games, I would highly recommend this as it works well with everything else.