A Razer product we don’t dislike? Stranger things have happened...
We recently reviewed Razer's limited edition Mirror keyboard, and were not all that impressed with the shiny beast. This time, we get to hang out with its slightly plainer, but infinitely more practical cousin, the Razer Arctosa.
If you've seen one Razer keyboard, then you pretty much know what to expect in form and function from the Arctosa. The difference is in the way it's been dressed up - it features the high-gloss of the Mirror on the key surround, while the keys themselves are plain, white-lettered versions of the slightly squashed design that Razer favours. No lit-up characters, no odd matt-rubbery finish like earlier models - just reasonably plain keys. Even the lighting on the Caps Lock and similar indicators is plain white.
To be perfectly honest, this is a look we actually like on Razer gear.
The action of the keys is a little heavy for us, and oddly shallow thanks to the key design. As we tend to spend a lot of our time typing, we prefer the fuller travel of a more traditional design, but for someone who spends more time sniping than writing this will be less of an issue. Still, if you prefer a lighter response in your gaming, you might want to look elsewhere. Razer also touts a ghosting-free area around the all important WASD keys, but in practice this is barely any different from the response you get on any modern keyboard.
At least the full size keyboard has everything you could look for, and two feet snap down underneath the Arctosa to alter the typing angle. The front wrist wrest is attached securely by a series of screws - this makes it a little more work to remove than some other keyboards, but it least it translates into a very secure arrangement.
The included driver disk installs software that lets you switch your keyboard setup on the fly, and there are conductive media keys. The problem with these, however, is that they lack any kind of feedback that you've activated them properly. Still, it's a fancy touch that will sway some or simply not matter for others.
Probably the best point about the Razer, however, is its price, well within the $60 sweet spot. Sure, there are no advanced functions to play with, like on the fly macro functions or inboard memory, but for a basic keyboard with bare minimum gaming functions and stylish looks, we feel this a cut above other Razer products.
Issue: 109 | February, 2010