Wednesday February 10, 2010 2:15 AM AEST

Atomic MPC > User Reviews > tanka12345 > User review - Razer DeathAdder Laser Mouse

Razer DeathAdder Laser Mouse

100

By tanka12345
Feb 24, 2009

Very comfortable
Is sensitive enough for most users
Excellent price to performance ratio
Looks great!

None

Razer is a worldwide gaming peripheral manufacturer, which is well known for their well performing, and sleekly designed products. Does the Razer DeathAdder still make your enemies tremble after one year in the hardcore gamer’s arsenal?

The Razer DeathAdder was unveiled around one year ago. It sports a high-tech 3rd generation laser sensor, and a wide variety of Razers proprietary technologies including their 1000Hz Ultrapolling, 5 programmable Hyperesponse buttons,
On-The-Fly Sensitivity Adjustment, Always On mode, Ultraslick Teflon Feet, and a gold-plated USB connector. Whoa! That was a mouthful!

The Razer developed 3G 1800 dpi Infrared Laser is very responsive. It may be too sensitive for some users, but fortunately this may be changed with the Razer included drivers. The polling rate may also be tweaked to preset values, although I do not recommend changing them. This mouse is able to track at 60 inches per second, which is the same rate as its costlier counterpart the Razer Lachesis.

The aesthetics and ergonomics of the DeathAdder are generally top notch. This mouse has your standard left and right mouse buttons, and a glowing scroll wheel; but Razer has also added (no pun intended) two more buttons on the left side of the mouse for easy access while gaming. These extra buttons are surprisingly simple to use, as they are designed to naturally come in contact with your thumb, noting that the DeathAdder is only for right handers (lefties like me will have to become ambidextrous or look somewhere else :P). This is topped off with the trademark glowing Razer logo which comes in two exciting colours – Nova Blue or Lunar white.

With all of these cool sounding features, there is one question to be asked: Do they really translate to better real world performance? The short answer is yes, but I will go into more detail below.

The Razer DeathAdder although targeted at the hardcore gamers, was perfectly fine in everyday tasks such as browsing the web or using word processing software. Its seamless performance was also reinforced with the excellent ergonomics. Why use a mouse which isn’t comfortable? This mouse was very accurate and did not stutter when moved and…I know you want me to get straight into the gaming!

When I used this mouse in Counterstrike: Condition Zero it was like an extension of my hand! I basically became a better gamer because of a better peripheral. I could easily manoeuvre the crosshair with ease, and I actually could even boast with a few respectable headshots. In the game I did not see the need to make any adjustments although options are available through the Razer software. There were no obstructions while in use and the Teflon feet worked a charm. The mouse literally glided across my mousepad. According to Razer their Goliathus gaming surface is the best surface for the job.

The Razer DeathAdder is packaged in a box similar to the Razer Lachesis. The mouse is protected under a plastic blister, and under you will find an installation manual, driver disk, Razer authenticity certificate, and a Razer pamphlet. This bundle, although quite minimal allows you to get up and gaming in minutes.

The Razer DeathAdder is not the best mouse out there. It does not include Razer Onboard Synapse memory for storing macro profiles like the Lachesis, it does not have a ridiculous amount of buttons, and it does not have the highest dpi laser available. That’s enough of what it doesn’t have, and now onto the real positives.
The DeathAdder is very comfortable, very precise, and is very good value for money. If you are a gamer looking for a good mouse, the DeathAdder is where you’ll stop looking. With this mouse in your arsenal, death really does loom near (for your enemies of course!).

The Razer DeathAdder Retails for approximately NZ$120

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Atomic Magazine

Issue: 109 | February, 2010

Atomic is a magazine aimed squarely at computer enthusiasts, gamers, and serious PC upgraders.

Every month we bring you the latest reviews of new technology and PC components, in depth features on everything from overclocking to console hacking, and gaming previews and interviews.

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