Scharon Harding
| Specs at a look: Razer BlackWidow V4 Pro | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Switches | Razer Green (clicky) or Yellow (linear) | ||
| Keycaps | Doubleshot ABS plastic | ||
| Connectivity choices | USB-A cable | ||
| Backlighting | Per-key RGB | ||
| Size (with wrist relaxation) | 18.3×9.35×1.73 inches (466×237.5×44 mm) |
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| Weight (with wrist relaxation) | 3.37 kilos (1,530 g) | ||
| Warranty | 2 years | ||
| Price (MSRP) | $230 | ||
| Other | 1x USB-A passthrough port, removable wrist relaxation | ||
If you have ever wished your keyboard had extra buttons, Razer’s BlackWidow V4 Pro could also be for you. It expands the full-size keyboard structure to incorporate a column of macro keys and three non-mechanical buttons on the keyboard’s left edge. The keyboard additionally has a quantity curler and a so-called Command Dial, which helps you to twist your inputs to regulate zoom, scroll via an extended spreadsheet, or tweak the scale of a Photoshop brush.
Despite Razer’s gaming focus, the BlackWidow V4 Pro suits properly in work settings because of its excessive, multi-layer programmability, a robust however imperfect typing expertise, and a USB-A passthrough port. It’s straightforward to dim the RGB lighting and get to work with advanced key bindings; you’ll be able to launch steadily used apps and websites with a keypress and navigate applications with the dial.
But lots of the BlackWidow V4 Pro’s greatest options require you to maintain Razer’s Synapse app open, and whereas this is not a brand new grievance, the introduction of the multi-function dial places a harsh highlight on this limitation.
Enough keys for ya?
The BlackWidow V4 Pro is marketed as a gaming keyboard, however I spent hours doing work with it. The keyboard’s handiest productiveness function is the additional programmable keys. The 5-key macro financial institution would not evaluate to the 18-key one on the 2014 Corsair K95, nevertheless it nonetheless has all of the keys I want from a productiveness keyboard—together with the beloved numpad—after which some.
The structure holds nice potential for energy customers. I usually put macros on the operate row, however the BlackWidow V4 Pro’s further keys meant I did not have to. I used the bonus key financial institution for every part from launching generally used applications to rapidly coming into lengthy textual content strings or controlling Photoshop layers. Onboard reminiscence (with 5 profiles) and the power to hyperlink keybindings with sure apps gave me loads of choices for customizing the board to the precise kind of labor I used to be doing.
The three aspect macro keys did not get as a lot use, although. They’re not seen from a typical seated place, so it’s important to take your palms off the keyboard’s fundamental rows and really feel up and down to determine which of the buttons you are about to press.
Scharon Harding
I used to be additionally susceptible to urgent the aspect buttons unintentionally. I have a tendency to regulate my keyboard as I work, and once I would carry the keyboard on its left aspect (my go-to aspect since my proper hand is often on my mouse), I’d press one of many aspect buttons. I may get round this by programming the aspect keys to do nothing, however that is a waste of keys. I’d favor having an “M6” key within the macro column, like Corsair’s K100 and K95 and Logitech’s G613 have, slightly than these non-mechanical aspect items.
Scharon Harding
A full set of programmable media keys completes the structure, however their legends are onerous to learn due to their shiny designs and dark-gray-on-black styling. I additionally dislike devoted mute buttons, particularly when there is a quantity curler in play. A quantity wheel that may modify and mute sound (akin to by urgent it in) feels extra intuitive and saves area.