Snaky peripheral maker Razer has just announced a new 75% mechanical gaming keyboard, which features hot-swappable switches so you can kit it out with your own choice of keyswitches. The Razer BlackWidow V4 75% comes fitted with Razer Orange Gen 3 tactile mechanical switches as standard, but they can be swapped out for any 3-pin or 5-pin switches of your choice.
‘The BlackWidow V4 75% is the result of Razer listening to the community,’ said Razer PC Gaming Division head, Barrie Ooi. ‘Its hot-swappable architecture, paired with our elite mechanical switches and adaptive Chroma RGB lighting, empowers gamers to tailor a keyboard that’s truly unique to their needs.’
The keyswitches aren’t the only customizable aspect of the BlackWidow V4 75% either. You can also swap out the stock stabilizers on the keyboard’s PCB with any alternative screw-in stabilizers. Razer modestly describes the keyboard as ‘meticulously engineered’, with a focus on getting the feel, movement, and sound of the keyboard in action just right.
It has an aluminum chassis, and two layers of sound-deading foam – one in the bottom of this chassis to prevent ‘unwanted pinging and reverberation,’ and another layer of sound-deading foam wedged between the FR4 plate and the PCB. FR4 plates have become a popular feature in high-end mechanical keyboards, providing a solid base with a bit of flexibility under the keys.
With its 75% layout, the new keyboard only offers the bare minimum of keys, with no numpad, but you do get a full lineup of function keys, cursor keys, and even a four-key column containing Del, PgUp, PgDn and Insert keys. You also get a small volume roller wheel in the top right corner. You also get per-key RGB lighting, as well as underglow lighting, which is compatible with Razer’s Chroma RGB system.
Two models are available – a standard black edition, and a white edition that will cost an extra $10. The black version is available to pre-order now, but the Razer BlackWidow V4 75% White Edition release date is mid-September 2023.
Razer BlackWidow V4 75% price
Price: $190 (£190).
Razer BlackWidow V4 75% specs
The Razer BlackWidow V4 75% specs list is:
| Format | 75% with F keys and cursor keys |
| Keycaps | Doubleshot ABS |
| Connections | Detachable USB-C cable |
| Switch type | Razer Orange Gen 3 mechanical |
| Backlighting | Per-key RGB lighting, underglow RGB lighting – Razer Chroma |
| Extras | Magnetic plus leatherette wrist rest, volume wheel, two media buttons |
We’ve previously been impressed with Razer’s BlackWidow keyboard models, such as the Razer BlackWidow V3, but we’ve found their main issue has been a lack of choice when it comes to switches. As such, it’s great to see Razer signing up to the world of customizable switch options. It means you can tailor your keyboard to the typing experience you prefer, while still getting all the fancy Razer goodness. We hope to see Razer take this approach with more of its keyboards.
Do you like to customize your keyboard with your own choice of switches? Let us know your thoughts on the Custom PC Facebook page, via Twitter, or join our Custom PC and Gaming Setup Facebook group and tap into the knowledge of our 400,000+ members.