Razer’s new BlackWidow V4 75 could be a great starter mechanical keyboard

theverge.com:

By Umar Shakir, a news writer fond of the electric vehicle lifestyle and things that plug in via USB-C. He spent over 15 years in IT support before joining The Verge.

If you buy something from a Verge link, Vox Media may earn a commission. See our ethics statement.

Razer’s launching a new mechanical keyboard that might get the attention of more than just those who fall into the RGB-forward gamer demographic. The company’s BlackWidow V4 75 includes hot-swappable switches, a gasket-mounted plate with two foam layers, screw holes on the PCB board for screw-in stabilizers, and even factory GPL 205g0 lubricated stabilizers, amongst other features. That’s the sort of stuff you see on enthusiast keyboards like Drop’s Sense75 and Keychron’s Q1 Pro, but from a brand you can easily find at your local Best Buy.

BlackWidow V4 comes in a slightly-condensed 75 percent tenkeyless configuration. Out of the box, you’re getting Razer’s hushed tactile “orange” switches with doubleshot ABS keycaps on top. You could replace the switches with sets of the company’s clicky green or silent linear yellow ones, but the real fun comes when you try fitting some of your rando switches you have sitting around from another build — it just might work since the V4 has 3 and 5-pin PCB sockets.

Those who appreciate Razer’s signature gamer styling might like the RGB under-glow and per-key lighting. You’ll still need Razer’s Synapse software to set up all the customizations, but luckily the keyboard can retain up to five profiles in its onboard storage. The top case is blacked-out and made of aluminum alloy, and the bottom is made of ABS plastic. Some might even like Razer’s $35 custom stealth keycap packs that come in black or white.

The BlackWidow V4 is