
If it changed my typing experience at all, it was minor change that I didn't notice. Instead of having a flat layout, like most standard keyboards, the Black Widow separates each row of keys into tiers-much like a typewriter. Although you can adjust the brightness via one of the function keys, however, you can't change the lighting color as you can with what other Razer keyboards, like the Razer Anansi ($99.99 direct, 4 stars). Topping off the Black Widow's design features is the adjustable blue backlighting, which will appeal to the midnight gamers or late-night workers.

Unfortunately, the keyboard's glossy frame attracts fingerprints and smudges. The Black Widow Ultimate takes a gaming angle in its mechanical keyboard design: The characters representing each key have a future-tech font style that's blocky, and the very structure of the sleek black frame is all about the angles. Touch typists and those who are regularly glued to their desks will delight in the Black Widow's typing experience and extensive feature set. Instead, it became a satisfying background noise. Initially, I thought the constant clickety-clack of the keyboard would become an annoyance to myself and my coworkers. The Razer Black Widow Ultimate ($129.99 direct) is part of the mechanical gaming keyboard class.

Mechanical keyboards, as opposed to gaming or even traditional keyboards, aren't what you'd call "trendy " they clack like an old-style typewriter (remember those?) and sport the traditional key layout as opposed to the trendier chiclet keys found in the Apple Wireless Keyboard ($79 direct, 4 stars).
