The Origin PC BlackWidow Chroma Mechanical Keyboard Review
by E. Fylladitakis on August 6, 2015 8:00 AM EST- Posted in
- Peripherals
- Keyboard
- Origin PC
- Razer
- Mechanical Keyboards
Gamers based in the US and Canada are very likely to have heard of ORIGIN PC. The company, one of the major botique system builders, specializes in building and marketing high-end PC systems, including laptops, workstations, and of course gaming desktops, retailing them along with assorted services such as lifetime support and labor. More recently however, ORIGIN PC decided to diversify their product lineup and branch into selling other items such as peripherals and All-In-One liquid coolers.
The ORIGIN PC BlackWidow Chroma mechanical gaming keyboard is one of the new peripherals that the company recently released, and is what we are looking at in today's capsule review. After reading its name, a well-informed gamer has already realized that this keyboard is an exact copy of Razer’s BlackWidow Chroma. ORIGIN PC is not trying to hide that. On the contrary, Razer is openly named as the company that supplies the switches and the software. Therefore, in every respect, this review can also be regarded as the review of the Razer BlackWidow Chroma.
ORIGIN PC BlackWidow Chroma Mechanical Gaming Keyboard - Key features and specifications
- Razer Mechanical Switches with 50g actuation force
- 60 million keystroke life span
- Chroma backlighting with 16.8 million customizable color options
- Razer Synapse enabled
- 10 key roll-over anti-ghosting
- Fully programmable keys with on-the-fly macro recording
- 5 additional dedicated macro keys
- Gaming mode option
- Audio-out/mic-in jacks
- USB pass-through
- 1000Hz Ultrapolling
- Braided fiber cable
Packaging & Bundle
ORIGIN PC supplies the BlackWidow Chroma in an almost entirely plain, brown cardboard box. The only artwork on the box are the logos of ORIGIN PC and Razer, side by side. Inside the box, we found a minimal bundle offered into a black envelope with Razer’s logo on it, consisting of a quick start guide, warranty information and product registration cards, as well as two large stickers. There is no media with the software, keycap extraction tool, replacement keycaps, wrist rest or any other accessories.
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Stuka87 - Friday, August 7, 2015 - link
I personally do not like the really weird shape of the keys. If you don't like this one (I would read their full review from like 1-2 years ago, this one was very short) then I would suggest going with corsairs. Its also a very good keyboard.VeauX - Friday, August 7, 2015 - link
I've tested it, I didn't like the keycaps and the armrest. I then bought a G710+ which I'm very happy with. Cherry brown with a damper for sound. The leds are white which I like though.griffonknight - Friday, August 7, 2015 - link
I have to disagree with the previous to responses. I have a G910 and have to say it's the best keyboard I've ever used. But then I like the unique keycaps and hate clicky switches. I also think the lighting solution is the best out of the ones I've tested. I agree that the armrest is pointless though, but it doesn't get in my way. Your mileage may vary.d4nt3 - Monday, October 19, 2015 - link
I borrowed a friend's keyboard when I was also scouting for a new keyboard and used it for 3 weeks. Coming from Cherry Reds and Blues, Logitech's Romer-G switch feels different, almost mushy but only when I bottom out, otherwise they're pretty springy and give an overall good typing experience. The in-curve shape of the key tops that's supposed to cradle the natural contour of our fingertips takes some getting used to, which in my case, is about a week. I did notice that I did experience some tingling sensation at the end of my fingertips if I mis-hit a lot of keys during a long typing sessions. This doesn't happen during gaming when my fingers normally sits on top of the home keys.If you do a lot of FPS gaming and a WASD advocate then you'll love what Logitech did in the G910 where the WASD simply pops. But I prefer ESDF myself and this is a minor annoyance for me. Still, I think the backlighting is its most amazing feature. Light shines through the centre of the key and very little escapes to the sides. This gives the effect of the letters floating when viewed in the dark. The light also has enough intensity that it's still visible even in bright surroundings. In my opinion, its the best lighting that I've seen. While the Razer Chroma is more 'in your face' in terms of it's color intensity, the G910 has a subtle elegance about it.
In the end I opted for a different brand, but this is in no way a ding on this product. I just preferred my keyboard to have that clicky sound and the G910 is simply too quiet for me.