If you saw my blog post from a few days ago, you know that I recently got a bunch of new stuff from Razer, which included the Razer BlackWidow Ultimate 2013.

For the past half a year or so, I’ve been using the Razer BlackWidow standard edition. The primary difference between this keyboard and the one I received a few days ago is that it’s an older model. I’ve done a bit of research on it and I haven’t really been able to find any significant differences between the two models, other than the fact that the color of the lighting is different, and the gaming features have been slightly improved in the newer model.

The other difference is that I used to use the standard edition, but this time I got the ultimate edition. The main differences that I can tell between the standard and ultimate editions are that the ultimate comes with full lighting of the keys, and has extra jacks for connecting your headphones, microphone, and something that uses USB.

Overall, I love the Razer BlackWidow standard edition, but I dislike the Razer BlackWidow Ultimate 2013.

Starting with the feel of the keyboard, the standard edition keyboard has a rougher feel with more defined edges to the keys that helps your fingers get a grip on the keyboard. This allows for efficient typing with few errors because it is very difficult for your fingers to accidentally hit keys that you don’t want.

On the other hand, the ultimate 2013 edition has much smoother and softer keys with very undefined edges. If you were to slip your fingers across the edges of the keys, it would be difficult to tell just by your sense of touch where the key ends and a new key starts. Thus, it’s difficult to get a grip on the home row, and easy for your fingers to slip off your targeted keys.

I’m not sure if this difference in texture and feel is distinct between the standard and ultimate editions, or the classic and 2013 editions, because I haven’t tried all four different combinations of possible keyboards.

Moving on to the extra input ports, it seems like something that would be convenient, but there’s a catch. The data sent through the extra ports aren’t actually being converted through USB; they’re essentially just mass extension cords. When you take a look at your Ultimate keyboard, the input cable is massive, because it has two USB cables and two standard jack cables. This is pretty bulky and uncomfortable if you’re using a laptop and you’re connecting and disconnecting your keyboard each time you take it out with you and bring it back.

Overall, my recommendation, if you are going to get a Razer keyboard, is to stick with the older model of the BlackWidow. Unless you specifically want or need the extra features of the Ultimate, and you are fine with the inconveniences it brings, the classic standard edition seems to come with everything that a keyboard really needs while keeping everything simple.

Because of my dissatisfaction with the Ultimate 2013, I will be returning it back to Razer. However, I will still be using my Razer BlackWidow standard edition whenever I get the chance, because it is still my favorite keyboard and I get a feeling of satisfaction whenever I use it and hear myself typing.