The package is a bit different than what used to be Razer’s standard. It now has an open spot where you’re free to test the arrow keys, quite important for consumers especially demanding ones like me. Here are the technical specifications by Razer.

Up close and Personal  

Full View

Side View

Me Feel, Me Likey?

• Full mechanical keys with 50g actuation force
• Individually backlit keys with 5 levels of lighting
• 1000Hz Ultrapolling™ / 1ms response time
• Programmable keys with on-the-fly macro recording
• Gaming mode option for deactivation of the Windows key
• 10 customizable software profiles with on-the-fly switching
• 5 additional macro keys
• Gaming optimized key matrix for minimized ghosting
• Multi-Media Controls
• Braided cable
• Audio-Out / Mic-In Jacks
• USB-Passthrough
• Approx. size in mm: 475(L) x 171(W) x 30(H)
• Weight: 1.5kg

Everything out

The keyboard itself has 4 connectors listed below.
-USB for keyboard
-USB pass-through to side port
-Headphone pass-through

-Microphone pass-through

The Pass-through ports

The pass-through ports are at the right side of the keyboard which a bit unnoticeable due to the extrusion of the edges. Those ports in my opinion are placed not optimally due to the fact it can cause problems for your mouse control. However, it is probably due to the cost minimization and efficiency on Razer’s part since the electronics are generally positioned there. The differences between the Razer Blackwidow and the Blackwidow Ultimate is the pass through ports and  Lighting mode which will be explained further in the next page

Being a Real Time Strategy player, the first thing I look for in a keyboard is the response time. The keyboard’s response time is essential for getting the maximum amount of things done as fast as possible. I tested the response using Starcraft with just standard play and simple rapid key pressing. It is found that the Razer Blackwidow Ultimate has a very high response time. It is capable of reaching 650 actions a minute. My previous keyboard, the Q-Senn DT-35 manages a good 550 actions a minute and the SteelSeries 7G at 450 - 500 APM. The Blackwidow also has a very fast character repeat rate, a very useful thing especially for Starcraft 2 Multiple Building Selection (MBS) Macro Production. I also used several other games to determine the authenticity of my results. The BlackWIdow Ultimate gave my Devil May Cry 4 a faster response reaction and repetitive movement. Call of Duty 4 gave faster sequential footwork which helps a lot for sniper scope-less play. I finished that off with just good old Microsoft Word and a lot of paperwork. 

The second thing gamers like to look for is Anti Ghosting. I put it through a simple program test to determine the maximum number of keys I can press simultaneously. It turned out to be 7 at maximum and 2 at a minimum depending on the combinations of course. My DT-35, considered a generic keyboard managed to acquire 10 keys at maximum and it certainly has a gaming version which I have not tested which should perform even better.

A nifty function they also added is also the Gaming mode option for deactivation of the Windows key. I don’t use it much since I don’t make such mistakes but perhaps it’s for those who just prefer to be safe than sorry while playing a game.