DeathStalker Gaming Keyboard

I bought this keyboard because it was the best of a very small pool of chicklet style keyboards. That style of keyboard feels better for me to type on than your typical big key Logitech beast. The keyboard itself is good, and it's quite nice to type on. It doesn't make too much noise, but it certainly has a presence when you type. You won't hear anyone claim it's a quiet keyboard. No more or less noisy than your average one, I would say. Likewise, it has its nifty backlight, which is adjustable out of the box. Certain function keys can be used to make it brighter or dimmer, or turn it off entirely. You can (technically) create macros for gaming or other purposes, which is a good feature, but not one I got much use out of (explained below). The huge problem with this keyboard, and the reason I rated it so low, is the software. Rather than regular drivers, Razer has you download their Synapse 2.0 software. Make no mistake, this is DRM for your keyboard. Synapse 2.0 is always-online software that saves your keyboard configuration and macros to the cloud, so it can be downloaded on any other computer. Sounds good, yes? Just like how Diablo 3 or Sim City's always-online functionality had no problems whatsoever. Put simply, if your Internet connection fails in any way, however temporarily, the keyboard will stop functioning for several seconds as the software pings the servers and then puts itself into offline mode. This is a huge strike against it. What kind of keyboard shuts down if you're not online? This is not something that should ever happen with a peripheral. This isn't limited to this keyboard, either, as Razer has had many similar complaints surrounding their Naga mouse, which also suffers from the same DRM. Companies like to spin this and say that everyone and everything is always online now, so why should this be an issue? Well, not all of us have rock-solid Internet connections (thanks, AT&T). Your keyboard shouldn't be subject to the whims of your Internet connection. In addition, part of the software's terms of use include a little tidbit saying Razer will collect user data. So not only is their software acting as DRM that will disable your computer should you not be online at any point, but they monitor your use of their product. Why would anyone willingly install software for their keyboard that lets a company monitor what you're doing with it? Why would any company even commit themselves to that kind of practice? Is there a way out? Well, Synapse 2.0 has an offline mode that you can toggle. Sounds like a fair workaround, yes? Not so. Enter into offline mode and you can no longer use the FN key to activate certain functions like media control, keyboard backlight brightness, gaming mode, macro recording, etc. Likewise, any macros you've created within the software will not work until online functionality is restored. And this is where we get to the heart of the problem: This isn't an World of Warcraft, where being online is the whole reason for the experience. It isn't even Diablo 3 or Sim City. It's a keyboard. There is no reason you should need to be online for it to function as advertised. That being said, Synapse 2.0 is not necessary to actually use your keyboard. Plug it in and you get maybe 90% functionality out of the box. You can use function keys like volume and media control. You can adjust the brightness. But you can't record macros. That's a huge issue with a keyboard where macros for gaming are supposed to be the big selling point. So your choices are to forgo macros, which I have, or suck it up and use their Synapse software. Now, if you're fine with the latter, good on you. But I personally believe that a peripheral should work as advertised out of the box. I can't create macros on the fly, as they claimed. I need their always-online software for that, and if my Internet connection should fail (as it sometimes does) well, I then lose all functionality for several seconds, then lose 30% functionality (macros, function keys, gaming mode, brightness control, media control, etc.) until the software goes online again. Maybe that's acceptable to some people. Personally, I consider that a terrible design choice. I won't be a Razer customer in the future. I would return this keyboard, but I'm limited in my selection of chicklet style keyboards and ultimately I can survive without macros. I would recommend against buying this product if you're looking for a gaming keyboard. Choose a manufacturer that doesn't use DRM on their peripherals. 05/02/2013 Unfortunately, despite uninstalling the Synapse 2.0 software, the keyboard still occasionally turns off for no reason and has to "reboot." According to a comment on another review, this is due to a power issue and the keyboard needs to be plugged into a USB hub. As I don't have a USB hub and don't see why I should have to buy one to make a USB keyboard work, I'll be returning this product and resuming my hunt for a new keyboard. While some may say it's not a big deal, the keyboard died right in the middle of a game of Tribes: Ascend. This kind of flaw is an unforgivable sin for the gamers to whom Razer markets their product. It should work 24/7, no exceptions. At the very least, it should be more reliable than a bargain $15 non-brand keyboard. Apparently not.