Razer BlackWidow Keyboard for Mac

<b>TL;DR (Too Long, Didn't Read) & Hopefully sweet but short summary</b> First of all, I paid $119.99 + $5.99 S&H for a total of $127.71. It is currently $109.99 so that's pretty cool. The Razer BlackWidow Ultimate is a fantastic mechanical and gaming keyboard in its own right. Don't buy into brand loyalty: Logitech, Corsair, Razer - there is no "best" keyboard, it is preference and opinion. Just know if you buy this keyboard you will be getting a FANTASTIC product. I had my BlackWidow Ultimate (BWU) for two+ years and I never regretted it one day. It has excellent construction, great keys, cool features and functionality with Razer's software and the iconic green and black is an excellent pairing for these lights. So if you love the Razer ecosystem - the intense green products, Razer in general or you're a HUGE fan of Cherry Mx Blue switches (the extremely loud, clicky, clackety keys) this keyboard is probably the one for you. If you enjoy 'bang for the buck,' and the best value overall, you might want to settle for a Logitech G710+. Also, if you game at night and don't want to wake somebody up, like your significant other, siblings, parents, roommate, etc. or have thin walls perhaps the Logitech G710+ is also for you. It has Brown switches which are significantly better. On another note, if you don't like the "gamery" look to Razer products (although I don't know why you'd be looking at a Razer product then in the first place) perhaps the subtle white lights of the G710+ are for you instead of the intense green of Razer. - NO WRIST REST, definitely a con compared to Logitech and Corsair's flagship keyboards which do include German switches and wrist rests - Now for the full(er) review: <b>APPEARANCE & AESTHETICS</b> On first look right out of the box, you will be stunned. The BWU is a great looking keyboard, it's sturdy as hell, doesn't flex or and ultimately seems like the extremely high quality keyboard you always wanted. You initially think the physical design is flawless, especially when you plug it in and see those beautiful lights. However, after awhile you begin to see your thumbs leave horrible prints on the bottom edge (where most keyboards have wrist rests). Then, you see the keys get smudgy too. Then, you see the keyboard is a complete dust magnet and no matter how much you clean the thumb and fingerprints, you will never be truly content. I'm a fan of matte black products, but this particular material doesn't play well with your hands. Oh and you have to use your hands and fingers to operate this. Bummer. <b>DESIGN & DURABILITY</b> - NO WRIST REST, definitely a con compared to Logitech and Corsair's flagship keyboards which do include German switches and wrist rests - With the exception of the poor material choice that attracts stains and prints like no other, this is an excellently constructed keyboard. It's sturdy, rigid and heavy. This thing won't budge on a glass or wood desk thanks to good feet, proper rubber padding and the general heft of the item. The keys are well thought out. You can feel certain keys are raised over others, these are typically the common keys used in gaming. All keyboards get 'higher' keys when you go from the 'ZXCV' to 'ASDF' to 'QWER' rows but the BWU has them a bit higher so you can really feel it. The macro keys are thankfully somewhat distant from your actual 'TAB, CAPS LOCK, SHIFT, CTRL' keys on the left side of the keyboard so you won't be pressing them accidentally. On day one if you're not used to these gigantic gaming keyboards, you will find typing a bit uncomfortable, you will lose typing speed, you will probably miss your key presses while gaming but you will become completely comfortable after a day or two, trust me. Just give it time. Overall, the design is fantastic. Oh and second thought: I once spilled coffee onto the left side of the keyboard. The keyboard didn't stutter, die or stop working - it was amazing. I vaccumed, compression air canned and wiped the coffee out and only two keys got permanently sticky but they still worked. Razer gets great marks for this in my book. People give them crap for their mechanical key switches not being German and claiming they're disguised high quality keyboards with cheap Chinese parts - this thing survived a venti Starbucks okay. <b> FUNCTION</b> The functionality of this keyboard is excellent. It has all the bells and whistles you come to expect from a mechanical gaming keyboard. Anti-ghosting, key rollover, 'gaming' key to disactivate your Windows key, dedicated macro keys, back lighting, software to customize macros, save macros and alter the lighting. The keyboard types and 'FEELS' fantastic. It's what we know and love from mechanical key switches. The tactile feedback, the orgasmic 'CLICKS' of the keys bottoming out - you get the entire experience on the Razer. Now for you poor readers out there: these have Cherry MX Blue switches, they're INTENDED to be extremely noisy, clicky and clackety. It's not a con, it's what you paid for. So many one star reviews say, "This keyboard felt amazing, but it was just too noisy." If you need quiet, get some MX Browns or something. Also, a lot of people dislike Razer's non-German mechanical keys. I'm currently typing on a Logitech G710+, I will say they do feel smoother but it's not something noticeable enough for me to complain or feel ripped off. The Razer switches are just fine people, don't panic. <b>OVERALL SUMMARY</b> If you really, really love Razer or already have Razer products (headsets, mice, etc) or have a green-LED case, room, green painted room, etc. and want to style it - go with Razer. Also, if you just enjoy the green/black look, go with Razer. If you love Razer in general, go with the BWU and have no fear. I loved the keyboard, like I said, no regrets. It was a fantastic product that was definitely an eye catcher to everybody who lays eyes on it. My older sister who hates me spending too much on gaming loved it when she borrowed my computer to do some stuff. She types at an absurdly fast WPM and said she loved the feedback. It's not just looks folks, those keys are sweet! Also, like I previously said, a very nice piece of room eye candy. If you're price-conscious and like "the most bang for your buck," this keyboard is probably not your best option. The Logitech G710+ (which I purchased today via Best Buy for $99.99) is a much better option overall, price considered and not considered. It includes a wrist rest, has much 'softer' back lighting, smoother key feedback and feel, German switches, a nicer material that doesn't become a finger print magnet and I personally like the look more. It's got the lovely 'gamery' look to it, but it's not so over the top like Razer's robust, intense green.