We take a look at Razer’s new keyboard, a stylish unit that opts for simplicity and efficiency in use.
The Razer keyboard, a curious specimen that since its birth has served the noble mission of being the first way for many to enter the world of switch keyboards, attracting new ones with its showy lights. In the past this is where their merit and achievement came, being decent keyboards as a first option but unattractive for anyone more exquisite with their tastes. But Razer has listened to that sector that is obsessed with the quality of a keyboard as if it were a miniature galleon and begins to bring us keyboards that mix their traditional technological innovation with a more traditional and self-conscious design. It is in this line that the keyboard that we will analyze in this text comes, the Razer Huntsman Mini.
Mouse space
This new keyboard from Razer comes in the arch-popular 60% format. This means that it lacks some keys that the average user might consider indispensable, the directional arrows being perhaps the most important for the player (many games use them to move through interfaces) but we do not have a row of F, screenshot, etc. Instead these are relegated to a second column of functionality accessible by pressing the function key. The arrows for example would be activated by pressing Fn + J, Fn + K, Fn + L or Fn + I. This can be cumbersome at first but in games that don’t really need these missing keys (see most multiplayer FPS) the small size of the keyboard frees up space to move the mouse. The more room to move the mouse, the better our chances of being precise and fast simultaneously. We wanted, however, to emphasize this immediate loss of functionality due to the format. Of course, the “Ñ” is conspicuous by its absence.
For the rest, the version of the keyboard that we have received could pass for being manufactured by a good Chinese brand of simple mechanical keyboards, without few modifications but with good quality in all its parts. Our version comes in what they call a “mercury white” and is quite pleasing to the eye, with a minimalist casing that allows the keys to stick out and with little space between them, revealing the switches. A design that in our opinion is very elegant but that facilitates the accumulation of dust, although it facilitates its cleaning.
Note that the plastic of the keys is PBT, of higher quality than the ABS that is traditionally used in these keyboards but traditionally more prone to imperfections. They are keys more than pleasant to the touch and their greater weight is quite noticeable when using the keyboard, in addition to its that it is impossible for the legends to fade. Turning the keyboard over, however, loses all aesthetic consideration, having decided to embody the company name in a frankly unsightly diagonal mosaic.
The keyboard comes with a good quality cable that hooks to it thanks to a rectangular opening that fits over the head of the cable. This is only located to the left of the keyboard so those who want the cable to start from the right or the center should be careful. The only downside to the design used is that it won’t look as stylish with custom cables as with the factory one. The keyboard has double height feet at 6 and 9 degrees, both with a rubber sole, as well as four small patches to reduce friction in the four corners.
The real beauty is inside
Somehow from Razer they are not calm if they do not incorporate some technological innovation in their products and this is one of those cases in which we greatly appreciate it. The keyboard switch terrain has long been stuck in the Cherry knockoffs, with their plastic base that slides off a spring-loaded cylinder. These new Razer switches have a design that reminds us of the mouse traps of a lifetime, with two metal bars on each side of it that act as if they were small spacebar stabilizers.
The result is a fairly fluid linear sensation even before applying lubricant to them, although we must mention that we did notice some scratching when pressing the keys too fast or too hard. Their analog properties make them one of our favorite keyboards for playing games like osu! that require incredible speed and precision in timing when pressing the buttons. Unfortunately it still requires the use of cumbersome Razer Synapse software to unlock the potential of its lighting or macros, but we have used the keyboard without problems without even installing it.
In general, this small keyboard is one of the best options for players who want to find something for just over 100 euros. Its elegant design stands out in a market where gamer keyboards tend to look for showiness (a trend that Razer itself started and now seems ready to bury) and its analog functionality makes it superior for playing most enthusiast keyboards.
With some modifications this may not be a top-of-the-line keyboard but as close as it can get without a solid metal base. For those looking for nothing more than an extremely functional keyboard that they can use both in the office and on the table in their room, the Razer Huntsman Mini is right now one of the best choices available and an exciting new direction for the Singapore company.
THE BEST
- Simple and elegant design
- Quick and smooth switches
- PBT keys, ideal for all kinds of uses
WORST
- Integration with Razer Synapse
