Razer Introduces its Own Mechanical Key Switches

In a move that’s sure to impact the world of PC gaming, Razer has announced that it is introducing its own line of mechanical key switches.

The company says that its switches “have an optimized set of actuation points that improve your gaming performance by giving you speed and responsiveness like never before.” Allied to an actuation force of a maximum of only 50g, Razer’s new switches should be ultra-responsive compared to the ubiquitous Cherry MX-sourced mechanical key switches.

Razer’s new key switches will come in two varieties: The Razer Green Switch is both tactile and clicky and has an actuation force of 50g, and the Razer Orange Switch, which will be tactile yet silent. The Orange Switch’s actuation force is rated at 45g.

Razer says that while its new switches were designed completely in-house from the ground up, it has partnered with an unnamed third-party to manufacture the switches. Nevertheless, Razer promises that its key switches will conform to the company’s high standards for quality and will “meticulously (follow) the design blueprint and specifications defined by Razer.”

As is typical with mechanical key switches of most types, Razer’s Mechanical Switches are designed to be ultra-durable, especially compared to membrane-style key switches. Razer says its switches are rated to survive up to 60 million keystrokes, which is 10 million more than its principal competitor’s own claims.

The new Green Razer Mechanical Switches will be installed in the company’s own BlackWidow Ultimate, BlackWidow, and BlackWidow Tournament Edition mechanical keyboards, while the Orange switch will be available for the BlackWidow Ultimate Stealth, BlackWidow Stealth, and BlackWidow Tournament Stealth Edition planks.