Help me decide between the BlackWidow Ultimate and the XArmor U9BL!

[Rockmaninoff]

Hi all, first post, but I've been lurking a bit.  I'm looking for advice on the BlackWidow Ultimate vs. the XArmor U9BL as my first mechanical keyboard.

Just as a background, the reason I chose these two is because I really want the backlighting, and I think I'll prefer the Cherry MX Blue switches.  My first choice would have been the Filco Majestouch with Cherry MX Browns, but those aren't readily available and they don't have backlighting.  I do mostly typing and some light gaming with the keyboard.  Nothing too major, just the random shooter or driver here or there.  Mostly typing.

I'm most concerned with longevity, reliability, and build quality.

Here's where my thinking is right now:

Razer BlackWidow Ultimate
Pros: I like the font on the keyboard more.  I prefer the placement of the USB port and audio ports, since I have the keyboard on a slide out tray.  Metal plate as a backing.  Dedicated Function key to control media (not a big deal).  Macro keys could be useful, but I get around fine without them right now.

Cons: No NKRO (do I really need it?).  Only 1 USB port (not a big deal).  Glossy finish will be tough to clean regularly.  Keycap finishing?  Build quality?

XArmor U9BL
Pros: Full NKRO (again, do I need it?).  2 USB ports.  I like the look of the status area better.  Full matte finish, less cleaning.  Comes with some sweet sweet orange keycaps.

Cons: No steel plate backing?  Keycap finishing?  Build quality?

So I guess my biggest questions right now are:

Do I need NKRO?

How does the build quality compare on the two keyboards?

How do the keycaps compare on the two keyboards?

Which keyboard do you think would last me longer?

If you can chime in on any of my pros/cons and why they're right or wrong, that would also be very helpful.

I think the prices of the two would be pretty much equal; I'd be getting an educational discount with the XArmor, so I imagine it'd be around $110, and the Razer is also in that same range.

[hfcobra]

the U9BL does have a steel backplate, and the NKRO can help, but usually people dont need it.  I think the build quality for the U9BL is better than the blackwidow. Also, the keycaps are made the way the buttons on cell phones these days are made, have you ever seen a cell phone with worn out keys?  I have not....ever.    My phone is still like new for the keys at least and i send 50-100 texts a day.

It really all comes down to how much abuse the keys take and how much you need the macro keys.

+1 to U9BL

[laden3]

U9BL for the NKRO and cheaper price (student discount)

[Phaedrus2129]

The Black Widow Ultimate and the U9BL are almost the same thing except for these differences:

BWU has macro keys (hardware macro)
U9BL has NKRO
U9BL wrist rest is detachable
U9BL comes with extra keys and puller
Location of USB/AV ports
Case finish
Keycap font


But the internal assemblies are near-identical.

[Phaiger]

...have you ever seen a cell phone with worn out keys?  I have not....ever.    My phone is still like new for the keys at least and i send 50-100 texts a day.

I don't know, how does a worn out touch screen look? *scnr*

OT: No idea.

[hfcobra]

I don't know, how does a worn out touch screen look? *scnr*

OT: No idea.

lol, i use a normal keyboard on the LG Voyager, i hate texting on touch screens.

[Rockmaninoff]

Thanks for the replies guys.  I guess I'm leaning towards the U9BL.

One more question: are the macro keys on the BlackWidow also Cherry MX Blue?  If so, is there any benefit to getting that in the off chance that something happens to another key?  I could replace it with one of the switches from the macro keys?

[Phaedrus2129]

All switches on the BWU are MX blues.

[Curetia]

I would prefer the U9BL because of the font, the keycaps and the price (for students).

[hfcobra]

honestly, if you play a lot of WOW the macro keys can really help you out in the game, but i really doubt that you would ever have another use for them outside the game and there are PLENTY of people who play the game very well without macro keys anyways.

[Curetia]

I play WoW too, but I used the Macro Keys of my G15 only for a anti logout macro wich press one time in 5mins my space bar. for anything else i dont use the macro keys only ingame macros

[ricercar]

Macro keys are overrated. Autohotkey Rulez.

Backlit Cherry Blues FTW. I use it for Left4Dead despite dying occasionally due to hysteresis hysteria, regardless of what Ripster claims. U9BL is my favorite backlit keyboard, above Deck and TG3 OEM boards. The Xarmor U9BL rates second place overall only after my Kinesis Contour layout.