Razer Ornata, New switch

[Erzegovaz]

Hi guys, when I saw this new speciual, ipercool, supermega Razer keyboard I had goosebumps....
Waaaaat

Someone can explain me, what is that?
SupercheapTopreFake switch, without cherry stem for change caps, with 0,0000000002 g pressure
Orrible super low cheap caps with a weird cover ==> I saw a review with a lot of finger-mark
Finally maybe a standard bottom row (idk for the CTLR) 
Lot of space between the key ====> superiper light on my eyes 
Magnetic wrist rest 

Have fun 

[KHAANNN]

I want one :[

[klennkellon]

I think it's just one of those "memchanical" dome with sliders.

[Badwrench]

I think it's just one of those "memchanical" dome with sliders.

Totally agree, but damn you razer, why does is have to sound so cool!

[sony]

I think it's just one of those "memchanical" dome with sliders.

memchanical but its also clicky. when does it actuate though? from the images it looks like it could actuate without bottoming out. I dont expect much though.

[chyros]

Some ignorant ****biscuit wrote about it:

http://www.theverge.com/circuitbreaker/2016/9/3/12777952/razer-ornata-chroma-keyboard-hands-on

[Bucake]

Some ignorant ****biscuit wrote about it:

http://www.theverge.com/circuitbreaker/2016/9/3/12777952/razer-ornata-chroma-keyboard-hands-on

somebody, pls a neuralyzer

[KHAANNN]

I did like the video, I was looking for a video, the review seemed ok. too, a bit clickbaity, but ok. - I think the insult is a bit uncalled for

I think the spacebar sounded a bit flimsy

[chyros]

I did like the video, I was looking for a video, the review seemed ok. too, a bit clickbaity, but ok. - I think the insult is a bit uncalled for

The guy either knows nothing, or he's bought, or both. It's a rubber dome keyboard passed off as a proper mechanical board just because it makes noise, has backlighting and a Razer logo on it. There's people who act on this sort of stuff, you know :/ .

[KHAANNN]

I agree with "both", or "a bit of both"

However, he still tested the keyboard, and has made some useful observations, like the keyboard clicking twice at each keypress etc.

I've never used or inspected an Alps switch, but, it seemed similar to the quiet-click versions of Matias switches to me, rather than Cherry MX's

[derezzed]

So, Razer performed the keyboard equivalent of putting a glass pack on a Pinto.

[SBJ]

I did like the video, I was looking for a video, the review seemed ok. too, a bit clickbaity, but ok. - I think the insult is a bit uncalled for

The guy either knows nothing, or he's bought, or both. It's a rubber dome keyboard passed off as a proper mechanical board just because it makes noise, has backlighting and a Razer logo on it. There's people who act on this sort of stuff, you know :/ .

I'd have to agree, that's a terrible review.

[davkol]

The Verge is cancer.

[Geroximo]

It's a rubber dome keyboard passed off as a proper mechanical board just because it makes noise, has backlighting and a Razer logo on it.

Exactly what I thought.
Going back to rubberdomes and sell it like it's something special ...
On the other hand, you cannot blame them, Topre does it with great success.
A conical spring or a click mechanism doesn't make the rubberdome above it less of a rubberdome 

[tofgerl]

Guys, the guy who wrote the review isn't a mechhead. He probably doesn't even know what Topre is. You can't really grade his review on our curve!

[chyros]

It's a rubber dome keyboard passed off as a proper mechanical board just because it makes noise, has backlighting and a Razer logo on it.

Exactly what I thought.
Going back to rubberdomes and sell it like it's something special ...
On the other hand, you cannot blame them, Topre does it with great success.
A conical spring or a click mechanism doesn't make the rubberdome above it less of a rubberdome 

In all fairness, Topre doesn't market their keyboards as mechanical and clicky, but as capacitive and quiet. I know the term "mechanical" is a technicality, but the distinction is quite important in this case.

[jaffers]

A rubber dome that clicks, great, but its not mechanical so..

[xondat]

Some ignorant ****biscuit wrote about it:

http://www.theverge.com/circuitbreaker/2016/9/3/12777952/razer-ornata-chroma-keyboard-hands-on

Sihtbiscuit might be my favorite describing word now.

The switch is half mechanical though, because the sound is mechanical but the way the activation works isn't. I think.

[tofgerl]

That's a little like saying a bike with a card stuck between the spokes is a "semi motorbike".

[AMongoose]

why is this 100$? If I really tried I could see some form of benefit there if it was less than half that.

[KHAANNN]

They innovate, I support them for what it's worth

It might turn out to be a very ****ty design, it might become the next Topre, whatever the case, at least they tried something new - they shouldn't be blindly bombarded (mainly the OP's stance)

Also the keyboard doesn't have a Razer logo as far as I see, if they made a TKL version, I might buy one out of curiosity

[jaffers]

That's a little like saying a bike with a card stuck between the spokes is a "semi motorbike".

Under rated post tbh fam

[Lepidus]

Main issue IMO, if that metal leaf is indeed an alps style tactile leaf, is that the the switch will click way before actuating. Its still a rubber dome, so actuation only on bottom.

Also, if thats the case, its probably going to have two distinct tactile bumps: the clicky leaf one and when the dome "turns". I wonder if it will be possible to feel them.

[chyros]

Guys, the guy who wrote the review isn't a mechhead. He probably doesn't even know what Topre is. You can't really grade his review on our curve!

The Verge is a big, published technology news medium, and the guy sets himself up as someone who knows about mechanical keyboards. It's not some random dude just telling his neighbour he found a cool toy, it's a serious article published in a serious source. Considering the source, the person who wrote this should have been someone that's more knowledgeable on the subject than any of us. However, it's obvious the guy doesn't actually have a clue what he's talking about, and he raises superlatives that can be dismissed out of hand. That means it's either clueless babble, heavily skewed and biased reviewing, or fraud.

[tofgerl]

Guys, the guy who wrote the review isn't a mechhead. He probably doesn't even know what Topre is. You can't really grade his review on our curve!

The Verge is a big, published technology news medium, and the guy sets himself up as someone who knows about mechanical keyboards. It's not some random dude just telling his neighbour he found a cool toy, it's a serious article published in a serious source. Considering the source, the person who wrote this should have been someone that's more knowledgeable on the subject than any of us. However, it's obvious the guy doesn't actually have a clue what he's talking about, and he raises superlatives that can be dismissed out of hand. That means it's either clueless babble, heavily skewed and biased reviewing, or fraud.

Or you really overvalue how many people care about your hobby. The Verge doesn't cater to you.

Sent from my SM-G920F using Tapatalk

[AMongoose]

Or you really overvalue how many people care about your hobby. The Verge doesn't cater to you.

While true that doesn't mean it shouldn't research a topic before making a review, or not make an article based only manly on personal opinion.

[tofgerl]

Or you really overvalue how many people care about your hobby. The Verge doesn't cater to you.

While true that doesn't mean it shouldn't research a topic before making a review, or not make an article based only manly on personal opinion.

So reviews should be based on objective data with perfect knowledge of all subjects contained within...? Grow up!

[KHAANNN]

I think I understand chyros a bit, he might've seen the dark sides and injustice of these establishments, maybe that is the source of his unrest

I had limited interaction with "tech blogs"/"news outlets" or whatever the term is, and indeed they are not what they should be or seem to be

You might approach them with a genuine keyboard design / product, they might not even answer to your email, but somehow, for this specific razer product, we see an article that borders on an "ad"

So it's not that I don't agree, but maybe don't use insults, and instead be more logical, so maybe, if someone googles "The Verge" at one point, they might use your facts, instead of dismissing them

Anyway, I personally have a deep hatred of what "media" has become, hype machines ...

[AMongoose]

Or you really overvalue how many people care about your hobby. The Verge doesn't cater to you.

While true that doesn't mean it shouldn't research a topic before making a review, or not make an article based only manly on personal opinion.

So reviews should be based on objective data with perfect knowledge of all subjects contained within...? Grow up!

They should at least try to do that yes.

If not what's the point of reading a review? If I wanted marketing speak I can just read the product's box.

[tofgerl]

Then don't read The Verge for keyboard reviews! I certainly don't. I read the threads on this forum instead.
The Verge is a very special kind of opinionated blog, not really an in depth source on any of the things they cover. Let them be them, and don't try to shoehorn them into what you would like them to be.

[clappingcactus]

So reviews should be based on objective data with perfect knowledge of all subjects contained within...? Grow up!

I read The Verge daily, and I'm also on the side of disagreeing with you here. When you're a news publication that's saying something has never been done before, AND people are going to follow where you point them to with their money, there's a little bit of responsibility to make sure you're well-informed on the topic.

Literally every mention of this article off The Verge's own site has people complaining about its quality/lack of clarity/information. Maybe this is one of the rare cases where the criticism is constructive and can lead literally everyone in this conversation forward.

[AMongoose]

Then don't read The Verge for keyboard reviews! I certainly don't. I read the threads on this forum instead.
The Verge is a very special kind of opinionated blog, not really an in depth source on any of the things they cover. Let them be them, and don't try to shoehorn them into what you would like them to be.

Saying that they made a bad review isn't shoehorning anyone.

Your point was that they don't need to be good because their audience wouldn't appreciate it. My point was that they should be good because anyone can appreciate quality.

[Arallu]

A rubber dome that clicks, great, but its not mechanical so..

I think I found the prototype /s

[Findecanor]

There are pictures of its disassembly on Tom's Hardware.

The switch is a bog-standard rubber dome/membrane keyboard with an additional leaf spring in each key to make a clicky noise.
However... there is also a large number of contacts from the membranes to the PCB and what looks like banks of surface-mounted ICs that could contain diodes. I do therefore think that this keyboard could have N-key rollover in the matrix. Razer claims 10-key rollover but until someone plugs it in and debugs the USB output, we have no way of knowing what it really is.

[KHAANNN]

Thanks for sharing the disassembly, I fancy the stabiliser design, seems simple, costar/alps-like

Don't know why but this keyboard really peaked my interest

[chyros]

Then don't read The Verge for keyboard reviews! I certainly don't. I read the threads on this forum instead.
The Verge is a very special kind of opinionated blog, not really an in depth source on any of the things they cover. Let them be them, and don't try to shoehorn them into what you would like them to be.

What's the point of making a review if you don't even know anything about it though? Especially in a professional context? Of course, anyone can give they opinion, but this article isn't stating an opinion, it's a statement, which happens to be blatantly untrue. A 10-minute investigation into the subject would've been enough to avoid these mistakes. 

Here, there's a pair of Post-its on my desk, let me review them.

REVOLUTIONARY NEW DESIGN OF POST-ITS come with a new feature; these Post-its are YELLOW. They're so yellow it's making my colleagues crazy, they now all hate me. This hybrid between the whiteness of paper and the yellowness of lemons is the best of both worlds, and they don't even cost $1000 per batch, just $1! Also comes with fantastic new feature; a slightly sticky backside that allows you to stick them on other surfaces (SEE GIF BELOW). Also comes with a logo printed on the back slip and you can write multiple letters on it, but I don't care. I just like yellow.

In every way that matters, the above review is the same as that Verge review.

[Hyde]

There are pictures of its disassembly on Tom's Hardware.

The switch is a bog-standard rubber dome/membrane keyboard with an additional leaf spring in each key to make a clicky noise.

Yeah I do get the same impression too, it's pretty much a rubber dome with leaf that makes noise (but does nothing in terms of actuation, unlike Topre).

And it's an all plastic construction unlike the usual steel plate under the key switches, so this could potentially feel flimsier.

But the price point seems to cater towards the rubber dome crowd anyway, so for people who doesn't want to spend too much this might be a viable choice.

I'd still want to try it though. 

[tofgerl]

Then don't read The Verge for keyboard reviews! I certainly don't. I read the threads on this forum instead.
The Verge is a very special kind of opinionated blog, not really an in depth source on any of the things they cover. Let them be them, and don't try to shoehorn them into what you would like them to be.

What's the point of making a review if you don't even know anything about it though? Especially in a professional context? Of course, anyone can give they opinion, but this article isn't stating an opinion, it's a statement, which happens to be blatantly untrue. A 10-minute investigation into the subject would've been enough to avoid these mistakes. 

Here, there's a pair of Post-its on my desk, let me review them.

REVOLUTIONARY NEW DESIGN OF POST-ITS come with a new feature; these Post-its are YELLOW. They're so yellow it's making my colleagues crazy, they now all hate me. This hybrid between the whiteness of paper and the yellowness of lemons is the best of both worlds, and they don't even cost $1000 per batch, just $1! Also comes with fantastic new feature; a slightly sticky backside that allows you to stick them on other surfaces (SEE GIF BELOW). Also comes with a logo printed on the back slip and you can write multiple letters on it, but I don't care. I just like yellow.

In every way that matters, the above review is the same as that Verge review.

Pageviews.

[KHAANNN]

REVOLUTIONARY NEW DESIGN OF POST-ITS come with a new feature; these Post-its are YELLOW. They're so yellow it's making my colleagues crazy, they now all hate me. This hybrid between the whiteness of paper and the yellowness of lemons is the best of both worlds, and they don't even cost $1000 per batch, just $1! Also comes with fantastic new feature; a slightly sticky backside that allows you to stick them on other surfaces (SEE GIF BELOW). Also comes with a logo printed on the back slip and you can write multiple letters on it, but I don't care. I just like yellow.

You should start a GB for those post-its, I want some :)

[czarek]

You know the innovation here, right? How to make a keyboard that will appeal to gamers and don't spend money on switches (because even Kailh aren't really that cheap, especially when you rebrand them as your own, which in fact Razer does).
Easy: make a rubber dome with a clicking slider and backlighting. Cost of production basically the same as any other memchanical keyboards, marginally higher than typical Logitech K120, but the final price almost the same as a proper mechanical keyboard. I see a guy who invented this getting a nice bonus for Christmas this year.

[ulises3.14]

You forgot to mention that traditional post-its are impractical (and don't tell exactly why)

[chyros]

You forgot to mention that traditional post-its are impractical (and don't tell exactly why)

LOL xD

[quake4mhg]

Don't worry, guy! There gonna be arrow keys for us to try on the box

[moh18one]

Normally Membrane keyboards was made because they are silencious in comparison to the mechanical keyboards. I don't why this one is interesting because it's just a membrane keyboard with clicky sound

[tp4tissue]

This is kind of pointless, why even invest in the development of this,

[jerue]

This is kind of pointless, why even invest in the development of this,

Because people will buy it... could just buy a real mech for $100, OR Could just spend the extra $100 and get Ergodox

[klennkellon]

Even if they slashed the price in half you can still get a true mechanical keyboard for less than that price, like that Lingbao.

I was about to say I was proud of Razer for the Blackwidow Tournament X but now they have to come and break my heart again.

[Findecanor]

I think that this keyboard will fool a lot of people into believing that they are buying a mechanical keyboard.
"Ohh, it clicks. It must be mechanical".
I am sure that this is Razer's intention, even if they are not saying it out loud.

If I had been tasked to design it, I would have instead made the click-function a pair of speakers. Then it would have clicked only on actual actuation, not on the up-stroke. There could be different click sounds.
It would have been possible to turn it off, or to have the driver deliver it only in headphones - in stereo.
Maybe a driver function to turn it off depending on the time of day, or to adjust the volume depending on ambient volume.
What a lost opportunity to do something useful.
Instead, it is all about marketing **** to gamerz....

[KHAANNN]

I think that this keyboard will fool a lot of people into believing that they are buying a mechanical keyboard.
"Ohh, it clicks. It must be mechanical".
I am sure that this is Razer's intention, even if they are not saying it out loud.

If I had been tasked to design it, I would have instead made the click-function a pair of speakers. Then it would have clicked only on actual actuation, not on the up-stroke. There could be different click sounds.
It would have been possible to turn it off, or to have the driver deliver it only in headphones - in stereo.
Maybe a driver function to turn it off depending on the time of day, or to adjust the volume depending on ambient volume.
What a lost opportunity to do something useful.
Instead, it is all about marketing **** to gamerz....

I really don't like that idea, you would need #switch amount of speakers for it to be realistic, or maybe a custom surround system that achieves the same with less speakers, that would be something

Apple's 3D Vibration engine also seems similar, but better, might go well with an actual keyboard

You can also go ahead and implement that driver, since it doesn't need to be dependant on the keyboard, it might turn out pretty interesting - but ultimately sounds junky to me

[tofgerl]

Well, does anyone here consider Razer a good manufacturer of mechanical keyboards...? No? Yeah, I thought not...