Even though they are nearly 30 years old, mechanical keyboards are all the rage among computing enthusiasts nowadays. Mechanical keyboards are very popular amongst professionals, gamers and, despite their relatively high price, even casual users. However, a large percentage of gamers and casual users are purchasing mechanical keyboards not for their mechanical keys, but for their features. Some, especially professionals, want to own a fully programmable keyboard, while others want to combine RGB lighting with game-specific functionality. Today we will be having a look at the DeathStalker Chroma, Razer's newest addition to their keyboards lineup.

Introduction

Razer is one of the most well-known manufacturers of gaming peripherals and accessories. A few months ago we a look at one of their most recent mechanical gaming keyboards, in its OriginPC version, the BlackWidow Chroma. The DeathStalker Chroma that we will be reviewing today boasts similar functionality but is an electronic keyboard that is making use of 2 mm chiclet keys instead. With few electronic keyboards boasting programmable RGB lighting and keys, the DeathStalker Chroma is an intriguing product and we will thoroughly examine it in this review.

DeathStalker Chroma Gaming Keyboard - Key features and specifications

• Chiclet key caps
• Chroma lighting with 16.8 million customizable color options
• Razer Synapse enabled
• 1000Hz 'Ultra polling'
• Fully programmable keys with on the fly macro recording
• Dedicated Gaming Mode
• Anti-ghosting capability for up to 10 simultaneous key presses
• Fixed wrist rest

Packaging & Bundle

Razer supplies the DeathStalker Chroma in a black, sturdy cardboard box. The artwork on the box is simple and based on a picture of the keyboard itself, showing off its RGB capabilities. Inside the box, we found a minimal bundle offered into a black envelope with Razer’s logo on it, consisting of a quick start guide, warranty information and product registration cards, as well as two large stickers. There is no media with the software, which is required for the proper functionality of the keyboard and needs to be downloaded.

The DeathStalker Chroma Gaming Keyboard

At first sight, the DeathStalker Chroma looks like a typical keyboard with chiclet keys. It is a flat keyboard, entirely made of plastic, with a fairly sized wrist rest permanently attached to it. The design is minimalistic and elegant, with straight lines and chamfered edges. A honeycomb pattern is visually formed on the wrist rest, beneath a clear, smooth surface layer, with the company logo printed at the middle. The clear layer of the wrist rest is partially reflective, while the rest of the keyboard is matte.

The chiclet keys are the primary attraction of the DeathStalker Chroma. Low-profile chiclet keys are very popular, especially ever since Apple adopted them in 2006, and are the primary alternative of users that do not enjoy the height or the long travel of mechanical keys. They are just 2 mm tall, with large semi-transparent characters printed on them. It supports 10-key rollover, which does not sound as grand as the n-key rollover of more advanced offerings, though in 99.99% of cases no-one needs to be able to press more than 10 keys at once, or have a feline sit on the keyboard in the name of progress.

There are no macro keys or other extra keys on the DeathStalker Chroma. The right Windows key has been replaced with a Fn key that, combined with the top row function keys, provides additional functions. For example, the Fn+F1 key combination mutes the sound, while the Fn+F11/F12 keys control the backlighting brightness, similar to a laptop keyboard.

Razer did an excellent job applying the RGB lighting. There is almost no gap between the keys and the chassis, so the lighting is only focused on the keycap character, without light "spilling" from the sides of the keys. The colors are rich and, even though it is limited to the characters, the backlighting is rather powerful. What should be clearly noted however is that the RGB lighting is not programmable per-key. There are three zones, the main zone, the arrows/functions zone and the numpad zone. Each of the zones can be programmed to any RGB color or to perform a visual effect, but it is not possible to change the color of each key individually.

Besides the keys and their backlighting, a few things are of interest on the DeathStalker Chroma. The minimalistic design goes beyond just the appearance of the keyboard. There is no pass-through USB port, no additional media keys, not even a braided or otherwise noteworthy cable. It is a rather simple keyboard that is basing its functionality on its software.

Quality Testing

In order to test the quality and consistency of a keyboard, we are using a texture analyser that is programmed to measure and display the actuation force of the standard keyboard keys. By measuring the actuation force of every key, the quality and consistency of the keyboard can be quantified. It can also reveal design issues, such as the larger keys being far softer to press than the main keys of the keyboard. The actuation force is measured in 'centinewton' (cN), or hundredths of a newton. Some companies use another figure, gram-force (gf). The conversion formula is 1 cN = 1.02 gf (i.e. they are about the same). A high quality keyboard should be as consistent as possible, with an average actuation force as near to the manufacturer's specs as possible and a disparity of less than ±10%. Greater differences are likely to be perceptible by users.

The machine we use for our testing is accurate enough to provide readings with a resolution of 0.1 cN. For wider keys (e.g. Enter, Space Bar, etc.), the measurement is taking place at the center of the key, right above the switch. Note that large keys generally have a lower actuation force even if the actuation point is at the dead center of the key. This is natural, as the size and weight of the keycap reduces the required actuation force. For this reason, we do display the force required to actuate every key but we only use the results of the typical sized keys for our consistency calculations. Still, very low figures on medium sized keys, such as the Shift and Enter keys reveal design issues and can easily be perceptible by the user.

We should start by clarifying that you should not directly compare the above results to a mechanical keyboard. The chiclet keys of the DeathStalker Chroma have a travel distance of just 2 mm and their maximum force point is at the very top of this distance. Furthermore, their performance and feeling are entirely different in comparison to mechanical keys. We performed the above testing to showcase the difference between chiclet and mechanical keys, as well as for future comparisons.

The chiclet keys of the DeathStalker Chroma are terribly consistent, with a disparity of just ±1.89%. Their average actuation force is 62 cN, which is relatively high for chiclet keys, but it also offers a feeling of firmness and precision. Unlike with mechanical keyboards, the actuation force of the larger keys (Space, Shift, Enter, etc.) is very close to that of the main keys. That is because the low profile keycaps have minimal weight and the travel distance is very short, which impede the weight of the keycap and or its momentum from assisting the actuation of the key. Technically, the actuation force difference between all keys is minimal and impossible to be perceived by touch.

The Razer Synapse Software

The DeathStalker Chroma requires the use of Razer's Synapse software in order to access its advanced features, such as key programming, profiles and lighting adjustments. Over a year ago, when we reviewed the BlackWidow Ultimate, the software was effective enough for that particular keyboard and it showed a lot of promise. However it would seem that the software has not evolved much during the past year, despite Razer's competition that has been working wonders with their own. Furthermore, the software requires the signup for a Razer Synapse account that involves email validation. One cannot simply download the software/drivers, install them and be done with it. It does have benefits, such as the saving of the programmed profiles to the cloud, but many feel that it intrudes their privacy. This has received the negative criticism of many users.

Perhaps the primary selling feature of the DeathStalker Chroma is that it is a fully programmable keyboard. However, the keyboard has no keys dedicated to profile switching, macros and or other advanced functions. Thus, it is of critical importance that the software can recognize the launch of applications/games and switch to a pre-programmed profile automatically. As the DeathStalker Chroma has no extra keys, the functions of the main keys have to be reprogrammed to offer in-game functions and macros. The Razer Synapse software does offer this feature and it works seamlessly. All of the keys can be reassigned to perform other functions than their standard intended purpose, from simple layout changes and mouse commands to complex macros and external software launches. However, if profile switching within a game is required, at least one key needs to be sacrificed and reprogrammed to cycle through profiles. This is required with online games, where repurposing the main keys of the keyboard will likely make the user unable to type text and chat with others.

While the Razer software has basic macro usage covered, users looking for more advanced control are going to come away disappointed. The macro recorder is severely outdated and limited, with the ability to record only keyboard keystrokes and delays. These are editable after the recording but only individually and other commands cannot be inserted manually. It cannot record mouse functions at all, let alone absolute on screen coordinates and more complex actions. By all means, this level of macro programming is not going to satisfy most advanced users, who will most definitely resort to third-party software for that.

Basic lighting effects can be programmed to each profile through the "Lighting" tab of the software. RGB programming requires to bring up the "Chroma Configurator", which brings up more advanced lighting programming options. The RGB configuration of the DeathStalker Chroma is forcefully reduced to three layers and per-key configuration is not possible. Each of the three layers can be programmed to a different color and or lighting effect, such as "breathing" or "cycling", but the brightness of all layers is universal. The software allows the user to pick any of the 16.8 million colors of the RGB scale, but we feel that the eight pre-programmed base colors will be more than enough for the vast majority of users.

Razer also included a feature called "Chroma Apps", where specific games and applications can interface with the Synapse software and provide customized lighting effects. Supported games, applications and profiles can be found at Razer's Workshop. The list is still very small, but it should grow over time.

Finally, the last tab hosts a recorder of usage statistics. By default, all recording is disabled. If enabled, the users can check how many keystrokes have performed, the travel distance of all these keystrokes, the number of profile switches and macros. The results can be filtered for individual games and time periods. It is not a functionally important feature, but it is fun. 

Conclusion

I always try to use every keyboard that we review as my personal keyboard for at least a week. My typical weekly usage includes a lot of typing (about 100-150 pages), a few hours of gaming and some casual usage, such as internet browsing and messaging. Because typing covers the majority of my typical schedule, it became apparent that using the DeathStalker Chroma took some adjustment beyond what I would normally expect. The reason for that is that the short travel distance of the chiclet keys can be very tiring after long typing sessions, especially if someone has been using a mechanical keyboard for several years. As a result, it is almost as if the muscles need to be retrained to deal with the extra force needed.

That being said, the keys of the DeathStalker Chroma are of good quality and the keyboard is usable by typists. The keys are very firm and consistent, a vital part of that process. But it is the nature of the chiclet keys, their very short travel distance and relatively high actuation force, that can be overly tiring to someone used to mechanical keyboards with soft switches. Even then, fatigue comes after several hours of heavy use.

When it comes to gaming, the DeathStalker Chroma is very responsive as a keyboard and comfortable to use for many hours. Razer claims that the short travel distance also offers quicker actuation and faster response times. Actually, the 2 mm travel distance is not far from the distance a mechanical key travels to the actuation point, which is not at the bottom of its travelling distance. I did not notice and there should not be any notable difference between actuation times.

The largest problems that I faced when using the DeathStalker Chroma were mostly related to the software. Since my current game of choice is an action RPG, I have a few macros that all include mouse movements. The Razer Synapse software cannot include any mouse functions into its macros, so I had to resort to third party software such as AutoHotKey, compile the macros as .exe files and then insert them into the gaming profile of the keyboard as program launches. I also use a lot of macros to insert common text responses for the game, but also code for my professional needs. Although the Razer Synapse software can do that, it was far less complicated and configurable to write these macros with the third party software that I am usually using. Therefore, the actual functionality of the entire Razer Synapse software was reduced to change the backlighting to my favorite color, program two individual profiles and repurpose some keys to execute external programs (that were the macros I compiled with another software). This results in two very distinct levels of macro software - on the surface basic use (such as this) or more advanced control (where I use other software).

The functionality of the DeathStalker Chroma is further reduced by the lack of any extra macro or even media keys. If none of the main keys can be sacrificed, another profile with a modified layout needs to be programmed for each game/application, with repurposed main keys that are of no use in that particular application. Since there are no keys for profile/mode switching, the user will most likely have to rely on the automatic profile switching found in the software. This whole process can be rather inconvenient and reduces the overall versatility of the DeathStalker Chroma. The lack of dedicated media control keys is another issue that will not be appreciated by enthusiasts, especially since the Fn+key combinations are all based on the function keys, which are the most likely to be reprogrammed as macro keys for in-game use. If, for example, the F1 key is reprogrammed to execute a macro, then the Fn+F1 combination cannot be used to mute the sound, which will not be very convenient if you are gaming online and the phone starts ringing.

As far as quality goes, the DeathStalker Chroma appears very simplistic at a quick glance, to the point that it can be mistaken for a common keyboard, but its structural integrity and feeling do not disappoint. Razer did a fine job designing a keyboard that will look elegant and yet not too plain, making it a fine match for most gaming or high tech office systems. We only have our doubts about the design and the size of the permanently attached wrist rest, and particularly about its glossy surface. Finally, the keys are very firm, consistent and do not wobble at all.

In conclusion, the DeathStalker Chroma is a good quality keyboard and a viable alternative for those seeking a programmable and backlit keyboard with chiclet keys. The lack of any extra media or macro keys does reduce the functionality of the keyboard for advanced users, but that should not be of critical importance for most casual gamers. Razer could also improve the software and make the online registration noncompulsory, as the mandatory online registration seems a bit excessive if you just want to use the product out of the box. However, we feel that the largest issue with this keyboard is its retail price. The DeathStalker Chroma is currently retailing for $92, a rather high price for an electronic keyboard with chiclet keys. Programmable mechanical keyboards can be found retailing around this price and RGB models are not much more expensive. This reduces the market potential of the DeathStalker Chroma to just those that are highly attracted to its design or find the chiclet keys much more to their liking than mechanical keys. With a lower retail price, the DeathStalker Chroma can appeal to a much wider audience, covering all advanced users and gamers that want a programmable keyboard but do not want to reach the high retail price of advanced mechanical keyboards.