General Discussion

Hardware Guru Jeremy Star takes a look at the Razer Tarantula gaming keyboard for our finger-tapping education!

The Razer Tarantula is a USB keyboard. It features Anti-Ghosting technology, allowing for up to 10 keystrokes at a time without signal failure; Onboard profile memory, so that you can use the keyboard on any PC and still have access to your setup; 1000Mhz Ultrapolling, for a maximum 1ms delay between keystroke and reaction; and On-The-Fly-Profile switching.

The Tarantula also has two low power USB ports for plugging in additional peripherals, gold plated USB connectors for fast transfer speeds and making rap stars jealous, and headphone and microphone jacks so you don't have to reach behind your PC for sound card connections anymore. You will also find 10 programmable keys as well as the ability to switch keys with special gaming keys that have little gaming pictures on them, and the Battledock for add on accessories.

Read the whole article here.

Er...Ignore "Large Mousing Surface" under pros. That sneaky little phrase is trying to make its way in to all of my reviews, even after I told it no.

I think i'm going to be holding out for the new Logitech one still, plus Razer in general sucks :P

After using the G15 keyboard, I realized how useless "Gaming" keyboards are for gaming.
At least for teh G15, whose macro keys are on the left side of the keyboard, without a good alternative WASD addition.
When playing games, I use WASD movement. The G1-G18 keys have to be hit with a stretched pinky. No thanks!

BUT, I must say that in DAoC, as a lvl 50 thrust-weapon Mercenary, the G15 ruled. I was able to macro my styles to where with one button I equip a crush weapon, use the crush ability, press anoter button to use the second-crush ability, and use a third button to then turn a specific degree to the side of them, equip my thrust weapons, and perform my side-thrust attack.

This allowed me to do MANY actions in only three buttons. I would have used only ONE button, but the G15 doesn't allow you to cancel Macros after they've started.......how pathetic.
For my bard, I was also able to have all of my abilities on the G15's macro keyboarsd, with G8,10-12 as WASD movement (although because the keys are smaller than normal, it sucked and felt awkward).
For DAoC, I loved the G15, and thus would love the Tarantula since it's practically the same thing.

In WoW and other MMO's for PvP, the macros would be worth it since the game doesn't let you macro in-game. So in WoW I was able to use the "Gaming Keyboard" (Razer or Logitech, doesn't matter which) to use my warrior's CHARGE skill, then STUN instantly afterwards with one button, perfectly timed for 100% efficiency.

Other than an MMO, the keyboard isn't anything special for non-MMO gaming.....not even close....
BUT, what I will say is that I will never again buy a keyboard that isn't backlit in all the keys. That in itself is worth the hefty price, although I'm sure there are CHEAPER backlit keyboards.

Sadly, this keyboard doesn't even do that for $100........how pathetic.

I completely agree with the reviewer. Logitech and Razer both make "Gaming" keyboards that don't help with gaming. I don't understand why they call them "Gaming" keyboards, they suck and are too expensive. In an MMO, a macro-keyboard is worth it for PvP. DAoC's special moves or "Fireball quickcast Fireball" in one button, WoW's warrior charge-then stun in one button, etc. etc.

I'm pretty sure they have macro-software that allows you to do the similar as the "Gaming" keyboards, although that might get you banned and a G15 and Razer Tarantula WON'T.

After reading my own review of the keyboard, I actually have to disagree with the Reviewer.

This is a website about MMO's. The "Gaming Keyboards" feature the ability to macro abilities, timings, movements, and anything else with only one button. In a MMO with PvP, or even PvE, this is invaluable for a gamer, making the Gaming Keyboard the best keyboard ever.

For both the Razer Tarantula and the Logitech G15, for MMO's like DAoC, WoW, and other similar MMO's, ESPECIALLY in PVP, I give the keyboards 10/10.

For any other genre, or for MMO's that aren't so ability-timing-ability no-macro intensive, I'd have to give this keyboard a low score and bad review. It's hardly a gaming keyboard for any other genre.

Bwahahahhaa! With one button I equiped a different weapon, used two different skills, moved to your side, equiped my primary weapon type, then perforated your sides, leaving you crying home to the Grave.....with only ONE button!
Bwahahahaha!The Power of a Crush/Thrust Mercenary with a g15 keyboard!.

Originally posted by RonnyRulz

After using the G15 keyboard, I realized how useless "Gaming" keyboards are for gaming.
At least for teh G15, whose macro keys are on the left side of the keyboard, without a good alternative WASD addition.
When playing games, I use WASD movement. The G1-G18 keys have to be hit with a stretched pinky. No thanks!

BUT, I must say that in DAoC, as a lvl 50 thrust-weapon Mercenary, the G15 ruled. I was able to macro my styles to where with one button I equip a crush weapon, use the crush ability, press anoter button to use the second-crush ability, and use a third button to then turn a specific degree to the side of them, equip my thrust weapons, and perform my side-thrust attack.

This allowed me to do MANY actions in only three buttons. I would have used only ONE button, but the G15 doesn't allow you to cancel Macros after they've started.......how pathetic.
For my bard, I was also able to have all of my abilities on the G15's macro keyboarsd, with G8,10-12 as WASD movement (although because the keys are smaller than normal, it sucked and felt awkward).
For DAoC, I loved the G15, and thus would love the Tarantula since it's practically the same thing.

In WoW and other MMO's for PvP, the macros would be worth it since the game doesn't let you macro in-game. So in WoW I was able to use the "Gaming Keyboard" (Razer or Logitech, doesn't matter which) to use my warrior's CHARGE skill, then STUN instantly afterwards with one button, perfectly timed for 100% efficiency.

Other than an MMO, the keyboard isn't anything special for non-MMO gaming.....not even close....
BUT, what I will say is that I will never again buy a keyboard that isn't backlit in all the keys. That in itself is worth the hefty price, although I'm sure there are CHEAPER backlit keyboards.

Sadly, this keyboard doesn't even do that for $100........how pathetic.

I completely agree with the reviewer. Logitech and Razer both make "Gaming" keyboards that don't help with gaming. I don't understand why they call them "Gaming" keyboards, they suck and are too expensive. In an MMO, a macro-keyboard is worth it for PvP. DAoC's special moves or "Fireball quickcast Fireball" in one button, WoW's warrior charge-then stun in one button, etc. etc.

I'm pretty sure they have macro-software that allows you to do the similar as the "Gaming" keyboards, although that might get you banned and a G15 and Razer Tarantula WON'T.

being WASD oriented u had to change or adjust your way of playing (such as using mouse to turn and run) and implement the G keys for your spells, fear, and death or word of pain and healing etc. i wont be getting another keyboard only one i think id might get is the zboard as it is specifically built for games whether they are MMO's or Singe player games (though it looks it has a preference to FPS type style game but it is defnitely an improvement over the G15 and this crap tarantuala trying to claim itself a gaming keyboard that is certainly overpriced for its given features. truly a shame as Ive had razer in good light, not now this is a definite blackeye on their image. hope they can recoupe and bring a cheaper and more feature filled keyboard.

If they backlit all the keys, I'd buy to try the laptop key action. Happily using a Saitek Eclipse currently, with no macros but a solid base and very nice backlighting.

Great review. Very informative and entertaining as well.