Gaming giant Razer rolled out a tiny new mechanical keyboard Friday that could be a boon for gamers. It’s a new-and-improved version of the first 60% keyboard released by a major brand. And it’s the first one to use Razer’s proprietary, super-sensitive “analog optical switches” that can be customized in multiple ways just by the force used to press the key.
It’s the updated Razer Huntsman Mini Analog. And if you’re a competitive gamer, you might want to get it before your opponents do.
Razer’s tiny new keyboard, the updated Hunstman Mini
Razer first launched the Huntsman Mini keyboard a couple of years ago. Sporting a 60% form factor, it became Razer’s smallest keyboard to date. That’s just two-thirds the size of a full keyboard. As such, it leave out arrow keys, navigation keys, function key row and number pad.
The difference now is Razer has updated its Huntsman Mini — now called the Razer Huntsman Mini Analog — with what it calls analog optical switches. If you don’t know much about mechanical keyboards, they use a mechanism known as a switch under each key, rather than a membrane. A regular switch presses its legs down against a metal contact leaf to complete the circuit and register your key press.
Alternatively, optical switches use a beam of light instead of a metal leaf contact. Light works faster. With these switches, gamers can fine tune what each key does when it’s pressed down according to the force used. This could come in handy in games where you can control something in gameplay by how far down you press your key, like a vehicle’s acceleration.
While such super-sensitive keys may not be crucial for typical work tasks or writing your novel, gamers may appreciate them. And, it being a Razer product, of course it includes Chroma RGB lighting.
Note that the keyboard works with either PCs or Macs, but the Razer Synapse software that enables the most functionality only works with Windows.
You can get the Razer Huntsman Mini Analog keyboard from the company’s website or from Amazon for $149.99.
Where to buy: Amazon
