The Razer Ornata V2 is kind of like experiencing deja vu. Everything about it feels way too familiar and its copy-and-paste design and feature set seems way too close to home. The “V2” aspect of the keyboard falls flat when there’s really nothing groundbreaking here to make you want it. Sure, it is a great keyboard and delivers a premium build, some fancy RGB and media switches. However, I feel like I have seen this before.
I remember reviewing the original Ornata way back in 2017. It retailed for R1,699 and included all the bells and whistles you would expect from a Razer gaming keyboard. The Razer Ornata V2 is very similar except it comes with the mecha-membrane switches and a few style changes. The Razer Ornata V2 is a low-profile device. It packs an all-black design like most of the company’s lineup and the keycaps include a soft and rubbery coating on them. The keyboard comes with wrist rest and it is comfortable, can be easily detached and is pleather.
When it comes to the overall build, you won’t be blown away by the Ornata V2 but it does its job. The RGB is bright and allows for a great level of customization, the media switches are a great addition to any keyboard and Razer’s vast system of customization means you can remap everything. Out of the box, the Ornata V2 looks cheap but once plugged in and powered up, the device shines bright.
So how does the Razer Ornata V2 fair when it comes to its main purpose, gaming and typing? It is good. Key positioning is great with more keys closer together than my usual laptop keyboard. The mecha-membrane also means key travel is very short and the effort to press the keys is bare minimum. It also helps that the rubber coating feels great on the keys. The whole experience feels premium.
When it comes to noise, the Razer Ornata V2 is not too loud and distracting. The switches don’t sound like a traditional keyboard and the click is short and sweet. The mecha-membrane also means the keyboard keys have less wiggle to them so you don’t key them moving around much. This greatly reduces the noise the keyboard makes when gaming and typing. The only wobbly key is the spacebar but it also clicks in nicely when used.
The low key travel goes a long way to add to the general experience here. Sure, typing takes some getting used to due to the low force and quick typing detection but overall key presses became natural after a while. There’s a strange adventure going on here. It looks like a desktop keyboard, lights up like one but when it comes to the keys, they press like a laptop. Low force and low travel time make this possible. Don’t get me wrong, there’s nothing anti-gamer about this but the whole package needs to be experienced before you go out and buy one.
When it comes to comfort, the keyboard feels okay. It took a while to get used to the way I had to position my hands in order to master the pressure. The wrist rest is comfortable too but nothing groundbreaking. It is just nice to have rest on a keyboard of this price point. However, the Razer Ornata V2 is not “cheap” by any means.
Verdict
The Razer Ornata V2 includes some great switches and a decent design. It may take some time to get used to but the general use of the device came naturally after a while. The rubber caps feel great and the mecha-membrane switches are fast and quiet.
This Razer Ornata V2 review is based on a loan unit sent to us by Apex Interactive. The device retails for R2,399.
