Razer USA Ltd

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This article is about the computer peripherals manufacturer named Razer. For other meanings see Razer (disambiguation).
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Razer USA Ltd
Type Private
Founded 1998
Headquarters United States
Industry Computer
Products Mice, Keyboards, Sound Cards
Website www.razerzone.com
Razer USA Ltd snake logo
Razer USA Ltd snake logo

Razer is a privately held computer peripherals manufacturer specializing in products specifically catered to gamers. Originally started in the 1990s, it suffered a period of dormancy during the millennial change and has recently seen a resurgence, with new products released during 2004 and 2005. The Razer brand is now currently being marketed under Razer USA Ltd, and this article refers to the whole brand instead of the various entities that have held it.

Contents

[edit] History

Razer was founded in 1998 by a team of engineers and marketeers in order to develop and market a high end computer gaming mouse, called the Boomslang. It was claimed as the world's first 1000 dpi[1] mouse (as opposed to 200 or 400 dpi offerings) and purported to give greater accuracy (and consequently, higher scores) to gamers who used it.

One of the novel innovations of Razer was the sponsorship of gamers, which directly contributed to the emerging pro-gaming phenomenon. Johnathan "Fatal1ty" Wendel was amongst the first wave of sponsored gamers and is still currently active in the pro-gaming arena (i.e. he plays computer games for a living, earning money through product endorsements and winning prizes).

Razer stumbled around 2000 in the dot-com bust, although not strictly a dot-com. It was relegated to the economic trash heap, and product development was stalled. Despite Razer's powerful 1400 and 2100 DPI mechanical mice, they lost market share as other manufacturers and users began turning to optical.

[edit] Come-back

The Diamondback Plasma
The Diamondback Plasma

In 2004, when the highest available resolution for optical mice was 800 dpi, Razer made a comeback with a 1000 dpi optical mouse called the Viper. This was quickly followed by a 1600 dpi optical mouse they dubbed the Diamondback, establishing a formula of naming their mice after venomous snakes and animals. The Diamondback went on to garner wide critical renown (including GameSpot's 2004 Hardware Accessory of the Year award). An update on the Diamondback model, using more sensitive buttons and toting a blue glow (while equipped with a sensor using unseen infrared) was released as the Diamondback Plasma Limited Edition. The production batch was limited to a several thousand, however, likely in anticipation of the next generation of Razer mice.

[edit] Mice

The Copperhead is a 2000 dpi laser-using mouse, launched in late August 2005. The Copperhead set several precedents by being the first wired 2000 dpi laser mouse — the single previous laser mouse being a Logitech wireless mouse.

The Krait is a 1600 dpi optical mouse, introduced as a direct competitor to the new budget gaming mice from Logitech, like the G1 (see Logitech 'G' series). The Krait has technical specifications very similar to those of the Diamondback, but the Krait has only three buttons as compared to the Diamondback's seven. The Krait was given a lower price point than the Diamondback.

The Microsoft Habu
The Microsoft Habu

In October 2006 Microsoft teamed up with Razer to create the Microsoft Habu gaming mouse.

In early 2007, the DeathAdder was released with the new 1800 dpi 3G infrared sensor.

In June 2007 Razer revealed the Boomslang Collector’s Edition at DreamHack 2007. While it retains the original physical ergonomic form factor of the original Boomslang, it comes updated with a 1800 dpi 3G infrared sensor, 32KB on-board memory, a metal titanium finish top chassis, as well as an ambient green underglow.

In August 2007 Razer debuted a new 3G Laser Sensor in a new gaming mouse, the Lachesis. The new 3G laser sensor features a precision of 4000 dpi and a tracking speed of 60-100 inches per second. The improved tracking speed closes the performance gap between laser and non-laser sensors, where laser had been found wanting previously.

[edit] Other products

The Armadillo is a cable management system that helps anchor the wires of gaming mice. This prevents the wire from causing drag across the mousing surface as the gamer moves the mouse. It is among the first to not have a name named after a venomous animal.

The Tarantula is a gaming keyboard. The first keyboard with full anti-ghosting capability that allows the user to press up to ten keys simultaneously without the keyboard 'freezing'.

The Lycosa gaming keyboard features rubber-coated keys and full/WASD cluster back-lighting option. The Lycosa is the second in Razer's line of keyboards.

The Barracuda integrated audio system comprises the Barracuda HP-1 gaming headphones and the Barracuda AC-1 gaming audio card.

In January 2007 Razer teamed up with THX to release the Mako 2.1 bi-amplified speaker system.

On May 15, 2008 Razer announced its Goliathus line of cloth gaming mouse pads with two variations, speed and control. Both versions come in a small medium and large size priced at $14.99, $19.99 and $24.99.

[edit] Design philosophy

Since Razer creates mice for gamers — who place great importance on response from their controllers — Razer mice are all wired. Wireless mouse designs currently available (as of 2007) increase latency as a byproduct of battery conservation measures, and the resulting delay in responsiveness is unacceptable to gamers. Additionally, the optical sensors on Razer mice are always on, whereas those from most other manufacturers power down if the mouse is lifted or left motionless for short periods of time. This leads to a rather notorious reactivation delay when moved, during which the mouse is greatly unresponsive.

[edit] Razer Pro|Solutions

Razer also manufactures products aimed at the professional market, where higher dpi is claimed to be useful in navigating very large screens with speed and accuracy.

The Pro|Click v1.6 and the Pro|Pad were announced in Macworld, 2005.

The Pro|Click V1.6 is 1600 dpi mouse aimed at professional users, offering them higher precision needed in graphic and design work. The GUI for the drivers has also been redesigned to match a typical, generic look of applications.

The Pro|Pad mousepad features a dual surface (for speed or control). One side is smoother and provides better glide for mice and the other is rougher for better control.

The Pro|Type keyboard, Pro|Tone m100 and Pro|Tone m250 were announced in Macworld, 2006.

The Pro|Type keyboard is the world's first keyboard that features an integrated iPod dock. It also has a line out port for audio peripherals and 2 USB ports on the keyboard.

The Pro|Tone m100 is an in-ear earphone that features Razer’s Pro|Bass technology. The in-ear design provides noise isolation. The m100 is designed to be used with digital music players.

The Pro|Tone m250 is a clip-on earphone that is constructed of a metal casing with a rubber coat for noise isolation. It cups over the user’s ears and is held in place with a soft rubber clip that works similarly to spectacles. Like the m100, it features Razer’s Pro|Bass technology and is also designed for digital music players.

In October 2007, Razer added on the Pro|Click Mobile notebook mouse to its Pro|Solutions range. It’s a compact and portable mouse that connects to any computer using Bluetooth 2.0.

[edit] Comparison of Razer mouse devices

Date of release Technology Sensor Optical resolution
(dpi)		 Interface Polling rate
(Hz)		 Mass
(g)		 Dimensions
(l x w x h, mm)		 Buttons[2]
(top/side)		 Onboard memory
(KB)		 Firmware upgradeable Symmetrical form Illuminated
Boomslang 1000/2000 1999 Mechanical
(ball)		 Kärna proprietary 1000/2000 PS/2 10-200 150 140 x 60-82 x 32 3/2 No No Yes No
Mystify/Razer Boomslang 2100/2500 BFG Sniper Boomslang 2100 2003 Mechanical
(ball)		 Kärna proprietary 2100/2500 USB 125 115 140 x 60-82 x 32 3/2 No No Yes No
Viper April 2004 Optical Agilent A2051[3] 1000 USB 125 78 118 x 55 x 36 3 No No Yes Red
Diamondback late 2004 Optical Agilent A3070/A3080[4] 1600 USB 125 90 129 x 63 x 38.5 3/4 No No Yes Red, Green, or Blue
Diamondback Plasma mid 2005 Optical
(infrared)		 Agilent A3088 1600 USB 125 90 129 x 63 x 38.5 3/4 No No Yes Blue
Copperhead late 2005 Optical
(laser)		 Agilent 6018 2000 USB 125-1000 124 130 x 66 x 41 3/4 32 Yes Yes Red, Green, or Blue
Krait mid 2006 Optical
(infrared)		 Agilent A3088 1600 USB 125 78 120 x 60.5 x 37 3 No No Yes Orange
Microsoft Habu late 2006 Optical
(laser)		 Avago 6030 2000 USB 125-1000 135 129 x 68 x 43.5 5/2 32 Yes No Blue
DeathAdder late 2006 Optical
(3G Infrared)		 Avago 3688 1800 USB 125-1000 133 128 x 70 x 42.5 3/2 No Yes No Blue
DeathAdder Razer Blueprints Edition early 2007 Optical
(3G Infrared)		 Avago 3688 1800 USB 125-1000 133 128 x 70 x 42.5 3/2 No Yes No Blue
DeathAdder Guild Wars Edition late 2007 Optical
(3G Infrared)		 Avago 3688 1800 USB 125-1000 133 128 x 70 x 42.5 3/2 No Yes No Amber
Boomslang Collectors Edition (10,000 Units) Late 2007 Optical
(3G Infrared)		 Avago 3688 1800 USB 125-1000 150 139 x 82 x 35 3/2 32 Yes Yes Green
Diamondback 3G Edition Late 2007 Optical
(3G Infrared)		 Avago 3688 1800 USB 125-1000  ? 128 x 70 x 42.5 3/4 No Yes Yes Red, Green, or Blue
Lachesis Late 2007 Optical
(3G Laser)		 Philips Twin-eye 4000 USB 125-1000 128 129 x 71 x 40 5/4 32 Yes Yes White, Blue, or Red
Salmosa Mid 2008 Optical
(3G Infrared)		 Avago 3688 1800 USB 125-1000 40 115 x 63 x 37 3/0 No ? Yes No

[edit] Comparison of Razer keyboards

Date of release Interface Polling rate
(Hz)		 Mass
(g)		 Dimensions
(l x w x h, mm)		 Detachable Wristpad Onboard memory
(KB)		 Cable Management Special Ports Special keys Audio Ports USB Ports Backlit Keys
Tarantula 2006 USB 1000 Hz  ? 469 x 221 x 15 No 32 No Battledock 10 Macro, media center, profile 1 Headphone, 1 Microphone 2 Macro Keys Only - Blue
Microsoft Reclusa 2006 USB  ?  ? 551 x 236 x 61 Yes  ? Yes No 6 Macro, 4 Bumper Buttons, 2 - 360 deg. jog dials No 2 All - Blue
Lycosa Late 2007 USB 1000 Hz  ? 522 x 220 x 33 Yes  ? No No Media Center 1 Headphone, 1 Microphone 1 All - Blue

[edit] Sponsorships

Razer currently sponsors several electronic sports clans, notably:

[edit] See also

[edit] The eponymous snakes

[edit] The eponymous spiders

[edit] References

  1. ^ Dots per inch aka. counts per inch or pixels per inch.
  2. ^ All Razer mouse devices have a scroll wheel acting as one of the top buttons.
  3. ^ Razer used a lens with a magnification factor greater than that recommended by Agilent to obtain an effective 1000 dpi resolution from the 800 dpi A2051 sensor, giving a lower maximum tracking speed. As a result, users who preferred a lower sensitivity setting (requiring greater/faster physical movement of the mouse) found the Viper unusable.
  4. ^ Depending on date of manufacture. The A3070 sensor suffered from an issue known as pixel jitter compensation; one units worth (a single pixel in the context of a GUI desktop with a 1:1 mouse input/output ratio) of accurate movement was lost immediately after reversing the physical direction of travel of the Diamondback, resulting in the 'skipping' of the mouse pointer. This issue only occurred at high sensitivity settings, and could be largely negated with the use of a software fix (programmed by a helpful Razer user going by the name of "Atalan"), made available as a patch and in Razers drivers. Later runs of the Diamondback used the A3080 sensor which did not suffer from this issue.

[edit] External links