"I'll never go back." It's a phrase that pops up again and again in comments and customer reviews for the Razer Orbweaver , the follow up to the Razer Nostromo . Gaming keypads-specialized half-keyboards used by gamers-offer a level of comfort and control that even the best gaming keyboards fail to...

Several adjustable parts for optimal comfort; 20 programmable keys; Best thumb controls available

Pricey; Keys could use more tactile differentiation; No color options for backlight

Some years ago, Razer teamed up with Belkin to create the n52te SpeedPad gaming keypad. The device was very successful, and pushed the boundaries of what a gaming keypad could offer gamers. Razer ended up taking over the gaming keypad and released it on its own as the "Nostromo".

When it comes to gaming keypads there are really only a few options on the market. Of those options most, like the G13, have been around forever. Of those gaming keypads, none of them are mechanical. That is until Razer introduced the Orbweaver this year at CES.

The device is awesome, the software sucks all to be damned. Constantly wants to connect to internet and stopped working for me on Winblowz 8.It would install, not recognize any of the devices connected which means extremely limits it's usefulness.

I bought this because it was the only mechanical keypad that I could find. For those who don't know what that means, a mechanical keyboard is a special keyboard because of the way it's keys are built. The keys click when pressed down, making them feel crisper, and more responsive.

Backlight on the keys; comfortable; mechanical keys

Mechanical keys are a little loud

Forces your thumb into extremely unnatural right-angle position if you want to use the lever (which is the jump button by default!). On the 8-way switch it's virtually impossible to click diagonal directions. Not worth your time and definitely not worth the money.

The Keypad overall feels very nice, with really smart adjustments. The bottom 2 left keys are a little bit awkward, the bottom corner rests nicely but makes it hard to press the one next to it, wish it was the same level of the corner one or slightly higher. Works as it's supposed to overall.

For MMO's I have used a dedicated section of keys to left of main kboard for several years... Corsair K90 etc... I lost all that in a flood, so decided to give an Orbweaver a try. For me, the orbweaver works extremely well, easily integrating with my preferred mmo... WoW Les wrist strain...

The Razer Orbweaver is a mechanical gaming keypad that is specific to the left hand for gamers to get an edge over keyboard users with the thumb pad that allows an extra movement or modifier for quick input.