Skip to main content

Razer's new keyboard for the iPad Pro packs mechanical switches built for PC gamers

razer ipad pro keyboard mechanical switches
Image used with permission by copyright holder
On Wednesday, Razer said that its freshly-baked Ultra-Low-Profile Mechanical switches are used in the new Razer Mechanical Keyboard Case for the iPad Pro, which is available today worldwide for $170. This keyboard connects to Apple’s tablet by way of Bluetooth, and features a metal, multi-angle kickstand, creating a makeshift 2-in-1 device with a protective cover for working on the go.

The big deal here is of course Razer’s new switch, which is billed as the “world’s first mechanical switch for a mobile device.” This switch features a true actuation and reset point, according to Razer, with key presses registered with 70 grams of force. That means when iPad Pro owners type on this peripheral, the keys won’t feel squishy or flat despite the slim chiclet keycaps.

That said, mechanical switches just feel “precise” when typing. As a key is pressed, the switch stem underneath depresses a spring as it moves downwards. Once the switch activates and the user’s action is “actuated,” the user releases the key and thus the switch and key “bounce” back to their original state, resetting the overall key. In the long run, mechanical switches are more durable, and the key caps typically don’t easily pop off.

Razer iPad Pro Keyboard
Image used with permission by copyright holder

Razer introduced its own Green and Orange mechanical switches back in March 2014. The new Ultra-Low Profile switch is based on the “Green” version, providing “blazing fast” actuation, a distinctive click, and a reset distance that’s half of what other mechanical switches provide. That essentially spells out super-fast, super-precise typing — or in the case of gamers, the difference between life and death.

“Razer controls the entire manufacturing process of each switch, even the blueprint,” Razer states on its website. “This, in addition to the years of research and development, have resulted in a switch that surpasses the competition in durability, and features the tightest tolerance levels. Having control over the production gives Razer the opportunity to constantly innovate with new technologies, so you enjoy nothing but the very best.”

As for the mobile keyboard itself, the peripheral provides backlit illumination for typing in dark corners. There are actually 20 brightness levels to suit any low-light situation, and product images point to two dedicated keys mounted at the top-left to change the illumination levels. The keyboard comes with a detachable poly-carbonate protective cover too.

According to Razer, iPad Pro owners will see the keyboard’s built-in battery last for around 10 hours on a single charge with the keys set at their brightest level. If owners turn the backlighting off completely, the keyboard’s battery should last around 600 hours on a single change.

Razer’s new Mechanical Keyboard Case for the iPad Pro can be purchased straight from Razer right here.

Editors' Recommendations

Kevin Parrish
Former Digital Trends Contributor
Kevin started taking PCs apart in the 90s when Quake was on the way and his PC lacked the required components. Since then…
MacBooks could soon fall behind the iPad Pro in this important way
The iPad Pro (2022) sitting in the Magic Keyboard.

The dynamic balance between the Mac and the iPad may be about to shift again. Both the MacBook Air and iPad Pro will reportedly get updated this spring, boosting performance with the inclusion of the new M3 chip.

But a new report from Bloomberg's Mark Gurman indicates that a new "landscape Face ID camera" may be in the works for the iPad Pro, potentially taking away one of the main advantages that MacBooks have over iPads. With so much of work happening in video calls, the iPad Pro might become a far better laptop replacement in this new generation.
The dream experience

Read more
New iPads are coming soon, and they may have a killer display upgrade
iPad Pro 2020 Screen.

It seems new iPads, rocking some notable tweaks, are right around the corner. In the latest edition of his PowerOn newsletter, Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman says an updated lineup of iPad Pro models will likely arrive towards the end of March.
Now, these new flagship slates could turn out to be special for multiple reasons. The new iPad Pro tablets could get a refined design language and, of course, a shift to the latest-generation M3 processor that is already providing its firepower to a handful of Mac machines.

New iPads, new screens

Read more
When the iPad is a better computer than my PC
Apple iPad Pro 11 with Apple Magic Keyboard.

Can the iPad work as a real computer? I'm well aware that I'm not first to raise this question. It is, however, the first time for me to ask the question of myself. After all, everyone's needs for a proper "computer" are different, and I've never given it a fair shake.

I'm running an iPad Pro 11-inch that uses an 8-core CPU/10-core GPU Apple M2, which is an insane amount of power to pack into a tablet. And I've recently added a Magic Keyboard and Apple Pencil into the mix, making it look a lot like a regular laptop. It still has limitations, but with all that on doard, I found myself surprised at how good of a computer the iPad Pro can really be.
What's a real computer, anyway?

Read more