If the Blade laptops are Razer’s equivalent of Apple’s MacBook, then the Joro could be seen as its version of the Magic Keyboard. Razer is venturing into the realm of mobile gamers with an ultra-compact travel keyboard designed to complement the Basilisk Mobile.
Scientists confirm: This is the most effective way to get your cat’s attention, according to new research
Elderly Couple Refuses Reserved Seats—Viral Train Standoff Sparks Fiery Debate on Courtesy
Technical Specifications
The Razer Joro gaming keyboard is the brand’s first ultra-compact model. Essentially, this keyboard offers a typing experience similar to that found on laptops, featuring flat keys, switches, and an ultra-thin chassis.
With its 75% size, the Razer Joro incorporates many shortcuts and, staying true to its gaming roots, it also features customizable RGB lighting. However, it relies solely on a Bluetooth connection and does not include the typical dedicated dongle found in most wireless keyboards. Despite this, it boasts a remarkable battery life of over 1800 hours.
This inaugural “travel keyboard” is priced at 130 euros, slightly more than Apple’s Magic Keyboard. It is also the least expensive wireless Razer keyboard and the first to be officially compatible with Apple’s Mac computers.
A Discreetly Compact Keyboard
Not only is the Joro Razer’s most compact keyboard to date, but it is also one of its most stylish and unobtrusive. The keyboard’s 75% size and ultra-thin profile (no thicker than 17 mm) and its lightweight design (weighing under 400 grams) make it particularly suited for travel.
To achieve such lightness, the chassis is logically made of plastic, while the top features an aluminum plate with cutouts for the key placements. Due to its slim profile, the hands naturally position themselves on the keyboard, eliminating the need for a wrist rest.
Unsurprisingly, this is not a mechanical keyboard. Underneath the keys, you will find the traditional scissor mechanisms common in many laptops. The keys are made of ABS plastic, and as is often the case, the RGB lighting does not illuminate all symbols but only the main ones carved out on the keys.
The RGB lighting, while impressive, is not as customizable as one might expect. There is no individual key illumination; instead, the whole keyboard lights up in a single static color, which can be adjusted along with the brightness. The lighting also changes according to the keyboard’s status, blinking red, for example, when the battery is critically low.
Ultimately, there isn’t much more to say about the design and ergonomics of the Razer Joro. It resembles a keyboard from a Razer Blade that has been adapted into a particularly compact chassis. It’s easy to imagine slipping it into a backpack to use with a laptop, tablet, or even a Steam Deck.
Why You Should Never Reheat These Foods in the Microwave – The Hidden Dangers Experts Warn About
I tried the top 5 guard dogs—here’s what makes these breeds the ultimate protectors
However, its unique layout will require some adjustment time. In addition to its flat keys, its 75% size means slight changes in the positioning and size of certain keys (such as the right shift key), which will require some muscle memory adjustment to get used to.
Impressive Battery Life, or Not
The Bluetooth connection proved reliable during our testing, as did switching between different connected devices. The F1 to F3 keys are specifically dedicated to this functionality. There’s no 2.5 GHz adapter included, but Razer promises that the Joro will be able to connect to a compatible mouse’s dongle in the coming months.
The Joro is powered by a battery that, according to Razer, can last up to 1800 hours. However, this impressive battery life is theoretically only possible when activating the energy-saving mode.
This mode minimizes keyboard communications, also turns off the RGB lighting, and prevents switching between different Bluetooth devices. In reality, expect about 15 to 20 hours of battery life with the RGB lighting set to a reasonable level, translating to about one to two weeks of daily use.
A Solid Laptop Keyboard
Let’s be clear, the typing experience offered by the Razer Joro is nothing like the mechanical keyboards we usually review. Instead, it more closely resembles what you might find on gaming laptops, particularly Razer’s Blade series.
The “scissor” mechanism keys primarily provide a “tactile” feel, with strong resistance at the start of a press and a very short travel to activation. This makes the keyboard responsive and relatively comfortable for daily use, though it can be tiring on the fingers over long periods.
It won’t replace my usual mechanical keyboard (currently the Corsair MAKR 75), but it makes perfect sense for owners of ultra-portable devices like the Steam Deck or the ROG Ally. However, owners of gaming laptops might not find it as appealing, as the difference from the integrated keyboard may be minimal.
Comparable Features
Like any respectable Razer keyboard, the Joro fully supports the Synapse software suite. Moreover, it is now available on Mac. It allows users to reassign all the keyboard keys and even automatically switch to a macOS or iPad OS layout when connected to an Apple system.
The gaming mode is also available on Mac, enabling users to disable certain key combinations to avoid disrupting a game due to an accidental desktop return. Despite lacking mechanical switches, the Joro still benefits from the Snap Tap feature, which prioritizes the directional keys.
All other settings are dedicated to managing the RGB lighting, which has limited capabilities in Bluetooth, as well as managing the keyboard’s battery life. These settings can be saved in profiles on both Windows and macOS, which can be linked to specific games or applications to automate changes.
Pricing and Availability of the Razer Joro Keyboard
The Razer Joro keyboard is available at a suggested price of 130 euros.
Similar Posts
- Razer Basilisk Mobile Review: Top Choice for Mobile Gamers!
- Be Quiet! Light Mount Review: Experience Unmatched Silence and Simplicity!
- Silent Yet Limited: MSI Strike 600 Silent Keyboard Review – Find Out More!
- Corsair Scimitar Elite Wireless SE Review: Unleash MMO Gaming Superiority!
- Razer DeathAdder V4 Pro Review: Is It The Best Mouse Ever?
Maya Singh is a senior editor covering tablets and hybrid devices. Her work explores how these tools reshape digital productivity and learning. She also contributes to feature editorials on emerging tech.