Razer Attempts Mobile Gaming Domination with Joro Keyboard and Basilisk Mobile Mouse
Razer, a name synonymous with PC gaming peripherals and increasingly present in the console space, is making another push into the challenging realm of mobile gaming. While some of their controllers have garnered attention, the company has yet to achieve the same level of success in mobile as they have in other areas. Now, Razer is introducing the Joro keyboard and Basilisk Mobile mouse, hoping to finally establish a firm foothold in the mobile gaming market.
The author had the opportunity to spend some time with both the Joro and Basilisk Mobile before their official announcement, and shares some initial impressions and detailed specifications of each product.
Joro Keyboard: A Gamer-Focused Mobile Typing Solution
The Joro keyboard represents an entirely new product line for Razer, taking its name from a spider. At its core, the Joro is designed as a gamer-centric alternative to the Apple Magic Keyboard, offering a compact and lightweight design ideal for mobile use. Weighing in at just 374 grams (13.2 ounces), the Joro feels remarkably light in hand, making it easily portable.
Despite its lightweight construction, the Joro incorporates several features aimed at improving typing and gaming performance. It utilizes scissor switch keys, which, while not fully mechanical, offer a feel similar to a high-quality laptop keyboard. The keyboard also boasts an aluminum top plate, providing additional sturdiness and a premium feel.
The Joro features a 65% layout, a deliberate design choice by Razer. This layout includes full-sized arrow keys, avoiding the half-sized keys often found in smaller keyboards. While this design decision does slightly compress the right Shift key, the author found it tolerable, even as someone sensitive to this specific layout quirk. The typing experience on the Joro is surprisingly soft and quiet, making it suitable for use in various environments, including travel. The keys also offer a pleasant amount of springiness.
Beyond its typing capabilities, the Joro incorporates several gaming-specific features. It offers full N-key rollover, ensuring that all key presses are registered accurately, even when multiple keys are pressed simultaneously. Users can customize individual key functions through Razer Synapse software. The Joro also supports "Snap Tap," a software-based implementation of rapid trigger technology, allowing for faster and more responsive key actuation in games. Naturally, the keyboard also features per-key RGB lighting, allowing users to personalize the look of their device.
The Joro boasts impressive battery life, claiming up to 1800 hours in "power saving mode." However, the actual battery life will likely be significantly lower when using the RGB lighting. Charging is done via USB-C.
Despite its strengths, the Joro has a couple of drawbacks in its initial testing. The keyboard lacks adjustable feet, meaning users cannot adjust the typing angle. While this isn’t uncommon in this form factor, the author would have preferred to see this feature included, considering the Joro’s intended use as a gaming keyboard.
The Joro’s connectivity is another potential point of concern. Initially, the keyboard only supports Bluetooth connectivity. However, Razer plans to release an update later in the year that will enable the Joro to pair with Razer’s HyperSpeed USB dongles, in addition to other devices. Unfortunately, the HyperSpeed dongle is not included in the box.
This omission of a HyperSpeed dongle is particularly disappointing, given the Joro’s price point. The author would have preferred to see a USB-C wireless dongle included, allowing for a fast, gaming-grade wireless connection to Android phones or iPads.
The Joro keyboard is available for purchase on Razer.com for $139.99. This price point is significantly higher than competitors like the Apple Magic Keyboard ($99) or the Logitech MX Keys Mini ($100), but the Joro offers a more comprehensive feature set.
Basilisk Mobile: A Familiar Shape in a Smaller Package
The Basilisk Mobile mouse will likely be more familiar to fans of Razer’s mice. It utilizes the same slanted Basilisk shape but has been significantly reduced in size, measuring just 4.4 inches (115.5mm) long and weighing 76 grams.
The smaller design necessitated some changes to the button layout. The prominent thumb "sniper" button found on larger Basilisk mice has been replaced with a more conventional row of three buttons. The existing switch button located just above the scroll wheel remains.
The scroll wheel offers both standard "clicky" mode and a free-spinning ball bearing mode. It also supports left and right rocking, which the author found to be very stiff. The author’s preference for larger, heavier mice influences their opinion of the scroll wheel’s feel, highlighting the subjective nature of this aspect.
Objectively, the Basilisk Mobile features an 18,000 DPI laser sensor, 350 IPS, and a 1000Hz polling rate, ensuring precise and responsive tracking. The mouse also has large PTFE feet on the bottom, covering roughly half of its total footprint, presumably to provide smooth gliding even on unconventional surfaces like jeans.
The Basilisk Mobile offers both Bluetooth and HyperSpeed wireless connectivity. Unlike the Joro keyboard, the Basilisk Mobile includes a HyperSpeed dongle in the box, which can be stored in a dedicated cubby on the bottom of the mouse. Razer claims the Basilisk Mobile can last up to 105 hours in HyperSpeed mode and 180 hours in Bluetooth mode. However, battery life will decrease when using the lighting on the logo. The lighting is relatively restrained compared to other Razer products, only illuminating the logo area.
The Basilisk Mobile is available for purchase for $89.99. While still relatively pricey for a mobile mouse, the inclusion of the HyperSpeed dongle makes it a more palatable option than the Joro keyboard.
Conclusion: Razer’s Mobile Gaming Ambitions
With the Joro keyboard and Basilisk Mobile mouse, Razer is aiming to capture a larger share of the mobile gaming market. The Joro offers a compact and feature-rich keyboard for mobile gamers, while the Basilisk Mobile provides a familiar and capable mouse in a smaller form factor. However, both products come with a relatively high price tag, which may deter some potential customers. Whether these new offerings will finally allow Razer to establish a strong presence in mobile gaming remains to be seen.
