Razer Monitor Stand Chroma review: Unexpected portability

by

Over time, Razer has broadened its scope from primarily catering to personal computer use at home to encompassing a typical home office setup. The company has ventured into a wider range of accessories throughout the years, and its newest addition aims to enhance PC usage in a slightly more practical way. Introducing the Razer Monitor Stand Chroma – designed not only to optimize workspace but also to add a touch of style with its vibrant aesthetics. Although it seems geared towards users with relatively modern PC configurations, it boasts a greater degree of versatility than meets the eye.

This Razer Monitor Stand Chroma is a 19.7-inch long aluminum base designed to support most standard monitors, with a maximum weight capacity of 44 pounds. It boasts rubber pads on the underside for stability, and its sleek black finish complements various workspaces. Beyond just holding your monitor, it doubles as an organizer, providing room beneath for items like a keyboard or office supplies. In essence, it’s robust, functional, and versatile.

Considering the Monitor Stand Chroma’s price point, which we’ll discuss further, users might find it useful for more functions than just organizing items. The standout feature of this product is the extra four ports it provides for a typical PC. These include two additional USB 3.2 Type A connectors and a USB 3.2 Type C connector, which I appreciate because they are positioned conveniently, sparing me from reaching to the back of my device to plug anything in. There’s also an RGB button on this Razer product, given its compatibility with the brand’s Chroma RGB illumination technology. This button can be used to switch between lighting patterns, although the simplest way to customize the RGB settings according to one’s preference is through the Razer Synapse application. While Razer’s software can sometimes be tricky, I found this particular interface quite straightforward compared to other Razer products.

Instead of discussing the performance of the Razer Monitor Stand Chroma on my device, I have to mention that it didn’t work for me due to its specific connectivity requirements. The stand requires a passthrough connection, and an HDMI cord (not included) must be inserted through the monitor into the stand’s back port, while a USB-C cable provided with the stand should be connected from the stand’s back to the PC. However, this setup presents a couple of challenges: users relying on alternate display methods like DVI or VGA won’t be able to utilize the stand, as it only supports HDMI. Additionally, I encountered an issue because my PC doesn’t have a USB-C port other than the one located at the front. Although this issue may not affect many users, it is worth noting that this limitation exists.

Surprisingly enough, I didn’t find the rest of this review pointless at all! In fact, I discovered an unexpected use for the Razer Monitor Stand Chroma – it doubles up as a stand for my laptop!

Instead of using the PC test that didn’t work, I opted for my personal Razer Blade 15 laptop, which dates back to 2019. It comes equipped with an HDMI port and USB-C connector. Adhering to the same setup instructions as for the PC, I connected the necessary cables, delighted to find that the Razer Monitor Stand Chroma’s features functioned flawlessly in this laptop configuration. Although I couldn’t establish it as a secondary screen for my PC workstation, I was able to position it on a standing desk with my laptop resting comfortably atop it. From there, I customized the RGB Chroma lighting pattern to my preference and appreciated the added convenience of additional ports. While it might not be feasible to travel with this setup, it’s reassuring to know that I have the option whenever a road trip is planned.

The Razer Monitor Stand Chroma is typically used to support a PC, but in my personal use, it functions best as an accessory for my laptop, providing convenient additional ports. Setting it up was straightforward and I managed to get it operational within minutes. Although it’s a useful tool, like many Razer products, it leans towards luxury items. It is priced at $199.99 USD, which is significantly higher than standard monitor stands available from stores such as Staples or IKEA that sell for approximately a quarter of the price. Whether this higher cost is justified depends on how valuable those extra ports are to you; personally, I find them worth a few extra dollars. However, the average user’s experience may differ, and the limitations in its setup might be deal-breakers for some. For its first product in this category, Razer deserves an “A” for effort, as it stands out from other monitor stands due to its sleek design.

The following review is written after receiving a review sample directly from the manufacturer. As of now, you can purchase the Razer Monitor Stand Chroma for $199.99 USD from the Razer website, RazerStore outlets, or authorized retail partners.

Read More

2025-01-22 19:27