OpenRazer 3.2.0 brings more device support for Razer fans on Linux

The support of gamingperipherals is clearly something where linux as a desktop OS needs to improve. For someone switching over from Windows it is just not acceptable that changing the OS leaves most if not all the equipment you own nonfunctional.

However choosing one of the supported razer devices for linuxgaming is actually a good choise. Thanks to openrazer and the polychromatic frontend i have my gear running well on my system. While not all features of my devices are supported like they would be on Windows it is good enough for my needs.

I hope that openrazer will be mainlined into the linuxkernel one day. It might also be a good idea to develope only one GUI frontend for it. While i am generally for individual solutions i don't like the useless fragmentation happening in many areas of opensource developement.


Last edited by ripper81358 on 13 December 2021 at 11:52 am UTC

The support of gamingperipherals is clearly something where linux as a desktop OS needs to improve. For someone switching over from Windows it is just not acceptable that changing the OS leaves most if not all the equipment you own nonfunctional.

However choosing one of the supported razer devices for linuxgaming is actually a good choise. Thanks to openrazer and the polychromatic frontend i have my gear running well on my system. While not all features of my devices are supported like they would be on Windows it is good enough for my needs.

I hope that openrazer will be mainlined into the linuxkernel one day. It might also be a good idea to develope only one GUI frontend for it. While i am generally for individual solutions i don't like the useless fragmentation happening in many areas of opensource developement.

Most of that is because things people class as "gaming peripherals" are.. plain shit with 3 extra buttons and a few lights. Take razer for example, it doesn't just not work on linux, under windows there are also often problems because they always try to do stuff differently. And I'm not just talking I walk right you left differently. Bad solutions for bad problems, it's exactly why I very much doubt this would ever become part of the kernel, granted it is technically possible that openrazer is properly made.

Back when I still worked in a store that sold razer as "the gaming brand" it had absolutely mind boggling return rates. Granted it wasn't "trust/sweex/canyon etc" levels of bad.

Razer products are trash. I suppose it's nice that someone is going to the effort to try and support them in Linux, but why bother for such low quality peripherals when there are much better options that "just work" out of the box?

Razer products are trash. I suppose it's nice that someone is going to the effort to try and support them in Linux, but why bother for such low quality peripherals when there are much better options that "just work" out of the box?

I am looking for a wireless mouse, any recommendations?

I'm using LogiTech with piper. So far so good.
https://github.com/libratbag/piper

Razer products are trash. I suppose it's nice that someone is going to the effort to try and support them in Linux, but why bother for such low quality peripherals when there are much better options that "just work" out of the box?

Sorry but i don't know any gaming hardware vendor that has official linux support for their products. So razer hardware + openrazer is a good solution in my opinion. I could buy from other vendors but it is very hard to find information on which hardware is supported. Most devices won't work aside from the standard function.

With openrazer you can look for compatible razer devices, buy the device and you have a working solution. It might not be perfect but it is better than the support offered for other brands. I have one configuration frontend (polychromatic) with all my devices in place, and i can configure them according to my needs.

Razer products are trash. I suppose it's nice that someone is going to the effort to try and support them in Linux, but why bother for such low quality peripherals when there are much better options that "just work" out of the box?

I am looking for a wireless mouse, any recommendations?

For a wireless mouse with official Linux support I recommend Ninjutso Origin One X (driverless, DPI is configured with a button and battery indicated with a LED).

I can't think of any other wireless gaming mouse that works fully out of the box without needing some third-party software on Linux. When it comes to wired mice there are much more options available.

Never heard of that company before. Why should it be better than any Razer or Logitech product?

Never heard of that company before. Why should it be better than any Razer or Logitech product?

Yea it is a small brand, from a software/compatibility point of view better because all functionality works out of the box. Unlike with Razer and Logitech products where you have to install third-party software to change settings.

But if only taking the hardware into consideration that is subjective and up for debate. There is no mouse that universally is perfect for everyone, shape, size, weight, tactile feel is all a matter of taste. Personally I don't like Razer because of past experiences with their products breaking, but maybe they have changed or I just had bad luck.


Last edited by awesam on 13 December 2021 at 10:43 pm UTC

Never heard of that company before. Why should it be better than any Razer or Logitech product?

'cause it's made by ninjas, obviously.

I'm using LogiTech with piper. So far so good.
https://github.com/libratbag/piper

Thank you so much for posting this. I can finally use all the features of my Logitech gaming mouse.

Razer products are trash. I suppose it's nice that someone is going to the effort to try and support them in Linux, but why bother for such low quality peripherals when there are much better options that "just work" out of the box?

Sorry but i don't know any gaming hardware vendor that has official linux support for their products.

What exactly qualifies as "gaming hardware"? I have a standard mouse and keyboard, both work out of the box without needing special software, and I am able to play games just fine.

But frankly, my main beef with Razer is that their products are third-rate at best despite carrying a first-rate price tag. In my experience (admittedly from many years ago), you're lucky if any Razer product lasts more than a year without developing a fault. Perhaps their quality has improved since I last used any of their products, but I doubt it when they do things like replace the rock solid and reliable Cherry MX switches in their mechanical keyboards with a cheap Chinese knockoff.


Last edited by Mountain Man on 14 December 2021 at 12:27 am UTC

What exactly qualifies as "gaming hardware"? I have a standard mouse and keyboard, both work out of the box without needing special software, and I am able to play games just fine.

I guess it is like walking shoes: sure, you can walk with any shoes, but these are made specifically for that purpose: comfortable, durable, etc.

Then, if you ask any vendor about gaming hardware, they will probably simple reply: "look, it has 16 millions configurable RGB colors !"

What exactly qualifies as "gaming hardware"? I have a standard mouse and keyboard, both work out of the box without needing special software, and I am able to play games just fine.

I guess it is like walking shoes: sure, you can walk with any shoes, but these are made specifically for that purpose: comfortable, durable, etc.

Then, if you ask any vendor about gaming hardware, they will probably simple reply: "look, it has 16 millions configurable RGB colors !"

A lot of what is passed off as "gaming hardware" is a solution in search of a problem. I've never found any of it to meaningfully improve my ability to play games.