Having the right keyboard is a very important part of work efficiency and productivity. With a million models of keyboards on the market, finding the right one can be tricky. Until I typed on a Das Keyboard keyboard, I didn’t realize how satisfying hitting keys can be. With an incredibly satisfying “click” noise with every key tap, this keyboard is bound to make typing more accurate… and entertaining!
Before I get any further into this review, I need to make one thing clear. This is NOT a gaming keyboard. With no hot-keys or any other fancy features, this is strictly a typer’s keyboard. While I understand this keyboard was designed around typing, I still wish there were just a few simple one-touch hotkey shortcuts. For example, I didn’t realize how much I missed my one-touch Calculator button on my basic Gateway keyboard until I started typing on this Das Keyboard. Now I have to go to Start>All Programs> Accessories>Calculator when balancing my checkbook. Starting and stopping music requires the use of a mouse and having the program open instead of just tapping one button on the keyboard. Email, copying and pasting, increasing or decreasing volume all has to done with a mouse and/or keyboard to complete these simple tasks. Not having shortcut buttons is this keyboard biggest flaw.
Using a USB cable, this unit will need to be plugged directly into your PC…no wireless functionality here. Having the unit run off USB power also allows this keyboard to act as a USB hub. With an additional two USB 2.0 ports, users are free to dock their iPods or flash drives without rummaging at the back of their PCs. Wireless keyboard have been noted to create lag from time to time as well. I guess my only complaint would be is that I wish these extra USB ports were on the left side of the key board. Since I have my mouse directly next to my keyboard, my Flash Drive or iPod USB cable can get in the way of my mouse.
By far the biggest gimmick about this keyboard is the “click” factor. Every time a key is tapped, the keyboard will produce the most satisfying “click” sound any typist has ever heard. After using this keyboard for a few weeks now, this sound still has not grown old. In fact, I think I might be more addicted to it than ever. I find myself wanting to type as fast as I can just to hear that satisfying noise. This review is actually being typed with this keyboard…and I am trying to pump out this review as fast as possible, but not because this product sucks, but rather I want to impress myself with the “clicky” noise (so if you see typos, you know why). Until you hear and type on this unit, it might be a little hard to understand.
When I first plugged this keyboard into my PC, my web browser froze, and my Microsoft Word application didn’t recognize my key strokes. But after closing them down and reopening, I never had another problem with my system recognizing this keyboard. And users will be pleased to know that it will also work with the Wii, PS3, Mac, and Linux.
Das Keyboard offers two models of keyboard: the Professional and Ultimate. This review is of the Professional model but the Ultimate version is exactly the same as the Professional version with one major change; the entire keyboard is blank, aka – the letters, numbers, and symbols are not printed on the keyboard. This allows for typists to take their keyboarding skills to the next level.
Overall, this is a very satisfying unit. The “click” factor totally makes this keyboard stand out from the rest, but the lack of hotkey functionality makes this unit a little inconvenient. The USB hub functionality is a welcomed edition, but just keep in mind, this is not a gaming keyboard. With a steeper price point of $129.00, users should be aware that they are getting a typists keyboard, not a gaming keyboard. If you are looking for an easier time controlling your WoW or online FPS experience, you should probably look somewhere else. However, if you type a lot, like an editor for an online gaming website, then this keyboard can become your new best friend.
Negatives:
– Not wireless but has a long USB cord (over 6 feet)
– Lacks hotkey shortcut buttons
– Finger prints can smear
– Price point a little steep
Positives:
– Very solid and satisfying “clicky” sound with each key press
– Sleek looking blue lights
– Can press up to 12 keys at the same time
– Acts as a USB hub – 2 USB ports
– Windows, Linux, and Mac OS X
– Also works with Wii and PS3
– Plug and play
– Compatible with KVM switches
– Very responsive
Visit http://www.daskeyboard.com/ for more.