Das Keyboard 4 Professional for Mac Wired Mechanical Keyboard, Cherry MX Blue Mechanical Switches, 2-Port USB 3.0 Hub, Volume Knob, Aluminum Top (104 Keys, Black)

Initial impression, The keyboard is what I hoped for. It's a good typing keyboard. WHY I BOUGHT DAS KB A guy in an Apple Store indicated Das is what he uses, that may match what I described, to upgrade from the wireless Apple Keyboard. First time I heard of the brand. I went to a local electronics store to try different Cherry MX switches (on game-oriented mechanical keyboards) and decided I wanted brown switches. Not a gamer but their market uses this brand of switches, so it was an easy way to try-before-buy ... at least this aspect. (If this option is not available locally, enter " Cherry MX Switch Tester" as Amazon search and you can consider one of those switch type testers. Das currently offers blue or brown. Other vendors offer other colors/types of switches). Researched online reviews for impressions, build quality, and touch typist evaluations ... the PC version. (Search "Das Keyboard 4" on YouTube, to find some recorded reviews). After the research I decided to invest in this specific keyboard. Note: This keyboard does not use Cherry switches. They feel similar. The browns for this are a bit harder (the resistance increases by 100% instead of 33%) but seem very similar as the ones I tried. This change is a bit controversial in the Das community. Followup 1: Visited store where I first tried Cherry MX switches, after buying and using this DAS keyboard. Did some typing with Cherry MX Browns, to get a better comparison (closer in time). Including the Logitech G710+ model with Cherry MX Browns. The softer initial force of Cherry MX (vs the Greetech brand used in this DAS product) lowers the momentum because less force increase to peak ... seem less likely to bounce at the bottom. For me. Cherry switch would be less of a learning curve (sorry for bad pun). Does not mean I will not get there with Greetech. Generally, Das shouldn't have made this change to tactile force/distance and switch maker without more notice, and perhaps should not have done this at all given existing user expectations. But I'm new and will keep refining (restoring) my typing. Web page that defines terms: http://deskthority.net/wiki/Force DAS SITE I strongly recommend visiting the Das site for more info on these keyboards, including the specs on Greetech Blue vs Brown switches (force vs. distance, and the "trip" points): http://www.daskeyboard.com/daskeyboard-4-professional-for-mac/ ORDER TO KB ON DESK A pre-order. 4 week wait. Was to arrive before Saturday ... arrived the Wednesday before ... so on time. Large box with packing pillow taking more volume that the product box. Generally good packing inside product box. Two parts: keyboard with USB 3.0 cable attached, and the tilt bar (that is also a ruler I never expect to use for measuring). Attach bar to keyboard - magnet - and plug cable into USB port. KEY FEEL The feel is old-school keyboards from decades ago, but better and more refined. Soft, and then resistance. Push through resistance and see letter appear, can immediately release and then press again. It is a little bit "clicky" to start. With practice and learning the feel (I think it will take me a 10hr of typing to get fully in the groove), the clicks become less pronounced. I tried with full focus on just this and it can be done. If press beyond the resistance the key can bounce at bottom ... lighter touch, less click noise, just the switch and not the bottom bounce. (Can check out another solution: enter "Cherry MX Switch O-Ring" to search for a way to soften the bottom part of pressing a key. I might try this if needed. These switches are shaped similar to Cherry switches so the o-rings should be similar). Also, there is a slight wobble to the keys. This helps me, and probably some other touch typists. When moving quickly it is good to know if on a key or between keys. A little extra feedback. If between keys the wobble is generally on one side of the finger (keys are independent). If on a key the wobble matches on both sides of a finger (key is solid so whole thing moves). Will generally know a fraction before really pressing. ALL BUT THE KEY FEEL The product is solid. The aluminum top plate looks and feels very nice. Honestly a textured plastic could look similar, but for me the feel is a bit better than plastics. The volume knob feels like something a good stereo would have, including the tactile steps ... each step corresponds to a bar on the on-screen volume visual feedback. The board has weight (~3 lbs) and a steady grip on the desk. The USB cable is permanently attached to the keyboard, it's thick (more than other USB 3.0 cables, but it's OK for me), and the join with the keyboard has firm support to minimize bending at the join. I plugged the cable into a *powered* USB 3.0 hub which connects to the Mac. After recognizing the keyboard (very simple per most OS X configuration sequences) it worked. No driver, no restart/reboot, no switches, no actions relative to the Apple keyboard being replaced ... nothing more. ADVICE (slight CONS): 1. Move the sleep button away from the keys and other buttons. Maybe on the front side next to the cable. Avoid accidental presses. The length of time pressing the key helps (bounce press has done nothing; I need to press and hold to put equipment to sleep). Better to not associate sleep control with audio-visual control. 2. USB ports (any electrical ports) usually ship with a plastic film cover that can be peeled off ... suggest doing this. And a plastic cap for male end of cable. 3. Sometimes ergonomic situation should tilt keyboard forward. Would be a good option to connect tilt bar on lower part, and work through design for front so it is firm on the surface (away from typing, where the cable is attached): rubber feet, allowing for the cable support and the extended edge (housing the USB ports available on the keyboard). 4. The volume knob should be solid metal with same color, texture, and reflectivity as the board. Followup 2: The brightness keys do work on the iMac display. The keys do nothing for attached, external displays (not supposed to).

A lot like your old IBM keyboard but with out the heavy, lag in the keys. We'll get to that in a second. I'm not a huge fan of the Chichlet pad type keyboards you see on just about everything these days, but because I've been typing for some 40 or so years, I can type on anything but prefer a more original type keyboard. I even have my original Olympia manual I learned on in school. The very same model we had in class. Working in broadcasting and print, the IBM Selectric was the standard. If you were lucky, you had the "Correcting Selectric" version. The similar one they put in the IBM computer keyboard, yes I have one of those, too and, yes, it works on the Mac and the Windows computer. The original V.2 with PS 2 connector. So, having one of those old keyboard with quick action is really the best for me. Especially if you type as fast as I do and touch type at that. Enter the Das Keyboard. I've never used their keyboards in the past unlike many of you who have a better before and after feel. So, if you could take all the good features of a modern, light touch keyboard and incorporate the into a traditional design, add the media features and sleep button, you've got the best of both worlds if it's done right. When you watch the videos of the keyboard in action, you clearly hear the clicks but when using it live, it's not that bad. I put the old IBM up next to it and the IBM is much louder. The IBM is also a little slower but not by much. A good idea in design. The Das is lighter and faster yet has the traditional, classic if you like, feel to it. Spring sounds and all. Much like the IBM, the case it sits in is heavy but takes up a lot less real estate on your desk even though it is a bit bigger than the cheesy plastic keyboards you could throw across the room with your pinky. There is a rider device which attaches via a magnet to the front bottom but does not have rubber pads on it so the keyboard can slide if accidentally pushed a certain way. It doesn't push easily when typing so worrying about that seems to be unmerited. All the function keys work well and the keyboard has a quality feel to it. If you don't touch type, the long travel of the keys, that traditional feel we talked about, may take some adapting. It feels good, typing is as fast as any keyboard with a little more precision. I'm told the original ones made in Germany are better. I had no problems with this one so far. You won't likely either. Compared to the IBM, it is faster and has a lighter feel. Compared to the Apple 1016 we have, it's much faster. It has a good feel but is it worth the money? That could be a bone of contention. Update: Have had this for a while now and really love it. You can't believe how fast and light this keyboard is until you type on it. Again, you have to decide if the price is worth it but it is a well made, fantastic working keyboard and solid, not plasticy like many of the others. About the best you can get for your Mac or PC. Just loving it.

Love the clicky feedback.

La resouey de las teclas es muy buena. Todos los controles sirven sin problema, solo tuve que instalarme un software para volver a mappear las F keys. Algo caro por ser se Mac pero lo recomiendo

As a media professional, I have been using various keyboards for the past 25 years. These include cheap ones at office to membrane ones and even the famous "Cherry" TVS keyboard - which was quite good in my opinion. Windows based keyboards are available a dime a dozen and even a basic keyboard would do. But ever since I bought a Mac recently, I forgot the joys of typing and that's because the keyboard given by Apple (big misers) has many issues. First is the small size, then comes the soft touch which is non-tactile and finally the absence of the Delete button and half-size up/down cursor keys - all of which make the keyboard a delicate device more for show and design and meant only for occasional typing and certainly not for workhorse-like operation. After going through various websites and Amazon, I zeroed in on Azio Mk Mechanical Keyboard (white) which was costing me over Rs 11,000 when imported from the US. With much trepidation I placed the order only to wait for several days in vain. Finally the product didn't come and I got the full refund. It is then that I discovered Das Mechanical Keyboard and ordered for this and I am happy to say that I took the correct decision. (There were others too which got good reviews like Corsair, Steelseries, Aukey, Macally etc, but they were made either for gaming or were Windows-based). The Das keyboard not only has all the necessary Mac OS keys like Cmd, Option, Eject etc., but also has a delete button like a regular full-size keyboard (Apple should learn from them). The keys have a tactile feel and typing on this is a absolute joy. The keyboard itself is solidly built. On the right hand corner are media control buttons like fast forward, backward, skip back/ahead, play/pause and also a big rotary dial for controlling sound volume along with a separate mute button. However, the best thing I like is the one touch Sleep button which I use when taking a small break from work. Options like a detachable 16-inch ruler which sticks to the underside with magnets and 2 USB 3.0 ports for plugging in other devices are big value-adds to the keyboard. Overall I would say that even though the price is high (mainly due to steep import fees), this keyboard is the best keyboard I have used till date. Adios!!

I've been religiously using a Matias Tactile Pro for years. After a steady stream of quality control issues with Matias products, I decided to try something else. After doing much research, I kept reading about the DAS keyboards for Mac. Now I know why they have such a happy following. I received my DAS keyboard three days ago and I'm totally thrilled with it. Immediately I was typing much faster. I purchased the Cherry MX Blue switch. I was told that this switch is really loud. Compared to the Matias Tactile Pro keyboard, it's much quieter. The Matias keyboard allegedly comes with Alps switches but according to my research, they're using a copy of this switch. I could never get a keyboard from Matias that worked consistently well. Some keys would be crisp and some keys would be mush. No such issue with the DAS keyboard. EVERY single key feels the exact same. This provides for a smooth typing experience. What sets this keyboard apart from the other keyboards I've tried to use is the build quality. When you touch this keyboard, you immediately feel like you're touching outstanding quality. The keys are responsive and simply flow as you're typing. If you're looking for an elite level mechanical keyboard for Mac, look no further. I'm totally impressed with this product. Assuming all goes well, I'll be purchasing this keyboard for all of my team.

Producto: Das Teclado Profesional con Sonido, Soft Tactile - Cherry MX Brown Switch. Es el que trae keycaps para Mac. Pros: La manufactura se siente robusta. Trae una placa metálica en la parte superior y le da muy buena vista, muy buen peso. No se oye hueco al teclear (cherry mx brown), no tuve que ponerle o-rings, ni otra cosa en el interior. Las teclas están ok y ya (abs), habrá que ponerle otras de mejor calidad, lo compré en enero y las teclas más usadas ya están brillosas. Buen grabado en las teclas y la fuente es sobria, nada moderno o escandaloso. Los puertos usb 3.0 (dos) son super útiles. La perilla para subir el volumen, no sabía que necesitaba una en un teclado pero me encanta. Cons: Trae una regla en la parte de abajo que se pega con imanes y que se supone que le da inclinación al teclado, no inclina nada, tuve que ponerle unos soportes en la parte de abajo para darle la inclinación correcta (la que yo uso pues). El cable no se desconecta, y como es más grueso que uno normal (por los puertos usb) no se puede doblar o esconder y como que estorba y no se ve estético. Por el precio deberían tener más variedad de switches, el mío lo compré con cherry mx brown.