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).
6. The eject key is close to backspace and del keys. A slip and the disc drive is ejecting. This has occurred twice. Suggest positioning the this key in the audio-visual area.
7. Of anyone finds a use of fn - for any purpose, or if it has any effect - a few of us would like to know.
FINAL WORD
This is a quality product. The money I paid is apparent in the product. This is priced as a luxury, premium product and seems to be just that. Das has gone through earlier editions and they've learned things that have been incorporated. I believe I won't look for a new keyboard for a while, probably until this one fails or Apple makes this not work with new products. Shipping with Greetech switches for a product line known for using Cherry switches may make a difference for current Das users.
If I have updates I will add to this review.
| Brand | Das Keyboard |
|---|---|
| Series | 4 Professional Cherry MX Brown |
| Item model number | DASK4MKPROSIL |
| Hardware Platform | PC, Linux, Chrome |
| Operating System | Linux |
| Item Weight | 2.87 pounds |
| Product Dimensions | 18 x 6.8 x 1.3 inches |
| Item Dimensions LxWxH | 18 x 6.8 x 1.3 inches |
| Color | Soft Tactile - Cherry MX Brown Switches |
| Manufacturer | Das Keyboard |
| ASIN | B00JG01QTY |
| Is Discontinued By Manufacturer | No |
| Date First Available | April 22, 2014 |
