New Das Keyboard 4 Amps Up the Volume, Drowns Out the Competition

[btarunr]

Das Keyboard, maker of award winning mechanical keyboards, today announced the Das Keyboard 4, the most forward-thinking mechanical keyboard in the world. With amazing new features, Das Keyboard 4 is the most significant keyboard update since the original Das Keyboard, redefining the best typing experience available on the market.

"Das Keyboard 4 is an order-of-magnitude improvement over past generation Das Keyboards," said Daniel Guermeur, creator of the Das Keyboard and CEO of Metadot. "Programmers, Internet surfers, freelancers and others who work eight to 12 hours a day at their computers know their keyboard is the tool they touch the most, making it the most important tool in their lives. One might as well use the keyboard that provides the best efficiency and enjoyment."



Das Keyboard 4 includes:

• A no-compromise typing experience - every aspect of this keyboard is best in class, from a refined vibration-less enclosure, hex screws, cutting edge look, and an over-sized HiFi-inspired volume knob.
• A new anodized aluminum top panel for improved durability.
• German-engineered, gold-plated mechanical switches that create the distinct click of each keystroke and provide better tactile and audible feedback than standard keyboards.
• SuperSpeed USB 3.0 hub provides a two-port 5Gb/s hub for faster high-resolution picture and video file transfers between USB devices.
• N-key rollover (NKRO) over USB for faster gaming, eliminating the need for a PS2 adapter, often required of older keyboards.
• Over-sized volume knob and dedicated media controls to quickly adjust volume while on a Skype call, in a Google hangout or streaming online music.
• Instant sleep button puts the connected computer into sleep mode, saving energy even when taking short breaks.
• A magnetic footbar to incline the keyboard at a perfect 4-degree angle, which can also double as a ruler, instead of the traditional flip-out feet.
• Extra long 6.6-foot long cable to extend nearly anywhere the user wants to operate.

"Typing on a Das Keyboard is euphoric and enables users to type faster. People can't stop typing because it feels too good. We continue to listen to our customers who tell us they want every detail of their keyboard to be perfect, from the way it looks, to the way it clicks. Das Keyboard 4 has been designed for these people. We took it up a notch and made Das Keyboard 4 the best feeling, most advanced keyboard in the world," Guermeur said.

Pricing and Availability
Das Keyboard 4 is available in the Professional version, which provides traditional QWERTY labeled keys, as well as the Ultimate version, a completely blank keyboard for bad-ass typists and gaming enthusiasts in search of a more euphoric typing experience. Both come in either the Cherry MX Blue switches with a clicky, tactile feel, or the Cherry MX Brown switches for a more subtle and lighter typing experience.

Das Keyboard 4 Professional and Ultimate with Cherry MX Blue and MX Brown switches are available in the United States, for a suggested retail price of $169 with the Cherry MX Blue switch, and $173 with the Cherry MX Brown switch. It is also available in the German, UK and Nordic layout, for a suggested retail price of €169 with the Cherry MX Blue switch, and €173 with the Cherry MX Brown switch.

View at TechPowerUp Main Site

 

[Phobia9651]

How did they manage to forget about the wrist-rest and key-backlighting
Especially for a keyboard this expensive..

 

[Hilux SSRG]

How did they manage to forget about the wrist-rest and key-backlighting
Especially for a keyboard this expensive..

R&D was spent on a "ruler."

Looks like the quality is about the same as previous generation. The large volume wheel is a plus but ultimately the pricing is $60 too much for this.

 

[BiggieShady]

Forget about throwing your keyboard to the wall in a heat of passion, now you can detach a ruler and beat your keyboard with it

 

[erixx]

Why always assuming what we are supposed to do: "Skype call, in a Google hangout or streaming online music". Yeah, just "calling, chatting or listening to music" is not enough to justify marketing department salaries....

 

[xvi]

Well, I was interested until I saw the price. It's somewhat good looking, but for the price, I'd at least expect backlighting.

 

[librin.so.1]

1. Well, since the primary focus is on the Ultimate version, which has blank keys, key backlight makes no sense – there's nothing to backlight.
2. The Professional version is "we printed 'dem lettahs and shit on the keys for you sissies who aren't man enough to handle the Ultimate version.". And since that means it's just a sissy-centered version of the Ultimate version, see #1

 

[lanceknightnight]

For those who want a back light look elsewhere. I have the old unlabeled keyboard and can say it is amazing. The clicking id fun and responsive. But this company started as a solid black keyboard thus LEDs are not part of the projected movement of the company. They have rather moved to using gold in the switches which helps combat corrosion. This makes the longest lasting switches last longer. Just so you know you would probably die before you would wear out a button now you can have your kids get the board and it will still work. The inclusion of metal parts will make this board very stiff and heavy and that is nice given how so many other boards flex and move about. The inclusion of physical volume knob is also nice as I use razor keyboards as well and they include a daughter board that gets loose and the volume control ceases to work. But I do enjoy the Razor as it is back light but a totally different design premise. one is for typing books the other is for typing in games when the lights are out and your hand is on a mouse. If you want a professional or work board go with this company, if you want a gaming and fun board look at one made for that premise. You will be happier if you decide if this keyboard is for you as it is marketed to a specific group which will love a 200 dollar board.





My hint to see if this company is right for you ask if you like or need:
Clicking- like an office in the 80s so you may need to be alone in your office.
endurance- you should have destroyed a few keyboards and had letters stop working
heavy duty- if you did not notice my comment about the keyboard bend and moving about your table you may need to reconsider.
Money- board can be purchased for less then 15 dollars anything over this is extra.
USB3- you need these for this board
volume knob- this is cool. computers use to have these and you miss them.
nerd cred- Yea, this has that.
you like spring resistance- Your fingers bounce on the keys, most boards they stop when you hit the switch part these the switch is half through the movement
finger/joint pain- above states why you will have less finger stress. Carpel tunnel will make you want one.

 

[sc]

What's the point in having backlight for a keyboard with blank keycaps?

 

[librin.so.1]

What's the point in having backlight for a keyboard with blank keycaps?

Exactly my point, lol


Also, I like they have a USB 3.0 hub now. As its spec allows more power draw. So I could now plug in two full power USB 2.0 devices without worry. Like, the keyboard to itsef (lol) and a mouse. then use the HUB connection to a computer with a single available USB slot (mostly affect tablets and laptops). While currently, if I use my regular mouse (Razer Naga Epic, which draws relatively a lot of power), stuff starts to act flaky.