Das Keyboard 4 Professional

[VSG]

Das Keyboard is a company synonymous with high build quality and clean aesthetics when it comes to keyboards for the professional typist. This flagship product features dedicated media buttons, their trademark volume wheel, genuine Cherry MX switches, and even an integrated ruler.

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[Ferrum Master]

Das teuer

 

[VSG]

Das teuer

They did send the better bang for buck Prime 13 as well, which to be honest has the same build quality as this but at a lower cost. No dedicated media buttons, and no USB hub though (but there is a pass-through).

 

[Ferrum Master]

They did send the better bang for buck Prime 13 as well, which to be honest has the same build quality as this but at a lower cost. No dedicated media buttons, and no USB hub though (but there is a pass-through).

I am really addicted to media keys, my current one doesn't have them too, but I remap page up and page down for that... also comma to point in numpad. I really don't know how to edit a keyboard layout in Windows, setting up regional settings and separators does not affect the keyboard, it is the damn comma still there.

I am actually really waiting more mechanical keyboards with silent switches. The exclusive supply deal is off already. Design is always fine with these... but the price...

 

[VSG]

I am really addicted to media keys, my current one doesn't have them too, but I remap page up and page down for that... also comma to point in numpad. I really don't know how to edit a keyboard layout in Windows, setting up regional settings and separators does not affect the keyboard, it is the damn comma still there.

I am actually really waiting more mechanical keyboards with silent switches. The exclusive supply deal is off already. Design is always fine with these... but the price...

For what you are describing, the Corsair Strafe (non RGB) with Cherry MX Silent switches might work best. It has red back lighting, less expensive than RGB keyboards, goes on sale regularly in most parts of the world now and has their software driver support where you can re-assign keys and even change the language input.

 

[Mescalamba]

Hm, actually I wondered about this keyboard for some time. Then did some mandatory reading (a lot of it involved not so glamorous reliability) and ofc it lacks any proper Cherry MX. Im sorry but Browns or Blues are more for typing. Either Red or Black are gaming choice (at least for me).

Then I said to myself fk that, try something new and now I have Topre in my keyboard (CM Novatouch TKL). Unfortunately now out of production. Im guessing next one will be some stuff from over the pond, well I hope this keyboard lasts.. And yea, its bloody good (being TKL makes it bit less good if you wonder).

 

[VSG]

Hm, actually I wondered about this keyboard for some time. Then did some mandatory reading (a lot of it involved not so glamorous reliability) and ofc it lacks any proper Cherry MX. Im sorry but Browns or Blues are more for typing. Either Red or Black are gaming choice (at least for me).

Then I said to myself fk that, try something new and now I have Topre in my keyboard (CM Novatouch TKL). Unfortunately now out of production. Im guessing next one will be some stuff from over the pond, well I hope this keyboard lasts.. And yea, its bloody good (being TKL makes it bit less good if you wonder).

I have a Novatouch TKL, it's a really good keyboard. Not one I would personally use for gaming myself, but if it works for you then why not?

 

[hapkiman]

DAS is great and I love that keyboard, just wish it had backlighting.

 

[VSG]

DAS is great and I love that keyboard, just wish it had backlighting.

Agreed, and I think Das knows this as well. Their newer Prime 13 has white LED backlighting which is perfect for me and I suspect I am not alone in this regard.

 

[AhokZYashA]

there is something with das blue switchs,
it feels and sounds crispier than other manufacturers blue switches,

thats why i love it

 

[Vlada011]

When I searched for mechanical keyboard I looked for backlight.
Now I see it's not necessary. I enable very rear.
Das keyboards are great, really nice. But I would go on something little different.
Filco Convertible 2 Bluetooth/USB keyboard keys replaced with DS PBT keycaps set or Filco DS ABS keyset.

 

[malantheon]

Great and most detailed review that I have seen. I have Das Keyboard Ultimate with Brown Cherry MX. I actually wanted Blue switches initially but found this keyboard at incredible second-hand sale, since the Ultimates are hard to re-sell thanks to their queerness. I am quite happy with the brown switches - it was a decision that someone else made for me, but I am happy with it.

There are minor quirks with this keyboard, of course having the ultimate kind I am not going to complain about backlighting or the laser etching wearing off :-D. But even on the black keys the quickly developing shine is annoying not only to look at, but also to touch. And Das Keyboard is not offering any keycaps replacements. Their support is quick but they just said sorry, we do not offer replacement keycaps. They did not even suggest any fitting aftermarket solution, so if somebody is able to point me in the right direction I would be very thankful.

Another interaction with DasKeyboard support was also swift, they really do reply quickly, but it was another "no". The LED indicator lights are designer's dream, blue, small apertures, however they are super intense. If you approach your computer in a dark room, before you sit behind the desk the num lock light will perform a minor laser eye surgery on your retina. So with all those microcontrollers and chips inside I was kind of hoping there will be another way how to dim those lights rather than sticky-tape over them. Nope, there isn't.

USB3 Hub is fast-enough but it has a nasty habit of blue-screening my Windows if certain devices are plugged in (which behave normally in a standard USB 3 hub). Charging your smartphone over this hub, however comfortable, is not a good idea as it will take forever and then some. So it is good for some occasional USB stick job, it has my mouse receiver and it can charge my wireless mouse. A bit over engineered and overpriced solution that does not live up its potential. It handles very well task for which USB 2 would be more than enough.

Despite the shortcomings, I am very happy with Das Keyboard. I love the metal top, the weight, the sound, angle, full roll-over, there's just still a lot to love!

 

[VSG]

Yeah, the USB hub is not powered separately as mentioned in the review. So it's best to not use multiple for charging devices.

 

[Farmer Boe]

I've been using the old version of this keyboard for many years and it's one of my favorites because of the solid build quality. I'd love to pickup the new version but I already have too many keyboards lol

 

[VSG]

I've been using the old version of this keyboard for many years and it's one of my favorites because of the solid build quality. I'd love to pickup the new version but I already have too many keyboards lol

You should see my shelf of keyboards. It's gotten to the point where I am gifting some to my friends and considering selling some others.

 

[malantheon]

Yeah, the USB hub is not powered separately as mentioned in the review. So it's best to not use multiple for charging devices.

Sure, it would be quite a pain to have a keyboard that requires power plug in order to work. Unpowered USB does not bother me, I was just thinking that USB3 has enough power to charge at least one device. But that can be also related to my ancient motherboard and the fact that I have to use PCI USB3 card to get USB3 functionality in my system. Superbright LEDs and keycaps shine are the real downsides.

Any good advice on replacement keycaps for Das Keyboard?

Thanks!

 

[VSG]

Sure, it would be quite a pain to have a keyboard that requires power plug in order to work. Unpowered USB does not bother me, I was just thinking that USB3 has enough power to charge at least one device. But that can be also related to my ancient motherboard and the fact that I have to use PCI USB3 card to get USB3 functionality in my system. Superbright LEDs and keycaps shine are the real downsides.

Any good advice on replacement keycaps for Das Keyboard?

Thanks!

Given the standard bottom row and no backlighting, just about any replacement set will work. Since this has an aluminum frame and plate where pinging sounds can occur, what about some thick PBT keycaps? Look at Mechanicalkeyboards.com for some decent priced options options.

 

[Vlada011]

I would use Filco Convertible 2 with two sets of keycaps DS PBT Black and White.
These type...

https://mechanicalkeyboards.com/shop/index.php?l=product_detail&p=1946

or this model, same DS PBT Grey Top Printed

https://mechanicalkeyboards.com/shop/index.php?l=product_detail&p=1805

Such stuff are so more important for me than RGB lightshow mod. I could look hours in nice keycaps set and combine, from other side I have no patient to look 1min in LED light. I have one White LED for really dark environment, and I enable sometimes mode only key I press shine and turn off easy after 1 seconds. That's all light I need.
But because of that typing if perfection.

This is my first and only one mechanical keyboard...
Quality is obvious on first look, you immediately recognize quality of build and structure.
It's small but heavy, inside is some heavy metal plate and with PBT keycaps improve typing feeling so much because you have impression that keys are on stone table not on keyboard.
I paid 190$ to arrive from USA, because I need that US Layout and only he have this type of fonts and PBT keycaps. But OK, on some places as Performance PC she cost 170$ and I paid 140$ and rest is for fast shipping.

 

[W1zzard]

I bought the Das Keyboard 4 Root today and noticed that after resuming from standby/sleep, the keyboard would have one or multiple keys stuck, for example it kept sending "u" characters to Windows. The only way to fix was disconnect and reconnect the keyboard.

I reached out to support and got a link to firmware update within a few minutes, which solved the problem.