Introduction

Contrary to what many may believe, Das Keyboard is not a Germany-based company. It is, in fact, a company founded in 2005 in Austin, Texas, USA, by two Europeans- a Frenchman named Daniel Guermeur and a German named Birgit Schroeder who were simply not satisfied with the state of keyboards at the time. Fast forward over a decade later, and Das Keyboard is one of the more recognizable names when it comes to mechanical keyboards for typing. They have since launched a gaming line to cater to the booming gaming keyboard market, but today, we take a look at their flagship Das Keyboard 4 Professional. Thanks must be given to Das Keyboard for providing the review sample.


In the same family as their Das Keyboard 4 Ultimate, which differs in that it comes with blank keycaps, the Das Keyboard 4 Professional is a full-size, 104-key keyboard that comes with support for PC and MacOS (separately). There is also an option to get this in a 105-key UK, NO, or DE layout. As such, this review would be a good place to start if you are interested in those keyboards as well. At the heart of the Das Keyboard 4 Professional is a subdued aesthetic with dedicated media buttons - their volume knob in particular has been the source of inspiration for a lot of keyboards since. So let us begin with a look at the specifications below.

Specifications

Packaging and Accessories

Given that Das Keyboard operates a webshop, we will begin with a look at the shipping packaging. The Das Keyboard 4 Professional was shipped along with another keyboard, and in a good-sized box with lots of bubble wrap around, which makes for a great start so far as it ensures the end user receives it in perfect condition.


The product packaging is fairly clean, with a brown and white color scheme. On the front is nothing but an off-angled illustration of the keyboard, whereas brand identification, specifications, and marketing features are left to the back and sides. There is a single flap that helps keep the contents inside in check.


Open the box and you are greeted to two compartments, the keyboard in the bottom and a foot bar at the top. What is a foot bar, you ask? Why, it is what becomes the keyboard's foot in lieu of the raised feet on most keyboards. In a somewhat ironic manner, Das Keyboard uses 1337 speech to call it the foot bar ruler, which I felt goes against the whole professional look and brand, but Das Keyboard told me that their intent was to introduce some geek love to the product. Nothing wrong with that considering it is just part of the packaging. The foot bar is indeed a ruler with metric and imperial measurements etched into one side and two magnets on the other. It is red in color, although its color will not be visible when in use as a foot bar. There is also a note under the keyboard that describes how to activate or deactivate NKRO, as well as the need to use a USB 3.0 port in order to access the built-in USB hub.