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Das Keyboard Releases Model S Professional for Mac

iSee said:
This is good news!

I have a Matias Tactile Pro 3 now but it's good to see what looks like another worthy mechanical-switch option.

I'd prefer a quiter keyboard, but you can't beat the feel of a high-quality mecanical-switch keyboard.
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Same, I've used the Matias for years and it looks like the price hasn't budged at all since I bought it. At least the Das version comes in at around $40 cheaper. I'd be all for the Das if I had to do it again. Otherwise, I couldn't be happier with my Matias.
 
rolfsf said:
I never understood the allure of the clicky keyboards - I just assumed it was for people who wanted to sound busier than they actually were.
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The "allure"? They've been around for a long time. I work at home like many people do, and there's no need for me to "sound busier". It's personal preference.
 
I never fully got used to the chiclet keyboards, and luckily my circa 2003 Apple click one is still going strong and has been my favorite out of all the keyboards I've used over the years. I even used it on a Windows PC for a few years. But when it dies, that Das Keyboard looks pretty sweet.
 
Don't just zero in on the Das Keyboard because it has the highest marketing budget. There is a whole tempting world of mechanical keyboards that you can dive into. For most people the most important part about the keyboard is the type of switch it uses and at its core, the Das Keyboard is basically a keyboard using a Cherry Blue or a Cherry Brown switch (depending on the model you choose).

The keyboard that Arn currently uses has many similarities with the Das keyboard, except that his Das is most likely a Cherry Blue, whereas he now uses a Cherry Brown switched board, which is quieter than the Blue variants. The blues have an audible "ping" (it's not really a CLICK in the Model-M sense of the word). The browns are supposed to be quiet and don't ping, but can still be very noisy depending on how they're mounted on the board and the person using it.

If you were a fan of the old Apple Extended Keyboard II, then you really should be trying out various mechanical keyboards. Those of you who scoff that anything could replace the Apple Extended Keyboard II in terms of quality are most likely inexperienced in the world of mechanical keyboards. Nobody makes an Apple Extended Keyboard II anymore, but there are many keyboards out there that are very similar, and in my opinion, there are some that are easily superior (Topre Realforce... tactile, quiet, and durable). The Matias Tactile Pro boards uses a clone that's a variant of the kind of ALPS switches used in the Apple Extended Keyboard II's. These are similar, but not the exact same kind of switch.

If you've tried one mechanical keyboard, you've tried only one. The rest are very different and if you're obsessed with owning a perfect keyboard because you type a lot (like I do), it can be a pretty expensive adventure and create interesting storage issues if you don't have a lot of extra space around the house.
 
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limited stock is gone :( Now you have to wait like 3 months for the keyboard. Think ill get the regular version and just map it for mac.
 
arn said:
for the record, I'm not using the Das anymore. After going through some keyboard addiction issues, I'm on the Filco Ninja Brown Tenkeyless

YouTube: video

key indicators are on the side:
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Looks like yours is missing the number pad AND the additional 4 function keys. Is the current Apple extended keyboard the only keyboard with a full key set? PCs don't have the additional 4 function keys either.
 
george-brooks said:
I don't know about you guys but I have tested myself on an old style clicky keyboard and the new style apple keyboards and I type much faster on the new style. It feels much more comfortable to me too. I can hardly type on old style keyboards anymore!!
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Same here. I need flat keys. I've been using flat keys for years (since the original Logitech DiNovo's had them) and sometimes at work an old style keyboard with raised keys pops up and I can barely type on it. My fingers have to move too much with the older style of keyboard.

And forget it if I have to use an old style type writer!
 
nagromme said:
Not a clicky fan either, but a gloss black keyboard would almost match an iMac better than Apple’s own.

(Why are Apple’s keyboard and mouse still white?? White is gone from the Mac line! I kind of like Apple’s white cables, but lose the white keys! Apple’s keyboards should all look share MacBook Pro/Air colors.)
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I don't know, for some reason I feel like black keys on a standalone keyboard would be harsh. I think the white is very subtle against the aluminum, and I will always love the white cables. They set Apple apart from everyone else's ugly black cables. I think the magic trackpad in aluminum looks gorgeous, maybe the magic mouse would look a little better in all aluminum
 
$133 for that UGLY thing? i'd rather buy a Apple wired or Wireless for far less looks a lot nicer, I'm a power typist too I touch type all of the time and the Apple keyboards have always been great for me :D this keyboard looks more like it should be bundled with a really low spec PC, its not the best looking piece of kit out their lol. If its anything like the older mechanical keyboards, then boy is it going to be loud
 
I'm quite happy with the new Apple Keyboards - I crank out about 1500 words a day on them. I couldn't go back to the old style Windows cheap keyboards - the keys feel like giant lumps of plastic by comparision.

I have in the garage an old IBM Model M keyboard - it's almost as old as I am, and is bigger and heavier than my MacBook. On the back it has no less than 5 signatures, from the different people who were involved in making / checking it. I can't bring myself to part with it.

(I used to have a second Model M, but this one only had 1 signature on the back, so I gave it away to make some space.)

I last tried using my Model M a few years ago, but I just don't have room on my desk, and reaching over to my mouse gave me RSI. Macbook keyboard, and Apple mini Bluetooth keyboard suit me fine as they are exactly the same in layout and size, so I can go from one to the other no problem.
 
macnerd93 said:
$133 for that UGLY thing? i'd rather buy a Apple wired or Wireless for far less looks a lot nicer, I'm a power typist too I touch type all of the time and the Apple keyboards have always been great for me :D this keyboard looks more like it should be bundled with a really low spec PC, its not the best looking piece of kit out their lol. If its anything like the older mechanical keyboards, then boy is it going to be loud
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It's interesting that your complaint seems to be all about appearance. Do construction-workers whine about the appearance of their power-tools?

While having a good-looking keyboard is of course a nice thing to have, the most important thing in a keyboard is the actual typing. And if you type a lot, then having a robust keyboard with good feel and good longevity is a definite plus.

Few years ago I still used IBM Model M that was manufactured in 1988 or so. It felt great and worked like a charm. Lost it in a move :(.
 
Evangelion said:
Few years ago I still used IBM Model M that was manufactured in 1988 or so. It felt great and worked like a charm. Lost it in a move :(.
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It's not hard to find refurbished ones or ones that were simply retired and are eating up space in someone else's garage waiting to get lost in their next move. I bought a box of 5 Model M's a couple of years ago for $50 off Craigslist from someone who wanted to dump them.
 
Why?

Just that really, except that when I started using a computer regularly in 1997 for as many as 8 hours a day, apart from the low res of the screens back then, the thing I hated most was the awful experience that was even the best Apple keyboard. The length of key depression is extremely un-ergonomic, noisy, causes carpal tunnel injury and is inaccurate.

Why in hell would anyone consider one of these awful things?I swapped to a Macally icekey apple keyboard as soon as they became available, and was delighted when Apple adopted the same key design.

These awful klunky things remind me of Dell, and government offices full of refugees from a Betjeman poem all typing in 'CAPITAL LETTERS' like robotic dullards - because they think it makes the text clearer! Please, evolve.
 
Evangelion said:
It's interesting that your complaint seems to be all about appearance. Do construction-workers whine about the appearance of their power-tools?

While having a good-looking keyboard is of course a nice thing to have, the most important thing in a keyboard is the actual typing. And if you type a lot, then having a robust keyboard with good feel and good longevity is a definite plus.

Few years ago I still used IBM Model M that was manufactured in 1988 or so. It felt great and worked like a charm. Lost it in a move :(.
Click to expand...

Have you seen the way construction workers dress? Why would they even have an opinion on aesthetics? That sound you just heard could be the evolution door closing!
 
arn said:
for the record, I'm not using the Das anymore. After going through some keyboard addiction issues, I'm on the Filco Ninja Brown Tenkeyless
Click to expand...

iSee said:
This is good news!

I have a Matias Tactile Pro 3 now but it's good to see what looks like another worthy mechanical-switch option.

I'd prefer a quiter keyboard, but you can't beat the feel of a high-quality mecanical-switch keyboard.
Click to expand...


Thanks arn and iSee for highlighting a few other options. Anyone using a Dvorak layout willing to chime in? Anything that I should be aware of when deciding on my next keyboard? The IBM keyboard from 1984 turned out to be a bust.
 
NZed said:
Cool, but a bit overpriced.
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To some, yes. To someone who uses multiple applications from Adobe's suite, FCP suite, Avid, and Maya, it might be reasonably priced for what it's capable of. It's nearly impossible to remember all the hot keys and keyboard functions within all the Applications. Having a keyboard that is able to display them all and change between when shift, command, control, option, and multiple function keys are pressed could be a real time saver IMO.

Instead of 6 of these, buy one of those.
IO4x4.jpg


And even with these keyboards, you are just getting the regular key function and maybe what a shift key would do, instead of command, option, control, or multiple function keys.
 
I don't prefer a setup with a separate mouse...even if it's a wireless mouse...no matter how good the keyboard is. To that end, I typically get a keyboard/mouse combo unit.

Currently run this keyboard/mouse on my Mac Mini via Bluetooth wireless - works well with iPhone and iPad as well - and my Dell laptops too - it weighs all of about 12 oz maybe? :

Logitech Mediaboard PRO for PS3 - Bluetooth With Integrated TouchPad
http://www.logitech.com/en-us/gaming/mice-keyboard-combos/devices/3616
17631.png

However, if you want to go back to "clicky" keyboards, this one is a beast. I recently booted up an old Intel P2-450 box with PS2 style connectors and had to pull this 5 pounder unit out of the closet. After an hour my fingertips actually hurt! No wonder I have carpal tunnel! I probably wrote a million lines of code on this keyboard at IBM then MCI and earlier at my current company...
blackboard1024.jpg

The Apple keyboards are pretty good. I don't mind the white, it loudly reminds me to clean it regularly as it shows the food, grime, dirt, dust, coffee stains, etc. It helps me not to be so lazy.

We also have one of those older-syle iPhone/iPad Apple white keyboards with the rigid docking station. However, it's not very well suited for traveling around with.

Wife just bought one of those Kensignton bluetooth case-embedded keyboards for her iPad. Not a bad setup, but the keys are very very squishy - not something I would use 8+ hours a day.
 
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Woohoo! Mine is on the way. I didn't think I got my order in early enough for the initial shipment since I hadn't heard anything since ordering and the web site showed delivery estimate of April. But I got shipping confirmation today!

I think the allure is like the authors that still use typewriters. I learned to type and write on the old clicky keyboards so I have the nostalgia from those that older authors get from typewriters.
 
I need to play that video on loop at the office then go take a nap under a desk, not mine cuz the sound will be annoying.

Ever check out the Matias Tactile Pro 3? I opted for a low-profile laptop style KB cuz my fingers get tired if I type for hours on end and that helped me out.
 
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