Well, I just got my Das Keyboard (delivered about a week ago), and I've been typing on it non-stop since. I feel I owe my readers a review, just in case they are looking at getting one themselves.
First, when I pulled it out of the box, I couldn't get past the size. This keyboard is huge. Of course, it's modeled after the IBM model M, so what do I expect? But even then, I can't believe how small keyboards are getting these days. The keyboard that I was typing on is a Dell keyboard, with virtually no padding around the keys. Quite the opposite here, where there is more than an inch between my numbers and the function keys, and almost 3 inches between the function keys and the top of the keyboard. So, in a nutshell, it's big.
Second, after plugging it in and giving it a go, I had forgotten how loud keyboards were back in the day. This keyboard is no exception. "Clickity-clack" all day long. Had I known about how loud it is, I probably wouldn't have purchased it. However, after only 4 hours, I seem to have gotten used to it, and it isn't bothering me as much. Luckily, it doesn't bother my coworker, as his iMac keyboard is nearly as loud. So, we have a bit of loud typing in the room.
Finally, the tactile feedback. It is truly amazing! With every keystroke, I just sit and marvel about how good it feels, and how well the keys snap back at me after I release my finger. Also, the differing pressures required on each key is barely noticeable at first, but after a while, you notice that your wrists aren't getting as sore as previous. This is because the weaker fingers are given a break on pressing down the keys they are assigned to, which is nice to help eliminate RSI.
The best thing about the keyboard, though, is staring into complete black. Aside from the Das Keyboard logo, the labels for the status lights, and the lights themselves, this keyboard is completely black. It's really cool. At first, though, it took a bit to find out where Insert, Delete, Home and End were, as well as '/', '*' and '-' above the 10-key. Also, not knowing where the numbers are above the letters is proving to be challenging. I guess it's high-time I learn the proper way to type those numbers. But all-in-all, I'm loving it. Really cool. So now, with all my blogging, programming and other typing I do, we'll see if this keyboard can withstand the 50 million keystrokes that it promises on the site. I'm sure I'll reach it.
If I were to give this keyboard a rating, I would give it 8 out of 10 stars, just because the size is a bit big for me, and the "clickity-clack" is a bit too loud. Other than that, you can tell it's engineered well, and a solid keyboard. I have a feeling I'll be loving this keyboard for years to come.
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