Every 5 years? dude. I bought a used IBM model M in 1997... I've used it ever since and typed this comment on it. Honestly it's still exactly the same now as it was then. It's got over 150,000 forum posts on it, let alone emails and facebook...
Great to see you finally got a mech keyboard, too, Dan ! I've been using them for a few years now, with Cherry MX blue switches for work (my co-workers don't seem to mind) and a Topre switch based Happy Hacking Keyboard Professional 2 for home. One very nice aspect of Cherry MX keyboards is that you can easily replace the key caps with something nicer and all of my keyboards have custom keycaps. For example the Amiga themed keys from the Kickstarter that Loriano Pagni did a few years ago. Once you have used mechanical keyboards and liked them it's hard to use cheap rubber dome or even scissor switches like the ones in laptops.
Hope you are well Dan. Time has come for me to get a new keyboard and I came back to find this video as I remembered your review well... I've ordered one now. 😊
I wanted to get a mechanical keyboard for ages. Then I spent a little time using one at play expo in Manchester and decided it was time to finally get one. Very pleased with it. Did see you at Manchester too, bit too quiet for my own good and didnt get the courage up to shake your hand and say Hi tho.
Depending on your situation, the novelty doesn't run out fast. As a college student, also someone who tinkers with gadgets, the jumping from keyboard to keyboard is constantly noticeable. I honestly love to come home, power on my gaming rig / workstation, and remote into my lifestyle laptop, to type stuff out. I will expend several hundred more watts just to remote-desktop my laptop to a 1080p screen and use a mechanical keyboard, it's just that satisfying.
When I was upgrading my keyboard last year I was tempted to get a nice mechanical one but as I don't type as often as I used to I couldn't really justify the cost - I also don't game that much anymore so also couldn't justify a mechanical gaming keyboard (although I'd still really love something like the Logitech G810) - so I went with a much cheaper "mechanical feel" keyboard and am perfectly happy with it. For me the feel of a mouse is much more important than the keyboard and I just can't use a cheap plasticy mouse, so my last 3 mice have been a Microsoft Sidewinder X5 (won from a PC Gamer competition years ago, which I used for about 7 years until it died), MadCatz RAT 5 (good feel, crap internals that died just outside of the warranty) and I'm currently using a Logitech G502 Proteus Spectrum RGB which is superb. I do wish that X5 still worked though because it's the best mouse I've ever used.
I joined the mechanical camp not too long either - but was with a Matias Tactile Pro - primarily for their comparisons to earlier Apple keyboards, though the Das might have tempted me for the in-built hub. (But it's great to have something which feels nicer to type on… whether code, or scripts, or other bits and pieces).
Mechanical keyboards have became synonymous with Cherry MX switches, but there are more to choose from. For example buckling spring, Matias (ALPS clones), Topre (this has capacitive rubber w/ sliders), etc. Personally I'm not a big fan of Cherry MX Blue switches, to me they barely feel tactile at all, which is annoying because I type a lot. Personally I swear by buckling springs, but if you thought Cherry MX Blues were loud, you'll really drive your neighbors nuts with a buckling spring keyboard.
Razer has their own proprietary switches that are supposedly better than Cherry's, but I still want a buckling spring keyboard in the near future (Unicomp's keyboards are certainly cheaper than any Razer or Cherry MX keyboard I can find).
@@pip5528 I have Razer Blackwidow packed away somewhere with Razer Green switches. They're crap. They're tactile and clicky and all, but they're also prone to key chattering -- when the keys register multiple times on a single keypress. Makes the damn thing basically unusable. Bought a Logitech G610 Orion with Cherry MX Blues last year. It feels great, is built like a tank and runs rings around anything crapped out by Razer. Having said that, the IBM Model M is still the best thing I've ever used in terms of feel and durability.
hey Dan, i have had they keyboard for ages and i love it. i did a full clean last month and it turns out the usb cable can be replaced, its is connected with a standard usb3 micro connector. if you remove the pause button you can see the cable
My son got a mechanical keyboard. It's so load my wife can't sleep and i can't hear the TV over it. I even installed french doors to seperate his area from the rest of the house - the noise still drives us crazy. My wife and I keep talking about smashing it.
I bet you are american, right? In a "propper" house with real walls and doors you don't hear the keyboard (seriously, I am a loud typer and I've never annoyed people with it - unless you count Teamspeak and Discord :D ), no not even with clicky-switches (I myself prefer the tactile but non-clicky ones)
I got my model M's I use daily. No need for the upgrade but still looks like a nice key board with a nice sound. Certainly a great upgrade from your run of the mill key boards.
I'm using a Cherry G80 Keyboard with blue clicky switches for a while now and I have to say that I was quite disappointed by then at first. And I still am. Stilll better than a membrane of course. The best tactile feedback and sound gives you and old IBM Model M keyboard. Btw... you don't have to hammer the keys so hard anymore ;-) They already register about half of the key travel. Once you learn NOT to bottom out the keys, typing will be even more relaxing.
I have the same keyboard, the Mac version. Using it for 6 months already and loving it. But! you better have a door to your office room as not all will fancy the clicky sound. Personally it's the best one I've used, fits perfectly next to my original number 1 clicky - the IBM Model M which is just next to it :)
For me, the mechanical keyboards were the final destination where I haven't been able to go back. The feeling of a mechanical keyboard, compared to membrane keyboards, are amazing. More than that, the mechanical keyboards offer more consistent feeling throughout a keyboard. Also, the configurations on the mechanical side are wider. You can choose among many mechanical switches according to your liking as to force required, travel distance, smoothness, tactility. I don't think membrane keyboards offer such a variety of options with the same level of precision like the mechanical keyboards do.
I got a Northgate Omnikey for my Amiga 2000. It had DIP switches that can be altered so that it does the Amiga layout. I put 10+ years onto that board and it was still working fine. Typed wonderfully. I needed to switch to a more ergonomic model when I got my first DOS machine, otherwise I'd still be using that Northgate. Built like a battleship. Not quiet though not as loud as the latest Cherries or the original IBM's.
I have had my Das Keyboard 4 Pro for years and love this thing. I'll use it till it falls apart, and they way this is built that is never likely to happen. Bonus: The rugged construction and long as hell USB cord mean in a pinch you can use it for self defense! When I got it they had options for the various types of Cherry MX switches, I went with the Cherry MX Brown.
Actually the usb cable is a A-micro-B cable internally plugged in to a socket. So you could say it's detachable. However it'd be hard to find a suitable strain relief for a custom cable. But i've replaced cable in mine with a shorter one.
I've got the Corsair K70 with MX Brown switches. I did have the version with red switches, but you just had to breathe on the keys and they got pressed so I didn't like that lol, the browns are a nice compromise, they have a tactile response but aren't overly clicky like the blue keys, much prefer it over the old membrane keyboards!
I have the exact keyboard, with brown switches and it's great. I have a second keyboard with reds in them, and they're growing on me. MX Reds and Browns actually have the exact same actuation force.
Just an FYI for those on a tighter budget, this keyboard is very much a premium product and as such the barrier to entry is much lower on other models. I recently bought a Chinese keyboard that uses their own version of the Cherry MX Blue switches called the Goobang Doo which clocks in at £39.99 and is a 10-keyless design which also has an aluminium top. While the Cherry MX are known as the best around, they do come at a premium compaired to their competition but if you do a fair bit of typing it really is worth while. The feel of these keyboards is infinately better than that of a membrane keyboard. On the downside the clicking can wind up your colleagues. Also to the uninitiated you should also bare in mind that there are different kinds of key switches that each gives a different feel and sound. The red ones for example are a lot quieter but to me are closer in feel to one of the better membrane keyboards, this is why you should try a few out before deciding if these are for you and which kind of key button you like.
Used a Cherry KB-0556 membrane keyboard for several years until many of the legends on the keycaps wore off. Then over mid-late 2018, I changed up to a Filco Majestouch 2 full size UK ISO mechanical keyboard, with linear Cherry MX Black key switches, and Filco's own additional tall spherical double shot keycaps, from The Keyboard Company based in the UK. It was for it's greater longevity, durability, and n-key rollover over PS2 connections, along with that BBC Micro-like sound and feel I remembered from the classrooms of my childhood. ;-) Works great with my Belkin SOHO PS2/USB VGA KVM with audio, combined with my 2003 model Logitech Click! Optical mouse across my four attached computers. As of 2020, the sticker shock of paying near enough 200 quid for a keyboard, keycaps, and keycap replacement accessories, that's solid and long lasting enough to survive a nuclear war & brain zombies with if you're short of a cricket bat, with it's Cold War tank-like build quality (apparently), totally worth it. ;-)
Hiya Dan new sub to your channel been listening to your podcast since episode 1 I'm a big retro gamer love the amstrad never owned an amiga just getting into it now thanx to emulation keep up the good work bud
Them clicks sounds soooo good differently will make typing easier for you .. shame about the USB lead not being detachable least you wouldn't lose it nice one dan
@5:59 Bottoming out on any mechanical keyboard makes it appear louder than it actually is. You don't have to bottom out. It actuates on about half the key travel.
I got a mechanical keyboard a month ago and it's really nice. It's a Steelseries Apex M750 with QX2 linear switches. I got it because I use a Steelseries Rival 700 mouse, which helped enormously with my carpal tunnel, and with their software you can sync your Steelseries stuff up with custom profiles and application integration. It's miles ahead of the Apple stuff I was using. I just wish the Windows logo weren't on the keyboard.
My current main keyboard is a Razer Blackwidow. It's the older one with the solid green backlighting. I used a converter jumbo for years to get a early 90s no-name mechanical keyboard to work. I really hate the cheap mushy membrane keyboards that are common now.
I disagree. I have had 2 Razer Blackwidows and they still both work perfectly. Some of their products may be junk, but not the mech keyboards. I just don't like how they offset their switch position from Cherry, can't use replacement keycaps. Quality cannot be ignored, however.
I have used Ducky Shine II with MX blue for five years now and i really like it. My brother bought Das Keyboard with blue switches and he must got some rip off. It was not like "a tank" like some people says. He returned the keyboard and bought a Filco Ninja Majestouch-2. Filco feels the same as my Ducky. I am looking for new old stock Microsoft Natural Keyboard Elite. I have used two of them in my days and i love them.
I got one with gateron clears because I was conscious that they wouldn't be too loud. The keys are stupidly light so I was hitting wrong keys constantly for the first day or two but now I really like it. Makes for a good compromise if you want mechanical but have become accustomed to the usual mush.
A bit late to this party, but if you enjoy Cherry MX Blues, you might enjoy getting a buckling-spring keyboard. Search up "Unicomp Model M" or, if you're feeling like being *extra* retro, see if you can't find an IBM Model M in good condition.
Personally, I don't really need to glance down to see where the labels are if I mess up, but rather, I might need to occasionally glance to see where my fingers are in relation to the keyboard since I have the general layout for US QWERTY keyboards memorized.
Logitech G613 for me, wireless mechanical keyboard, ended up paying $100 Canadian (roughly $75 US) on Black Friday recently. Actually uses Logitech's own Romer-G switches, from what I hear are comparable to MX Browns. After using it a while, no going back to membrane :)
I've got the same keyboard but the Ultimate version with the blank keys. I've had mine for a couple of years. I'm really happy with mine and the typing experience is gorgeous. But, on balance, I am left wondering what the cherry mx brown key switch would be like. I have a hunch that a slightly quieter version might be the better all-round option. With the mx blue keys you will quickly find yourself feeling self-conscious whenever there is a scenario where loud noise is a problem. That includes late at night, partner on the phone, partner sitting next to you trying to do her own work, etc. Two issues I experienced over the 2 years: - The volume knob is gorgeous but I do find myself accidentally knocking it when I reach for my mouse from time to time. It happens enough to be slightly annoying. - I had a problem with the USB hub when trying to connect a PCAN interface at the same time as a JTAG programmer. They wouldn't work together when connected to the hub. But, in fairness, these are quite challenging peripherals (although only USB2) so perhaps I was expecting too much of the USB hub. Good video. Welcome to the club!
Blank keycaps might be good if you are using non traditional layouts or switching between different layouts, it's some times more annoying when the printed key symbol says the wrong thing than nothing at all.
Been using mechanical keyboards for a couple of years now and would never go back to mushy rubber dome keyboards. One tip if you want something quieter, e.g. in an office setting, is to go with MX Brown switches. They offer a similar tactile feel to the Blues but are much quieter. In fact, I'd say they are quieter than regular non-mechanical keyboards, because after you've gotten used to them, you don't tend to bottom out the keys. Of course Blues are the most satisfying to type on unless you count buckling spring...
Yes. Rubber domes are trash. To me membrane with springs are way better. I juat don't see why mecanical keyboards are any good. Every keystroke brakes my pattern of thought, because there is this tactile feedback that I can not detatch from. You know, the throwback punch on my finger tips. And then that awefull loud sound. I want membrane+springs.
I have to say, I will never go back to a soft-typing keyboard ever again. I hate those things, as you cant hear when you press a button, so sometimes it doesnt register in the brain that a key has been pressed. Of course the worst for this are touch screen ipads, as you dont get a real keyboard at all, and its like typing on glass. There were about a million things I missed about not having an Amiga, but the top most thing I missed was the keyboard. I had to go down the route of an A1200 keyboard and Keyrah combo. I've given up on the idea of having a whole PC inside an A500+ case, so now I just use a keyboard inside an empty case, as an A500 USB keyboard. I cant see why they dont release blank cases so people can do this. So much better. Although no keyboard in the world can cope with my typos.
lifeschool, you probably type a little a day or you are too young to have felt the backlash yet. But you will feel it for sure. Those mechanical keyboard should die. There has been evidence that after years of use these keyboards destroy your hands. (See the explaining.computers.com videos on RUclips for more on this topic). He explains.exactly why these keyboards horrible ... Suffering from arthritis and pain... The mech. Keyboards just mess up your hands. The long travel is irritating and the noise is too much. I prefer keyboard that have a small travel like laptop keyboard... Thus I have found some cheap desktop keyboards that work and feel like laptop keyboards. I love retro but I need my hands... I have a few older keyboards just for my amusment. But I won't type on them. Now I'm converting to speech to text more and more. Android does a good job and nuance dragon 15 on the pc
PS I have the amiga.1200... and I would never type on it. There are already new Amiga 1200 cases created and keyboards to come with them. Dan talked about this.
Nice one Dan bout time you came over to the clicky club, I use a Corsair K95 (the mmo one) its built like a tank and I for one could not go back to a non mech keyboard now. now you need a new mouse I got the matching one for my board and again almost 3 years of use and the damn thing wont break (sometimes I dream of buying a new setup and then I realise mine will probably last longer than me).
I still haven't found the perfect mechanical keyboard for me yet. Cherry MX, media controls w/mute, not red backlit keys, USB hub. Many are close, but not quite there. I figure if I'm going to drop that much cash on a keyboard, it needs to have everything I want.
I’ve got one of these -- bought after my old Logitech G15 had a few buttons go bad (sigh). While I use the volume knob all the time, I don’t seem to bother much with the multimedia buttons. Or the USB ports -- which I forgot I even had until I took a look a few seconds ago.
I always like your videos Dan! no matter what you cover. :D I went for the Cherry Red keyboard myself. They lack the click and has no tactile response. They are "quiet" however, although I miss the satisfaction from the tactile click. xD It's really hard to decide which keys to go for, every switch has their own pros and cons. The greatest thing however is that you can easily pop the caps off and put them in the dishwasher once in a while, keeping the keyboard fresh. :)
I'm the demographic of the Ultimate; I have Das Keyboard 4 Cherry MX Brown( my need from the mechanical keyboard is the tactical feedback, ) and 5Q in the making. I change language every now and then, and I find it confusing to look at the wrong language stickers. I mainly use psql, curl, vim and iTerm2/Terminator. I also use Kingston Slimblade( for FileMaker, FireFox and Aperture ) and A5-ish Wacom-tablet( krita.org, Affinity Designer and Photos ) as I dislike the waste of desk real estate that a mouse represents; it's better to have room for pencil and paper than using a mouse. The Cherry MX Blue may drive you crazy eventually; in my experience the benefit of mechanical keyboards is the tactical feedback.
oh hell I learned to type on electric typewriters. Laptop keyboards (ie they aren't mechanical) hate me big time. they don't last 6 months because I hit the keys so hard I lose my FJ raised bumps. Oh they really hate me. I still have an IBM mechanical $10 out of big lots when the fancy ones were like $60 oh hey have this old mechanical. nobody wants. PS/2 Seriously?? mine all mine :) Now if only we could pull this stuff on laptop keyboards so I didn't replace them every 6 months. Just imagine the ones you can't remove :O replace a $900 laptop every 6 months . You must be joking..
The demographic they are aiming at with the blank keycaps is, yes, hardcore typists, but also people who want to change keyboard layouts without having to rearrange everything physically, don't need the distraction of looking at the keys, touch typists such as myself, or just the sleekness of sheer visual simplicity. It's funny because it also looks like a cartoon keyboard because many animators and artists simply don't draw the actual labels on the cartoon keyboard, although in the case of shows like Arthur, the layout they use for fictional keyboards, even with the lack of labeling, is different form QWERTY. I know this because of one particular episode where Brain presses the "A" key, but it is animated in a way that the key he presses on his blank keyboard isn't where A is on QWERTY. It could be DVORAK or some other alternative layout, but I honestly couldn't tell you because I haven't seen the episode in years and I'm not sure where to find it again.
Watch your mic low freq. I reckon the ruler could work well with the mouse in a volume editing on a DAW situation. I wish I could type as fast as you...
Uh, are all european layouts with enter shaped like yours and short shift? It's really hard to find Czech keyboard with long enter and left shift (hopefully not impossible) and I prefer US keyboard, because of this.
I use a Sharkoon Sharkzone MK80. It has Kailh blue switches, which are Cherry knock offs. For being imitation switches they are not bad at all. I mainly bought it because the name is ridiculous and it is RGB. I also use a Model M at work. I am waiting to be told I need to replace it LOL.
Nice Review as usual ;)... Looks good but out of my budget. - I do have a couple of small Chinese Mechanical keyboards both Qisan Magicforce 68 key style. one is a white one with blue switches other is backlit brown switches one. And very good they are too.
you should check out some kailh switches, theyre far superior to cherry blues. the only cherry switches that id even touch are blacks, clears, and tactile grey, and maybe speeds. but kailh and gateron/zealio are far superior
All I can talk about is my personal opinion, and in my personal opinion, I don’t care for clicky key switches very much, but I think typing on a mechanical keyboard, especially for long typing sessions, is much more comfortable with less finger fatigue. For gaming there isn’t much difference for me between a decent rubber dome keyboard and a mechanical keyboard, but for typing, mechanical keyboards are much nicer.
I love the keyboard Dan I'm not keen of the ruler under the keyboard thing to say the money they want for it I'd expect built in legs. Great review .......Kim 😋
I bought a Roccat mechanical keyboard recently to replace a membrane keyboard - only difference for me was the incredible racket that now comes from my mechanical keyboard. I do not recognise any pros at all thus far and, as for superfilious features such as keyboard light colours, well, no interest to me really. I'd prefer to go back to a very quiet membrane keyboard. I suppose I could buy a quieter mechanical keyboard but still do not see the advantage of spending £100+ on a keyboard as opposed to £20 for a multi media mechanical keyboard.
Looks overexpensive for what you have. I used to work in a shop with a bank of corsair keys, all with a different type of clack clack sound so you can buy the right one for you! They did sell a mechanical keyboard with no backlighting (don't think it had media controls or USB3) for about £40. They sold a bucket load of them.
I've used mechanical keyboards, note that it's been ages ago, meaning way over 10 years ago and they're nice, but personally I hate clicking noise of them and don't get it why they're so hyped. Imo best keyboard is found on older IBM Thinkpads. I'd like to have something with that feel and I wouldn't even mind having Trackpoint and good arm rest with it. Yes I know there is desktop version available, but what I've hear from many reviews that it really doesn't unfortunately have that old ThinkPad feel in it. I mean really if we're to begin typing a book, I would without hesitation fetch my discarded Pentium three X-series (x23? Can't even remember if it was that) , slam something like lxde in it and begin the work :)
Couple of cons... Usb cable can be awkward going out of the middle, it would be better on the back of the right side where USB ports are. Volume control is reversed, it would feel more natural if you turn the volume up by rotating the knob upwards. The ruler started falling off often after a year or so, ended up gluing it.
Ohh I love the fact you need a USB hub on your keyboard too, it's an essential item for me too, not only for the mouse but to get the wireless dongle away from the electrically noisy arse of the PC! You would hate my keyboard with it's ugly yellow high contrast keys and large lettering, would prefer yellow on blue but keyboards for the visually impaired are not as easy to find especially with all keys and mechanical switch.
I own a Unicomp Model M keyboard 😀. Unicomp owns the original molds from the I.B.M. Model M keyboards 😀. Unicomp keyboards are awesome 😀. I also own a Rii Mechanical feel keyboard which is really awesome 😀.
that das is built like a tank and it's actually quite nice but cherry switches are.. meh. if you ever need a new board, consider a matias one. they have clicky and only tactile variants too. ALPS switches make a world of difference.
I've heard of some quality control issues on Matias keyboards. The switches are probably not great for gamers, although I'd agree they are likely wayy better for typing. Both Matias and the Das could also use backlighting, especially white imo. My Das 3 is still a fantastic keyboard after four years.
Yep, deskthority says they had a whole variety of them, from cherrys to alps clones to space invaders. Later models used hybrid switches, which is not half bad either.
Yes they have space invader switches, I have one, it's very good (much better than the other Amiga keyboards), there's 3 different A500 keyboards. No cherrys or alps though.
@@danwood_uk Sorry man, I don't have enough money to buy the das keyboard. However, I can suggest Chyrosran's review: ruclips.net/video/32uJiFWjk7I/видео.html Not hating on your channel btw, but some statements that were made were unfortunately innaccurate.
It really does not sound like its worth the £160 to me. Sure the USB is a nice touch but how much throughput can that put out, I bet its nowhere near the USB 3.0 standard. Also no backlighting? Sure some may not like it but its a feature of most high end keyboards now.
Personally I wasn't interested in backlighting, I think it looks tacky. My main requirements were the USB hub for easy connectivity to the mouse and easier connecting of USB sticks and of course a nice typing experience, so far this keyboard is meeting all my needs.
I simply can not stand mecanical keyboards. I like those that are somewhat in between. Being in love with commodore computers, since the 1980's, then I do hate rubber dome keyboards. What I like the best, is membrane keyboards with springs. Sure I will use a mecanical keyboard, it they did not have that throwback punch into the fingers, once you press all down. And if they did not have that sharp clicking noise. It is too overwelming for me. Naaa.... I want keyboards with a lot of travel and a soft touch that springs give. Like C64 and A500-Mitsumi.
Dan... gold plated switches... gold. THE SOFT METAL! It literally does nothing for you when it comes to electronics and it's soft too so it warps quicker than the alternatives that we use for a reason (That they're not at as likely to warp.). Who even designs a keyboard with a soft metal in it?
The gold is on the contacts that close the circuit. Without gold, they would corrode over time because there is current running through the contact point. Only pure gold is soft.
There are numerous reasons why people opt for blanks. I got my Das 4 blank because I wanted to improve touch typing and primarily because I use an alternate keyboard layout, so the qwerty keys are mostly in the wrong place anyway. So printed keys don't serve much benefit for my usage.
Cherry MX blue switches are too loud and require too much tactile force for actuation in my opinion. I've bought humble CM Quickfire Pro with Cherry MX Browns for as low as 70$ on Amazon like 4 years ago. To this day the keyboard feels as brand new.
The RGB version is the only mech keyboard with all of the features I want. The lack of a Windows key is a big one. I hate Microsoft lol I don't wanna see their logo when I look down !
Dunno if you know it or not....but that "ruler" also doubles as the "feet" for the keyboard!....LoL! INGENIOUS!....Love my "DK"....keyboard (I have the DASK3MK-PRO model....not lights but USB pass-through and that wonderful "clicking" sound!!!) After using a mechanical keyboard?....I can't stand the "mushy" "gooey" feel of those chiclet keyboards that these PC manufacturers push out with their desktops...and when it comes to laptops?...the only keyboard that makes me "feel" as if I'm using my DK?...is the Lenovo ThinkPad T-410 / T-420 / T-530 laptops....other than that?..everything else sucks!.
Every 5 years? dude. I bought a used IBM model M in 1997... I've used it ever since and typed this comment on it. Honestly it's still exactly the same now as it was then. It's got over 150,000 forum posts on it, let alone emails and facebook...
Great to see you finally got a mech keyboard, too, Dan ! I've been using them for a few years now, with Cherry MX blue switches for work (my co-workers don't seem to mind) and a Topre switch based Happy Hacking Keyboard Professional 2 for home. One very nice aspect of Cherry MX keyboards is that you can easily replace the key caps with something nicer and all of my keyboards have custom keycaps. For example the Amiga themed keys from the Kickstarter that Loriano Pagni did a few years ago. Once you have used mechanical keyboards and liked them it's hard to use cheap rubber dome or even scissor switches like the ones in laptops.
Wei-ju Wu , I have Loriano’s Amiga keycaps on a Ducky Zero keyboard for my retro fix. They are amazing and have that cool retro feel.
Hope you are well Dan. Time has come for me to get a new keyboard and I came back to find this video as I remembered your review well... I've ordered one now. 😊
I wanted to get a mechanical keyboard for ages. Then I spent a little time using one at play expo in Manchester and decided it was time to finally get one. Very pleased with it. Did see you at Manchester too, bit too quiet for my own good and didnt get the courage up to shake your hand and say Hi tho.
Depending on your situation, the novelty doesn't run out fast. As a college student, also someone who tinkers with gadgets, the jumping from keyboard to keyboard is constantly noticeable. I honestly love to come home, power on my gaming rig / workstation, and remote into my lifestyle laptop, to type stuff out. I will expend several hundred more watts just to remote-desktop my laptop to a 1080p screen and use a mechanical keyboard, it's just that satisfying.
TheUltimaXtreme Out! Less watts please, we have to share our planet 😀👍🏻
When I was upgrading my keyboard last year I was tempted to get a nice mechanical one but as I don't type as often as I used to I couldn't really justify the cost - I also don't game that much anymore so also couldn't justify a mechanical gaming keyboard (although I'd still really love something like the Logitech G810) - so I went with a much cheaper "mechanical feel" keyboard and am perfectly happy with it.
For me the feel of a mouse is much more important than the keyboard and I just can't use a cheap plasticy mouse, so my last 3 mice have been a Microsoft Sidewinder X5 (won from a PC Gamer competition years ago, which I used for about 7 years until it died), MadCatz RAT 5 (good feel, crap internals that died just outside of the warranty) and I'm currently using a Logitech G502 Proteus Spectrum RGB which is superb. I do wish that X5 still worked though because it's the best mouse I've ever used.
I joined the mechanical camp not too long either - but was with a Matias Tactile Pro - primarily for their comparisons to earlier Apple keyboards, though the Das might have tempted me for the in-built hub.
(But it's great to have something which feels nicer to type on… whether code, or scripts, or other bits and pieces).
Mechanical keyboards have became synonymous with Cherry MX switches, but there are more to choose from. For example buckling spring, Matias (ALPS clones), Topre (this has capacitive rubber w/ sliders), etc. Personally I'm not a big fan of Cherry MX Blue switches, to me they barely feel tactile at all, which is annoying because I type a lot. Personally I swear by buckling springs, but if you thought Cherry MX Blues were loud, you'll really drive your neighbors nuts with a buckling spring keyboard.
I like my noisy tactile keyboards. Buckling springs are my favorite, especially because they're oldschool.
Razer has their own proprietary switches that are supposedly better than Cherry's, but I still want a buckling spring keyboard in the near future (Unicomp's keyboards are certainly cheaper than any Razer or Cherry MX keyboard I can find).
@@pip5528 I have Razer Blackwidow packed away somewhere with Razer Green switches. They're crap. They're tactile and clicky and all, but they're also prone to key chattering -- when the keys register multiple times on a single keypress. Makes the damn thing basically unusable.
Bought a Logitech G610 Orion with Cherry MX Blues last year. It feels great, is built like a tank and runs rings around anything crapped out by Razer. Having said that, the IBM Model M is still the best thing I've ever used in terms of feel and durability.
hey Dan, i have had they keyboard for ages and i love it. i did a full clean last month and it turns out the usb cable can be replaced, its is connected with a standard usb3 micro connector. if you remove the pause button you can see the cable
These keyboards look really nice. I just recently got a Unicomp Model M. Great keyboard and highly-recommended for fans of the old IBM style.
My son got a mechanical keyboard. It's so load my wife can't sleep and i can't hear the TV over it. I even installed french doors to seperate his area from the rest of the house - the noise still drives us crazy. My wife and I keep talking about smashing it.
Best silent keyboard I have found is an Apple keyboard the very thin aluminium full size one its very quiet, and will work on a PC
It could be a cheap Chinese mechanical keyboard or he has serious temper issues pressing hard.
Brown switches are significantly quieter but still have a tactile feedback.
I bet you are american, right? In a "propper" house with real walls and doors you don't hear the keyboard (seriously, I am a loud typer and I've never annoyed people with it - unless you count Teamspeak and Discord :D ), no not even with clicky-switches (I myself prefer the tactile but non-clicky ones)
I got my model M's I use daily. No need for the upgrade but still looks like a nice key board with a nice sound. Certainly a great upgrade from your run of the mill key boards.
Model M's are amazing, the buckling spring switches that are in them are much better than the Cherry MX Blue's in my opinion
I'm using a Cherry G80 Keyboard with blue clicky switches for a while now and I have to say that I was quite disappointed by then at first. And I still am.
Stilll better than a membrane of course.
The best tactile feedback and sound gives you and old IBM Model M keyboard.
Btw... you don't have to hammer the keys so hard anymore ;-)
They already register about half of the key travel.
Once you learn NOT to bottom out the keys, typing will be even more relaxing.
I have the same keyboard, the Mac version. Using it for 6 months already and loving it. But! you better have a door to your office room as not all will fancy the clicky sound. Personally it's the best one I've used, fits perfectly next to my original number 1 clicky - the IBM Model M which is just next to it :)
For me, the mechanical keyboards were the final destination where I haven't been able to go back. The feeling of a mechanical keyboard, compared to membrane keyboards, are amazing. More than that, the mechanical keyboards offer more consistent feeling throughout a keyboard. Also, the configurations on the mechanical side are wider. You can choose among many mechanical switches according to your liking as to force required, travel distance, smoothness, tactility. I don't think membrane keyboards offer such a variety of options with the same level of precision like the mechanical keyboards do.
I got a Northgate Omnikey for my Amiga 2000. It had DIP switches that can be altered so that it does the Amiga layout. I put 10+ years onto that board and it was still working fine. Typed wonderfully. I needed to switch to a more ergonomic model when I got my first DOS machine, otherwise I'd still be using that Northgate. Built like a battleship. Not quiet though not as loud as the latest Cherries or the original IBM's.
I have had my Das Keyboard 4 Pro for years and love this thing. I'll use it till it falls apart, and they way this is built that is never likely to happen. Bonus: The rugged construction and long as hell USB cord mean in a pinch you can use it for self defense! When I got it they had options for the various types of Cherry MX switches, I went with the Cherry MX Brown.
Actually the usb cable is a A-micro-B cable internally plugged in to a socket. So you could say it's detachable. However it'd be hard to find a suitable strain relief for a custom cable. But i've replaced cable in mine with a shorter one.
I've got the Corsair K70 with MX Brown switches. I did have the version with red switches, but you just had to breathe on the keys and they got pressed so I didn't like that lol, the browns are a nice compromise, they have a tactile response but aren't overly clicky like the blue keys, much prefer it over the old membrane keyboards!
I have the exact keyboard, with brown switches and it's great. I have a second keyboard with reds in them, and they're growing on me. MX Reds and Browns actually have the exact same actuation force.
I have a mx-brown keyboard for typing/working and a 60% mx-red for gaming.
I'm thinking about buying a mechanical keyboard and your honest review was very helpful.
Just an FYI for those on a tighter budget, this keyboard is very much a premium product and as such the barrier to entry is much lower on other models. I recently bought a Chinese keyboard that uses their own version of the Cherry MX Blue switches called the Goobang Doo which clocks in at £39.99 and is a 10-keyless design which also has an aluminium top. While the Cherry MX are known as the best around, they do come at a premium compaired to their competition but if you do a fair bit of typing it really is worth while.
The feel of these keyboards is infinately better than that of a membrane keyboard. On the downside the clicking can wind up your colleagues. Also to the uninitiated you should also bare in mind that there are different kinds of key switches that each gives a different feel and sound. The red ones for example are a lot quieter but to me are closer in feel to one of the better membrane keyboards, this is why you should try a few out before deciding if these are for you and which kind of key button you like.
Used a Cherry KB-0556 membrane keyboard for several years until many of the legends on the keycaps wore off. Then over mid-late 2018, I changed up to a Filco Majestouch 2 full size UK ISO mechanical keyboard, with linear Cherry MX Black key switches, and Filco's own additional tall spherical double shot keycaps, from The Keyboard Company based in the UK. It was for it's greater longevity, durability, and n-key rollover over PS2 connections, along with that BBC Micro-like sound and feel I remembered from the classrooms of my childhood. ;-)
Works great with my Belkin SOHO PS2/USB VGA KVM with audio, combined with my 2003 model Logitech Click! Optical mouse across my four attached computers. As of 2020, the sticker shock of paying near enough 200 quid for a keyboard, keycaps, and keycap replacement accessories, that's solid and long lasting enough to survive a nuclear war & brain zombies with if you're short of a cricket bat, with it's Cold War tank-like build quality (apparently), totally worth it. ;-)
Those DELL keyboards were just great !
Hiya Dan new sub to your channel been listening to your podcast since episode 1 I'm a big retro gamer love the amstrad never owned an amiga just getting into it now thanx to emulation keep up the good work bud
Them clicks sounds soooo good differently will make typing easier for you .. shame about the USB lead not being detachable least you wouldn't lose it nice one dan
@5:59 Bottoming out on any mechanical keyboard makes it appear louder than it actually is. You don't have to bottom out. It actuates on about half the key travel.
I got a mechanical keyboard a month ago and it's really nice. It's a Steelseries Apex M750 with QX2 linear switches. I got it because I use a Steelseries Rival 700 mouse, which helped enormously with my carpal tunnel, and with their software you can sync your Steelseries stuff up with custom profiles and application integration. It's miles ahead of the Apple stuff I was using. I just wish the Windows logo weren't on the keyboard.
My current main keyboard is a Razer Blackwidow. It's the older one with the solid green backlighting. I used a converter jumbo for years to get a early 90s no-name mechanical keyboard to work. I really hate the cheap mushy membrane keyboards that are common now.
I disagree. I have had 2 Razer Blackwidows and they still both work perfectly. Some of their products may be junk, but not the mech keyboards. I just don't like how they offset their switch position from Cherry, can't use replacement keycaps. Quality cannot be ignored, however.
I have used Ducky Shine II with MX blue for five years now and i really like it. My brother bought Das Keyboard with blue switches and he must got some rip off. It was not like "a tank" like some people says. He returned the keyboard and bought a Filco Ninja Majestouch-2. Filco feels the same as my Ducky. I am looking for new old stock Microsoft Natural Keyboard Elite. I have used two of them in my days and i love them.
I got one with gateron clears because I was conscious that they wouldn't be too loud. The keys are stupidly light so I was hitting wrong keys constantly for the first day or two but now I really like it. Makes for a good compromise if you want mechanical but have become accustomed to the usual mush.
A bit late to this party, but if you enjoy Cherry MX Blues, you might enjoy getting a buckling-spring keyboard. Search up "Unicomp Model M" or, if you're feeling like being *extra* retro, see if you can't find an IBM Model M in good condition.
Personally, I don't really need to glance down to see where the labels are if I mess up, but rather, I might need to occasionally glance to see where my fingers are in relation to the keyboard since I have the general layout for US QWERTY keyboards memorized.
Logitech G613 for me, wireless mechanical keyboard, ended up paying $100 Canadian (roughly $75 US) on Black Friday recently. Actually uses Logitech's own Romer-G switches, from what I hear are comparable to MX Browns. After using it a while, no going back to membrane :)
I've got the same keyboard but the Ultimate version with the blank keys. I've had mine for a couple of years.
I'm really happy with mine and the typing experience is gorgeous. But, on balance, I am left wondering what the cherry mx brown key switch would be like. I have a hunch that a slightly quieter version might be the better all-round option.
With the mx blue keys you will quickly find yourself feeling self-conscious whenever there is a scenario where loud noise is a problem. That includes late at night, partner on the phone, partner sitting next to you trying to do her own work, etc.
Two issues I experienced over the 2 years:
- The volume knob is gorgeous but I do find myself accidentally knocking it when I reach for my mouse from time to time. It happens enough to be slightly annoying.
- I had a problem with the USB hub when trying to connect a PCAN interface at the same time as a JTAG programmer. They wouldn't work together when connected to the hub. But, in fairness, these are quite challenging peripherals (although only USB2) so perhaps I was expecting too much of the USB hub.
Good video. Welcome to the club!
Blank keycaps might be good if you are using non traditional layouts or switching between different layouts, it's some times more annoying when the printed key symbol says the wrong thing than nothing at all.
Been using mechanical keyboards for a couple of years now and would never go back to mushy rubber dome keyboards.
One tip if you want something quieter, e.g. in an office setting, is to go with MX Brown switches. They offer a similar tactile feel to the Blues but are much quieter. In fact, I'd say they are quieter than regular non-mechanical keyboards, because after you've gotten used to them, you don't tend to bottom out the keys.
Of course Blues are the most satisfying to type on unless you count buckling spring...
Yes. Rubber domes are trash. To me membrane with springs are way better. I juat don't see why mecanical keyboards are any good. Every keystroke brakes my pattern of thought, because there is this tactile feedback that I can not detatch from. You know, the throwback punch on my finger tips. And then that awefull loud sound. I want membrane+springs.
I have one Das Keyboard and absolutely love it!
Peter Mortensen Model 4 prof.
I have to say, I will never go back to a soft-typing keyboard ever again. I hate those things, as you cant hear when you press a button, so sometimes it doesnt register in the brain that a key has been pressed. Of course the worst for this are touch screen ipads, as you dont get a real keyboard at all, and its like typing on glass. There were about a million things I missed about not having an Amiga, but the top most thing I missed was the keyboard. I had to go down the route of an A1200 keyboard and Keyrah combo. I've given up on the idea of having a whole PC inside an A500+ case, so now I just use a keyboard inside an empty case, as an A500 USB keyboard. I cant see why they dont release blank cases so people can do this. So much better. Although no keyboard in the world can cope with my typos.
lifeschool, you probably type a little a day or you are too young to have felt the backlash yet. But you will feel it for sure. Those mechanical keyboard should die. There has been evidence that after years of use these keyboards destroy your hands. (See the explaining.computers.com videos on RUclips for more on this topic). He explains.exactly why these keyboards horrible ... Suffering from arthritis and pain... The mech. Keyboards just mess up your hands. The long travel is irritating and the noise is too much. I prefer keyboard that have a small travel like laptop keyboard... Thus I have found some cheap desktop keyboards that work and feel like laptop keyboards. I love retro but I need my hands... I have a few older keyboards just for my amusment. But I won't type on them. Now I'm converting to speech to text more and more. Android does a good job and nuance dragon 15 on the pc
PS I have the amiga.1200... and I would never type on it. There are already new Amiga 1200 cases created and keyboards to come with them. Dan talked about this.
Nice one Dan bout time you came over to the clicky club, I use a Corsair K95 (the mmo one) its built like a tank and I for one could not go back to a non mech keyboard now. now you need a new mouse I got the matching one for my board and again almost 3 years of use and the damn thing wont break (sometimes I dream of buying a new setup and then I realise mine will probably last longer than me).
Are these those same mechanical keyboard with the IBM 386 everyone used in computer class back in the old school days?
I still haven't found the perfect mechanical keyboard for me yet. Cherry MX, media controls w/mute, not red backlit keys, USB hub. Many are close, but not quite there. I figure if I'm going to drop that much cash on a keyboard, it needs to have everything I want.
I bought it for my AmigaOne X5000 because it has no Windowskeys, can't wait for the Package to arrive!
I’ve got one of these -- bought after my old Logitech G15 had a few buttons go bad (sigh).
While I use the volume knob all the time, I don’t seem to bother much with the multimedia buttons. Or the USB ports -- which I forgot I even had until I took a look a few seconds ago.
I always like your videos Dan! no matter what you cover. :D I went for the Cherry Red keyboard myself. They lack the click and has no tactile response. They are "quiet" however, although I miss the satisfaction from the tactile click. xD It's really hard to decide which keys to go for, every switch has their own pros and cons. The greatest thing however is that you can easily pop the caps off and put them in the dishwasher once in a while, keeping the keyboard fresh. :)
I'm the demographic of the Ultimate; I have Das Keyboard 4 Cherry MX Brown( my need from the mechanical keyboard is the tactical feedback, ) and 5Q in the making. I change language every now and then, and I find it confusing to look at the wrong language stickers. I mainly use psql, curl, vim and iTerm2/Terminator. I also use Kingston Slimblade( for FileMaker, FireFox and Aperture ) and A5-ish Wacom-tablet( krita.org, Affinity Designer and Photos ) as I dislike the waste of desk real estate that a mouse represents; it's better to have room for pencil and paper than using a mouse. The Cherry MX Blue may drive you crazy eventually; in my experience the benefit of mechanical keyboards is the tactical feedback.
I have the loudest mech keyboard ever. And I use it at work hahah. People hate me
model m? : )
JohanDees that's what I said. People say hey , get a new keyboard. I'm like. Buy me one.
There's a special place in hell for people like u
oh hell I learned to type on electric typewriters. Laptop keyboards (ie they aren't mechanical) hate me big time. they don't last 6 months because I hit the keys so hard I lose my FJ raised bumps. Oh they really hate me. I still have an IBM mechanical $10 out of big lots when the fancy ones were like $60 oh hey have this old mechanical. nobody wants. PS/2 Seriously?? mine all mine :) Now if only we could pull this stuff on laptop keyboards so I didn't replace them every 6 months. Just imagine the ones you can't remove :O replace a $900 laptop every 6 months . You must be joking..
7:19 Spot the continuity error: the close-up was taken *after* you had attached the footbar ruler. ;)
The demographic they are aiming at with the blank keycaps is, yes, hardcore typists, but also people who want to change keyboard layouts without having to rearrange everything physically, don't need the distraction of looking at the keys, touch typists such as myself, or just the sleekness of sheer visual simplicity. It's funny because it also looks like a cartoon keyboard because many animators and artists simply don't draw the actual labels on the cartoon keyboard, although in the case of shows like Arthur, the layout they use for fictional keyboards, even with the lack of labeling, is different form QWERTY. I know this because of one particular episode where Brain presses the "A" key, but it is animated in a way that the key he presses on his blank keyboard isn't where A is on QWERTY. It could be DVORAK or some other alternative layout, but I honestly couldn't tell you because I haven't seen the episode in years and I'm not sure where to find it again.
I use my WASD keyboard (Cherry MX Clear) and love it. ;) It cost me $160 US, but it's worth every penny.
The keyboard that you are replacing is the same model I use at my work. 😉
Watch your mic low freq. I reckon the ruler could work well with the mouse in a volume editing on a DAW situation. I wish I could type as fast as you...
BASS
I am surprised how much I like the romer G mechanical switches. good luck with the blue...and the wife...
Uh, are all european layouts with enter shaped like yours and short shift? It's really hard to find Czech keyboard with long enter and left shift (hopefully not impossible) and I prefer US keyboard, because of this.
I am using Model M (iBM) Unicomp keyboard buckling springs. I wouldn't go with anything else. Best for typing and very satisfying.
I use a Sharkoon Sharkzone MK80. It has Kailh blue switches, which are Cherry knock offs. For being imitation switches they are not bad at all. I mainly bought it because the name is ridiculous and it is RGB.
I also use a Model M at work. I am waiting to be told I need to replace it LOL.
Nice Review as usual ;)...
Looks good but out of my budget.
- I do have a couple of small Chinese Mechanical keyboards both Qisan Magicforce 68 key style.
one is a white one with blue switches other is backlit brown switches one. And very good they are too.
you should check out some kailh switches, theyre far superior to cherry blues. the only cherry switches that id even touch are blacks, clears, and tactile grey, and maybe speeds. but kailh and gateron/zealio are far superior
All I can talk about is my personal opinion, and in my personal opinion, I don’t care for clicky key switches very much, but I think typing on a mechanical keyboard, especially for long typing sessions, is much more comfortable with less finger fatigue. For gaming there isn’t much difference for me between a decent rubber dome keyboard and a mechanical keyboard, but for typing, mechanical keyboards are much nicer.
I love the keyboard Dan I'm not keen of the ruler under the keyboard thing to say the money they want for it I'd expect built in legs. Great review .......Kim 😋
I have this keyboard and I absolutely love it
I bought a Roccat mechanical keyboard recently to replace a membrane keyboard - only difference for me was the incredible racket that now comes from my mechanical keyboard. I do not recognise any pros at all thus far and, as for superfilious features such as keyboard light colours, well, no interest to me really. I'd prefer to go back to a very quiet membrane keyboard. I suppose I could buy a quieter mechanical keyboard but still do not see the advantage of spending £100+ on a keyboard as opposed to £20 for a multi media mechanical keyboard.
Where did you get the rubber stoppers on the ruler? I thought they didn't supply them on all their keyboards?
I have a feeling you're going to be playing some old text adventures like Zork, more often now!
Loud, not really? If you want to know what is loud, try buckling spring keyboards.
Looks overexpensive for what you have. I used to work in a shop with a bank of corsair keys, all with a different type of clack clack sound so you can buy the right one for you! They did sell a mechanical keyboard with no backlighting (don't think it had media controls or USB3) for about £40. They sold a bucket load of them.
I wish I could type that fast. nice video. i have a corsair k65 myself, does the job.
The mechanical keyboards vs regular Logitech-type keyboards reminds me of Amiga vs ST days!
I've used mechanical keyboards, note that it's been ages ago, meaning way over 10 years ago and they're nice, but personally I hate clicking noise of them and don't get it why they're so hyped. Imo best keyboard is found on older IBM Thinkpads. I'd like to have something with that feel and I wouldn't even mind having Trackpoint and good arm rest with it. Yes I know there is desktop version available, but what I've hear from many reviews that it really doesn't unfortunately have that old ThinkPad feel in it. I mean really if we're to begin typing a book, I would without hesitation fetch my discarded Pentium three X-series (x23? Can't even remember if it was that) , slam something like lxde in it and begin the work :)
I'm using Das Keyboard 4 Ultimate with blue (clicky) switches last couple of years. It's the best keyboard I ever had. Love it.
Couple of cons... Usb cable can be awkward going out of the middle, it would be better on the back of the right side where USB ports are. Volume control is reversed, it would feel more natural if you turn the volume up by rotating the knob upwards. The ruler started falling off often after a year or so, ended up gluing it.
Ohh I love the fact you need a USB hub on your keyboard too, it's an essential item for me too, not only for the mouse but to get the wireless dongle away from the electrically noisy arse of the PC! You would hate my keyboard with it's ugly yellow high contrast keys and large lettering, would prefer yellow on blue but keyboards for the visually impaired are not as easy to find especially with all keys and mechanical switch.
You need to *look* at your keyboard??
What's the background picture on your computer from? Looks cool.
I own a Unicomp Model M keyboard 😀. Unicomp owns the original molds from the I.B.M. Model M keyboards 😀. Unicomp keyboards are awesome 😀. I also own a Rii Mechanical feel keyboard which is really awesome 😀.
that das is built like a tank and it's actually quite nice but cherry switches are.. meh. if you ever need a new board, consider a matias one. they have clicky and only tactile variants too. ALPS switches make a world of difference.
I've heard of some quality control issues on Matias keyboards. The switches are probably not great for gamers, although I'd agree they are likely wayy better for typing. Both Matias and the Das could also use backlighting, especially white imo. My Das 3 is still a fantastic keyboard after four years.
you should get/show an amiga themed custom mechanical keyboard (someone does those)
Just bought the ultimate because the professional was out of stock :(
Didn't early Amiga keybards have mechanical switches in them?
Yep, deskthority says they had a whole variety of them, from cherrys to alps clones to space invaders.
Later models used hybrid switches, which is not half bad either.
Yes they have space invader switches, I have one, it's very good (much better than the other Amiga keyboards), there's 3 different A500 keyboards. No cherrys or alps though.
Clicked clack keys, I love my razor black widow it feels a look sweet.
what was the 1337 speak under the ruler?
this is what happens when people that arent knowledgeable about a subject review niche products.
I look forward to seeing your video to show me how it should be done.
@@danwood_uk Sorry man, I don't have enough money to buy the das keyboard.
However, I can suggest Chyrosran's review: ruclips.net/video/32uJiFWjk7I/видео.html
Not hating on your channel btw, but some statements that were made were unfortunately innaccurate.
It really does not sound like its worth the £160 to me. Sure the USB is a nice touch but how much throughput can that put out, I bet its nowhere near the USB 3.0 standard. Also no backlighting? Sure some may not like it but its a feature of most high end keyboards now.
Personally I wasn't interested in backlighting, I think it looks tacky. My main requirements were the USB hub for easy connectivity to the mouse and easier connecting of USB sticks and of course a nice typing experience, so far this keyboard is meeting all my needs.
Which is the main thing. If it works for you then its fine, but I still can not see why it was so expensive.
I'm really heavy handed and mechanical keyboards to me feel less likely to break under the force of my bear hands ;)
Looking forward to the first toast crumb to wedge itself under a key. Don't smash the crumb tho. Gotta retrieve it whole.
#GrubbyKnob
Been on Holiday Dan? like the switches yer lookin a bit gold plated ;)
Haha not for a few months, think lack of winter natural light and my soft lighting make me look a bit bronzed. I’m a pasty geek IRL though 🤓
How fast can you type? Your wpm?
the ruler is for your wife to beat you when she finds out u spent this much on a keyboard
ahaha, agreed!
I simply can not stand mecanical keyboards. I like those that are somewhat in between. Being in love with commodore computers, since the 1980's, then I do hate rubber dome keyboards. What I like the best, is membrane keyboards with springs. Sure I will use a mecanical keyboard, it they did not have that throwback punch into the fingers, once you press all down. And if they did not have that sharp clicking noise. It is too overwelming for me. Naaa.... I want keyboards with a lot of travel and a soft touch that springs give. Like C64 and A500-Mitsumi.
Dan... gold plated switches... gold. THE SOFT METAL! It literally does nothing for you when it comes to electronics and it's soft too so it warps quicker than the alternatives that we use for a reason (That they're not at as likely to warp.).
Who even designs a keyboard with a soft metal in it?
The gold is on the contacts that close the circuit. Without gold, they would corrode over time because there is current running through the contact point.
Only pure gold is soft.
the blanks are for different languages (I think)
There are numerous reasons why people opt for blanks. I got my Das 4 blank because I wanted to improve touch typing and primarily because I use an alternate keyboard layout, so the qwerty keys are mostly in the wrong place anyway. So printed keys don't serve much benefit for my usage.
Cherry MX blue switches are too loud and require too much tactile force for actuation in my opinion. I've bought humble CM Quickfire Pro with Cherry MX Browns for as low as 70$ on Amazon like 4 years ago. To this day the keyboard feels as brand new.
I wonder if the volume knob can be remapped in some Joy2Key-type software to be used as a paddle in some pong game. :)
The RGB version is the only mech keyboard with all of the features I want. The lack of a Windows key is a big one. I hate Microsoft lol I don't wanna see their logo when I look down !
Dunno if you know it or not....but that "ruler" also doubles as the "feet" for the keyboard!....LoL! INGENIOUS!....Love my "DK"....keyboard (I have the DASK3MK-PRO model....not lights but USB pass-through and that wonderful "clicking" sound!!!)
After using a mechanical keyboard?....I can't stand the "mushy" "gooey" feel of those chiclet keyboards that these PC manufacturers push out with their desktops...and when it comes to laptops?...the only keyboard that makes me "feel" as if I'm using my DK?...is the Lenovo ThinkPad T-410 / T-420 / T-530 laptops....other than that?..everything else sucks!.
Mechanical keyboards FTW! *CLACKY-CLACKY-CLACK*
that's the fastest non-touch typing I have ever seen!! Take a week to learn touch-typing. You'll never look back. More restful for the eyes at least.
Definately better
Lost weight? Niiice!
Mech keyboards feel a bit better. Are they worth the money for the vast majority of people? Not really.
Yes. [End of Video] 😊
OMG the loud key noise!!
Give me brown switches any day :) - tactile is cool, but clicky? Damned, no :D