Das Keyboard!

[gunderwood]

I just picked up a Das Keyboard Model S Ultimate Silent. This thing is so awesome I started typing a post and had to stop and come sing its praises here!

http://www.daskeyboard.com/

This is the best typing keyboard I've ever tried. Period. If you ever had the pleasure of using an IBM Model M keyboard you will love this thing. Please note that when they mean silent, that isn't quite true. It still makes nice clacking sounds as you type, but they are not uber loud. I added the Linux Penguin keys in place of the blank Windows keys because I thought it looked cool and I use Linux most of the time. However, the rest of the keys are blank. I decided on the blank keys to force me to learn the special keys better (I can touch type, but not the symbols or other special keys). Besides, a blank keyboard will keep people off my computer!

The key strokes on the silent are still loud enough that they will likely annoy anyone in the same room who doesn't appreciate their mechanical awesomeness. I've been using a Logitech G15 gaming keyboard before this, but I'd forgotten how great a mechanical keyboard really is. Now my posts can get even longer as I not only enjoy the content, but the process of typing as well. I plan on getting a 30" monitor soon so I expect that between a massive screen and an awesome keyboard that my posts will grow so long that the Internet will crash.

If you do a lot of typing I highly recommend this keyboard. The silent model is best if you live with other people though.

Edit: Forgot to mention that each key switch is rated for about 50 million strokes...yup, it isn't going anywhere anytime soon.

[Taggure]

GEEEEEEEK

[OakRidgeStars]

So you don't like typing and sending Morse code at the same time?

[gunderwood]

So you don't like typing and sending Morse code at the same time?

It does, but you just don't need ear plugs for your family with the silent model. Yes, they actually sell ear plugs.

[jim100]

If you bought a brand new expensive keyboard that is as good as you say it is gunderwood than I must assume you are a gamer of some sort. no?

[gunderwood]

If you bought a brand new expensive keyboard that is as good as you say it is gunderwood than I must assume you are a gamer of some sort. no?

I like playing a few games, but hardly enough to be called a gamer. I really only play StarCraftII and Civ5 these days. Most gaming keyboards have programmable keys and such to "cheat." This has none of that. The cost is mostly due to the high quality, expensive mechanical switches and the fact that they are relatively low volume. While it works for gaming, it really is meant for people who spend a lot of time typing, writers, coders, etc.

If you are just hitting keys on it you won't get it. To realize how great it is at the task you really need to focus on writing/coding; then you realize just how fluid it is.

[jim100]

kk had to ask.

[CowboyT]

Give my my "old" IBM AT keyboard any day. The "chiclet" keyboards suck. The IBM keyboards with their metal switches totally rock, and I can fly touch-typing with this thing. 80 words/minute, mistake-free, is easy for me on one of these things.

Every 10 years or so, I'll take my keyboards apart and give 'em a good cleaning. Then they're good to go for another ten years, and they actually only need it every 15 or 20, depending on the environment.

Does this thing actually feel like the IBM keyboards of back in the day?

[zephyp]

Take apart a keyboard for cleaning? Nah. I just take em out back, turn it upside down, and give em a few sharp smacks on the backside. Amazing all the crap that comes spewing out...

[gunderwood]

Does this thing actually feel like the IBM keyboards of back in the day?

Yes and no. I have the silent model, which is hardly silent, but it is significantly less noisy than the old IBMs. The non-silent models are suppose to be nearly identical to the IBMs of old. The key strokes on mine don't feel exactly like the IBMs, but are just as good IMHO. Slightly different, but just as good. They do have a 30 day money back guarantee.

Money-back guarantee for 30 days after the purchase - product needs to be in its original condition and packaging.

I'm extremely pleased with mine. I let Kelly try it and she has taken a liking to it as well, so I guess I'll be buying another one soon.

[Ironbear]

Would you consider them similar to the Northgate keyboards? I miss mine, it went through 3 computers before it disappeared in a break-in.

[gunderwood]

Would you consider them similar to the Northgate keyboards? I miss mine, it went through 3 computers before it disappeared in a break-in.

Never had one of those. Most mechanical keyboards feel similar and even a cheap one feels better than most keyboards today. The IBMs were famous because they used high quality switches so they never died. Two decades in and those things were still going strong. This keyboard uses similar switches. They are rated for 50M keystrokes which I won't be doing anytime soon.

I do wish I could try the regular ultimate side by side with my silent though. I guess I could order one and see which I like better or if there isn't much difference besides noise.