Das Keyboard 4 Ultimate Blank Wired Mechanical Keyboard, Cherry MX Brown Mechanical Switches, 2-Port USB 3.0 Hub, Volume Knob, Aluminum Top (104 Keys, Black)

If you are looking at this product seriously, then I believe I can make a few assumptions about you. First, you know how to type well without ever having to look at the keyboard. Second, you are interested in a mechanical keyboard with Cherry MX switches. Third, you don't mind spending a nice chunk of change on a keyboard even though a $10 keyboard will basically do the same thing. If any of these things are not true of you, I'd suggest you move on to another keyboard. As far as design, this keyboard is a beast. They keycaps feel hefty. The body of the keyboard is a very heavy aluminum which feels like it could be used as a weapon if necessary (seriously, the keyboard is HEAVY). The volume knob is exceptional to use and even the non-mechanical media keys are great to use. Even the cord to this keyboard is extra beefy and who can complain about 2 usb 3.0 ports right on the keyboard? The all-black design is beautiful and the lack of any markings on the keycaps makes the keyboard aesthetically pleasing. The vast majority of the time, blank keycaps are no issue to me. The only time I have issues is when I go to enter some weird password - especially if it has !@#$%^&* (any of the symbols above the number keys) in it. I can NEVER remember where the heck those symbols are located. Regular typing has never been an issue with the blank keycaps nor has data entry (the number pad is very helpful). As far as the switches, I find them very pleasing to use. The sound of the keys bottoming out can be quite loud, but if you learn to stop slamming the keys and push more softly until the key engages the keyboard can be very quiet. I love the feel of the keys with the Brown switches. How these compare to other Cherry MX switches I am not able to say as this is my first mechanical keyboard. All I know is that the transition from the cheap keyboards which came with my Dell computers in the past to this keyboard has been a breeze thanks to the Cherry MX Brown switches. I really did not notice a difference typing on this keyboard - until I went back to a non-mechanical one. The bottom line is that although this keyboard is very expensive, I've found it to be well-built, aesthetically-pleasing, and a joy to use. I especially recommend it to students or those who type quite a lot. I have found it to be sometimes awkward for gaming (you have to push a lot further down on these keys versus a membrane keyboard) although I have adjusted to the difference. For typing, however, this keyboard is an absolute joy.

It's a brilliantly well-made keyboard. The keypress feel and feedback of the cherryMX brown keys is pretty much ideal. Not having the labels on the keys does not stop me using it as my primary keyboard for work. There was a bit of an adjustment: I really need to position this keyboard directly in front of me, and make sure I start my hands at the customary position, but with that done, I can type quite well and very fast. I still have some problems finding certain symbols that I don't use every day, and when I do mistype, it takes longer to recover sometimes because I can't just look down and find the right key. That said, looking down at the keyboard while typing out odd passwords and such is surprisingly helpful even without the key labels, If you use and work with a keyboard with the same layout as this one professionally as I do, you'll probably find the adjustment to a non-labeled version no big deal. The high quality of the construction and the mechanical keys also made the transition easier, as my previous keyboard did not have mechanical keys and had far lower quality construction. I agree with other reviewers that the tilt angle of the keyboard using the little ruler that it comes with is inadequate. I use a wrist pad in front of the keyboard to stave off carpal-tunnel, and the angle of the keys is just not high enough for typing with that. I prop it up with an old standard-size DVD case under the ruler prop and that gets it just about right. At this price, I would have hoped for a variable height tilt option or capability in the keyboard. At the very least, they could make an accessory to replace the prop it comes with with something better for people who have wrist pads. Also, when plugged into a USB3.0 port, it doesn't seem to work with my computer in BIOS or in Linux, and only sometimes in Windows. That might be a hardware issue with my motherboard, though, as I've had other USB3-specific issues with this machine, and it was one of the first-generation of motherboards to support 3.0. It's fully compatible, including media controls in Linux, when plugged into a USB2.0 port, so I won't take off a star for that. Overall, this keyboard is a pleasure to use: it looks great, it feels great to type on, and it's solid enough that I expect it to last a long time. If you're not impressed by the prestige factor of the blank keys, then I'd say go for the Pro version that has the labels. It's the same keyboard and it's excellent. If you type on keyboards for a living, know what you're doing, have the $$$, and are tempted to blow it on a luxury keyboard that looks cool, then don't let the lack of labels deter you: you'll get used to it pretty quickly.

After over a decade of use, I recently replaced my old Das mechanical keyboard with the Das Keyboard 4 Ultimate Blank Wired Mechanical Keyboard. The blank keycaps are really blank, and they add a cool factor that draws attention. I was pleased to find that this new model exceeded my expectations in terms of functionality and comfort. For reference, I use mine for everything. Schoolwork, professional papers, programming, you name it. The keyboard's ergo key action provides the perfect typing experience, and the Cherry MX Brown mechanical switches are incredibly responsive and provide just the right amount of feedback. The keyboard also features USB 3.0 connectivity, a volume dial, and media playback controls, which make it even more user-friendly. Although the lack of lettering on the keycaps may seem daunting at first, it actually encourages touch typing and helps to improve typing skills. Once you get used to it, you'll find that you're able to type even faster and more accurately than before. The sleek and minimalistic design of the keyboard adds to the overall typing experience, allowing for a distraction-free and focused environment. Overall, I would highly recommend the Das Keyboard 4 Ultimate Blank Wired Mechanical Keyboard to anyone who is looking for a high-quality and efficient typing experience. It's a great investment in your productivity and typing skills, and the blank keycaps add a unique and cool touch to any workspace.

When I bought this keyboard, I wasn't sure whether I would actually like it. I knew that I wanted to upgrade to a Mechanical Keyboard because of the increased awesomeness when programming or typing long essays. That being said, the lack of letters on the keyboard is a double edged sword. If you know how to use your computer and you know that you're the only person who's gonna be using it, it can be really increase the 'minimal' type look if that's what you want. That being said, if you ask someone to do something on your computer, and they're not a touch typist, things can fall apart fairly quickly. On to the build quality. I can't find much to complain about, the exterior around the keys is a metal (I'd guess Aluminum) and the keys are right where you'd expect them to be, Cherry MX's, and they're rated to quite a few clicks (I can't remember how many exactly at the moment). On the top side, there's the controls for music, a volume dial, and two buttons for Sleep (on the left) and Mute (On the right). Most of my problems are with these these features. Remember, overall, this keyboard is awesome, and I love it, but if I could change some things about it, it would have to do with the extra cluster. The volume dial feels like it isn't sitting exactly on its mount, it feels like its kinda crooked. Its barely noticeable, but still can be seen under a keen eye. Another problem I had was the placement of the music back button, and its proximity with the sleep button. More times than once I've sent my computer into a slumber when all I wanted was the song to restart. Other than those small problems, this keyboard was well worth the fat price tag. You could get a Corsair K95 for the same amount of money, but lets be honest, a Keyboard is an Input Device, so you can input information from you into your computer. DasKeyboard does that in a way thats simple but functional. It really takes the "Function over form" design paradigm to the max, and I love it for that reason. Also, this review was typed on it, and I had a blast typing it all up :)

Have been using the chiclet style Apple bluetooth / built-in Macbook Pro keyboards for the last few years and decided to see what all the hype about mechanicals are about. I consider myself a fairly good typist (~110 wpm on an Apple keyboard, credit goes to the game Everquest a decade ago) and spend 12+ hours a day at the keyboard for work (programming) as well as chatting, emails, etc, so figured a good mechanical would be worth the investment. After a lot of research I decided on Das for the quality and design, since I don't need any fancy lights or macros. I am in Singapore so including shipping the total price was over $200 USD - quite high for a peripheral most people spend $10-20 on, but I think it is a worthy investment. First off, the look is super sleek and sexy - love the simplicity and professionalism of the design, and the red accent on the volume knob is a very nice touch. I opted for the Ultimate (no lettering on the keys) mainly for the cool factor as well as for the clean look, though it also ensured that I really knew where everything was without needing to look; and also for the Soft Tactile (Cherry MX Brown switches) since I usually work throughout the night and don't want to wake up family in other rooms. I'm more than happy with everything - the feel is great and typing is definitely more enjoyable on this keyboard compared to membranes, though I find the latter still acceptable on other computers. My typing speed was a bit faster (~10 wpm) on the mechanical but perhaps with more usage it'll improve further. Overall I'm very happy with the keyboard, though the MX Browns weren't as tactile as I expected and I think I could have enjoyed the MX Blue switches more - will try that the next time around! For those looking to use this with a Mac, it works out of the box and you just use the default OS X System Preferences > Keyboard > Modifier Keys to switch CMD/Alt accordingly. A benefit of having no lettering is that you don't need to physically switch any keys for this. The volume knob and pause/play buttons all work without the need for any modifications.

I love this keyboard. The keys feel and sound great. It's heavy and feels very solid. Its overall appearance, with all-black keys and absolutely zero labeling, is so sleek and awesome. I've had only minor trouble with having no labels, mainly with keys in the middle where I have no reference (it's easy to judge from edges, but starting in the middle of a sea of black keys without a clue where you are can be challenging at times), so I make a few mistakes here and there, especially when I pause and restart in the middle of the keyboard. There's only one cable and USB connector (versus the squid connectors of earlier, and unfortunately even Razer's current, mechanical keyboards) and the USB ports are on the top-right, where they should be (not the right side of the keyboard where your mouse goes, which was again an issue on earlier, and again even Razer's current, keyboards.. Razer repeated all of the same mistakes everyone else already made, not sure why they didn't get the memo..). Anyway, I love this thing. So much I've carried it back and forth between home and work daily for several weeks now until I can afford to get another mechanical keyboard and have one at each location. It's nice to be mechanical again, just like the good old days.

Keyboard is great but media controls don't work in Mac as advertised. Worked with support, they couldn't figure it out either. Get the older style if you have a Mac. My Windows computer also did not respond to key presses to wakeup when asleep (other usb keyboards work fine on this machine). I think this one was released a little too early.

I've never been so excited to write a review before, until I got my new keyboard. From the perspective of a software engineer who works in an office, here are the highlights: Pros: * Looks awesome - Since there are no pesky characters to clutter up the keys, it gives this keyboard a sleek matte black look, which is sweet. * Built like a tank - The quality is exceptional. Weighing in at a little under 4lbs, it's by far the heaviest and most sturdy keyboard I've owned. * Well designed - I like the layout of the keyboard, as well as the dedicated volume knob, sleep button, and media buttons; although I rarely use them, it makes me feel that much more powerful. Cons: * A little loud - Since I am in a somewhat crowded office, even though I went with the brown switches, it makes quite a bit more noise than your standard keyboard. I've never used a mechanical keyboard before, so this could perhaps be the most silent version, but I can feel some cube-mates giving me the stink eye when I am on a typing streak. * The Ruler/Foot-bar - Although a clever idea, I find the magnetic foot bar a little frustrating. Since most cubical/desk surfaces are a bit slick, when attached, the foot bar made the keyboard slide across the desk at times, making it a nuisance to type for longer periods of time without having to wrangle it back in towards you. So, it made a nice magnet for the closest metal surface near me that I can find. Other notes: * I thought that having a blank keyboard would be harder to get used to, but was not at all. Now, not only do I look like a hero, I feel like one too... * Now my mouse looks sad. They definitely need to come out with a 'Das Mouse' to match.

ce qui m'a posé quelques difficultés initialement. Bon clavier mécanique pour ceux qui aime ce genre de clavier. Je suis revenue à mon ancien clavier car je l'ai trouvé trop haute. Mais j'ai adoré l'absence de lettres.

Love it!

Looks slick and feels awesome. I'm an engineering student and have found myself using the included ruler quite a lot. The USB hub is located perfectly; easy to find by touch and not in the way.

The keyboard arrived well packaged, wrapped in a foam-plastic cover in its retail packaging, and once again housed inside a cardboard box which fill remaining empty space with plastic foam. In the box contains very little, as this keyboard is completely driver-less, no software is included. All you will find is the keyboard, a quick start guide, and the footstand, which props the keyboard up at a more comfortable angle. I have quite a bit of experience with mechanical keyboards, while not venturing into the 'enthusiast' nature of customizing both the keyboard and the keycaps, I have owned the Corsair K95 (reds), the Logitech G710+, and the assortment of membrane alternatives that come with the vast majority of laptops. This is my first time, however, with the Cherry MX Brown Switches that adorn this keyboard. They're fantastic. Out of the other mechanical keyboards, Browns are now my go-to switches for all manner of applications. I purchased this keyboard for two main purposes, for the large amount of typing I do each day and for the slight amount of gaming I participate in. The keyboard and the Brown switches excel at both aspects, with the low activation force of the Browns being very notable and appealing in Counter Strike, and the tactile feel is practical and a joy for longer papers. Although many inexperience typists may have issue with the lack of labelled caps, for those who wish to take a chance I'd say go for it. I was apprehensive at first but you will quickly adapt to your fingers naturally seeking out the keys they need to press. I still have trouble with some keys, such as special characters but I'm sure that I will become accustom to this as well in time. The matte black is very becoming and looks good in both professional and gaming settings. The lack of labelled keycaps may attracted unwanted attention however, but this may be another selling point of the keyboard. Typing doesn't cause the board to flex at all, as the boards design is very sturdy. The media keys are far better than I expected, with the volume knob being very tactile and has a lovely clicking feedback as you scroll. The ff, p/p, rw and mute buttons are very flat and take very little force to activate, and fit very nicely in with the overall sleek and black construction of the keyboard. If you're looking for a keyboard without silly lighting effects and macro buttons, instead for build quality and simple effectiveness, buy this keyboard.

Ich verwende diese Tastatur nun seit knapp 2 Monaten und kann mich nicht beklagen. Es ist die beste Tastatur, die ich jemals hatte. Qualitativ hochwertig und das Tippen fühlt sich einfach super an. Als Tipp: Wer die Kappen entfernt, sollte gut dabei aufpassen. Da die Kappen keine Beschriftung haben, ist es zeitaufwendig die jeweiligen Kappen wieder auf die richtige Taste zu setzen.