The Das Keyboard is a high-end computer keyboard with no inscriptions on the keys, that is, the keys themselves are both completely black and completely blank.

Selling points

The manufacturers claim three major selling-points, two of which relate to the keyboard's main feature, its lack of any key labels whatsoever:

• Typing Speed - it is claimed that Das Keyboard can allow the user to "type up to 100% faster in a few weeks" ^*. The reasoning behind this is that the lack of help from inscriptions forces the user's brain to memorize the key positions, eventually increasing typing speed and accuracy.
• "Geek factor" - the keyboard's total lack of inscriptions "reflect your status as one of the elite", according to the manufacturers. In other words, the board demonstrates one's 'elite' skills because they are able to type without using key inscriptions.
• Mechanical keyswitches - the new Das Keyboard II features high-end clicky mechanical key switches that reportedly provide a feel and quality similar to the venerable revered IBM Model M Keyboard.

Criticism

The original Das Keyboard has received criticism from some who feel that it is essentially just a moderate-to-good quality dome-switch ("membrane") keyboard. The 'spongy' feel of the keys has also been unfavourably compared with keyboards using mechanical keyswitches; in addition, some feel the advantage of the weighted keys has been overstated. These criticisms are all (of course) to some extent subjective, and are not universally shared.

The new Das Keyboard II, which sells for twenty dollars more than the original, addresses the critics of the first version. Das Keyboard II features gold-plated and clicky high-end mechanical key switches which are similar, but not identical, to the "buckling spring" type key switches in the old IBM model M keyboard.

Name

The word das (= the in German) in the name means “The keyboard par excellence”. Another reference to the German language is that the keyboard targets “Über-Geeks”.

External links

• Official Das Keyboard homepage

• Das Keyboard review on Extreme PC

• Coverage of Das Keyboard on Slashdot

Computer keyboards

Дас Кейбоард