Das Keyboard Model S Professional

Reviews - Featured Reviews: Input Devices

Written by Austin Downing

Wednesday, 26 December 2012

Table of Contents: Page Index
Das Keyboard Model S Professional
Closer Look: Das Keyboard Professional
Testing and Results
Final Thoughts and Conclusion

Page 1 of 4

Das Keyboard Model S Professional Review

Manufacturer: Metadot Corporation
Product Name: Das Keyboard Professional Model S
Model Number: DASK3MKPROCLI
UPC: 855800001227
Price As Tested: $110.98 (Amazon) or $124.99 (Newegg)

Full Disclosure: The product sample used in this article has been provided by Metadot.

Metadot's Das Keyboard is one of the most recognized keyboards on the mechanical keyboard market. The Das Keyboard has become one of the standards to which all other mechanical keyboards are compared. The question that Benchmark Reviews will be trying to answer is Metadot's keyboard "The" keyboard to have or is it just another mechanical keyboard in the growing market of mechanical keyboards aimed at both the gamers and the professionals. In this article Benchmark Reviews tests the Das Keyboard Professional Model S Mechanical.

As our world has become more connected, the keyboard has become the main way in which many people connect to the outside world. Unfortunately, as time has gone on keyboards by many accounts have gotten worse. In recent years thought the mechanical keyboard has been making a comeback, with more and more typists realizing the benefits of the mechanical key switch. One of the leaders in this movement is the Metadot Corporation and its Das Keyboard line.

As with any other peripheral it is important look at the Das Keyboard Professional from a well-rounded standpoint, this means using it in a various situations including gaming, and from a typist standpoint.

Specifications

Model No.	DASK3MKPROCLI
Color	Black
Type	Mechanical Keyboard
Interface	USB and PS/2
Keys	104
Key Switches	Cherry MX Blue Switches
Key Travel	4.0mm
Dimensions	18(L) x 6.5(W) x 1.5 inches(H)
Weight	3.4Lbs
Switch Life	50 x 10^6
Warranty	1 Year

Features

German-engineered, gold-plated, mechanical key switches (Cherry MX Blue). Designed to withstand 50 million key strokes
Special Media Keys: sleep, brightness +/-, mute, volume +/-, eject, play/pause, next and previous track
Laser-etched inscriptions on keys to resist fading
Two-port USB 2.0 hub allows for syncing and charging iPhone, iPod and USB compatible devices
Extra long 2-meter (6.6-Feet) USB cable with two USB connectors: one for the keyboard, one for the USB hub
Blue LEDs for Num Lock, Caps Lock, and Scroll Lock
Full n-key rollover (anti-ghosting technology) with a PS2 adapter, and 6 keys with USB. Great for fast typists and gamers alike.
KVM switch compatible

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Comments

# RE: Das Keyboard Model S Professional — Iain 2013-02-05 10:49

On paper, Blue switches don't make sense for anything other than typing, but having tried all the various switches, I absolutely love Blues for work and All type of gaming (mostly FPS at the moment). I've got a Razer Blackwidow right now and while its the est keyboard I own ( and I have a few mechanicals), te piano finish is a nightmare for messing up and fine scratches.

My major issue with the Das is the lack of lighting. I tried a week with a Majitouch and hated the lack of backlit keys. If you're in any doubt, get one of the many lit mechanical boards out there.

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# RE: RE: Das Keyboard Model S Professional — Karl 2013-04-15 17:34

No offense, but if you learn where your keys are you won't need them backlit--or even labeled. For gaming, especially, it pays to know exactly where your keys are. Some companies are even selling "blank" keyboards--though I think this is a bit silly, with the only possible benefit that hunt-and-peck types won't ask to use your computer :)

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# RE: Das Keyboard Model S Professional — kzinti1 2013-02-17 20:28

Just wondering. Why only a measly one-year warranty on high-end boards like the Das and my own Deck-Frost Tactile?
If these high-end, high-priced keyboards are so great (yes, including my own) then why such a short term warranty?

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# RE: RE: Das Keyboard Model S Professional — Olin Coles 2013-02-17 20:40

The short answer is money. The long answer is that they can offer an industry-standard warranty length without raising alarm with consumers, but when something goes wrong after that period they can (hope) to re-capture your business with a second purchase.

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# RE: RE: RE: Das Keyboard Model S Professional — Austin Downing 2013-02-18 04:02

This is the unfortunate truth. I have yet to have a mechanical keyboard I have reviewed on here fail but it would be nice to see longer warranties. The upcoming review of the Cooler Master Quickfire TK does have a 2 year warranty on it though.

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# Keyboard request — Jason Ganz 2013-02-18 08:01

Could you review one of the Topre Keyboards? They're a bit on the $$ side, but from what I've read, a joy to type on due to hybrid key-mechanisms.

Thanks

Jason

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# RealForce — johndoe 2013-02-18 22:06

I own a RF 87U TenKeyless all 45g and it's the best keyboard I've ever had my hands on.

It's very clicky, the acquisation force is very soft and it's even more of a joy to CS: GO on than to type. The only thing with it it the #tiness of the ABS spacebar, which makes you feel like you're hitting the spacebar from a different keyboard.

This spacebar is so #ing # it makes Painkiller MP even harder to play as you always have to spacebar to bunnyhop and the entire gameplay is built on bunnyhopping...

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# Nice but... — Jeff DeWitt 2013-02-17 21:00

I've got a 25 year old IBM Model M keyboard at work. It looks and works like new with it's solid mechanical switches, removable and cleanable key caps and characters molded into the key caps.

The only things that date it are the lack of a Windows key and it's PS2 (adapters are available).

I've no doubt the Das Keyboard is a very nice keyboard, and it may be just the thing for gamers wanting a top notch keyboard, but I'll stick with my Model M.

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# RE: Nice but... — David Ramsey 2013-02-17 21:04

That's my day to day keyboard, and a couple of spares in the garage in the unlikely case something ever happens to it...

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# Model M — Jeff DeWitt 2013-02-17 21:08

I expect 50 years from now people are still going to be using those keyboards. This was one IBM got right.

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