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Das Keyboard now pre-ordering Mac version of their mechanical keyboard

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Re: Das Keyboard now pre-ordering Mac version of their mechanical keyboard

#51

Post by dchest »

guylhem wrote: post #11
jaysonelliot wrote: post #7

I use an Apple Extended Keyboard: http://www.retrotechnology.com/herbs_stuff/m_kbdm3501.jpg It requires a rather hefty ADB to USB adapter, which ran me about fifty bucks ( http://www.amazon.com/Griffin-2001-ADB-iMate-Universal-adapt... ) but to me, it was worth it. Modern Apple keyboards look beautiful sitting in a pristine environment, but the lack of key travel, too-flat form factor, and decent spacing makes typing…

If I may, I suggest you try the USB version - Apple USB keyboard - http://www.amazon.com/Apple-109-Key-Version-Keyboard-1003199... Very similar layout, with a smaller form factor, non mechanical but to me it feels just as good, and it features an USB hub. My preferred keyboard at home and at work, along with some ControllerMate magic to turn the Help key into something more useful. PS: it also has a delete (Ctrl-D) k…

I had it, and I didn't like it. It felt like there was bubblegum under the keys.

Re: Das Keyboard now pre-ordering Mac version of their mechanical keyboard

#52

Post by gnaffle »

guylhem wrote: post #11
jaysonelliot wrote: post #7

I use an Apple Extended Keyboard: http://www.retrotechnology.com/herbs_stuff/m_kbdm3501.jpg It requires a rather hefty ADB to USB adapter, which ran me about fifty bucks ( http://www.amazon.com/Griffin-2001-ADB-iMate-Universal-adapt... ) but to me, it was worth it. Modern Apple keyboards look beautiful sitting in a pristine environment, but the lack of key travel, too-flat form factor, and decent spacing makes typing…

If I may, I suggest you try the USB version - Apple USB keyboard - http://www.amazon.com/Apple-109-Key-Version-Keyboard-1003199... Very similar layout, with a smaller form factor, non mechanical but to me it feels just as good, and it features an USB hub. My preferred keyboard at home and at work, along with some ControllerMate magic to turn the Help key into something more useful. PS: it also has a delete (Ctrl-D) k…

I never liked these. I know some that do, but the keys cannot be compared to the older Apple Extended Keyboard, they have a completely different feel. Also, as mentioned, the resistance seems to increase with age.

Re: Das Keyboard now pre-ordering Mac version of their mechanical keyboard

#53

Post by efsavage »

jaysonelliot wrote: post #7

I use an Apple Extended Keyboard: http://www.retrotechnology.com/herbs_stuff/m_kbdm3501.jpg It requires a rather hefty ADB to USB adapter, which ran me about fifty bucks ( http://www.amazon.com/Griffin-2001-ADB-iMate-Universal-adapt... ) but to me, it was worth it. Modern Apple keyboards look beautiful sitting in a pristine environment, but the lack of key travel, too-flat form factor, and decent spacing makes typing…

Definitely a matter of taste, I have the newer style Apple keyboard on all my keyboards for the same reason, my hands get tired almost immediately when I have to use something else. The key travel (especially on the ergonomic ones) seems excessive.

Re: Das Keyboard now pre-ordering Mac version of their mechanical keyboard

#54

Post by utexaspunk »

gioele wrote: post #40

When will we finally get rid of the numerical pad? The now discontinued HP mini keyboard [1] was exactly as I thought all the keyboards would had been past 2005. Exactly the full size layout, just without the unnecessary numerical pad whose only use it to keep the mouse far away from my right hand. [1] http://www.amazon.com/HP-AS601AA-ABA-Mini-Keyboard/dp/B0025Z...

But what if you have to enter a bunch of numbers?

Re: Das Keyboard now pre-ordering Mac version of their mechanical keyboard

#55

Post by utexaspunk »

dekz wrote: post #37

Does anyone know of a good mechanical keyboard which also has a mouse num between the keys. Or should I be convinced of why that is such a horrible idea.

Do you mean with a trackpoint? The Unicomp EnduraPro has buckling spring keys and trackpoint nub between the G, H, and B:

http://pckeyboard.com/mm5/merchant.mvc?Store_Code=PCK&Sc...

Re: Das Keyboard now pre-ordering Mac version of their mechanical keyboard

#56

Post by sjs »

guylhem wrote: post #9
sjs wrote: post #6

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Even the keys for volume, iTunes, brightness, and Mission Control?

Well there is an option for Fx keys as Fx keys instead of shortcuts in Preferences.app But this keyboard, even if it supposedly designed for the mac, won't get my money: - weird FN keys where the right control stands, instead of the leftmost part like on most laptops (including macbooks) - eject key way too close to backspace. (really, what could go wrong especially where the delete key is - and while the mac can use…

> Well there is an option for Fx keys as Fx keys instead of shortcuts in Preferences.app

If you've plugged an Apple keyboard into a Windows box you know that they don't just send the standard function key codes. I don't think that the PC version's function keys would just work as volume and iTunes keys on a Mac. And even if they did you would have to remember where they are, and how they are different from your MacBook keyboard. Apple routinely shuffles things around. Is F4 a Dashboard key or a LaunchPad key?

> But this keyboard, even if it supposedly designed for the mac, won't get my money

Ok.

> Basically, they took the PC version, didn't change the molds (expansive!!) and just printed some mac-like labels on the key.

I'm certain they would have to send different key codes in order to be truly compatible, as they claim to be.

> A cheap hack, not worth $133.

If someone wants Das Keyboard and also wants the function keys and such to work correctly then maybe it is worth $133 to them. It's not to me, but I can see how it is to some. Even if all they did was change the caps and key codes that could be very valuable to some people. If I were a fan of Das Keyboard I would probably shell out for one.

Re: Das Keyboard now pre-ordering Mac version of their mechanical keyboard

#57

Post by jamesaguilar »

bnastic wrote: post #44
jamesaguilar wrote: post #24

FYI, you also have the option of using the standard Das, and just switching the Alt and Command keys in the Apple keyboard settings dialog (under special keys). It is really easy to use a PC keyboard with a Mac seamlessly. Wish the same was true of the other way around.

Are you referring to Apple's Alu keyboard? I'm using Matias TactilePro Mac keyabord at work, on a typical Windows PC. No issues here - Command becomes Win and all is well.

Right: command is in the wrong place w.r.t. a typical Windows keyboard. There's no simple built-in option in the OS to fix this.

Re: Das Keyboard now pre-ordering Mac version of their mechanical keyboard

#58

Post by learc83 »

dekz wrote: post #42
learc83 wrote: post #12

I use a unicomp ( http://pckeyboard.com/ ) buckling spring keyboard. You can order an apple key from them if you'd like.

Is it hideously loud like a lot of the other mechanical keyboards mentioned in this thread. Safe for office use?

Yes, it's very loud. Every buckling spring keyboard I've ever used is loud, but I can type so much faster on it that I can't stand anything else.

Re: Das Keyboard now pre-ordering Mac version of their mechanical keyboard

#59

Post by astrodust »

swombat wrote: post #22
gchpaco wrote: post #18

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I cannot deal with the action on the "new" Apple keyboards. It's like typing on a pane of glass, it hurts like hell because you have to press the key to nearly its fullest extension to actuate it, and then your finger comes to an abrupt halt. They could be the very best scissor type keyboards ever made and I still couldn't use them for long without getting shooting pains.

You barely need to press the keys though... I guess everyone has their own tastes, but I find the modern Apple keyboards to be the best keyboards I've ever used. The low key travel and resistance means I apply much less strength than I would on a normal keyboard, which makes it much lighter to type on.

This is the reason I've come to like them. The travel is super short so you can kind of just tap at them instead of having to hammer down. Older membrane or mechanical keyboards would require some serious effort to fully depress the key, and if you didn't develop a heavy-handed habit you'd often miss letters.

I have a pet theory that Apple's iterations of shorter, thinner, lower travel keyboards is just training us slowly for the day when a glass keyboard is the de-facto standard.

The only trouble I have with the iPad-sized keyboard, which is virtually the same in terms of layout, is that accidental taps are much easier. It's like handling a loaded gun, you can't leave your fingers lazying about. If it required a certain amount of force, just jog the motion sensor slightly, and had a slight tactile feel to the keys, it might end up being even better.

Re: Das Keyboard now pre-ordering Mac version of their mechanical keyboard

#60

Post by vtail »

gchpaco wrote: post #16
vtail wrote: post #5

It's interesting to analyze what that decided to put on the front page as their key features: - 3 points (#2, #3 and #8) related to USB functionality - 3 essentially identical points (#5, #6 and #7) about what type of keys they have - Only points #1 and #4 are something that could be considered as real differentiator by a layman - Gold-plated contacts are mentioned 4(!) times on the first page - I wonder if they prov…

Silver is a fantastic conductor, better than copper, but tarnishes far too quickly for contacts that are expected to actuate consistently over a prolonged period of time. This is a problem because silver oxides are poor conductors (as are copper oxides). Gold is an inferior conductor to silver and copper, but not by that much and it doesn't tarnish. But is it relevant? That depends on the technology you build the key…

Thanks so much for very informative reply!
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