Das Keyboard Professional hits US retail stores

Keyboard aficionados have been able to order the Das Keyboard Professional directly from the company for a little while now, but those that prefer to check out their keyboards up close before committing will no doubt be pleased to hear that it's now also available at two US retailers: Micro Center and J&R Music and Computer World. The price apparently stays the same at $129, which'll get you those trademark mechanical switches, a two-port USB hub, a glossy black finish, and a couple of blue LEDs to jazz things up a bit. Those interested in the blank key-equipped Das Keyboard II are out of luck, however, as it's still only available online.

[Tristan @ Nov 11th 2008 2:55PM]

This is a good keyboard but the lettering on the keys is already staring to wear off and I've only had it a couple of months!

[Hoag @ Nov 11th 2008 2:58PM]

I guess in a couple of years you'll have the Das Keyboard II model :)

I have the Pro myself, and I've been really happy with it. I got $30 for pre-ordering, huzzah!

[Sam @ Nov 11th 2008 3:15PM]

That's the free conversion feature,
You get a Das II after a few weeks!
2-for-1!

[UnixSystemsEngineer @ Nov 11th 2008 4:09PM]

Cool! My Matias TactilePro is starting to show its age, but I love mechanical keyboards. Too many manufacturers churn out squishy crap that you can't type on. One of the worst keyboards I've ever used is the pre-aluminum Apple Pro keyboard.

[bob sakamano @ Nov 11th 2008 2:58PM]

"profesional" reminds me when bmw had "business" on their in-dash stereo players... does it mean anything at all?

[bob sakamano @ Nov 11th 2008 2:58PM]

professional*

[bob sakamano @ Nov 11th 2008 2:59PM]

donald,

but those that "perfer" to check out their keyboards up close before committing will no doubt be pleased to hear that it's now also available at two US retailers

prefer*

[Hoag @ Nov 11th 2008 2:59PM]

Not really... The model "II" doesn't have markings on the keys, the "Professional" does.

[d889 @ Nov 11th 2008 3:09PM]

actually the business radio in bmw was just the step down, a little less map features and you couldnt listen to a cd while navigating. where as the professional can do 3d mapping and everything else

[phanbouy @ Nov 11th 2008 3:05PM]

Ja. Das Keyboard ist gud.

[schmitty338 @ Nov 11th 2008 3:51PM]

Nein, das keyboard ist GUT.... :-P

Sie sprechen nicht Deutsch sehr gut.

Aber das ist in Ordnung, mache ich nicht entweder.

[phanbouy @ Nov 11th 2008 4:04PM]

From the cover of a tree he reads out the funniest joke in the world.

"Wenn ist das Nunstruck git und Slotermeyer? Ja!...Beiherhund das Oder die Flipperwaldt gersput!"

[Valicore @ Nov 11th 2008 4:13PM]

Naja, sein Deutsch nicht so gut ist, aber warum sagen Sie das denn :P?

[Pretol @ Nov 11th 2008 5:01PM]

не понянто ничего... херня сплошная...

[r3loaded @ Nov 11th 2008 7:00PM]

@Pretol

Fail. Dies ist Deutsch, nicht Russich.

[warrrennnnn @ Nov 11th 2008 3:05PM]

"two US retailers: Micro Center and J&R Music and Computer World"

am I missing something here? or was this just punctuation?

[Clasifyd @ Nov 11th 2008 3:08PM]

(Micro Center) and (J&R Music and Computer World)

[omar @ Nov 11th 2008 3:08PM]

Retailer 1 "J&R Music and Computer World"
Retailer 2 "Micro Center"

[bangladeshiluv @ Nov 11th 2008 3:06PM]

i would never pay more than FREE for a keyboard

[Oli D @ Nov 11th 2008 3:18PM]

mmmm free lunch,
why am i hungry?

[spass @ Nov 11th 2008 4:52PM]

You must be using one of those 10 year old free keyboards that has a problem with the caps lock key.

[FyreFlareon @ Nov 11th 2008 5:50PM]

You clearly don't know much about keyboards.

[omar @ Nov 11th 2008 3:12PM]

J&R Music and Computer World right next to Pace University...good times

[Frun @ Nov 11th 2008 3:13PM]

"Das boot" is really going to like this!

[patsy @ Nov 11th 2008 3:19PM]

Why doesn't someone make a keyboard with a few USB ports pointing UP right above the keys--there's plenty of empty space there on most keyboards--so that you can stick in a flash drive or three without having to fumble behind the keyboard or needing extra clearance back there? Seems like such a no-brainer, yet I can't seem to find something like that.

[RedBull Runner @ Nov 11th 2008 3:30PM]

thats nothing a dremel and some hot glue cant fix

[patsy @ Nov 11th 2008 3:52PM]

@RedBull Runner: That would apply to any number of other things as well, but apparently there's still a huge market for off-the-shelf products in general that don't require dremeling and gluing. I myself am a huge fan of Das Dremel, but some things I prefer to not look like ass, such as the thing I type on all day long. Then again, typing on ass may have benefits all of its own...

[slowerpig81 @ Nov 11th 2008 3:55PM]

One problem, it would get dusty if you didn't clean it. While that's not that big of a problem with USB's large contacts. It would be cool if it had a flap that would cover it like some keyholes or like the memory card slots on a lot of game consoles.

That's a good idea, though.

[Bubba @ Nov 11th 2008 3:26PM]

Aside from the jokesters and those who think a $5 keyboard is fine...

How does this compare to the old IBM keyboards of days gone by? I've had one I've been using for 15 years and still love it. But it is beginning to show an occasional glitch and miss a few letters now and then. I've looked for a replacement but everything I have touched has felt like a kids toy rather than a tool to do business with.

For a replacement of the same quality of the old IBM keyboards that came out of the typewriter division, you bet I'd pay good $$$ for one.

Bubba

[Phil @ Nov 11th 2008 3:33PM]

pckeyboard.com now owns the rights to the old IBM keyboard designs, and you can get them with Windows keys with your choice of buckling spring or rubber dome switches and PS/2 or USB connectivity.

[photoTristan @ Nov 11th 2008 3:33PM]

Here's my video review of it:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yJitURx3ZVQ

[Chris @ Nov 11th 2008 4:58PM]

Hey PhotoTristan, it's pronounced DOSS, as in MS-DOS. Not DASS, like glass.

[ac14 @ Nov 11th 2008 11:13PM]

Im still using an old IBM model M keyboard. i have two. No windows key and its super loud, but i jsut love the response of the keys. best keyboard i have used. Buckle Spring FTW.

[bhtooefr @ Nov 12th 2008 7:07AM]

Well...

If you want a keyboard of that QUALITY, although with a different keyswitching mechanism, your choice is probably the CVT Avant Prime, which is actually built a little better than the old Model M, and has programmability (and Windows keys...) but also has an L-shaped enter. It costs $149.

If you want a keyboard with the buckling spring mechanism of the Model M, then your best bet is Unicomp's line, which starts with the $59 Customizer 101, and they have versions with Windows keys for $69. I've got an EnduraPro 104 (Windows keys, pointing stick, slimline case) with USB that I got for $99, and the quality is nowhere near a real Model M, though.

So, what am I typing this post on?

IBM Model M, p/n 1391401, ID 0126050, DOB 06-03-1993.

Oh, and in reply to your "Aside from the jokesters and those who think a $5 keyboard is fine..." comment... a $5 keyboard *IS* fine - in fact, the best keyboard I've ever typed on. I paid $4.99 for this keyboard at Goodwill. ;)

[joshwt @ Nov 11th 2008 3:41PM]

What makes this worth $120~???

[Valicore @ Nov 11th 2008 4:15PM]

Shhhhhh. Don't you know it's impolite to ask questions like that?

[Kelmon @ Nov 11th 2008 5:25PM]

Damn, I was wondering the same thing. I'm quite happy to pay for a good keyboard (I'm currently using Apple's wired keyboard since I love laptop-style keyboards) but I'm not seeing what $130 is buying me here. It looks like a plain vanilla keyboard to my untrained eyes. What am I missing?

[funnyperson1 @ Nov 11th 2008 7:37PM]

The keyswitches are mechanical, there are actually little metal springs in each key that give a positive feedback and make a satisfying click sound. Almost all modern keyboards are made with cheap keyswitches that are mushy.

Here's a review of the IBM Model M keyboards which are regarded by many as the finest keyboards ever made:
http://www.dansdata.com/ibmkeyboard.htm

The Das keyboard is still overpriced though, you can get a new clone of the IBM Model M keyboards from pckeyboards.com for like $60, you're just paying for style with the Das Keyboard.

[Benson @ Nov 11th 2008 9:56PM]

Ever hear of audiophiles?

These are keyophiles... they're what makes this keyboard worth $120.

(Seriously, I've had mechanical keyboards, but am quite content with a good membrane keyboard, and it's quiet, too. (No, not all membrane keyboards are good, of course...)

[chefgon_ign @ Nov 11th 2008 3:43PM]

It looks like a free Dell keyboard. Am I missing something?

[DBrim @ Nov 11th 2008 3:53PM]

My guess is that it's how the keyboard acts mechanically that sets it apart from the other models. It's apparently modeled after the IBM model M, which is considered to be one of the best tactile keyboards of all time. I couldn't tell you for sure how much better it is, though, because I've never used one.

[pr_master @ Nov 11th 2008 3:50PM]

It look identical to my keyboard. Is there something i am missing???

[UnixSystemsEngineer @ Nov 11th 2008 4:08PM]

mechanical keyswitches

[Valicore @ Nov 11th 2008 4:17PM]

You mean the clicky ones? That made that cool sound when u typed and were metal (some of them) and weighed like 500 pounds?

[mark @ Nov 11th 2008 6:26PM]

for those that don't understand the difference between this keyboard and most others, it's the mechanical switches.

if you don't know what the difference is between mechanical and membrane switches you can move on and read something else because you're probably too young to remember IBM "M" series keyboards - or have any experience with anything but lame squishy membrane switches therefore you can't appreciate a real mechanical keyboard.

for those of you looking at mechanical keyboards, this one has a great touch IMO (close to an IBM Selectric typewriter, but with a crisper click - you can even hear the springs twang a little). Well worth the price because of the build quality - it's heavy duty.. it probably weighs 5-6 lbs - it's got to me mostly metal inside..

@Bubba - I think you'll love it - of course Keyboards are a very personal thing - I don't think you'll have any problems returning it, esp if you get it direct from the vendor.

[phanbouy @ Nov 11th 2008 3:55PM]

It looks like a shoe. Why are there monkeys?????

[colin @ Nov 11th 2008 6:12PM]

So what exactly is so special about this keyboard?

[joshwt @ Nov 11th 2008 4:23PM]

I am a fan of the model M. In fact I have 3 of them. However I paid way less than $120+ for them. I got them for around $35 each new in the box. Current model M's are around $55 or so. The only thing this keyboard seems to offer is USB support. I spent $100 on a Razor keyboard only to sell it later. I really don't see why this is $120+. Please someone let me know. I am moving to a non PS/2 type motherboard and need a replacement for my model M. I thought the Razor would do it and I was wrong.

[col_klink @ Nov 11th 2008 8:01PM]

http://pckeyboards.stores.yahoo.net/customizer.html

USB and Windows keys in a IBM "M" clone.

[Ori Matalon @ Nov 11th 2008 4:26PM]

I don;t know this keyboard and don;t undertand from the article what is so great about it???

my comments at http://www.commentino.com/orim