Over the years, Das has distinguished themselves as a leader in keyboards. Not so much in the way of new and flashy technology, but in build quality, feel, and sleek design. So when Das announced they had created the "ultimate" keyboard, we felt inclined to take a look. Here's a picture:
You might be wondering, "uh... why are there no letters on the keycaps?" This is because the Das Keyboard 4 Ultimate is meant only for people who don't have to look down anyway. The lack of letters also lends to this machine's refined, dark aesthetic. The only spot of light is from the corner, where there is an oversized volume knob backlit around the edges. The top plate is made completely of brushed anodized aluminum, which is quite sturdy and also very polished and modern. In the upper right corner, with the oversized volume knob, there are some pause and play keys, as well as white LED indicators.
Behind the blank keycaps, there are Cherry MX brown key switches, the best professional switch. These switches produce just a light tap compared to the MX Blue's clunk and still possess an excellent tactile feel for fast typing. The amount of force needed to actuate them is small, but the tactile bump prevents you from feeling like your fingers are just falling forever (cough, cough, MX Red).
On the bottom of the keyboard, there is a magnetical bar that raises the keyboard up. It actually doubles as a ruler if you take it off! Speaking of multiple uses, this whole keyboard actually is also a USB 3.0 hub. Behind the multimedia keys and indicators, there are two extra USB 3.0 hubs. These are extremely useful for any other device you have on your desk, such as a mouse or microphone. You could also use this port to charge your phone (although the current would not be as strong as USB-C.
The one complaint I would have about this keyboard is the size. Although I acknowledge that this keyboard might require the large size to fit in a USB hub, most people do not use the Numpad. Additionally, this keyboard appeals to professionals, and those who work in an office or home office probably would prefer to maximize space and take out the Numpad. ** Finance workers and office workers use numpads a lot **
Overall, though, this keyboard is incredibly high-quality, and I would say is at or near the apex of keyboard quality. It's very expensive, at $169, but if typing is a big part of your job, this is just about the best you can get.
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