New Das Keyboard III

[bigpook]

I just got this email , I will post the picture when I get home.

Dear Anthony,

The Das Keyboard II uses the blue Cherry key switches.  It measures 18.5" long, 7.5" wide, 1.5" high at the back and .75" at the front of the keyboard.

We are currently out of stock, but we are introducing our new version, the Das Keyboard III this summer.  We do expect to have it available to ship in late June or early July.  I have attached a picture of our new keyboard to this email.

Our new version will still have the same high-quality mechanical key switches, and will also feature a high speed USB 2.0 dock as well as a 2.6 meter cable.  It also has an n-key rollover function to avoid key jamming.

Please do let us know if you have any further questions about Das Keyboard, and also if you would like to be notified when they arrive.

Thank you,

Julia Kroll
- Show quoted text -


On Thu, May 8, 2008 at 2:47 PM, bigpook wrote:

    Hello

    What are the physical dimensions of the das keyboard II?


    What color cherry switches come with the board?


    Thanks!

    Anthony




--
Das Keyboard Operations
support@daskeyboard.com
http://www.daskeyboard.com
+1 512.346.0360
Fax: 512.233.5335

[xsphat]

I hope it's a space saver ...

[iMav]

No freaking way!  They implemented (at least) two of the suggestions I made to them.

A while back, I had a dialog with the Das keyboard folks...giving them suggestions that I felt our (geekhack) users would appreciate.  Two of the suggestions were a built in USB hub and a detachable USB cable.  I also told them that a space saver model would be enjoyed by many and that different layout options would be appreciated (but probably not as widely accepted...specifically the HHKB key layout that I love so much)

I'd like to see them release a IBM-ish spacesaver model (like the 84-key)...of course, I'd absolutely LOVE one with the HHKB layout.

we DEFINITELY need to see a pic!!!

[bigpook]

Ok, here is the new das keyboard III.




Sorry iMav, it's not a space saver.....

[ashort]

sharp looking board.

based on what we've all seen here, wouldn't significant hardware need to be added to a board to spoof n-key rollover on a usb port?  is it even opssible?

[IBI]

Ok, here is the new das keyboard III.

I hope you're joking, that thing is hideous.

[bigpook]

I have to agree, after looking at it again it looks kind of ugly.

[ashort]

opinions vary...

[bigpook]

of course they do, on second thought, I need to see more pictures.

[iMav]

I think it looks good.  

But SOMEBODY'S got to release a decent spacesaver!!

[bigpook]

You know, if they just chopped off the num pad, that board would  be just about perfect.

[bigpook]

The keys look like they have a matte finish, while the top and bottom assembly looks kind of glossy....I would like an all matte finish.


Also,without the num pad, please : )

[Eclairz]

without major demand and major education of users to use space savers, there probably won't be another space saver, be thankful unicomp still make them though (they probably have the whole market to themselves but too expensive).

by the way has there ever been a left handed space saver?

I think once tablet pcs become more fashionable we will see the return of the space saver. But people like me who use numpad alot for data entry and games will never give up our numpad so easily, or until chord keyboards become great again

On the new Das 3 well it looks like thecur the top left part of the board of a cherry and left the right side to carry the usb ports, what they should have done is kept it like a cherry and put 4 usb ports instead of 2 to make it a full usb hub. It would be loved by traditionalists like IBI but wont look as modern to less luditic users. It's nice Das bring blue cherry key switches as i own black and blue key switch boards and the blue switches are much more entertaining to type on and feel less stiff (probably cos i have learn not to bottom them out)

[xsphat]

I really like the look of the 'board, I might even buy one.

[bigpook]

Well, I can deal with the num pad, though something in a space saver would be nice.
I use my mouse on the left hand side so the extra space on the right hand side is manageable.
I would still like more pictures. Perhaps I will email the contact and ask for more, unless someone else has already done so : )

[Korbin]

It looks a LOT better than the old II... and I love my das keyboard. However the case to the das II board looks..... dated. This new board will definitely be added to my collection *slurp*

[xsphat]

I am really digging on the asymmetrical case on the Das III, and I agree, both of the old Das's look real dated.

[IBI]

I have to agree, after looking at it again it looks kind of ugly.

So this is actually a genuine picture rather than someone's photoshop impression?

If the top is half-matt metal rather than shiny plastic it might look better, I guess we'll have to wait for some real-world pictures.

what they should have done is kept it like a cherry and put 4 usb ports instead of 2 to make it a full usb hub. It would be loved by traditionalists like IBI but wont look as modern to less luditic users.

I wouldn't have described myself as a traditionalist, although I find the current design trend of cheap shiny black plastic and guady backlighting rather ugly I'm not really a fan of the Model M era either. Personally I'd like to see either some light-hearted retro or future past designs or some gothic designs, although in the mean time I'm happy with modernism.

[bigpook]

The picture that is posted is the one that was sent to me by das keyboard.

I don't really like the picture because of the angle it was taken, it may be exaggerating the look a bit. The email says it will be shipping in June so I would think that the picture would be pretty close to what it will look like. I think it would be to late into the game to change anything.

I agree on your remarks about shiny black plastic and led lighting. However, I do like my model m space saver.

I would like to see the das III in a full matte finish, perhaps with a lighter shade for the keys and darker for the case. Get rid of the num pad also, and that board would be very appealing to me.

[xsphat]

I still like the look of the Das III. My favorite keyboard on design alone is the Filco. It is so tight and simple, and as a minimalist, this design just sings to me.

And if I bought a keyboard with 4 USB hubs, I'd use them the same way I use the two on the HHKB Pro 2 -- not at all. I already have a 4 port hub, and since I'm always switching keyboards, bell and whistle features like that need to be industry standard before they are of much use to me.

[Ulysses31]

It looks pretty good.  At least it's an improvement over using the standard Cherry case design.  I too like the minimalist designs and so for me the smaller the frame, the better.  That's what leans me towards getting a Filco or kbTalking.  Ironically most Dell office keyboards are also very minimalist these days except for the odd ugly bulge here and there.  If only they used better quality switches and weren't Dell, they'd be perfect >_>.

[JohnnyBoy]

Ok, here is the new das keyboard III.

Have these 'Das Keyboard' guys been stealing design ideas from 8-bit British computers of the late 1980s?

[bigpook]

I don't see the connection. : )

[JohnnyBoy]

Oh, okay. As soon as I saw the bulge at the right-hand end of the Das Keyboard III, it reminded me of the 'ZX Spectrum +3'.

Maybe I should have just kept that one to myself.....

[bigpook]

lol, sorry, what was I thinking...

The floppy disk drive is a nice touch though.

To be fair the das III is way more svelte then the Spectrum+3.

[Bluemercury]

I wonder how much this will cost and key switches it uses?

[bigpook]

Don't know the cost, but the switches are the same as the previous model, cherry blue.

[zetan]

hmm, i own two das keyboard II's but don't see any improvements
on das keyboard III over II.  if anything, it's worse because
III's shape is asymmetrical.

i really, and i mean REALLY, hope they'll make a space saver model without the num pad
(and arrow keys if possible). i tried to do it myself, but das
keyboard II uses one controller inside and wasn't able to do
it. all i want to do is place keyboard on my lap and type stably,
which i can't do now because the numpad makes it unstable on my
lap.

[bigpook]

You know, there is always the Happy Hacking series of keyboards. They have a very small form factor, just about perfect for sitting in your lap.

I agree with you on the das keyboard, the II and III seem to have the same cherry blue switches, the big change is the case design. While I don't care for the white lettering on the II , I would probably go with that one versus the III.

Needless to say, all opinions expressed by me are subject to change

[iMav]

hmm, i own two das keyboard II's but don't see any improvements
on das keyboard III over II.

I think the detachable USB cable and built in USB hub are MAJOR improvements.  (two things I really like about my HHKB Pro 2)

BTW, welcome to geekhack!

[djones]

I think the detachable USB cable and built in USB hub are MAJOR improvements.  (two things I really like about my HHKB Pro 2)

BTW, welcome to geekhack!

yea, I didn't even know the hhkbpro2 had a detachable usb cable when I ordered, but it definitely is an important feature because you don't have to reach under the desk to unplug the keyboard and wrap the cord around it to take it to work.

[xsphat]

yea, I didn't even know the hhkbpro2 had a detachable usb cable when I ordered, but it definitely is an important feature because you don't have to reach under the desk to unplug the keyboard and wrap the cord around it to take it to work.

Get a retractable 3 foot cord and keep it in the HHKB box. That's what I do and I love it. I found mine on eBay for about $3, it wa originally designed for the Sony PSP.

[xsphat]

Just make sure you get a 5 pin mini USB. That's very important.