I've used the keyboard for a few days, and I've found that it's everything I want it to be. I purchased it directly from the manufacturer for around $250 including shipping to the states. They require an international wire transfer in advance, which, though SOP for this kind of deal, was not the least risky thing I'd done this week. The wire transfer fee combined with the weak dollar makes this keyboard cost a pretty penny. But it's worth it.
1) Bluetooth wireless works well with great range and no perceptible lag. Installation was a breeze, with simple instructions on the back of the keyboard for pairing it with my Vista box. Simply press and hold the pairing button to wed it with the OS.
2) Keys have an excellent grippy feel to them and are nicely scooped for fast typing. They are laser etched in a white italic font that jumps out as clearly different. The keyboard overall is slim, with no extra bezel around the keys. The layout is standard, thank god, with numpad and ins/del row intact as it was meant to be.
3) Oozes quality. It's clearly got a thick metal plate in it, just like my old model M, so it has a nice heft to it. It's incredibly sturdy; no warping at all. Furthermore, it doesn't slide around, with generous rubber grips at all four corners.
4) The brown cherry mechanical switches are just as they were described in the geekhack review of the wired version. No clicking sound, but excellent tactile feedback. NOT mushy like every membrane keyboard around. To be sure, it's no buckling spring. You can tell when the key's been pressed, but they keyboard doesn't shout it out to your fingers like a keyboard from 1986 does. I find it to be a nice (quiet!) compromise.
5) There were some complaints in prior reviews of the wired model about the construction of the larger keys. Apparently they used some metal paper clip looking device to keep them sturdy. I'm happy to report that this has been fixed in the wireless model. A bit of surgery has proven that the larger keys are supported by dummy keyswitches that provide a sturdy foundation for the key. Great job, Diatec.
I can't say enough good things about this keyboard... except that I have to sell it. I'm moving to NYC (yay!) and need all the rent money I can get. Shoot me an email if you're interested. shadyguido at gmail dot com.
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