I have a review sample of the Das Professional S here, been typing on it for about 15 minutes, trying to make up my mind on whether or not I like MX blues better than buckling springs or not. It's definitely close. I like the click of blues better, but they have a clacky bottoming out sound that the Model M does not. The switches are lighter, but I'm definitely noticing that release issue that makes them not advised for gaming.
I'm just not sure.
Buckling Springs versus Cherry Blues is close. As shown in the Favorite Switch poll where Cherry Blues are still winning (http://geekhack.org/showthread.php?t=6626) despite some old time Geekhackers not liking them.
Ask them why they nuked the Das Multimedia version of the S after one month of shipping.
That was weird.
Phĉdrus
to Thomas
show details 7:03 PM (16 hours ago)
Thank you, the review sample has arrived, I should have the review done by the end of the week. I have a few questions, however.
1.) This version does not have media keys. I've heard that they were removed due to users complaining about the Fn key replacing the left Windows key. Is there any reason this feature was removed entirely, rather than switching Fn to the right Windows key, or including some kind of settings switch (a la the dip switches on the HHKB, only just one switch instead of six).
2.) Cherry often uses MX green switches (like MX blue but with a heavier spring) for the space bar switch on its MX blue models. While I feel that the equivalent change (MX gray) on MX brown boards is ill advised, I think it may have benefited the Das to use an MX green there as the space bar always bottoms out with a loud clack even when the user has learned how not to bottom out the normal keys. However, my opinion may be a minority view. Why did Das choose to use an MX blue for the spacebar, rather than an MX green like Cherry does?
3.) The Das Professional S Silent costs $6 more than the regular version; however the only difference is the choice of MX brown switches instead of MX blue. Are MX brown switches more expensive, or is there another reason for the price difference?
4.) Does Das have any plans to release new keyboards aimed at different markets? For instance, a gaming keyboard (MX browns or blacks, backlighting, extra macro keys, etc.), or a budget mechanical keyboard (in the $75-$100 price range instead of $120-$140), or a tenkeyless version, or anything similar? Or are you content with your current lineup?
5.) What advantages for typing does Das feel its keyboard has over products like the Filco Majestouch 104-key or Unicomp Customizer?
6.) Is the USB hub full-power and capable of powering high-draw devices? Note, I will be testing this.
7.) Are there any plans to upgrade the hub to USB 3.0?
8.) There are a handful of keys *very slightly* out of skew. Not so much most people would notice, but I pay attention to details. This is something that seems to be common with Costar-manufactured Cherry MX boards, most notably in a recent review of the Adesso MKB-135B. Now the skew on this sample is far, far less than that on the Adesso I saw, enough that it doesn't really matter, but it is present. Do you have any information on the cause of this issue, and are there any plans to fix it?
9.) The Das uses a metal backplate. Is there any reason this method of construction was chosen over an unsupported PCB?
10.) What grade of steel was chosen for the backplate? Feel free to give me the engineering terminology for it.
Thank you for taking the time to answer my questions. I think you have a very nice product here, and my review is shaping up so far to be mostly positive.
One final question: do you use the Das Professional S in your offices, and if so how many people per month does the clicking drive insane? ;)
Again, thanks.
- Michael
Thomas Aitchison
to me
show details 11:02 AM (43 minutes ago)
Michael, I will forward these questions along and get some feedback to you soon. Can't guarantee I'll have something before end of day, but will get moving forward on this.
Thanks!
Thomas
Grade of steel for the backplate?
lol - the engineers will love that one.
2.) Cherry often uses MX green switches (like MX blue but with a heavier spring) for the space bar switch on its MX blue models. While I feel that the equivalent change (MX gray) on MX brown boards is ill advised, I think it may have benefited the Das to use an MX green there as the space bar always bottoms out with a loud clack even when the user has learned how not to bottom out the normal keys. However, my opinion may be a minority view. Why did Das choose to use an MX blue for the spacebar, rather than an MX green like Cherry does?
...
9.) The Das uses a metal backplate. Is there any reason this method of construction was chosen over an unsupported PCB?
10.) What grade of steel was chosen for the backplate? Feel free to give me the engineering terminology for it.
Re: your #4, keep in mind metadot offers 32% off (educational discount) for students. Thats a whopping discount for the das S.
Also in my experience metadot has been very responsive with communications... something I appreciate. They've been good with their recalls too, all things considered, I appreciate their taking media keys off market if there was something wrong with them,and with accepting and fixing their firmware issues. (contrast that with, say, the filco fiasco where they're still in half-hearted denial even after costar acknowledged the firmware limitations). Metadot's approach to these common problems seems more professional to me than simplistic denial that we've seen from filco and others.
Grade of steel for the backplate?
lol - the engineers will love that one.
"We don't know, we don't question the funny Taiwanese people who put our label on their keyboards"
I would be willing to bet that only Cherry has access to the Green switches.
Wow, really? That moves the odds of me buying one from "maybe" to "the minute I've got a spare $90.
And I do agree, the Das feels like a very professional product, and it's cheaper than the Filco as well. The Filco rarely gets my recommendation anymore; Unicomp, KR-6230, Das Professional S, Deck Legend, in order of increasing budget. Though it is nice they have a tenkeyless.
Wow, really? That moves the odds of me buying one from "maybe" to "the minute I've got a spare $90.
You recommend the KR-6230 over the Unicomp and Filco? Lolwut?
And if you're a student the Das is $88, which is insanely good, and blows everything else out of the water
how do you know?
32% education discount eh?
I'm down to get a Das now.
So they forwarded me to someone else in a higher position, guess I asked a bit more than they were used to. :p I'm not going to share all the info, but a few tidbits... They removed media key functionality because people complained about the loss of the left Win key (established) and didn't implement it in a different way because it would require paying Costar to retool, while with simply removing it it was presumably a firmware change or some such.
Also, neat fact, MX browns are more expensive than MX blues.
once again, i feel respect for the das folks. I dont know any other vendor who's given serious answers to a GH technical interrogation (right down to justifying their design choices to us) in this way. Oh we've asked before, I dont think we've ever seen cooperation like this. Phaedrus' list of questions was pretty intimidating too. Most any other company would have put him on hold indefinitely, if they didnt tell him to get lost outright. Credit where its due, good for them to take our questions seriously and give answers about design choices and costs and materials that they're under no obligation to give.
I'm not going to share all the info, but a few tidbits...
hai im so important dat i have to pretend that i have special info and then not give it to show that im cool and carefree
Something weird is going on at the Das Site.
I get this when I pull up the products.
Didn't try it.
What's weird is it exactly matches the Education Discount.
Some discount.
You know that the Cherry Brown price difference is probably due to Metadot/Costar buying them in much lower volumes than the Cherry Blues.
So far I am not impressed with the "helpful revealing inside edition info" Metadot has given us. Why didn't they do a bit of market research BEFORE sticking a FCN key right where the most used Windows/Mac/Meta key was??
I'll start being impressed if they make it through all 10 questions.
Costar does the Filco boards too, right? As of May of last year majestouch was saying that "For the most part, blue Cherry switch based boards are not a standard item".
Who knows how things have changed by now, but it seems to me that the blue switches weren't being ordered in high volume at that time. Was there a substantial price difference?
Don't you hate everything born after 1984?
Huh?
It's simple. Look a Cherry MX distributor price list sometime. You order more it costs less per unit.
They finish that spectroscopy analysis of metal plate materials yet? :biggrin1:
Confidential. ;)
I'm actually finishing up my review now, going to have it up before I go to bed.
hai im 003 i hav confidenshul information dat da fermi wil make ati userz cry but i cant tel u it heheheheShow Image(http://a1.twimg.com/profile_images/784803518/trollface_normal.jpg)
My review:
http://hardwareaware.com/review/das-professional-s/
I didn't get a T-shirt. Maybe I'll get one after I send it back? lol
i thought that was part of the deal. maybe after they get the board back.
So, has Metadot finally fixed the issues with Das Keyboard III? I may get one by the end of the year jus because I've been wanting to try blue Cherries on a plate-mount.
I'm not getting anything from Das because it's a retarded name. What's so good about the word SAD backwards?
I'm not getting anything from Das because it's a retarded name. What's so good about the word SAD backwards?
According to all reports, yes.
I was recently given the opportunity to review a [strike]top notch[/strike] piece of hardware that I’ve had my eye on for a while. This is a component that bucks recent trends and practices, and in doing so has helped start a trend itself. It’s an example of [strike]over-engineering that’s[/strike] an item built to last - something which is rare to see in the modern disposable society.My rationale is that it is not the very best one could do, nor is it over-engineered. Sure it is built decently and uses quality components, but they did use some hit-and-miss techniques to get it right in the first place, therefore I wouldn't want to link it with proper engineering techniques.
Overall a decent review, but I don't like the marketing hyperbole in some places.
For example, a more neutral revision of the first paragraph:
My rationale is that it is not the very best one could do, nor is it over-engineered. Sure it is built decently and uses quality components, but they did use some hit-and-miss techniques to get it right in the first place, therefore I wouldn't want to link it with proper engineering techniques.
Hmm, i use snippets of rubber bands for soft landing..Show Image(http://www.geekhack.org/attachment.php?attachmentid=11368&stc=1&d=1277459072)
Sound sample to follow.
Dang I was hoping for it in the video above. Sigh
Scratch-click vs. Smush-click
welly, did you keep the das? if so, what do you think about the overall quality?
do you like it better than the 87u?
are you going to stick with it for a while(if you kept it)?
man, i can fly on this thing!
It's those Blue Cherries. Just took a while for Welly to come around to the Winner Of The Switch Poll! (http://geekhack.org/showthread.php?t=6626)
Das with buckling springs? So like a Unicomp Spacesaver, except ****?
i think this is it. i love this keyboard. i am also guessing the legends are not going to wear off. fingers crossed. even if they do, then it will be like a black topre. even cooler!
i don't know what "das" means but i am pretending it means cutting edge style and rubust lol.
i feel bad i don't like topre better. since i guess it is considered better.
of the modern blue cherry boards this is the one i have been looking for. now, why did i buy this one last? hmm. the most amazing thing is there are no fingerprints on the case and the keys aren't shiny already. love.
Das means "the."
Chosen because "le keyboard" sounds too ***gy ...
Chosen because "le keyboard" sounds too ***gy