Layout So the firs thing I want to comment on is the key
layout of the matias. It is EXCELLENT for the mac.
On windows the "main" shortcut key is
ctrl where as on mac its
command. When typing on the mac I spend a lot of time using my left thumb to move to hit the command button, and thus the closer the command button is to the right edge of the x the better. As you can see in the following chart Matias is Almost perfectly aligned with the right edge of the X as opposed to just about every other keyboard i've seen out there. For a mac user this makes the transition VERY easy. I'm currently typing on a
Das Keyboard 4 on a mac at my office and although I'm used to the thumb travel distance I still MUCH prefer the Matias when using a mac.
Apple Keyboard | Matias Laptop Pro | Das Keyboard 4 |
| | |
When i first received the keyboard i had a slight issue with the space bar. The way i was hitting it with my thumb (on the corner of the side) felt a little "sharp" in my hand, however, after a day or two of use I completely stopped noticing it.
SoundProbably the best way to check out the sound of this keyboard is on the Matias webpage where they show a comparison of different keys:
http://matias.ca/quietpro/pc/ . There is a slightly "warm" feel to the sound and in general its quite pleasing. Its also surprisingly quiet which is nice.
Its hard to describe the sound this keyboard makes but (having only used a blue cherry before) it is a MUCH more warm and pleasing sound. I find typing on it a very rewarding experience
SwitchesMy experience before this keyboard was only with cherry blue switches which I thought I really really loved, however, at this point I much prefer the Matias switches. They have a stronger tactile feel to them, and after using the keyboard on the weekends and at night at home the cherry feels too "mushy" for me. Perhaps i need to upgrade to greens. They have a very nice tactile feel and a good solid resistence. I really think they are great switches.
Build Quality & Sex AppealThis keyboard will not get you laid. It is ugly. It has perhaps a retro nostalgia which might appeal to hipsters but compared to the other offerings out there (visually) its not that much of a looker. However once you get to spend time with it and learn its personality and quirks you will develop a strong love for this keyboard and look past its plastic exterior. Things like
Awesome Typing Experience and
I can type a check mark with ease and
I don't need no wires will make you forget that its kind of ugly.
So its actually not that bad. Its a grey/silver plastic that looks worse than it actually is. Its not a sleek minimalist look. The keys themselves are covered in symbols (which is actually quite useful once you use them a few times), and the body just isn't that sexy when you compare it to other Mac products out there. With regards to the plastic body, its translucent in parts as you can see the led lights shining through to indicate power and bluetooth "stuff'. The retro
Bluetooth & SyncingIts bluetooth. Its easy to sync. I wish it had the ability to sync to multiple devices, however, when I bring my laptop home from work I just re-sync it and its not that big a deal. To sync you hold the power button down until it flashes blue and then you sync it. Having a blue tooth mechanical is really awesome because, as a Mac user, I'm used to wireless bluetooth everything
Power & ChargingOne tap on the "power button" and it will turn off, another to turn it on. If the light starts flashing yellow (as it did when I opened it the 1st time) you have to charge it. It comes with a usb cable that has male ends on both sides (I haven't really seen one of these before) so I would make sure not to loose it. I charged it over night so I don't know how long that took.
CostI paid 130 shipped from mass drop.
SummaryAs I am primarily a Mac user (perhaps 75% mac currently and a split 25% windows/linux) having a mac layout keyboard is one of the more important factors for me in keyboard choice. Being accustomed to a wireless life with my iMac this keyboard was a natural switch for the apple wireless keyboard (which isn't really that bad as far as keyboards go). For me the layout and type-feel are the two most important points of this keyboard and it succeeds in both areas. This keyboard is currently being used with my iMac.
Pro
* Mac Layout
* Excellent Typing Experience
* Bluetooth
* Great Battery Life (as far as I can tell)
Con
* Not the sexiest keyboard out there
* Can only sync with 1 bluetooth device
Final thoughts:
(Makes me consider selling my Das Keyboard 4 and switching to another set of Alps switches)!
--- Edit ---
Somebody asked about "wobble". I haven't experienced anything which seems out of the ordinary. Also the keys are lined up quite nicely.
--- Update ---
It turned out had an issue with my comma button on the laptop pro. I've contacted matias and they shipped me a new keyboard immidietely so I can also speak highly of their custemor service