Das Keyboard USB Ports in the way? (Alternatives???)

[drozzy]

When I plug anything into Das Keyboard usb port (e.g. mouse) - it really messes with the space for my mouse on the right. Does anyone else have problems with that? I'm surprised they did not "spot" this in their user testing.  I noticed logitech rubbers have ports at the front - much more convenient.

Is there a Blue-switch keyboard like Das (with Windows+Fn keys) but with usb ports somewhere else?

Much appreciated!

[jabar]

Max Keyboard Nighthawk X7 is a full-size MX Blue backlit keyboard with an integrated 2-USB hub on the rear right corner not the side. It also doesn't have a shiny case that smudges with fingerprints like the Das. The Max Durandal has the same USB hub positioning.

http://www.maxkeyboard.com/max-keyboard-nighthawk-x7-backlit-mechanical-keyboard.html

USB hubs aren't common among popular mechanical keyboards here such as the CM Quickfire Rapid or Filcos Majestouch 2s. HHKBs have them, but aren't MX boards.

[drozzy]

That looks beautiful, but can i turn off back-lighting?

[drozzy]

Also, is that a fn-key on the left or the windows key?

[RabRhee]

Looks like another version of the XArmor/QPad keyboards. On those the backlight has settings which includes 'off', via Fn and 8 key on numpad. The windows key is left of the space bar and the Fn replaces the windows key to the right.

[jabar]

Windows on the left, Fn on the right. Backlighting can be turned off.

There's a wider variety of mechanical keyboard options without a USB hub.

[drozzy]

I haven't seen any other keyboard with Win+Fn keys on the left besides Das. With or without hubs.

Windows on the left, Fn on the right. Backlighting can be turned off.

There's a wider variety of mechanical keyboard options without a USB hub.

[jabar]

I can't think of any left-side Win + Fn boards either.

Deck Legends have Win on both sides, Fn on the right only, but that Fn is limited to backlighting only, not media keys. Unfortunately for most enthusiasts here, the most perfect board cannot be had.

[wetto]

Screw the new crappy Das Keyboard, screw the USB hubs on it. Get yourself an external HDD/Card reader with external power supply and don't worry yourself over its design. Maybe even get a FILCO with MX Blues after that.



Yes, the USB HUB on the right side is plain dumb. I don't know what was going on in the head of Das Keyboard designers, probably the same thing that made them choose its glossy finish and the new crappy OEM as well. Das Keyboard has lost all of its respect in my dictionary after the OEM change and after I saw how the new one plainly sucks in comparison with the old model.

Some of my other keyboards, Tt Meka G-Unit and CM Storm Trigger have a USB HUB on their rear, but seriously, I just never use them. That external HDD/Card reader on that picture replaces them all.

Anyways, there are some VERY easy ways to fix the glossy finish on your Das Keyboard and even make it look badass while doing that. One of them is applying a Carbon Fiber vinyl to it, which is what I did with mine:



And if you need multimedia keys, just start using macro softwares. 3RVX is a great software for managing your computer's volume through the "Win Key + Mouse Scroll", makes your volume on-screen-display look awesome and works wonders.

[Epimetheus]

Seconded (or thirded, or fourtheded, whatever).  The hub placement on the Das is ridiculous, especially if you're plugging in a pointing device or something that'll be there long-term–the USB plugs just add another inch to the length of the plank, which already sports pretty hefty bezels.  So now your mouse is, like, three miles away from where you're sitting.

All that said, I absolutely love my Das, even the glossy case.  It seems everyone detests the fingerprints it attracts, but I like to wipe it down every once in a while as an excuse to take a little break from looking at my screen.  The carbon-fibre mod that wetto's done is pretty cool, and you can also spraypaint the thing (there's a thread around here somewhere about it), if you simply can't handle it.

Mine is a Costar built Pro I picked up three or four years ago, before they even produced ones with an fn key.  I'm on a Mac, so I just use KeyRemap to put media keys on my function row.  No biggie.

As for alternatives, I'm not aware of any nice cherry boards with hubs.  If you want to try ALPS, the boards on the Tactile Pro line from Matias all have hubs: both sides and the back.  I don't think they use a double usb like the Das, either, which is a bit of a plus.

[Leslieann]

Those USB ports make a great place for a wireless mouse receiver, but the second is useless really, they should have stuck it on top or the other side.

Get a hub.