Pros: Good Warranty, Unique
Cons: Pricey, Pricey, Pricey
The other guy already posted a long review, but I'd like to pitch in my opinion. The Das Keyboard is simply a mechanical blue switch keyboard. There're not features that separate it from other keyboards except from the lack of labeling. In my opinion, lack of labels does not justify a higher price; it justifies a lower price. If you want to type faster, quit looking at the keyboard yourself. You don't need a keyboard without labels to do that for you.
There is no back-light option unlike the Ducky II. There are no macro keys. Hitting keys such as "end" or "home", which I rarely use, become a problem. The warranty is good. There is a 30 day money back, and a 1 year warranty on these. Note that mechanicals typically last ten times the length of the warranty, so it doesn't mean that much.
Yes, the keyboard is good. But all other mechanical keyboards do this and then some at this price point. The Deck is reowned for its build quality and best keys. WASD allows customization of everything. Ducky II fits in back-light options (lots of them) for $10 more. The Cooler Master or Rosewill offerings are getting close to half the price of this keyboard and have the same switches. I don't see a reason to get this, especially with the glossy surface.
There is no back-light option unlike the Ducky II. There are no macro keys. Hitting keys such as "end" or "home", which I rarely use, become a problem. The warranty is good. There is a 30 day money back, and a 1 year warranty on these. Note that mechanicals typically last ten times the length of the warranty, so it doesn't mean that much.
Yes, the keyboard is good. But all other mechanical keyboards do this and then some at this price point. The Deck is reowned for its build quality and best keys. WASD allows customization of everything. Ducky II fits in back-light options (lots of them) for $10 more. The Cooler Master or Rosewill offerings are getting close to half the price of this keyboard and have the same switches. I don't see a reason to get this, especially with the glossy surface.
It's like anything else, you pay for higher quality. You can go for the cheaper option if you don't feel it's worth it. Similar to 1440p monitors; you obviously get higher quality from an Apple or Dell, but you also have the cheaper option of a Catleap.
I don't feel that this was a review of the keyboard, but more of a review of the price; which I don't feel is fair.
They do need a tenkeyless option though. I may be switching to Filco because of that actually.
You get what you pay for, if you truely wanted a backlight, you could have either just bought one with a backlight or mod it yourself.
This Das Keyboard screams sleek and professional.
also as Bielijbog said, Das is known for good build qualities,
to put it in shorter terms,
Das is like buying a german sports car vs Buying a american sports car, An american sports car might feel cheap, but it gives you the power for your money, while the german sports car will give you masterful hand crafted detailed cars along with the power you paid for.
I'm also not sure how it would benefit from a removable cable? That just doesn't make sense to me...
Spill channel would be nice, but to my knowledge, most don't have one... Even at higher price points... (Filco)
The gloss is a preference thing and I can understand you not liking it. It was a weird choice, but different at least.
I'm in no way trying to fight with my life to defend this keyboard, but some of these comments just seem ridiculous...
The keyboard does its job well, and then some with the high build quality that will last you years and the USB ports on the side. Some don't like the gloss, but hey, some may not like matte.
..nobody pay attention to this guy.
As for the gloss, sure, it's different. But when you've got a glossy case(NZXT Phantom), a mouse with glossy sides(deathadder) and a glossy monitor(samsung), suddenly having a glossy keyboard isn't so bad, and since I daily wipe dust and such off of them already, the keyboard only adds an extra ~5 to my cleaning process, if that. That isn't so bad. It doesn't have LED backlighting, which is nice, it isn't all in your face like some other offerings, it's sleek and professional, and is cheaper than a filco. Can't argue with that.
The Das certainly isn't something for everybody, if you don't want to pay, that's fine, but don't hate on the keyboard because you feel you have overpaid. If you think it's too expensive and should have bought something else, then maybe you should have bought that cooler master. If it didn't look so obnoxious, I probably would have bought a Cooler Master storm. It's like buying an old Honda vs. a new BMW. They'll both get you where you need to go, but I'm sure you'd much rather take the BMW over the Honda any day.
kyismaster: Once again, I don't feel the Ducky is inferior in build quality. I didn't actually find out about back-lit mechanicals until after I ordered the Das.
rfz0: Wouldn't using the key-puller work?
srsparky32: Well, I think everybody is biased. You don't have to agree with me.
mvh11: If having everything glossy works nicely for the keyboard, forgive me, everything I have is non-glossy. >
One thing that bugs me personally: The keyboard uses two usb ports. I know, I know, not a problem for most of you, but some idiot broke the 2 front USB ports I had, and buying more USB slots is annoying for me.
Look guys, I'm just stating my own opinion. I may be biased. I'm not a computer magazine or Tom's Hardware. I don't see how 'providing a personal review' is so horrible. Feel free to make your own review praising the keyboard. Everybody is entitled to their opinion, yes?
I wasn't trying to keep you from expressing your opinion, I just felt you should rate the product.
But point taken.