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Das Keyboard 4 for Pre-orders With Cherry MX Blue, Brown

By - Source: Tom's Hardware US | B 25 comments

Das Keyboard's new keyboard has dedicated media controls.

Das Keyboard has announced a new keyboard – the Das Keyboard 4. This keyboard is an updated version of the company's keyboard, and now includes a bunch of new features, including a USB 3.0 hub and dedicated media controls.

The keyboard is mechanical, and can be ordered with either Cherry MX Blue or Cherry MX Brown switches. Each of the switches is built using a gold-plating. The keycaps are also laser-etched in order to prevent the lettering from fading away over the years.

"Das Keyboard 4 is an order-of-magnitude improvement over past generation Das Keyboards," said Daniel Guermeur, creator of the Das Keyboard and CEO of Metadot. "Programmers, Internet surfers, freelancers and others who work eight to 12 hours a day at their computers know their keyboard is the tool they touch the most, making it the most important tool in their lives. One might as well use the keyboard that provides the best efficiency and enjoyment."

Das Keyboard 4 Mechanical Keyboard

The dedicated media controls include a play/pause button, forward and rewind buttons, as well as a mute button and an 'oversized' volume knob. The commonly found stop button has not been implemented, probably because very few folks actually ever use it.

Also present next to the media keys is a dedicated sleep button, which does exactly what you'd imagine – puts your computer to sleep to save power when you're away.

Pricing for the Cherry MX Blue version is set at $169, while the variant with the Cherry MX Brown switches is set to cost $173.

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  • 1 Hide
    brandonjclark , March 28, 2014 8:11 AM
    Cool ad, yo.
  • 7 Hide
    ubercake , March 28, 2014 8:36 AM
    I guess they are nice looking for a keyboard, but someone needs to tell these people mechanical keyboards no longer cost close to $200.I do like the volume control on the keyboard. It's very convenient when you're in-game.
  • 6 Hide
    airplanegeek , March 28, 2014 9:33 AM
    No backlight for $170???
  • Display all 25 comments.
  • 1 Hide
    house70 , March 28, 2014 10:05 AM
    Quote:
    No backlight for $170???
    Precisely what I was thinking.
  • -1 Hide
    Christopher Shaffer , March 28, 2014 10:14 AM
    Quote:
    Quote:
    No backlight for $170???
    Precisely what I was thinking.
    Yeah... my G710+ smokes this and I picked it up for $139... at Bestbuy.Corsair makes some attractive options with various Cherry switches available for each model for significantly less.No programmable "extra" buttons, no wrist pad/rest, no backlighting....Why would I want this?
  • 0 Hide
    PrvtChurch , March 28, 2014 11:50 AM
    Quote:
    Quote:
    Quote:
    No backlight for $170???
    Precisely what I was thinking.
    Yeah... my G710+ smokes this and I picked it up for $139... at Bestbuy.Corsair makes some attractive options with various Cherry switches available for each model for significantly less.No programmable "extra" buttons, no wrist pad/rest, no backlighting....Why would I want this?
    Having not tried this new one, I cant say for certain, however, my Das Pro is one of the most well built keyboards I have ever used, the feel and quality are far above the logitechs and corsairs, and at least in my opinion I think the elegant simplicity looks far better than some of the other options that are super flashy and glow in the dark.
  • 1 Hide
    ubercake , March 28, 2014 12:11 PM
    Quote:
    Quote:
    Quote:
    No backlight for $170???
    Precisely what I was thinking.
    Yeah... my G710+ smokes this and I picked it up for $139... at Bestbuy.Corsair makes some attractive options with various Cherry switches available for each model for significantly less.No programmable "extra" buttons, no wrist pad/rest, no backlighting....Why would I want this?


    I was fortunate enough to pick up the G710+ on Amazon for $99. It's a great keyboard, but it's pretty darn ugly.

    Who told Logitech it would be smart to put gray and orange on a keyboard?
    Fortunately for Logitech, I'm one of those customers that is all about function over form.
  • -1 Hide
    Junit151 , March 28, 2014 1:16 PM
    How can a keyboard "smoke" another keyboard? Aesthetically? It's a freaking IO device, not something you BRAG about. If we stop treating keyboards like they are WORTH $200 then they will stop COSTING $200.
  • 0 Hide
    zogglet , March 28, 2014 3:40 PM
    Quote:
    How can a keyboard "smoke" another keyboard? Aesthetically? It's a freaking IO device, not something you BRAG about. If we stop treating keyboards like they are WORTH $200 then they will stop COSTING $200.
    I couldn't agree with you more. And I doubt the IBM mechanical keyboard from the early 90's in my basement would go for $200.
  • 0 Hide
    Squall321 , March 28, 2014 3:43 PM
    my opinion is, that the corsair RGB is doing the right thing, by making "floating" keys. the cleaning would be superb easy with such a keyboard. A keyboard can easily cost 200$ if it's worth it. once a quality mechanical keyboard, there's no way back :9
  • 0 Hide
    athonline , March 28, 2014 5:00 PM
    Quote:
    Yeah... my G710+ smokes this and I picked it up for $139... at Bestbuy.Corsair makes some attractive options with various Cherry switches available for each model for significantly less.No programmable "extra" buttons, no wrist pad/rest, no backlighting....Why would I want this?
    How can a keyboard "smoke" another keyboard? Especially if they are addressing different consumers groups. Gaming mechanical keyboards are after your average gamer or someone who likes flashy and having lots of features. Das, Filco, Dacky and some offerings from CM are after your high-end gamer who NEEDS simplicity, software developers and people who need a reliable and easy-to-use keyboard. Some of these keyboards don't even have their keys printed or have them in "stealth" mode. Not everyone needs backlighting, 90128301 extra keys and a heater for your coffee mug. Sure it is nice to have, but not a necessity.
  • 1 Hide
    Orlean , March 28, 2014 5:07 PM
    I can't speak for any other brands, but my Das Keyboard Ultimate S is amazing I could never go back to a non-mechanical keyboard. No key cap inscriptions took some getting used to when gaming on it (it was a Christmas gift or else I would of chosen key inscriptions if I had bought it) but as far as for typing I couldn't be any happier. Although back lighting would be a great addition and icing on the cake if they made one that had that option.
  • 0 Hide
    Phillip Wager , March 28, 2014 6:01 PM
    omg that volume knob want!
  • 1 Hide
    Phillip Wager , March 28, 2014 7:33 PM
    Quote:
    Quote:
    No backlight for $170???
    Precisely what I was thinking.
    their best selling keyboards are keyboards that have no markers on the keyboard at all so thats probably why they don't come with backlights
  • 0 Hide
    JQB45 , March 28, 2014 8:58 PM
    As a software developer I can tell you back lighting is not neccessary. Once you've been typing for a while, back lighting is not needed.
  • 1 Hide
    yay , March 29, 2014 2:32 AM
    My ducky does all of this but being a USB hub and it was $90 new in Australia. I guarantee its as well built as a das as well.
  • 0 Hide
    joe nate , March 29, 2014 10:14 PM
    Quote:
    My ducky does all of this but being a USB hub and it was $90 new in Australia. I guarantee its as well built as a das as well.
    Agreed, I have a Ducky 9008G2. I wouldn't spend all that extra money for a USB 3.0 hub built into my keyboard. I've had it for quite some time now, before any other manufacturers that sold in the US attempted more than 6kro. Ducky did it first, they just don't make fancy commercials that drive the price up. Fortunately, now, Corsair and Das Keyboard, name brands, are creating higher quality (despite being higher priced) options to people who don't know the difference between keyboards and only buy names they have heard of.Oh and my Ducky wrist rest is the best, most durable wrist rest I've ever had. Had it for years and it's same brand new quality as when I bought it, unlike others that are designed to fall apart in a week so you have to go out and buy a replacement.
  • 0 Hide
    ubercake , March 31, 2014 4:36 AM
    Quote:
    Quote:
    Yeah... my G710+ smokes this and I picked it up for $139... at Bestbuy.Corsair makes some attractive options with various Cherry switches available for each model for significantly less.No programmable "extra" buttons, no wrist pad/rest, no backlighting....Why would I want this?
    How can a keyboard "smoke" another keyboard? Especially if they are addressing different consumers groups. Gaming mechanical keyboards are after your average gamer or someone who likes flashy and having lots of features. Das, Filco, Dacky and some offerings from CM are after your high-end gamer who NEEDS simplicity, software developers and people who need a reliable and easy-to-use keyboard. Some of these keyboards don't even have their keys printed or have them in "stealth" mode. Not everyone needs backlighting, 90128301 extra keys and a heater for your coffee mug. Sure it is nice to have, but not a necessity.


    What he's saying here is that the 710+ has brown switches, offers everything this keyboard does and more, but costs less. I got mine for $99. It's ridiculous that some company comes out with a keyboard that offers less than the competition and charges significantly more for it. It reminds me of Apple hardware prices, but without the well-known name behind it.

    Das Keyboard sounds like something we'd see on a modern-day "Sprockets" skit on SNL, though I do commend them on their choice of blues and browns as I like the clicky feel.
  • 0 Hide
    house70 , March 31, 2014 7:37 AM
    Quote:
    As a software developer I can tell you back lighting is not neccessary. Once you've been typing for a while, back lighting is not needed.

    I see your point; however, my point was, if you're going to charge that much for a KB you might as well give all the options, including lighting. If the customer doesn't need it, he/she can turn if off, but the option should be there for others to use.
  • 0 Hide
    JQB45 , April 2, 2014 9:44 AM
    Quote:
    Quote:
    As a software developer I can tell you back lighting is not neccessary. Once you've been typing for a while, back lighting is not needed.

    I see your point; however, my point was, if you're going to charge that much for a KB you might as well give all the options, including lighting. If the customer doesn't need it, he/she can turn if off, but the option should be there for others to use.


    Yeah, makes sense if they provide the appropriate drivers for every OS, or better yet not require any drivers to change back light settings.
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