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

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.
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.
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.
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.