• Welcome to TechPowerUp Forums, Guest! Please check out our forum guidelines for info related to our community.

Das Keyboard 4 Professional

VSG

Editor, Reviews & News
Staff member
Joined
Jul 1, 2014
Messages
3,450 (0.97/day)
Das Keyboard is a company synonymous with high build quality and clean aesthetics when it comes to keyboards for the professional typist. This flagship product features dedicated media buttons, their trademark volume wheel, genuine Cherry MX switches, and even an integrated ruler.

Show full review
 
Last edited by a moderator:
Joined
Nov 18, 2010
Messages
7,108 (1.46/day)
Location
Rīga, Latvia
System Name HELLSTAR
Processor AMD RYZEN 9 5950X
Motherboard ASUS Strix X570-E
Cooling 2x 360 + 280 rads. 3x Gentle Typhoons, 3x Phanteks T30, 2x TT T140 . EK-Quantum Momentum Monoblock.
Memory 4x8GB G.SKILL Trident Z RGB F4-4133C19D-16GTZR 14-16-12-30-44
Video Card(s) Sapphire Pulse RX 7900XTX + under waterblock.
Storage Optane 900P[W11] + WD BLACK SN850X 4TB + 750 EVO 500GB + 1TB 980PRO[FEDORA]
Display(s) Philips PHL BDM3270 + Acer XV242Y
Case Lian Li O11 Dynamic EVO
Audio Device(s) Sound Blaster ZxR
Power Supply Fractal Design Newton R3 1000W
Mouse Razer Basilisk
Keyboard Razer BlackWidow V3 - Yellow Switch
Software FEDORA 39 / Windows 11 insider
Das teuer :laugh:
 

VSG

Editor, Reviews & News
Staff member
Joined
Jul 1, 2014
Messages
3,450 (0.97/day)
Das teuer :laugh:

They did send the better bang for buck Prime 13 as well, which to be honest has the same build quality as this but at a lower cost. No dedicated media buttons, and no USB hub though (but there is a pass-through).
 
Joined
Nov 18, 2010
Messages
7,108 (1.46/day)
Location
Rīga, Latvia
System Name HELLSTAR
Processor AMD RYZEN 9 5950X
Motherboard ASUS Strix X570-E
Cooling 2x 360 + 280 rads. 3x Gentle Typhoons, 3x Phanteks T30, 2x TT T140 . EK-Quantum Momentum Monoblock.
Memory 4x8GB G.SKILL Trident Z RGB F4-4133C19D-16GTZR 14-16-12-30-44
Video Card(s) Sapphire Pulse RX 7900XTX + under waterblock.
Storage Optane 900P[W11] + WD BLACK SN850X 4TB + 750 EVO 500GB + 1TB 980PRO[FEDORA]
Display(s) Philips PHL BDM3270 + Acer XV242Y
Case Lian Li O11 Dynamic EVO
Audio Device(s) Sound Blaster ZxR
Power Supply Fractal Design Newton R3 1000W
Mouse Razer Basilisk
Keyboard Razer BlackWidow V3 - Yellow Switch
Software FEDORA 39 / Windows 11 insider
They did send the better bang for buck Prime 13 as well, which to be honest has the same build quality as this but at a lower cost. No dedicated media buttons, and no USB hub though (but there is a pass-through).

I am really addicted to media keys, my current one doesn't have them too, but I remap page up and page down for that... also comma to point in numpad. I really don't know how to edit a keyboard layout in Windows, setting up regional settings and separators does not affect the keyboard, it is the damn comma still there.

I am actually really waiting more mechanical keyboards with silent switches. The exclusive supply deal is off already. Design is always fine with these... but the price...
 

VSG

Editor, Reviews & News
Staff member
Joined
Jul 1, 2014
Messages
3,450 (0.97/day)
I am really addicted to media keys, my current one doesn't have them too, but I remap page up and page down for that... also comma to point in numpad. I really don't know how to edit a keyboard layout in Windows, setting up regional settings and separators does not affect the keyboard, it is the damn comma still there.

I am actually really waiting more mechanical keyboards with silent switches. The exclusive supply deal is off already. Design is always fine with these... but the price...

For what you are describing, the Corsair Strafe (non RGB) with Cherry MX Silent switches might work best. It has red back lighting, less expensive than RGB keyboards, goes on sale regularly in most parts of the world now and has their software driver support where you can re-assign keys and even change the language input.
 
Joined
Jul 24, 2009
Messages
1,002 (0.19/day)
Hm, actually I wondered about this keyboard for some time. Then did some mandatory reading (a lot of it involved not so glamorous reliability) and ofc it lacks any proper Cherry MX. Im sorry but Browns or Blues are more for typing. Either Red or Black are gaming choice (at least for me).

Then I said to myself fk that, try something new and now I have Topre in my keyboard (CM Novatouch TKL). Unfortunately now out of production. Im guessing next one will be some stuff from over the pond, well I hope this keyboard lasts.. And yea, its bloody good (being TKL makes it bit less good if you wonder).
 

VSG

Editor, Reviews & News
Staff member
Joined
Jul 1, 2014
Messages
3,450 (0.97/day)
Hm, actually I wondered about this keyboard for some time. Then did some mandatory reading (a lot of it involved not so glamorous reliability) and ofc it lacks any proper Cherry MX. Im sorry but Browns or Blues are more for typing. Either Red or Black are gaming choice (at least for me).

Then I said to myself fk that, try something new and now I have Topre in my keyboard (CM Novatouch TKL). Unfortunately now out of production. Im guessing next one will be some stuff from over the pond, well I hope this keyboard lasts.. And yea, its bloody good (being TKL makes it bit less good if you wonder).

I have a Novatouch TKL, it's a really good keyboard. Not one I would personally use for gaming myself, but if it works for you then why not?
 
Joined
Jul 20, 2013
Messages
236 (0.06/day)
System Name Coffee Lake S
Processor i9-9900K
Motherboard MSI MEG Z390 ACE
Cooling Corsair H115i Platinum RGB
Memory Corsair Dominator Platinum RGB 32GB (2x16GB) DDR4 3466 C16
Video Card(s) EVGA RTX 2080 Ti XC2 Ultra
Storage Samsung 970 Pro M.2 512GB - Samsung 860 EVO 1TB SSD - WD Black 2TB HDD
Display(s) Dell P2715Q 27" 3840x2160 IPS @ 60Hz
Case Fractal Design Define R6
Power Supply Seasonic 860 watt Platinum
Mouse SteelSeries Rival 600
Keyboard Corsair K70 RGB MK.2
Software Windows 10 Pro 64 bit
DAS is great and I love that keyboard, just wish it had backlighting.
 

VSG

Editor, Reviews & News
Staff member
Joined
Jul 1, 2014
Messages
3,450 (0.97/day)
DAS is great and I love that keyboard, just wish it had backlighting.

Agreed, and I think Das knows this as well. Their newer Prime 13 has white LED backlighting which is perfect for me and I suspect I am not alone in this regard.
 
Joined
Dec 21, 2008
Messages
1,374 (0.25/day)
System Name Hakase
Processor Ryzen 7 3700X @ Stock
Motherboard ASUS ROG Strix B450-F
Cooling Noctua NH-U12S
Memory 2x8GB Corsair Vengeance LPX DDR4 @ 3000MHz 18-18-18
Video Card(s) Asus GTX1070 Dual
Storage 250GB 860EVO - 2x600GB Cheetah 15k7 - 2x2TB Constellation ES - 2+3TB Green - 500GB Deskstar
Display(s) Viewsonic VX2476-smhd
Case Fractal Design Define R5
Audio Device(s) Fostex PC100USB > Altec Lansing ATP-3
Power Supply Corsair CX750M
Mouse Logitech G Pro X Superlight - Razer ExactMat Control
Keyboard Leopold FC750R, MX Blue
Software Win 10 Pro 64-bit
Benchmark Scores not benching anymore...
there is something with das blue switchs,
it feels and sounds crispier than other manufacturers blue switches,

thats why i love it
 
Joined
Sep 22, 2012
Messages
1,010 (0.24/day)
Location
Belgrade, Serbia
System Name Intel® X99 Wellsburg
Processor Intel® Core™ i7-5820K - 4.5GHz
Motherboard ASUS Rampage V E10 (1801)
Cooling EK RGB Monoblock + EK XRES D5 Revo Glass PWM
Memory CMD16GX4M4A2666C15
Video Card(s) ASUS GTX1080Ti Poseidon
Storage Samsung 970 EVO PLUS 1TB /850 EVO 1TB / WD Black 2TB
Display(s) Samsung P2450H
Case Lian Li PC-O11 WXC
Audio Device(s) CREATIVE Sound Blaster ZxR
Power Supply EVGA 1200 P2 Platinum
Mouse Logitech G900 / SS QCK
Keyboard Deck 87 Francium Pro
Software Windows 10 Pro x64
When I searched for mechanical keyboard I looked for backlight.
Now I see it's not necessary. I enable very rear.
Das keyboards are great, really nice. But I would go on something little different.
Filco Convertible 2 Bluetooth/USB keyboard keys replaced with DS PBT keycaps set or Filco DS ABS keyset.
 

malantheon

New Member
Joined
Mar 23, 2017
Messages
2 (0.00/day)
Great and most detailed review that I have seen. I have Das Keyboard Ultimate with Brown Cherry MX. I actually wanted Blue switches initially but found this keyboard at incredible second-hand sale, since the Ultimates are hard to re-sell thanks to their queerness. I am quite happy with the brown switches - it was a decision that someone else made for me, but I am happy with it.

There are minor quirks with this keyboard, of course having the ultimate kind I am not going to complain about backlighting or the laser etching wearing off :-D. But even on the black keys the quickly developing shine is annoying not only to look at, but also to touch. And Das Keyboard is not offering any keycaps replacements. Their support is quick but they just said sorry, we do not offer replacement keycaps. They did not even suggest any fitting aftermarket solution, so if somebody is able to point me in the right direction I would be very thankful.

Another interaction with DasKeyboard support was also swift, they really do reply quickly, but it was another "no". The LED indicator lights are designer's dream, blue, small apertures, however they are super intense. If you approach your computer in a dark room, before you sit behind the desk the num lock light will perform a minor laser eye surgery on your retina. So with all those microcontrollers and chips inside I was kind of hoping there will be another way how to dim those lights rather than sticky-tape over them. Nope, there isn't.

USB3 Hub is fast-enough but it has a nasty habit of blue-screening my Windows if certain devices are plugged in (which behave normally in a standard USB 3 hub). Charging your smartphone over this hub, however comfortable, is not a good idea as it will take forever and then some. So it is good for some occasional USB stick job, it has my mouse receiver and it can charge my wireless mouse. A bit over engineered and overpriced solution that does not live up its potential. It handles very well task for which USB 2 would be more than enough.

Despite the shortcomings, I am very happy with Das Keyboard. I love the metal top, the weight, the sound, angle, full roll-over, there's just still a lot to love!
 

VSG

Editor, Reviews & News
Staff member
Joined
Jul 1, 2014
Messages
3,450 (0.97/day)
Yeah, the USB hub is not powered separately as mentioned in the review. So it's best to not use multiple for charging devices.
 
Joined
Dec 14, 2011
Messages
91 (0.02/day)
Location
Deadmonton
System Name Prime Shiz
Processor Intel i7 4770K 4.4Ghz 1.31v
Motherboard MSI Z97A Gaming 6
Cooling Noctua NH-D14
Memory G.Skill Ripjaws X 1866MHz 16GB @ 2200 CL10
Video Card(s) MSI GTX1070 GAMING X 8GB
Storage Crucial BX100 250GB, Corsair Force 3 240GB, Crucial BX100 500GB
Display(s) Asus VS24AH-P
Case Silverstone Fortress FT02 USB3.0
Audio Device(s) Asus Xonar Essense STX
Power Supply EVGA SuperNOVA 650 G2
Mouse Mionix Naos 3200
Keyboard CM Storm Quickfire TK reds
I've been using the old version of this keyboard for many years and it's one of my favorites because of the solid build quality. I'd love to pickup the new version but I already have too many keyboards lol
 

VSG

Editor, Reviews & News
Staff member
Joined
Jul 1, 2014
Messages
3,450 (0.97/day)
I've been using the old version of this keyboard for many years and it's one of my favorites because of the solid build quality. I'd love to pickup the new version but I already have too many keyboards lol

You should see my shelf of keyboards. It's gotten to the point where I am gifting some to my friends and considering selling some others.
 

malantheon

New Member
Joined
Mar 23, 2017
Messages
2 (0.00/day)
Yeah, the USB hub is not powered separately as mentioned in the review. So it's best to not use multiple for charging devices.
Sure, it would be quite a pain to have a keyboard that requires power plug in order to work. Unpowered USB does not bother me, I was just thinking that USB3 has enough power to charge at least one device. But that can be also related to my ancient motherboard and the fact that I have to use PCI USB3 card to get USB3 functionality in my system. Superbright LEDs and keycaps shine are the real downsides.

Any good advice on replacement keycaps for Das Keyboard?

Thanks!
 

VSG

Editor, Reviews & News
Staff member
Joined
Jul 1, 2014
Messages
3,450 (0.97/day)
Sure, it would be quite a pain to have a keyboard that requires power plug in order to work. Unpowered USB does not bother me, I was just thinking that USB3 has enough power to charge at least one device. But that can be also related to my ancient motherboard and the fact that I have to use PCI USB3 card to get USB3 functionality in my system. Superbright LEDs and keycaps shine are the real downsides.

Any good advice on replacement keycaps for Das Keyboard?

Thanks!

Given the standard bottom row and no backlighting, just about any replacement set will work. Since this has an aluminum frame and plate where pinging sounds can occur, what about some thick PBT keycaps? Look at Mechanicalkeyboards.com for some decent priced options options.
 
Joined
Sep 22, 2012
Messages
1,010 (0.24/day)
Location
Belgrade, Serbia
System Name Intel® X99 Wellsburg
Processor Intel® Core™ i7-5820K - 4.5GHz
Motherboard ASUS Rampage V E10 (1801)
Cooling EK RGB Monoblock + EK XRES D5 Revo Glass PWM
Memory CMD16GX4M4A2666C15
Video Card(s) ASUS GTX1080Ti Poseidon
Storage Samsung 970 EVO PLUS 1TB /850 EVO 1TB / WD Black 2TB
Display(s) Samsung P2450H
Case Lian Li PC-O11 WXC
Audio Device(s) CREATIVE Sound Blaster ZxR
Power Supply EVGA 1200 P2 Platinum
Mouse Logitech G900 / SS QCK
Keyboard Deck 87 Francium Pro
Software Windows 10 Pro x64
I would use Filco Convertible 2 with two sets of keycaps DS PBT Black and White.
These type...

https://mechanicalkeyboards.com/shop/index.php?l=product_detail&p=1946

or this model, same DS PBT Grey Top Printed

https://mechanicalkeyboards.com/shop/index.php?l=product_detail&p=1805

Such stuff are so more important for me than RGB lightshow mod. I could look hours in nice keycaps set and combine, from other side I have no patient to look 1min in LED light. I have one White LED for really dark environment, and I enable sometimes mode only key I press shine and turn off easy after 1 seconds. That's all light I need.
But because of that typing if perfection.

This is my first and only one mechanical keyboard...
Quality is obvious on first look, you immediately recognize quality of build and structure.
It's small but heavy, inside is some heavy metal plate and with PBT keycaps improve typing feeling so much because you have impression that keys are on stone table not on keyboard.
I paid 190$ to arrive from USA, because I need that US Layout and only he have this type of fonts and PBT keycaps. But OK, on some places as Performance PC she cost 170$ and I paid 140$ and rest is for fast shipping.

 

W1zzard

Administrator
Staff member
Joined
May 14, 2004
Messages
26,956 (3.71/day)
Processor Ryzen 7 5700X
Memory 48 GB
Video Card(s) RTX 4080
Storage 2x HDD RAID 1, 3x M.2 NVMe
Display(s) 30" 2560x1600 + 19" 1280x1024
Software Windows 10 64-bit
I bought the Das Keyboard 4 Root today and noticed that after resuming from standby/sleep, the keyboard would have one or multiple keys stuck, for example it kept sending "u" characters to Windows. The only way to fix was disconnect and reconnect the keyboard.

I reached out to support and got a link to firmware update within a few minutes, which solved the problem.
 
Top