DAS Keyboard Professional: Simplicity and Elegance, with a Click to Boot!

As a quick trip to the nearest computer store will attest, picking out a keyboard is not as simple as selecting one compatible with your operating system in a color you fancy. The multitudes of keyboards on the market make selecting this once standardized necessity a decision worth pondering. Do I want a keyboard with a built in soft pad or one that is bent in the middle to allow easier access to the keys? On top of that, many keyboards now come with buttons on the top which allow for you to control volume, the DVD you are watching, access the internet instantly, or even make use of a small screen connected to the keyboard. All of this variety in the contemporary market contributes to what makes the DAS Keyboard so different: it has none of those bells and whistles. The DAS reminded me of the first style of keyboard marketed to the general public. It contains every necessary key, while avoiding the clutter of the modern day keyboards that attempt to double as computer control systems. While this will not be attractive to everyone, those who it appeals to will enjoy a keyboard that neither confuses nor clutters the desk.

After the initial reaction of its simplicity wears off, the sleek black design of the keyboard imposes itself upon the viewer; it is simply magnificent. Both dark and reflective, the DAS imitates an ebony beauty that will add to the aesthetic satisfaction of almost any space while not overwhelming the scene with gaudiness. Its attractiveness emanates from its simplicity and deep black polished surface.

Installation was a breeze. I simply plugged the USB device into the back of the computer and it was ready to begin work. With its cord length of 6.6 feet, I could easily locate it anywhere on my workstation with room to spare. Compatible with Windows, MAC OSX, and Linux, any computer should be able to accommodate the DAS with relative ease.

All this is discernible even before one types, but having a keyboard that is never used to type would be a waste. As I started to make use of the new keyboard, the first thing I noticed was that I felt tactile pressure as I depressed each and every key. Since the switches on this keyboard are mechanical rather than plasma like many new keyboards, each press is accompanied by an equal but opposite reaction force. More impressively, however, was the clicking sound that followed each peck. Each key lets out an audible click when pressed, and this sound is reminiscent of old style keyboards. While this may not be ideal for a giant workroom separated into cubicles, for the home or small office space this sound of productivity is music to the ears. Whenever I was given an opportunity to type something, I eagerly accepted, knowing that I would be able to hear each click on the way.

In addition to the design and the mechanical click, the DAS Professional keyboard boasts n-key rollover function, which allows up to 12 keys to be pressed simultaneously without jamming. This is good news for gamers and those wishing to type at court-reporter speeds. The DAS also makes use of blue LED lights to alert you when caps lock or num lock is activated.

DAS also makes another keyboard almost identical to the Professional. It possesses the same sleek black color, as well as the simple setup and satisfying mechanical keys. The only things it is missing, however, are the labels on the key! This totally blank version of the keyboard, the DAS Ultimate, is used to assist people in developing their skills as typists, for they cannot peek at the keyboard to locate the button they desire. Understandably, this keyboard is not for everyone. However, for the master typist who wants to show off or prevent his keyboard from becoming the target of an unscrupulous co-worker’s “borrowing”, the DAS Ultimate may be a good match.

Both keyboards are available now at a retail price of $129. For more information, go to the company’s website at www.daskeyboard.com.

John Lentz Jr.