Review on 🔑 Das Keyboard 4 Root Wired Mechanical Keyboard: Cherry MX Blue Switches, USB 2.0 Hub, Laser Etched Keycaps, Volume Knob, Aluminum Top – Buy Now! by Daniel Ortiz

For the past few years I've mistakenly thought I understood the beauty of a mechanical keyboard. I used the Razer Black Widow Ultimate. It's not like there's anything "wrong" with this keyboard. I have issues with Razer and their products, but this isn't a Razer review, so I'll just leave it at that. I felt it was important to address this as this keyboard uses Cherry MX Blacks and for a long time was the only switch I was aware of. Enter Das Keyboard 4 Professional Soft Tactile (the one with MX Browns). I think half the reason I'm writing this review in the first place is because I was looking for an excuse to use this keyboard. It's an absolute pleasure - both typing and gaming. I'm a software engineer by day and a gamer by night, so I've been putting a lot more emphasis on a good keyboard lately considering how much I use it every day. I'm very glad I did. The 4 is not a cheap keyboard. That fact was a bit off-putting at first, and I wondered if I'd feel like buying it when it finally got here. Spoilers: It ABSOLUTELY works. I want to start with the build quality. This is something that deserves a lot of attention, especially when you want to consider the value you're getting with this purchase over the long term. The 4 is excellent. This is a very reliable keyboard. It doesn't flex at all despite my reasonable efforts. The keys are (obviously) laser engraved, so you don't have to worry about the keycaps fading or anything. Not that you should ever use a keyboard of this caliber. Next I want to talk about buttons and layout. The keyboard feels a bit more compact than usual. It took me about an hour to get used to typing. The room length is just perfect. It has a standard numeric keypad. The overall layout is generally no-frills, which is exactly what I wanted from my keyboard. I also think it's pretty cool that there's no "Windows" key. Instead of a Windows key, there is a key, and this key works just like the Windows key, but I like that my keyboard doesn't have a Windows logo engraved on it. There are media controls. Large knob for quick access to volume controls. Previous, Play/Pause, Next and Mute. Everything you need and nothing more. There is also a button to put the system to sleep mode. Here are literally all the "extra" keys on this keyboard. I like it. The keyboard is equipped with a footplate that also serves as a ruler. It supports the keyboard just enough to be at a good angle for me personally. It is magnetic and pops out immediately when something needs to be measured urgently. We all think the same about the ruler, trust me. I haven't tried the MX Blue version of the keyboard but I think it's very similar to the MX Brown version but with extra clicks. I fell in love with the MX Brown derailleur so I'm pretty happy with where I am now. Having used hundreds of keyboards over the past 20+ years, I happily recommend the Das 4 and can say with confidence that it's still my absolute favorite. When I'm done with this (which could be in 10 years given the build quality) I'll be returning to Das immediately for a replacement. Cons: I tried to find some. I thought I would miss backlighting, but no. I find the backlight annoying and useless. I did not receive anything. Buy this keyboard. Edit: April 2019: I heard that after my review 5 years ago the quality of this keyboard has come down a lot. I can't speak about it personally, but it's worth mentioning. Since then I've moved on from Das.