thoughton:digitallife $80 keyboard skimps on letters

$80 keyboard skimps on letters

Xoxide's Das Keyboard is an all-black geek-chic keyboard featuring 104 keys, all of which are blank. The idea is that the keyboard is for "ÜberGeeks" who don't need to read no stinkin' keys anyway. Seriously, the idea is that without letters printed on the keys, your brain will adapt by doing a better job at memorizing the keys' locations, thus making you type faster and more accurately. The keys also have variable force-feedback so that keys you would use your weaker fingers on require less pressure to depress.

The manufacturers say:

If you are an elite programmer who can write sophisticated code under tight deadlines, someone who makes impossible projects possible, or a Silver Web Surfer your colleagues turn to when they need IT advice, this keyboard is for you. Shouldn't your keyboard reflect your status as one of the elite? We think so!

Das Keyboard is an enhanced 104-key USB PC keyboard equipped with 100% blank keys mounted on precision and individually weighted key switches. Since there is no key to look at when typing, your brain will quickly adapt and memorize the key positions and you will find yourself typing a lot faster with more accuracy in no time. It is amazing how slow typers almost double their speed and quick typers become blazing fast!

Most keyboards use a standard 55 grams of force required to register every key, Das Keyboard has 5 different levels of force. The keys are divided into groups and their feedback springs are weighted differently; from 35 grams to 80 grams, which correspond to the strength of the finger that touches the keys. The result is more comfort for your hands.

PimpRig have a hands-on review where they conclude:

Xoxide put it best on their site... ÜberGeeks Only. Only an Übergeek will fully appreciate this keyboard. When I first saw the $79.99 price tag of the Das Keyboard I originally thought, "yeah right! $79.99 for an old IBM keyboard with the letters scratched off?!" Now that I have had 6 weeks up close and personal with it I can say that this keyboard is worth that cash if, and only if, you are a solid typist already and you do a lot of typing. Anyone else will be too frustrated to thoroughly appreciate the subtle tweaks of the Das Keyboard. There is also the matter of "props" you immediately get when someone sees this keyboard on your desk or at a lanparty. It simply screams, "I am a 1337 typist!" Another added benefit is that of security against n00b users. No more will the family PC killer (my father springs to mind) want to use your PC.