Das Keyboard Model S “Quiet”: spirit of the IBM Model M

Hardware

August 3, 2013

Das Keyboards is a hugely popular enthusiast-level brand that makes some of the best mechanical keyboards on the planet. They’re popular with gamers and professionals alike, and offer a wide range of switches, covering the Blue, Black, Red, and Brown varieties offered by Cherry MX.

Mechanical keyboards, generally, are much noisier than their rubber-domed counterparts that take up more than half the market. Most mechanical keyboards have an audible “Click!” to them and offer more resistance, better tactile feedback and have a much longer lifespan than their cheaper counterparts.

For typing, Cherry MX Blue and Brown switches are recommended because of how good they feel, while the Red and Black variants are recommended for gaming because of their accuracy and smooth motion. However, Brown and Blue have very audible clicks, while Black is less noisy, and Red is at the same level as rubber-domed keys.

Das Keyboard Model S Quiet

The Das Keyboard Model S “Quiet” uses Red switches and features some extra media control functions on a few keys. It retains the Model S classic gloss coat and comes with a USB to PS/2 adapter that also eliminates ghosting and allows for more simultaneous key presses. Various keys have different weights, but Das Keyboard says this is to enhance the typing experience.

As with other Das Keyboard variants, its as close to the experience of owning a IBM Model M as you’re ever going to get. There’s no gimmicky switches, no eye-popping LED lights, just pure typing nirvana. The Model S Quiet doesn’t come with blank keys for touch typists, so you’ll need to choose a Model S Ultimate to get them.

As with other Das Keyboard models, the Quiet comes in a version for Mac OS X as well as Windows. Das Keyboards aren’t sold in South Africa but you can order one online. The Model S Quiet currently goes for $149 or approximately R1,500 with free shipping and is available starting today.