Rosewill RK9000V2 versus Matias Tactile Pro Keyboard

Time for another comparison test.  I am lining up the Rosewill RK9000V2 with Cherry MX blue switches against Matias Tactile Pro Keyboard that I just received.  The Rosewill is not bad at all, just compared to the Das Keyboard, it pales in comparison.  I wonder if Filco board, which is also made by CoStar ,will be better or about the same.  Rosewill shares the same OEM.  Very curious now....  Since I knew that Das Keyboard provide a more stable platform, I want to see if the Rosewill is a closer comparison to the Matias Tactile Pro when comparing the switches.

After spending some quality time with Matias tactile switches, I switch back to the Rosewill to do a quick compare and contrast.  I just did a quick typing with Rosewill board and I don't feel the wobble.  It's just more assuring to get that feeling back.  So, it's likely that I will prefer the Cherry MX blue switches over the Matias tactile ones.  Yup.  I am just more comfortable with the Cherry MX switch designs I suppose.  The travel feels fine, it doesn't feel as defined as the Matias'.  I do think that the high pitch sound may one day get on my nerve.  For now, not yet.  So, I will take it.  Since I really like the brown switches, that's what might be biasing my preference toward the blue switches when comparing to the Matias one.  The Matias is just too jumpy, a bit too eager.  I am certain that a lot of people will like this kind of keyboard.  The feeling is more whimsical, perky and free.  I am the kind that need my feet to the ground, thank you very much!  Unfortunately, the Matias is just not my cup of tea.  Oh well....  I guess I won't know till I try one, right?  That's the entire point of the exercise and experiment.  It's a negative result for me, but very informative.  Cool!

My ideal clicky switch thus far

After trying out the Matias Tactile Pro keyboard for some time, I have come to think that neither the blue or the Matias tactile are my ideal tactile clicky switch.  If I have my way, it will be based on the Matias tactile switch with the stability of the Cherry MX blue and without the high pitched chatter.  I would keep the spring sound and action, but dampen it down a bit and strip out the wobble.  The wobble I think was what really bugged me.  Hmmm...  Am I describing the Matias quiet switch?

I am bit gun shy right now with Matias ALPS switch designs because of the wobble issues I encountered.  However, maybe the impact dampening will decrease the jitters to a tolerable level as well.  So, I am willing to give the Matias quiet switch a chance and see.  Let's see if I catch one on sale somewhere....

Matias Tactile Pro Keyboard typing impression, part 2

Yeah, I am still not convinced that Matias switch is a winner for me; it's the same deal for Cherry MX blue.  So far, the favorite is Cherry MX brown, which I really like.  However, I wonder how much of that is because of the stability of the Das Keyboard design rather than the switch itself.  I am pretty sure that the overall board design and construction also factor into the feel of the keyboard.  However, the overall package is not coming together to convey a sense of stability.

So, I guess we will see how it goes after a couple more runs.  Matias tactile switches are not bad, just that I wish it is more stable.  I will likely really like it if it feels more solid.  That's just me, I guess.  I love the spring click feedback, the sound and the clack, but just not loving the key wobble.  The keystroke when bottoms out action is crispy and very defined.  However, its restoration action feels just a bit too bouncy.  Maybe their quiet key switches would do the trick for me.  I like it more when I type faster and makes me forget about the wobble.  Blah!  Just can't get over it once I start thinking about it.  I want to like it,  I really do.  However, I just can't make that leap yet I suppose.

Matias Tactile Pro Keyboard first typing impression

The Matias Tactile Pro keyboard has a glossy top cover.  Looks like if I want to keep it looking clean and cool, I will have actually wipe it once a while.  Looks fabulous tho.  Like many of the keyboards, this one comes with 3 USB2 ports.  One on each side, and another one along the long spine where the keyboard cable come out.  Even though it looks light, it's not.  It has some weight to it, which will help with stability.

First thing I noticed about the keystroke is that it's has more of spring like sound like a slinky, rather than the high pitched chat that Cherry MX blue switches have.  However, I think I have got used to the high pitches.  Thus it's not as bad as as it was.  This keyboard is fairly loud compared to Das Keyboard with Cherry MX brown switches.  What might start to bother me though, this the key wobble.  When I strike the key, the wobble due to the spring action is a lot more than I have anticipated.  So, I don't feel like I am typing with confidence.  The wobble somehow makes me a bit nervous like the Cherry MX blue switches before I got used to them on a more stable platform.  Perhaps it's because I am more of a tactile learner.  If something doesn't feel firm, I think it subconsciously changes my perception of its stability.  I do enjoy the spring sound that it makes.  It has that more classic noise like the keyboards in the 80s.

One thing I noticed is that if I lay the keyboard down flat, rather than engaging the bottom feet or flaps, I sense more stability.  Hmmm...  No wonder the Das Keyboard feel so stable to me because the incline is much lower, even with the ruler on the bottom.

I think for me, the jury is still out for the clicky type keyboard in general.  I am just so nervous when typing on the Matias keyboard even more than operating the Cherry MX blues.  I just don't know why.  This is an issue if it continues.  Is it the rest pad, or something else, I can't really tell.  This is not a fair shake for the design, I am sure.  I think I just need more time to get used to it.  Maybe too much coffee will do this to you.  Oh well.....

Doh! Just can't resist trying out Topre Realforce keyboard huh?

I spotted a Topre Realforce 104U keyboard for sale.  So, I just can't resist since those boards are expansive and difficult to find.  So, I decided to get one and see that the hype is all about.  As I understand it, this type of switch is a kind of a hybrid between a spring based switch and the rubber dome, as it has components from each kind.  So, in theory, it has the advantages of both and chances are, so are the disadvantages inherent to both.  Fans of the switch simply will not consider any other type while detractors feel that the switch is nothing but a glorified rubber dome that is 10 times more expansive than what it should have been.

OK then, I guess I will just have to see it for myself.  :)

MS Sculpted Ergonomic keyboard impression, part 2

After spending some quality time with this keyboard.  I must say that it does fit a like using a pair of old gloves.  It's very comfortable to use and somewhat feels like using my old MS Natural Ergonomic Keyboard 4000 because of the split ergo design.  I must say that I thought this doesn't have any tactile action.  However, upon closer examination, as with any scissor based switches, the tactile action is really up at the front because of the short travel distance it can afford.  Therefore, it's almost like all or nothing.  Again, this observation is confirmed when looking at the force-distance curve.  Everything is just compress together.  So, everything feels faster and more steep compared to a rubber dome or a mechanical switch.

A traditional typist like me will bottom out with a scissor switches based keyboard almost all the time.  Well, I bottom out with a Cherry MX switches most of the time.  When I bottom out while typing on the sculpted ergo keyboard, there's very little sound and shock produced.  I wonder if some sound dampening engineering are present.  Without opening it it up, I can only speculate I suppose.  All in all, this is like typing on a really high quality laptop keyboard as it should be.  This is one of the best scissor switches based keyboard I have used so far.  Maybe I will find and borrow a nice Thinkpad or a Macbook and try their keyboards out and see.  It's pretty tough to best this one out right I think.

Microsoft Sculpted Ergonomic Keyboard first impression

I guess I just can't say no to another Microsoft keyboard design.  I have been using their ergonomic keyboard since the first Natural Ergonomic Keyboard way back then.  So, as I go through the keyboard tryouts, I will take another look at one of their newest ergonomic design and give it a fair shake.  Right now, I am a mechanical keyboard convert.  So, I think this revisit will give me a fresh look form a different perspective now.

MS has made some substantial change to its split sculpted ergonomic design.  The key switch has switched from rubber dome over to scissor type, no pun intended.  Therefore, this split ergo design is more closely related to a laptop Chiclets type keyboard or Apple's Mac keyboards than its ancestors.  Anyway, the scissor switches are fairly pleasant to use.  The travel distance is shorter than a traditional keyboard, but seems a little deeper than a laptop ones.  The key action is crisp, smooth and responsive.  It's not really tactile since it's a scissor switch, but it's very quiet.  More quiet than most keyboard I have heard in person.  The keycaps are large, but not totally flat, the corners are slight raised to reduce slippage.  The legends are printed with coating on top.  I must say that the keyboard is very pleasant to use.  If I have not encountered the mechanical keyboards, this one will be the replacement.  However, I still do miss the longer keystroke distance and the subtle tactile feel a mechanical keyboard offers.  So, I will stick with Das Keyboard for now.  However, I would recommend this board to anyone who likes scissor switch based keyboard.  I am tempted to get one for my laptop's docking station.....  Let me think about this one.

Let me give Matias tactile switch a chance

I must say that I was intrigued by Mr. Edgar Matias' interview and his responses to the Reddit's AMA.  So, I decided to give one of his keyboards a whirl.  Since the tactile version is the one that tries to replicate the old Apple Extended Keyboard feel, that's the one I will go for.  Because Matias is based in Canada, it's a bit hard for me to get my hands on one in the States.  However, I found that Mechanicalkeyboards.com do sell them in the US.

Matias makes two versions of the ALPS compatible switches.  One is the traditional tactile version, which emulates the old ALPS switches found on older Apple Mac keyboards.  I guess the clicky action got to some people, so Matias also produces a quiet version with built-in dampers within the switch.  Purportedly, their quiet switch is one of the quietest.  Well, I don't have a need for a super quiet keyboard right now.  However, I can see the applications and if I ever need one, I will keep that in mind.  Despite my better judgement, nostalgia got to me and I went with the tactile version, given my preference for the quieter Cherry MX brown switches.  Maybe I will try the quiet one next time if the tactile version tryout goes well.  Matias is much more Mac centered and thus not all of the product lines are available for the PC crowd.  Also, the Mac keyboards are cheaper compared to their PC counterpart.  This is rather different for once.  I guess they must have more Mac clients then PC guys who wondered in.  Took me a while, but I finally figured out their codes for each platform.  The PC versions are black and the Mac versions are white.  Anyway, let's see in a bit how I like the tactile Matias switches.

Another round with scissor switches keyboard

So, how does scissor based board on a laptop compare to a mechanical keyboard with say Cherry MX brown switches?  I had spent a few days with my old laptop on travel and yes, I can't wait to get my hands back on the mechanical switches based keyboard.  I like the scissor based keyboard on my laptop.  I do like it compared to some standard issued boards.  However, I miss the deeper key travels and the more ergonomically keycaps design of the traditional keyboard.  My fingers sometime wonder or slip off because it's more flat.  It doesn't happen often, but just much more rare with a cylindrical keycap surface.  Some people swear by the Chiclets design.  I am kind of indifferent mostly because I am not a touch typist.  Therefore, I like having a long keystroke travel with meaningful tactile feedback.  However, I can tolerate the key actions on my personal laptop.  Just sometimes, the keyboard flexes a bit, which is not exactly an endorsing sign of quality.  As noted before, the activation force need is more than I thought.  So, who knows.....

The work issued laptop on the other hand, does have a pretty bad keyboard, I must say.  The keycaps shape is indeed cylindrical on the top, but it's textbook mushy, squeaky, gummy, grainy and uneven key action.  I pretty much have to bottom out to make sure the keys register.  It seems to have a deeper key travel than what I found on my personal machine, but simply doesn't make a difference.  It has a harsh, rough, sticky bounce back.  It's actually my bad experience with this keyboard that drove me to start thinking about replacing the computer keyboards I use.  One thing led to another I suppose.

Chance encounter with a Logitech K350

Someone in the family had recently gotten a Logitech K350 wireless keyboard.  It is part of a bundle that included the M510 wireless mouse call MK550.  Although Logitech sells the mouse separately, the K350 doesn't appear to be listed as one of the keyboards on their website.  I am pretty sure that one can easily find one at other retailers tho.

Anyway, why did the keyboard look so familiar?  I suddenly realized why.  I had a similar setup a while back when it was called Cordless Desktop Wave.  I have lost the mini-receiver and thus the setup had been banished to a closet in hope that I will find the receiver somehow.  The MK550 is the updated version that uses Logitech's vaulted Unifying Receiver, which I like a lot.  I remember the wireless function didn't work well for me because they were used on a HTPC setup.  The keyboard and mouse were too far from the mini-receiver and I never bother with them after the HTPC was decommissioned.  Somehow the min-receiver disappeared and I am left with two peripherals that I can't use or give them away to a nicer home and people who will appreciate them more.

Let's just say that I wasn't a fan of the wave design coming from a standard or a split ergonomic design keyboard.  I found that I keep bumping into the taller keys in the height of the wave, which is where the index fingers are.  The low points of the wave are where the ring fingers are.  The keyboard layout is a bow curve shape where the bend is made toward the space bar to mimic a split blocks design, instead of actually splitting two blocks like the old ergonomic MS design.  I think one of MS' newer keyboard design also shares a similar shape.  This must be a popular design since it's still in production.  So, I think this just me being me again.....

The key action on the old wave board was not great if I recall.  However, the K350 felt much better.  Kudos to Logitech for improving the key actions.  It's smoother and cleaner than the harsh and unforgiving key action of the old cordless wave keyboard.  Yup, just got the old one out and boy I did not miss it.....  Then again, maybe the rubber has deteriorated somehwat after being stored for so long.  Therefore, it feels a lot worse than it was.  Anyway, at this point, maybe it's a good thing that I lost the mini-receiver because I don't want to inflict the pain on someone else.  Back to the closet you go.

Thinking about the scissor switch force-distance curves

I am beginning to see that the force-distance curves are very useful tools to depict that's going on with key switches.  It's also rather useful comparing different type of switches.  At first, it's pretty overwhelming, but after a while, it becomes rather intuitive and makes a lot of sense.

Now, I can't resist taking a peek at the force-distance curves of a scissor switch.  Not surprisingly, the scissor switch shares the same shape with a standard rubber dome switch.  Wow, talk about steep slopes in both directions.  Because of the height limitation, I guess that's how it is.  However, I am quite surprised by the activation force needed.  It's much greater than a standard membrane type.  Maybe that's why I tend to pound on my laptop keyboard.

Thinking about the scissor switches based keyboard

Most scissor switch based keyboard are laptop ones, but one can begin to see its presence in the desktop keyboards.  This type of switch is made famous by Lenovo and Apple's keyboard since the introduction of the aluminium case Macbook Pro and iMac lines.  Recently Apple improved the design as a butterfly switch, but the concept is the same.  The activation mechanism is still rubber dome, but with a new support structure to slow down the dome collapse during activation.

Previously, I mentioned that Microsoft has put out another split ergonomic keyboard.  Yes, it's a scissor switched based, which I am not surprised, as they are what's in popular these days.  Tech Report has something positive to say about it as well.  So, I figure I will give it a try and see what happens.  I didn't miss the split keyboard design as much I thought either.  Then again, I usually go back to the regular setup just about every day.  So, I have gotten used to the change.  Well, let's give it another whirl for old time sake.  :)

So far, so good with blue.....

The ambient noise in the office pretty much keeps the loud chattering characteristics of the blue switches in check.  It provides some relief to the constant machine droning and bursts of the activities around.  The clicky noise is not as pronounced in a larger room, I suppose.  Thus, as long as someone around doesn't complain about it, this keyboard will stick around for a while.

The keystrokes of the blue switches have more of a bounce in its return action.  The tactile feedback is much more pronounced than the brown switches, as the blue one is designed for both clicky sound and the tactile feedback.  The high-pitch shriek is still present, but as I said before, I am getting more used to it and are starting to simply tuning it out.  If that noise can be dampened out, perhaps it will be more welcomed.  For the work computer, the media keys are largely useless since I don't use this particular computer for much media consumption.  Maybe if I decide to take this one back home, it will be more useful.  For now, the media keys are superfluous.  The big volume knob is till pretty cool tho.....

The typing action of the blue switches is breezy and fairly smooth besides the click portion.  It does take a bit more effort to press the key compared to the brown switches.  The key activation point is fairly close to the end of the click.  Unlike the brown switches, which the reset point is very close to the activation point, its reset point is rather far away from the activation point, about 1.5mm or so.  So, once the key is activated, it must travel some distance before it is reset and ready for another stroke.  WASD Keyboard has some very nice force-distance curves for the various type of Cherry MX switches.  Checking the force-distance curve will show what I have observed thus far.  The short activation to reset point of the brown switch allows it to reactivate more quickly while the blue switch will have to get through a larger deactivation zone and the user will have to wait before it will register another keystroke.  Thus, the blue switch has to bounce further back up before it can be activated again.  This is probably to prevent accidental rekeying, which is important for accuracy.

Therefore, it is reasonable to say that the brown switches are more well suited for quick repeat action on the same key whereas the blue ones need more time to ensure that its activation is more intentional.  For normal typing scenario, the activation to reset action difference probably doesn't matter much.  However, if someone is playing a computer game, then the time-out period the blue switches need is more likely to become a matter of victory or defeat.

Typing up a wall of text to test the keyboards....

I think I am getting more used to the blue switches now.  The context change as I hop from one keyboard to another can be a bit jarring.  So, now it's time to do some long term testing as a setup in a particular environment.  The blue switches will go to the office environment since the ambient noise will likely drown out the clicky noise somewhat.  The noise factor could be a what lowered my affinity.  On the other hand, at home, the brown switches will be placed since I know that its noise will not bother me as much as the blue one.

Indeed the feeling of using the Das Keyboard and the Rosewill RK9000V2 is different even though they are both Cherry MX blue switches.  Das keyboard is just more compatible with me.  It does take more room and cost a little more.  Since I got a refurb version, the difference is not as great as the retail price suggests.  The refurb feels almost new.  I haven't detected any hints that the keyboard was abused.  Certainly, I can see from the key caps that someone else had used it before, likely went through a similar audition process that I am going through.  However, the condition is new enough that I don't think it bothers me.  I am likely to keep this one anyway.

So, let the long term shake out test begin.  Maybe I will change my mind again.  Who knows.  :)

More at peace with the blue switches

Despite the initial shock that I didn't like the Cherry MX blue switches as much as I thought I would have, I think I have made my peace with it.  I can tolerate its chirpy characteristics more now that I am getting used to its acrostics.  I have a soft spot for tactile feel and I always thought the that clicky sound and the spring reverberation that comes after are just part of the whole experience.  I just didn't expect my initial shocked reaction to its high pitched and chatty form.

So, yes, I think I will keep a blue switches board around just because I don't think I can just let it go.  However, my top choice is still the brown switches at the moment.  To me, the brown switches keyboard has secured a spot on my PC setup now.  To choose between a blue switches keyboard or the old MS natural ergo 4k?  I might have to think for a bit, but I will reach for a Cherry MX blue switches based board after some hesitation.

Cherry MX blue versus brown switches round 2

OK, now I have spent a bit more time with both kind of switches, I can sense that I do prefer one type over another.  However, I think I will end up keeping both and use the boards for different purposes.  I am pretty sure that I will keep the Das Keyboard 4 Pro with the brown switches.  It's easy to type, slightly tactile and very stable.  I am glad that tried it out.

For the blue switch version, I might just take this to work where the noise will be drowned out by the commotions around me.  I honestly thought that I would have like this switches more, but as they say, don't know till one tries it.  Now I know that I probably preferred a quieter switch subconsciously.  Still, I am not going to give up on my quest for a clicky switch as I definitely enjoy the click action.  I might try out the Matias/ALPS kind just to see if that will work for me.

So, we have a winner for my mechanical keyboard tryout thus far, it's Das Keyboard 4 Professional with Cherry MX brown switches.  The runner-up is the Das Keyboard 4 Professional with Cherry MX blue switches.  However, the champion won't be able to rest upon its laurels, I still want to try out different switches, including scissor switches with a split ergonomic design.  So, the journey continues.  :)

Cherry MX blue versus brown switches, round 1

Now that I have two Das 4 Professional keyboards with the Cherry MX blue switches on one and brown switches on the other, I can begin to compare the switch differences rather than evaluating the keyboard as a complete package.  Simply comparing the Das 4 Keyboard to the Rosewill with the same switch, to me, the boards convey different experiences.  I think I just like the Das 4 Pro design more than the minimalist Rosewill RK9000V2.  Personal preference strikes again.

Both Das 4 keyboards feel solid and confident.  I have no issues with the build quality.  Finally, I can focus strictly on the switches themselves.  OK, the switches....  What's the difference?  Well, aside from the obvious difference in the tactile and auditory experience, for some reason, the blue switches just don't build confidence in me while I type.  I just can't put my fingers on it.  I just feel more edgy while typing on the blue switches.  I am beginning to think that the sounds and the tactile bump experience are distracting me somehow.  The Cherry MX brown instead, is more understated, more in control.  I don't feel like I am rushing at something, but can take my time.  I strongly suspect that my insistence on liking the blue switches are beginning to breakdown after spending some time to get to know the switch personalities.

If my first experience with the mechanical keyboards in general was the blue switches, maybe the story might have been different.  I was ready to embrace the clicky, high volume world of mechanical keyboard.  However, the brown version got here first and the brown switches weren't that far of a departure from my comfortable rubber-dome world feel, which like a well worn pair of shoes I have spent a long time with.  I just felt more comfortable jumping in with 2 feet when I am using the brown switches.  Ha, so much for change I suppose.  At this rate, I might as well start looking at a Topre switch based keyboard.  Perhaps once I get more used to the brown one, I will give the blue switch another go.

More than just about the switches

My initial impressions of the key switches turn out to be intertwined withe construction of the keyboards themselves.  Keyboard construction and design makes a big difference for me.  So, to perform a fair comparison among the switches, I guess I will have to control as many variables as possible.  Of course, sometimes certain switches are not available in the exact same design, but I will just have to deal with it.  So, to give the Cherry MX blue switches board a fair shake against the current favorite brown switches board, I guess I will have to get another Das Keyboard someday.

Again, given the choice, I prefer the construction of the Das Keyboard 4 Professional design.  Someone might find the Rosewill design and build to be what they prefer because it's more compact and it is the standard Filco layout.  I have nothing against that, I just prefer the Das Keyboard at this time.  Who knows, I might end up liking a Filco with blue switches more than a Das Keyboard with brown switches later on after spending some more time with each unit.  So, it's about the whole package.  The switches do make a difference, but there are other factors in play as well.  This is going to be interesting for me to evaluate.

Slastdot interviews with Edgar Matias

Edgar Matias is one of the big proponents of mechanical keyboards.  Matias, the company he founded makes mechanical keyboard as on might have guessed.  For a long time, he sought out the ALPS switches to supply his keyboard business.  The ALPS switches were used in the older Apple Mac extended keyboards.  Those keyboards where extremely popular.  ALPS has stopped making these switches, so Matias made his own, while improving the original design.

In the interview, he explains a few things about mechanical keyboards and rubber dome keyboards in general.  He also had a neat Q&A on Reddit.  This makes me want to try out the Matias/ALPS type of mechanical switches next.

Wrist rest pad differences

I finally purchased another keyboard wrist rest pad.  Since I already have a Fellowes one, I figure I will get another one for work.  The local office supply store didn't have a 3M or a Fellowes gel wrist rest.  So, I took a chance a got a generic (might be house brand) memory foam wrist rest pad.  The pad is obviously thinner both in thickness and in the width.

Surprisingly with these small changes to save a few pennies on material cost, the feel is drastically different from my trusty old Fellowes wrist rest.  I have no issue with the memory foam change.  However, the changes in dimensions made a huge difference.  Yes, I will admit that cheaping out was a mistake.  The generic pad is less than useless to me.  It not only not serve its intended function, it irritates me.  I have tried various ways to accommodate the wrist pad.  The only thing it makes me do is getting mad.  Lesson learned.  Time to pony up for a well made wrist rest pad.  I feel like I just flushed $10 down the toilet. Besides, it smells plastic-icky.  Blah!

Key legends differences

Now that I have two different mechanical keyboards to do a compare and contrast besides the switches and different designs, the technology behind the key caps printing is different as well.  The Das Keyboard 4 Pro I have received likely used a hard UV coating method as in their newer keyboards.  The result is a smooth decal like appearance and feel.  I can kind of feel the decals since it does change the surface feel of the keys as I run my finger over the key legend.  However, it's rather subtle change and not worth fussing over.  On the other hand, the Rosewill RK9000V2 supposedly had laser etched keys, according to the research done by keychatter.com.  Well, for the Rosewill one, I can feel and see that the key legend as it is etched and/or filled with ink.  One can feel the legend on the key caps as raised bump.  It doesn't appear to bother me either.  The $100 dollar question of course is the longevity of the legends.  Since both keyboards are relatively new, I guess only time will tell.

No, it's me, not you, really. Maybe time to try another Cherry MX blue keyboard.

Given my positive experience with the Cherry MX brown switches, I am rather surprised that I the blue switches didn't take over as my #1 choice once I got my hands on it.  I have always projected that I would prefer the classic clicky, tactile feeling and take me back to the 80s kind of thing.  You know what, that didn't happen.

Perhaps it's the keyboard construction itself.  Maybe.  Or that I was just too taken by my experience with the brown switches and so now it's difficult to fairly evaluate other types of switches.  Or I am just too used to a large keyboard with built-in wrist pad.  This time, I am also struggling with spacing and hand placement.  Something just didn't fit.  I don't wish to blame on the Rosewill board, it's a tried and true design.  Some of the best keyboards are based on such minimalist approach.  It's just not speaking to me at the moment.  OK, maybe I will try a wrist pad and see if that will help.  In the meantime, let me hunt down another blue switch keyboard bargain that I can test out my theory.  Better yet, perhaps another Das Keyboard 4 Professional with blue switches.  Hey. the refurbs are still on sale!

Why is there a canary bird in my keyboard?

Whoa!  Talk about chippery sound coming from the Cherry MX blue key switches.  For a second I thought a bird got into the keyboard or something.  Yeah, I seen the YouTube videos and heard the sound samples, but I wasn't ready for this surprise.  The key action is pretty clicky with a defined tactile bump and sound.  The chirping seems to come when I bottom out, but I am not 100% certain that it is the case unless I do a video recording analysis to be certain.  Compared to the Cherry MX brown switches, this one feels more springy and bouncy.  The tactile feedback is much greater than the brown.  So, one is pretty sure that the keys are pressed before bottoming out.

Wow, the sound....  The volume is little more than I have anticipated.  Is it unbearable?  No for me, but I can imagine the high pitch key strikes can drive someone crazy.  Do I find it pleasant?  Somewhat, but I kind of like the understated tone of the brown switches on the Das Keyboard more.  The Rosewill just seem a little chatty to me.  The key action is rather pleasant for a traditional type like me.  I feel a little shaky while typing at my regular speed, however.  I find the keyboard a little cramped somehow.  Maybe the keyboard size didn't offer enough space or something.  I feel more up close to it.  The key base feels solid and no wobble or wiggle.

So far, I like the Cherry MX brown switches more, which is a bit of a surprise to myself.  I thought I would really eat up the blue switches, but it appears not to be the case.  Let me give it a few more rounds and see.....

Rosewill RK9000V2 first impression

Finally got my Rosewill RK9000V2 keyboard from Newegg.  This one took a long route to get here, but it's here now.  The box wasn't as "handled" as the Das Keyboard box.  Once I get the board out, upon first glance, it's a smaller keyboard than I have imagined, since I am used to keyboard with large foot prints.  The Das Keyboard is large because of the extra space devoted to the top cover borders and the brand logo.  I suppose the Rosewill is about as small as one can  reasonably get with a standard size, 104 keys arrangement.  It's got a weighty feel, similar to Das Keyboard.  I don't think this one will slide around much either.  Good.

Unlike the Das Keyboard, the plate of the keyboard is visible because Rosewill elected to paint it red, it's logo color.  It brings an interesting aesthetic accent to the otherwise plain, black and white board.  The USB cable can be detached for transportation or storage purposes.  I can't think of a use case for me to have a detachable keyboard cable unless one changes keyboards frequently.  Then again, I tend to leave things where they are once I decided.  For someone else, that would be a deal maker or breaker.  I am waiting to see if I can find a mouse with detachable USB cable...  (wireless ones don't count!)  ;)

OK, let's plug it in and see how it performs.  Here we go!

Another day, another mechanical keyboard goes on sale

I guess if I start paying enough attention, there bound to be some sale out there for mainstream mechanical keyboards pretty much every week in the US market.  This one for some reason caught my attention.  Monoprice is hawking their new backlit mechanical gaming board for $70 US dollars through their Rakuten store front.  I think it has free shipping too.  The deal ends 5/14/15.  This one comes with Cherry MX red switches.  So, maybe that's why it sort of jumped out at me.  It has 2 port USB hub, audio headset and mic jacks.  (These audio plugs are probably just extensions judging by the posted images.)  So, if one fancies a linear switch, this one might fit the bill.

The usual disclaimer applies, I don't get paid by Monoprice or Rakuten.  So, this is more or less PSA.  Enjoy!

UPDATE: the deal is done.  No more....

Microsoft is not standing still either with regard to keyboard designs

Well, I must say that I like mechanical keyboards more than I thought I would compared to the rubber dome type.  However, the world of technology doesn't really stand still.  So, I figure that I should check out what Microsoft has been cooking up lately since I last checked.

Ah...  So, they have taken the Natural Ergonomic 4000 keyboard and changed it up a little bit as the new Sculpted Ergonomic Desktop.  There is another one, the Sculpted Comfort Desktop that looks like had some non-traditional design as well.  I think one can get the mouse and the keyboard separately.  I might examine the comfort one more closely later on.  I am mainly interested in the split ergo keyboard at the moment.  Looks like they are going for the ten-keyless design by separating the numerical key pad out as a separate entity, but the pad is included in the package.  So, one doesn't lose the keys all together or have to pay the pad separately.  Nice.  The whole setup is wireless, which is rather in vogue these days.  The wireless USB receiver is just like Logitech's nano design.

Wow!  We have come a long way since last time I looked at wireless keyboards.  The last one I had was a MS Wireless Multimedia Keyboard or something like that and the wireless USB receiver is more or less the size of a a hockey pock.  I gave up on wireless keyboard a long while ago because of battery drainage and reception issues.  However, I had recent and good experience with Logitech's Marathon M705 mouse that is paired to my laptop computer.  So, maybe I will give the Sculpted Ergo keyboard a try and see.

Wait a minute.... What's with the key legends?

One thing I just noticed is that my Das Keyboard key legends look different than the product photos shown on Das Keyboard's website.  Not only that, the legends appears to be printed with a coating applied.  The look of it is not that different from what I see on the MS Natural Erog 4K board.  It's almost like decals that one can find on a Testors' model airplane kits.  That's strange; I thought the Das Keyboard 4 Pro legends are supposed to be laser-etched.

After some more staring at and examining the photos, I notice that the key legend arrangement is almost the same as their newer processional 4 keyboard line designed for the Macs.  Actually, it's the same, except that I have PC key cap set rather the one for Macs.  The placement, fonts and other things appear to be the same as the new type rather than the one featured in the product photos.  The Mac key caps are UV coated, rather than laser-etched.  That might explain the decal like look.  So, if that's the case, I think this is just to bring key cap production to a single process rather than using two different methods.  I am OK with that.  Just a little surprised since I was wondering what laser-etched key caps feel like.  Does it change anything?  Not really.  What I care about this the durability and the key feel.  Just out of curiosity, I flipped the keyboard back to check the back plate and I think this is the 1.2 version.  So, they probably made some minor changes and just forgot to update the website.

Das Keyboard versus Microsoft Natural Ergo 4000 Keyboard, round 2

Side by side, the size difference is clear.  The MS Natural Ergo is a bigger keyboard with a built in wrist pad.  So, time to break out the old Fellowes gel wrist rest pad that I had from long time ago for the Das Keyboard.  Hey, the gel is still there.  I thought it might have hardened.  I guess I don't have to get a new one.  Yeah!  This thing is like from 10 years ago or more.  I am glad to see that it held up quite well.  A little worn, but still serviceable.  Good enough for me.

The MS 4K came with a stand that will tilt the keyboard in the negative angle so that the hands are bend downwards when resting on the keyboard, like one would if using a Kinesis Advantage keyboard.  I never tried it, instead, I have always used the feet to tilt the board toward me.  I have heard that it's not a good idea.  Oh well.  Live and learn.  Since Das Keyboard's tilt using the ruler is not steep, I will see how this lower tilt changes thing for me.  Anyhow, I am growing to like the mechanical key actions more compared to the older rubber dome based key switches.

So, aside from the ergonomic split design, I don't miss the old keyboard as much I thought I might.  Since I use the standard keyboard often elsewhere, there is very little adaption curve for me to move over to the Das Keyboard layout.  Time to retire the old MS Natural Keyboard I guess.  It has served me well through out the years.  Time to find it a good home.

Das Keyboard versus Microsoft Natural Ergo 4000 Keyboard, round 1

Let's see....  The media keys are there and I like the volume control knob rather than just discreet keys like a regular TV remote.  This make it feel more high-end as one typically associate a knob with Hi-Fi audio equipment.  The knob has discreet clicks and that's what registers as a keystroke.  I do miss the old dedicated calculator button on the MS board.  I do break that out once in a while to do some quick math.  The media control keys are nothing to write home about, both do the job.  My focus is mostly on the alpha-numeric keys anyway.

I kind of miss the split keyboard design, but not enough that it's causing me issues or wanting to go back the the old keyboard.  Maybe this will force me to pay more attention to my posture while typing.  I feel like I need sit more properly with the Das Keyboard than just lounge lazily with the MS natural ergo keyboard.  The MS ergo has a more relaxed presence while the Das seem to demands more attention and respect.  Despite the atmospheric difference, the MS ergo seems to take more effort and work to type while the Das just goes about its business, more of a give and take, you push first, then I will push back kind of thing.

So, for first round, I will give Das the edge.  It has made a very favorable impression with me about mechanical keyboards in general.  Now, I am really looking forward to the Rosewill RK9000V2 with the Cherry MX blue switches.  I believe I will like the tactile clicky feel.  Let's find out next.

So this is how a mechanical keyboard feels like while typing...

Cool.  Very cool!  Good ol' plug and play works.  No need to install anything fancy.  Windows recognize it as plain HID Keyboard Device with no fancy foot work necessary.  Just how I like it.  So, let me fire up MS Word and see how it types.

My first impression is that the keys are bit more resistant and springs back as soon as the strike has completed.  I can hardly feel the tactile bump as I press the keys.  It's there, but rather subtle.  It's fairly smooth going down to the bottom once I get past the minor bump.  There is just a faint sound as I go past the tactile bump as advertised.  There is little or no hints of spring wobble that I feared.  I do feel the bump as I type, but it doesn't get in the way per se.  I was trained with a traditional mechanical type writer, rather than an electric one, so bottoming out while I type is just how it is.  The keyboard makes a satisfying clack as I bottom out.  Indeed more of a clack rather than a little thud like the my old MS Natural Ergo 4K keyboard.  The sounds it produces while I type is just as in those YouTube videos.  Not too intrusive and gives a pleasant auditory feedback for each keystroke.  The board itself is very stable.  I don't feel rattling or sliding and gives me a very stable feeling.  I like that.  The board almost invites me to type faster, but I am just started the warm up lap.  Give me a little time and we will see how fast this one can go.  Hehehe....

So far, so good.  I like what I see or feel so far.  Let's give it a more time time and see how it compares to my old buddy, the Microsoft Natural Ergonomic Keyboard 4000 next.

Refurbished Das Keyboard 4 Professional on sale

The stock comes and goes.  So, it pays to monitor the site once a while.  Right now, Das Keyboard's shop website has refurbished Das Keyboard 4 Professional for $130 (brown switches) and $127 (blue switches) in stock.  Free ground shipping in continental USA if you buy over $59 worth of stuff, from the look of it.  Enjoy!

UPDATE: gone now, but might be back in stock later.

Disclaimer:  I am not paid by Das Keyboard for this.  It's just that their stuff is rarely on sale.  Believe me, I looked....  Amazon.com (via Woot) is asking for $149.  This is more or less a PSA than anything else.

Das Keyboard 4 Professional first impression

Finally received the Das Keyboard 4 Professional.  I opted for the brown switch version.  So, this would be my first exposure to Cherry MX switches based mechanical keyboards.  The keyboard box that came in took quite a beating.  Dents all around the corner.  Oh, well....  Looked it had a rough ride from TN to here.  Upon opening the box, I don't see any damage to the keyboard itself.  So, I am not too concerned.  The red foot ruler is an interesting concept.  It basically doubles as the flap or feet for the keyboard as well as a ruler.  The ruler markings are not colored with another contrasting color, but one can feel them.  So, if someone would use this to measure something, he or she better have really good lighting and eye sight or have very good sense of touch.  :)  Straight edge or ruler can come in handy sometimes, but for now, I can't think of any reasonable use case right of the bat that will make me flip over my keyboard and pull it off.  The ruler attaches to the keyboard by magnets.  So, there's some clever thinking going into it.  I am likely not going to use it on a regular basis, but it's good to know that it's there if I need it.  I guess that's Das Keyboard designers' intention putting it there.

The board itself has some mass to it, have it a weighty feeling.  Good.  It won't likely slide around like a hockey puck on ice when I type.  The top cover is metallic, likely aluminum alloy of some sort, since it's cold to the touch.  The surface is matted!  Yay!  Glossy surfaces really do look great, but I am not a fan in practice.  Again, because I am lazy, I rather not having to clean the surface unless it really does need cleaning.

The key legends are easy to read.  Alpha-numeric key legends are centered, but the keys such as control or shift, they are place on the lower left or right lower corners, depending on the side of the keyboard to give it a more symmetric look.  The volume knob is also metallic, but the media buttons are flat, very close to the top cover of the keyboard.  I am guessing that those keys are not Cherry key switches.  They look like little micro button switches.  I have no idea who made them or what exactly they are without taking the board apart.  Let me enjoy the keyboard first.

OK, let's plug this in the computer's USB3 port and start the computer.  Here we go!

Looked like Das Keyboard 4 Pro will show up before Rosewill V9000V2

Hmmm...  I guess I was wrong.  Looked like Newegg decided to split the shipment.  Since I am located in east coast of US, Newegg usually used its NJ warehouse to ship my order to me.  So, I typically get my stuff from them relatively quickly.  Not this time.  The Rosewill keyboard is coming from CA instead.  So, it's going to take about a while to get here.  No biggie, I chose the free shipping option.  So, not Newegg's fault.  Das Keyboard, on the other hand is coming from TN.  Ah...  I guess I will get my little hands on Das Keyboard 4 Professional a few days ahead of Rosewill's RK9000V2.

Speaking of ergonomic mechanical keyboards

Well, I did some more searches on ergonomic mechanical keyboards.  Since I was coming from the Microsoft Ergonomic Keyboard 4000, I might as well see if I can get the best of both worlds, assuming that I like mechanical switches.  First Google search turned up Truly Ergonomic Keyboard (TEK) and of course, the famous Kinesis Advantage Keyboard.  Both feature the split ergonomic design which I have been using.  Not that I am adverse to a traditional layout, but after years using a split ergonomic design like the Microsoft (MS) ergo keyboard lines, I figure I should at least take a good look.

Both keyboards are radically different from the MS designs.  TEK layout is really different, It is still QWERTY, but features straight matrix rather than the traditional staggered layout for the keys.  Also, a lot of the non-alphanumeric keys are moved to the middle.  Radical changes indeed.  Kinesis' difference is the sunken, bowl shape pit areas for the fingers and moved some of the non-alphanumeric keys to the center as well, but kept the staggered key columns.  Kinesis uses Cherry MX brown while the new TEK use with Kailh Next Generation switches which are basically copies of the Cherry blue and brown.  TEK has a third option, which does use Cherry MX white for firmer keystroke responses.  From the look of it, TEK's older refurbished keyboards have Cherry brown or blue switches.  Both kinds have their legions of fans and detractors.  I am not surprised, since keyboard preferences are quite personal.

Both priced well north of $200 US dollars.  Perhaps a bit too rich for my blood.  Besides, I have already ordered 2 new mechanical keyboards to try already.  I am too chicken to try them out at this time.  Maybe next round.  :)

Beginning of the journey into mechanical keyboards

As a longtime and faithful reader of Tech Report, I finally decided to take the plunge into the world of mechanical keyboards.  I have used a Microsoft Natural Ergonomic Keyboard 4000 for years and was not planning to switch.  Honestly, I never thought of it, even after reading countless articles about those fancy mechanical keyboards.  I was happy with an ergonomic design and it served my purpose.  Why change all of the sudden?  Well, for some reason, I began to notice that I was having trouble typing on the keyboard.  Perhaps something was wearing out.  Keystrokes took more effort and the keystroke feedback were, let's just say less than ideal.  For the first time, it felt mushy and squishy.  Never felt that before.  Must be getting old or something.  (Either it's me or the keyboard, likely both....)  Just as it is with life, Tech Report published a review article on a revision of a Rosewill's RK9000 board, the RK9000V2, aptly named....

"Oh why not?" I thought.  I decided to try the Cherry MX blue version and ordered it from Newegg.  I have been buying from newegg.com for a long time, so I trust the service.  My work and hobby now demands more writing.  So, I thought, why not get a blue type after a cursory reading of the various kind of switches?  I don't game that much and I kind of fancy a tactile and noise feedback just like the old days.  So into the shopping cart it goes.

Then I thought to myself, why not check out the brown switch one as well?  From the crowd consensus, it's the most popular Cherry MX switches.  I didn't want to get the same Roseweill keyboard again just because.  Someone had mentioned Das Keyboard, so I did some more research.  It's definitely more expansive, but I like the idea of dedicated media control keys and the volume knob on the 4 Professional version.  Aside from the ergonomic split, those things would be what I will miss if I change keyboard from the MS ergo 4K.  Yeah, I knew that I can use the Fn keys with some other keyboards, but like many, I am rather lazy.  If I can get away with pressing just 1 key, why bother?  So, into the shopping cart it goes.

Now, I just have to wait till they show up.  Too cheap to pay more for faster shipping, so I just have to deal with the suspense waiting....