As we all tend to spend more and more time in front of our PCs for work, for fun, and even to relax. Therefore, the experience should be as comfortable as possible, right? While we often put emphasis on things like CPUs, high-resolution screens, and GPUs, what about what we use to control them?
Having a premium keyboard makes a huge difference to your experience. However, there is a massive range of products out there, so which one do you choose?
Well, let’s take a good look at one contender in our in-depth Das Keyboard 4 Professional review to see if it might be worth putting under your fingers…
(4.5 / 5)Contents
Design
When you first lay your eyes on this offering from Das, you could be forgiven for thinking it is just another standard keyboard. As your eyes adjust and you start to focus on the details, it begins to become apparent that this is something more.
Starting with the keyboard deck, which is constructed from thick aluminum with an attractive matte-black finish. Therefore, it has a solid feel that gives you a satisfying experience in confidently tapping away on the keys that it holds in place.
The key to success…
Each of the keycaps is molded from high-quality, hard ABS plastic. Each of the letters or symbols are laser etched into every key. This should provide a long life before any detection of wear or fading begins to be noticed, although etching can be susceptible to staining.
Underneath the keycaps, you will find mechanical key switches. Das uses Cherry switches, which are often regarded as the best in the business. You have a choice of two different tactile switches being Soft MX Brown for responsive gaming or Clicky MX Blue for a luxury typing experience.
Media access…
Located in the keyboard’s top right corner, you will find some media controls, which are dominated by an oversized volume knob. Keeping with the quality look and feel, it too has a metal finish surrounded with a prominent but not distasteful red ring.
To the left of the volume wheel is where you will discover three smaller keys laid out horizontally. The play/pause button is in the center, with a skip button on each side. Above there are two round buttons for muting volume and putting the system to sleep.
Following the rules…
By far, the most interesting design choice is the exclusion of the extendable feet to raise the rear of the keyboard. Instead, you will find a bright red ruler with a rubber foot on each end in the box. This attaches magnetically underneath to increase the angle.
We have covered all the included design features, so we thought we should mention a couple that are missing. There are no RGB lights or any dedicated macro keys, which might be a disappointment to some gamers.
Features
There’s nothing worse than running a cable to where it needs to go, only to discover that it is too short. Luckily Das provides a 6.5ft (2m) USB cable that has also been specially designed to easily fit through desk grommets.
Additionally, assisting with cable management, you only require one cable for operating both the keyboard and the USB hub. This lovely convenience does come at the cost of backlighting, though. This shouldn’t really affect regular PC users too much, but again, gamers might be underwhelmed.
Lightning-fast hub…
With so many devices relying on USB for both data transfer and power supply, having a USB hub is extremely handy. The Das 4 Professional features two USB 3.0 ports with a transfer speed of up to 5GB per second and fast charging support.
Accessing your PC case to plug in USB devices can be inconvenient, so having a high-speed hub at your fingertips is great. Plug in an external storage device, your headphones for gaming, or efficiently charge your smartphone or tablet.
Accurate key inputs…
Programmers, fast typists, and gamers will be happy to know that the Das 4 Professional has NKRO (N-Key Rollover). Each keypress is registered individually by the keyboard itself as opposed to the PC, even when multiple keys are pressed simultaneously.
There is no need to use a PS2 adapter like what was previously required either, as full key NKRO is supported over USB. This particular feature can be toggled on and off by holding the shift + mute key together.
Performance
Thanks to the use of Cherry mechanical switches, this keyboard feels the way typing is supposed to feel. Having unresponsive, mushy keys not only feels terrible, but it also is not good for your hands and fingers.
For typists, the clicky MX Blue switches provide an incredibly tactile feel with a satisfying response to each and every keystroke. Gamers will prefer the quieter and more responsive MX Brown switches for fast-paced action.
Keep everyone happy…
No matter which switches you choose, this is an excellent all-round keyboard, capable of keeping all types of users happy. Moreover, although it is more aimed at being a work-orientated keyboard, gamers will still love the look and feel of the Das 4 Professional.
Adjusting volume on the fly feels great with that sturdy and easily accessible dial. Both small accurate adjustments, as well as quickly raising or lowering the volume, is possible. The media buttons are raised only slightly from the deck. This makes them easy to locate without detracting from the keyboard’s sleek design.
Das Keyboard 4 Professional Pros & Cons
Pros
- Choice of soft or clicky Cherry MX switches.
- Premium materials and sturdy construction.
- Precision German engineering.
- Two USB 3.0 ports in the passthrough hub.
- Dedicated media controls.
Cons
- No onboard audio ports.
- Strange design for tilting the keyboard.
- No RGB or dedicated macro keys.
- No backlighting.
What Else is Out There?
If you’re a gamer browsing the latest keyboards offerings, we recommend looking into our Best Membrane Keyboards Review, our Best Quiet Mechanical Keyboard Reviews, and our Best Expensive Gaming Keyboards Review to get a better picture of what’s truly out there.
Plus, our Steelseries Apex Pro Review showcases a worthy contender for one of the best gaming keyboards available in 2023.
However, if you’re just looking for an upgrade in the home or office and comfort is mostly what you’re after, read our Best Ergonomic Keyboards Reviews, our Ergonomic Keyboard Tray Reviews, our Best Under Desk Keyboard Tray Reviews, our Best Ergonomic Mouse Pads Review, our Best Leather Desk Pads Review and our Best Reclining Office Chair with Footrest Reviews, for recommendations on creating the perfect workspace for you.
Back to today’s review…
Our Verdict
Depending on what you do most on your PC will determine if this keyboard is right for you. It’s predominantly a work-orientated keyboard that still performs well with other tasks. So, if you want a gaming dedicated keyboard, there are better options out there.
Typing is incredibly comfortable and satisfying, even for hours at a time. The media keys are very convenient and well-placed. Gaming is fine, and you won’t be disappointed if squeezing in a session once your project’s completed.
Moreover, if you’re stuck using a standard keyboard, this would be a fantastic upgrade, especially for the average, all-purpose user.
Enjoy!
