With regards to mechanical keyboards, Mac customers in all probability really feel just a little not noted: Certain, you possibly can nonetheless technically use any of the made-for-PC keyboards on our checklist of finest gaming keyboards, however you’ll want to regulate the format — if attainable (extra possible, you’ll need to adapt to a PC format). In the event you’re searching for one thing each Mac-oriented and extra…mechanical…than Apple’s Magic keyboard, your choices are considerably restricted.
Properly, now there’s at the least one possibility: Das Keyboard’s new MacTigr — a full-size, low-profile, wired mechanical keyboard designed particularly for Mac customers (Choice and Command keys included).
The MacTigr has nearly all the pieces an Apple fan (who needs a mechanical keyboard) would possibly need, together with a practically-flat aluminum chassis, low-profile linear mechanical switches, USB-C connectivity with two USB-C passthrough ports, and full n-key rollover. It sports activities the identical format as Apple’s full-size Magic keyboard, which might not be acquainted to Macbook customers (the Fn key strikes from the underside left to the navigation block), however adapting to this format from a Macbook is less complicated than adapting to a PC keyboard format — based on my husband, who solely makes use of Macs.
The $219 Das Keyboard MacTigr is accessible now.
Specs
| Switches | Cherry MX Low Profile RGB Purple |
| Lighting | None |
| Onboard Storage | None |
| Media Keys | Sure |
| Sport Mode | No |
| Connectivity | Wired (USB-C) |
| Further Ports | 2x USB-C |
| Keycaps | Low Profile Double-Shot PBT |
| Development | Chrome steel, aluminum |
| Software program | None |
| Dimensions (LxWxH) | 17.16 x 5 x 1.06 inches / 436 x 127 x 27mm |
| Weight | 2.43lbs (1100g) |
Design and Development of the Das Keyboard MacTigr
The MacTigr isn’t silver and white (or silver and black) like Apple’s Magic keyboard, but it surely does have a vaguely Apple-inspired design. The keyboard is housed in a sturdy aluminum chassis with a slight wedge form; not together with the keycaps, the chassis is 0.31 inches (8mm) at its thinnest level and 0.55 inches (14mm) at its thickest.
The MacTigr has a 105-key format similar to the format of Apple’s present full-size Magic keyboard. This consists of Choice, Command, and Eject keys, in addition to a modified navigation block — the highest navigation row has an F13 key and brightness controls (F13, F14, and F15 on Apple’s Magic keyboard; PrtScr, ScrLk, and Pause on a PC keyboard). The Fn key can be a part of the navigation block (Ins on a PC format) — not the lower-left nook, like it’s on Macbook keyboards.
The MacTigr additionally sports activities a devoted Sleep button, media buttons, and a quantity knob within the higher proper nook. The amount knob is tactile, and clicks as you twist it; it has a rubberized end that grips simply but additionally picks up mud and fingerprints fairly simply. The Sleep and media buttons are a lot decrease than the encircling keys and knob — I discovered myself regularly bumping the highest row of the quantity pad as I reached to make use of them — and appear and feel just a little low cost for a “premium” product.
The MacTigr comes with low-profile, double-shot PBT keycaps in matte black with white legends. The keycaps are fairly generic-looking (however so are many low-profile keycaps) — nevertheless, as a result of the keyboard doesn’t do a lot else to tell apart itself, stylistically, it finally ends up being… fairly generic-looking. I assume because of this Apple’s Magic keyboard has ultra-flat chiclet keycaps: Something much less flat and higher-profile overwhelms such a minimal chassis design, and the result’s a keyboard that form of seems like a producer freebie at first look.
The MacTigr seems extra high-quality and Apple-inspired on the underside — flat, with 4 small, spherical rubberized toes, and a brushed aluminum plate with the keyboard’s solely seen branding. That is moot, after all, as a result of most customers don’t spend a number of time gazing on the backside of their keyboard.
There’s no built-in tilt adjustment, which is simply as properly — Mac customers are in all probability used to ultra-flat Apple keyboards, and, as my Mac-using, post-hand-surgery husband has knowledgeable me many instances, tilting your keyboard towards you is ergonomically unsound as a result of it forces your wrists to bend. (Tilt adjustment on keyboards exists to reinforce key legend visibility for non-touch-typists.)
The MacTigr connects by way of USB-C, and has a six-foot non-detachable USB-C cable hooked up to the middle of the board. To the suitable of this cable, you’ll additionally discover two passthrough-enabled USB-C ports.
Typing and Gaming Expertise on the Das Keyboard MacTigr
The MacTigr maintains its flat determine with Cherry MX Low Profile Purple linear switches. Linear switches characteristic easy, constant keypresses with no tactile bump or clicky audible suggestions — making them usually higher for gaming, not typing.
In the event you’ve used Cherry MX Purple switches earlier than, the Cherry MX Low Profile Purple switches aren’t too completely different. The Low Profile Purple switches have a fairly deep journey distance of three.2mm (0.126 inches) for his or her 11.9mm (0.469 inches) whole top (common Cherry MX Purple switches have a journey distance of 4mm (0.157 inches) and a 18.5mm (0.728 inches) whole top), and require the identical actuation drive (45cN or 45.88g) because the common Reds.
The Low Profile Purple switches’ lack of tactile suggestions, mixed with the keyboard’s low-profile keycaps make for a so-so typing expertise. Whereas I managed to maintain my typing velocity up, the keycaps have been so flat that my fingers ended up slipping often — this, mixed with a scarcity of suggestions, prompted a fairly large drop in my typing accuracy. In the event you’re searching for pure typing expertise, it’s exhausting to advocate this or any keyboard with linear switches — tactile or clicky switches are the place it’s at.
Whereas the typing expertise on the MacTigr isn’t good, the keyboard presents a a lot better gaming expertise (linear switches are usually most popular for gaming, anyway). The keyboard notably helps full n-key rollover, which is especially fascinating in gaming keyboards, and which Apple’s Magic keyboards notably don’t help. I examined the MacTigr’s n-key rollover on each a PC and a Mac, and it labored flawlessly on each. I’m unsure how many individuals are gaming on their Macs (simply kidding, I do know it’s extra of a factor lately), however the MacTigr’s low-profile linear switches, full n-key rollover, passthrough USB-C ports, and durable, weighty building make it a really engaging possibility for avid gamers.
Software program and Options on the Das Keyboard MacTigr
The MacTigr’s essential characteristic is that it “simply works” once you plug it right into a Mac — though many peripherals as we speak are plug-and-play on each PCs and Macs, it’s not unusual to run into compatibility points, so that is undoubtedly an vital characteristic.
Nevertheless, I assume you’d higher hope this keyboard simply works for you, as a result of Das Keyboard doesn’t present any companion software program for altering settings, remapping keys, or customizing RGB (properly, there’s no RGB). Contemplating most higher-end mechanical keyboards designed for each gaming and productiveness normally make customization choices available, it will’ve been good to see one thing.
Backside Line
Das Keyboard’s MacTigr is a stable piece of {hardware} — I imply that actually, it feels very stable. The load of the MacTigr might be one of many nicest issues about it — Apple’s ultra-slim, ultra-lightweight Magic keyboard has its place, however I want one thing heavier once I’m sitting at a desk.
The MacTigr is a sturdy, well-built keyboard with low-profile linear switches, full n-key rollover, and a format solely a Mac proprietor will love, but it surely’s additionally $20 costlier than Apple’s personal keyboard — I don’t know if Mac homeowners will like it that a lot. The keyboard can be wired and type of boring to have a look at, and lacks RGB and different customization choices. There are many full-size keyboards which are prettier, extra customizable, and cheaper — such because the HyperX Alloy Origins or the SteelSeries Apex Professional — however how a lot do you actually need that Command key?
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