DSI Modular Keypad with Cherry Blue Switch
Because of a spinal cord injury, I have reduced sensation and impaired control over my hands and fingers. I used the Mac Edition Das Keyboard happily for several years, till the purchases of a new, larger stage piano for my music workstation left me searching for a smaller keyboard. Das Keyboard is very large, and has an odd shaped protrusion on the back right that left me unable to make it physically fit my setup. For a while, I used the Apple full sized wired keyboard, but the lack of any click or tactile feedback, along with the short and rubbery throw of its keys made it very difficult to use.
I’ve looked at other mechanical & gaming keyboards, but most have unnecessarily large cases. Mathias for instance has a strange case shape that knocks their products out of the running.
Others have reviewed the layout, which takes a bit of getting used to. I’m gong to concentrate on touch and feel, as well as DSI’s modular design.
The keys are a bit small for “full sized,” but not crowded. There’s enough air space around each that I don’t find the size a disadvantage. After a few hours of uses, I’m still running into accidental strikes. The “n” key seems especially prone to this as I lift my thumb from the space bar.
Like all Cherry based keyboards, actuation occurs before the key is fully depressed. This is purposeful, and allows faster typing. I don’t like the fact that there is a very slight wobble before the key is depressed. This was not the case with the Das Keyboard’s Greetech switches.
Music composition software generally requires the use of a keypad, so I’m also using the DSI modular keypad that attaches to the DSI keyboard. This version, available through but not from Amazon, uses Cherry Blue (Brown is also available) switches which are both clicky and have increased tactile sensation, particularly appropriate for a keypad. I suspect I would prefer the entire keyboard in Cherry Blue. The keypad cleverly uses its rigid USB plug to attach to the port on either side of the keyboard, allowing either a left or conventional right side placement. I’m very impressed with this modular design. I’m not sure that I would want to use it on my lap, but on my desk it is more than sufficiently rigid in it connection to the keyboard. Perhaps because of the use of a different keyswitch, I find I can work the keypad much more quickly and accurately than the keyboard.
Finally, sound. Anyone using a mechanically switched keyboard expects more noise than that experienced from membrane or dome switching. But noise comes in many forms. The noise coming from the DSI keyboard is particularly resonant sounding Imagine tapping your fingernails on a child’s plastic guitar… While not terribly distracting, it’s considerably less pleasant than that of the Das Keyboard, even though overall, it’s considerably quieter than that company’s Greetech models. I suspects a glue pad on the inside of the case, or even a few ribs in the mould pattern could have eliminated this issue. On the other hand, the overall visual aesthetics are better than the Das Keyboard. DSI’s matt plastic case is not nearly so prone to finger-smudging and visible dust as Das Keyboard’s very shiny plastic. It looks cleaner (even when its not).
Conclusions: with the additional cost of the associated keypad, the DSI Modular Keyboard is not cheap, the combined price puts it in competition with all but the most luxurious brands. So DSI is playing against the A team, and they’ve built a product that stands up to scrutiny. The compact form factor puts them in competition with other non-10 key boards like KUL and Das Keyboard’s latest releases. But add the easily removed keypad, and one has a full 108 keys setup. Would I buy another? Even with the few problems I’ve noted, absolutely.
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 | FILCO Majestouch 2 (Cherry MX Red) Keyboard | FILCO Majestouch 2 (Cherry MX Blue) Keyboard | Wholesales Authentic SMD RGB Cherry mx Switch 3 pin Mechanical Keyboard Speed Silver Silent red Blue Pink Switches (Red 3 pin, 104 pcs) | Wholesales Authentic SMD RGB Cherry mx Switch 3 pin Mechanical Keyboard Speed Silver Silent red Blue Pink Switches (Black 3 pin, 68 pcs) | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Customer Rating | (22) | (250) | (250) | (300) | (300) |
| Price | $69.00 | $157.29 | $137.61 | $50.50 | $33.90 |
| Sold By | DSI-Keyboards | World_Fast | Fast japan us | YMDK | YMDK |
| Are batteries included? | No | No | No | No | No |
| Are batteries required? | No | No | No | No | No |
| Color | Red | Cherry MX Red | Cherry MX Blue | Red 3 pin | Black 3 pin |
| Connectivity Technology | USB | — | — | — | — |
| Hardware Interface | USB | USB | USB | — | — |
| Item Dimensions | 15.5 x 1.1 x 5.75 inches | 5.43 x 17.32 x 1.42 inches | 5.43 x 17.32 x 1.42 inches | 3.94 x 5.91 x 0.79 inches | 3.94 x 5.91 x 0.79 inches |
| Item Weight | 2.50 lbs | 2.65 lbs | 2.65 lbs | 7.05 ounces | — |
Looking for a Good Keyboard— maybe I found it this time!
Reviewed in the United States on July 15, 2015
My keyboard just arrived, so this is a "first impression" and I'll update with more information as I use it.FYI, I type for a living all day long, plus whatever extra typing I do in my leisure hours. I have used a variety of keyboards in the past. My most durable keyboard to date was an old Icekey scissor-key model, which probably lasted 10 years. Then I tried an Apple extended keyboard, but I cannot abide having my trackball so far to the right side, and I don't like the soft touch feel of the keys either. I could not type as fast on it as I wanted to. I also bought one of those Apple mini aluminum keyboards but didn't like the feel of that either.I finally settled on a Matias Tactile Pro Mini, which I've used for the last couple of years.The DSI keyboard appeals to me because there is no separate number pad to the right, so the profile is slimmer similar to the Matias Mini. The advertisement that it holds on to the memory so that you can't out-type its speed impressed me, because I've had this issue in the past.The package arrived today, a "box inside of a box" with good padding, thank you Amazon!This keyboard has separate AC power for the USB ports, which I was happy about.The USB cable is nice and long, so I can run it under my desk and then over my desk to attach to my KVM box, another plus for me.From a pure typist standpoint, the keyboard has all I need: f-keys, delete, forward delete, page up and down plus arrows— and the standard Mac sound and eject buttons (located on the left but I don't use them much).Sensitivity of the keyboard is very acute. You touch the key and with almost no pressure, it registers on the page. The key depression is almost effortless, another biggie for someone who types all day.The keyboard has a nice heft to it, and while there are no adjustable feet on it, it's built angled and I'm pleased with the position.Three USB ports, one at each end and one in the middle, another nicety.So all in all, right now I'm quite pleased and I'll see how I like it as the day passes.Update on 7/21/15: The more I use this keyboard, the happier I am. It's less stress on my hands to type on it. My one suggestion for the makers would be to locate the forward delete one key higher (put it next to the regular delete key), because I hit it in error sometimes when I'm using pgup and pgdn, the two keys just below it. However this would not be enough to dissuade me from buying it again and I recommend this keyboard.
Reviewed in the United States on July 15, 2015
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Reviewed in the United States on September 26, 2015
Reviewed in the United States on July 15, 2015
FYI, I type for a living all day long, plus whatever extra typing I do in my leisure hours. I have used a variety of keyboards in the past. My most durable keyboard to date was an old Icekey scissor-key model, which probably lasted 10 years. Then I tried an Apple extended keyboard, but I cannot abide having my trackball so far to the right side, and I don't like the soft touch feel of the keys either. I could not type as fast on it as I wanted to. I also bought one of those Apple mini aluminum keyboards but didn't like the feel of that either.
I finally settled on a Matias Tactile Pro Mini, which I've used for the last couple of years.
The DSI keyboard appeals to me because there is no separate number pad to the right, so the profile is slimmer similar to the Matias Mini. The advertisement that it holds on to the memory so that you can't out-type its speed impressed me, because I've had this issue in the past.
The package arrived today, a "box inside of a box" with good padding, thank you Amazon!
This keyboard has separate AC power for the USB ports, which I was happy about.
The USB cable is nice and long, so I can run it under my desk and then over my desk to attach to my KVM box, another plus for me.
From a pure typist standpoint, the keyboard has all I need: f-keys, delete, forward delete, page up and down plus arrows— and the standard Mac sound and eject buttons (located on the left but I don't use them much).
Sensitivity of the keyboard is very acute. You touch the key and with almost no pressure, it registers on the page. The key depression is almost effortless, another biggie for someone who types all day.
The keyboard has a nice heft to it, and while there are no adjustable feet on it, it's built angled and I'm pleased with the position.
Three USB ports, one at each end and one in the middle, another nicety.
So all in all, right now I'm quite pleased and I'll see how I like it as the day passes.
Update on 7/21/15: The more I use this keyboard, the happier I am. It's less stress on my hands to type on it. My one suggestion for the makers would be to locate the forward delete one key higher (put it next to the regular delete key), because I hit it in error sometimes when I'm using pgup and pgdn, the two keys just below it. However this would not be enough to dissuade me from buying it again and I recommend this keyboard.
Looking for a Good Keyboard— maybe I found it this time!
Reviewed in the United States on July 15, 2015
My keyboard just arrived, so this is a "first impression" and I'll update with more information as I use it.Reviewed in the United States on July 15, 2015
FYI, I type for a living all day long, plus whatever extra typing I do in my leisure hours. I have used a variety of keyboards in the past. My most durable keyboard to date was an old Icekey scissor-key model, which probably lasted 10 years. Then I tried an Apple extended keyboard, but I cannot abide having my trackball so far to the right side, and I don't like the soft touch feel of the keys either. I could not type as fast on it as I wanted to. I also bought one of those Apple mini aluminum keyboards but didn't like the feel of that either.
I finally settled on a Matias Tactile Pro Mini, which I've used for the last couple of years.
The DSI keyboard appeals to me because there is no separate number pad to the right, so the profile is slimmer similar to the Matias Mini. The advertisement that it holds on to the memory so that you can't out-type its speed impressed me, because I've had this issue in the past.
The package arrived today, a "box inside of a box" with good padding, thank you Amazon!
This keyboard has separate AC power for the USB ports, which I was happy about.
The USB cable is nice and long, so I can run it under my desk and then over my desk to attach to my KVM box, another plus for me.
From a pure typist standpoint, the keyboard has all I need: f-keys, delete, forward delete, page up and down plus arrows— and the standard Mac sound and eject buttons (located on the left but I don't use them much).
Sensitivity of the keyboard is very acute. You touch the key and with almost no pressure, it registers on the page. The key depression is almost effortless, another biggie for someone who types all day.
The keyboard has a nice heft to it, and while there are no adjustable feet on it, it's built angled and I'm pleased with the position.
Three USB ports, one at each end and one in the middle, another nicety.
So all in all, right now I'm quite pleased and I'll see how I like it as the day passes.
Update on 7/21/15: The more I use this keyboard, the happier I am. It's less stress on my hands to type on it. My one suggestion for the makers would be to locate the forward delete one key higher (put it next to the regular delete key), because I hit it in error sometimes when I'm using pgup and pgdn, the two keys just below it. However this would not be enough to dissuade me from buying it again and I recommend this keyboard.
Images in this review
Reviewed in the United States on April 5, 2018
