Das Keyboard MacTigr

Description

The Das Keyboard MacTigr is a low-profile, full metal mechanical keyboard with the claim of being the reference mechanical keyboard for Mac users. In other words, this is what the ideal mechanical keyboard for Mac users should be like.

At just over an inch tall (27mm), it is slim and sleek. The white keycap legends and volume knob give it a modern look. The MacTigr has a subdued and understated design that won’t scream for attention on your desk.

As you start typing on the MacTigr, you’ll notice its build quality. The unibody case is made from machined aluminum, topped off with a steel plate. The result is a slim but extremely sturdy keyboard. The weight from its full metal body and rubber feet prevent it from wiggling around on your desk.

You can see the attention to detail during the manufacturing process with the perfectly chamfered edges and brush metal texture on the case. This is extended to the MacTigr’s low-profile, double-shot PBT keycaps. They have a subtle texture that makes them feel great to the touch.

The typing experience is also top-notch, with low-profile Cherry MX red switches. These switches provide smooth, effortless typing with minimal noise, making the MacTigr an ideal productivity keyboard for home or office. The fast and light actuation of the red switches and full-NKRO support are pretty good for gaming too.

Features

Built to be the mechanical keyboard for Mac, MacTigr comes with all the essential Mac features. It has the Mac keyboard layout, complete with Command (⌘) and Option (⌥) keys. The included USB cable is type-C, so you don’t need an adapter to plug it into your Mac. It follows the “just works” philosophy and doesn’t require any drivers or software — just plug it in and start typing.

The MacTigr also includes a built-in high-speed USB-C hub with two ports. This is very handy to keep your desk tidy and free from additional hubs and adapters.

It also includes a volume knob, dedicated media control keys and a sleep button. Amusingly, it also has an eject button although recent Macs no longer have an optical drive.

Drawbacks

The biggest drawback of this keyboard is sticker shock for its price. It’s $20 more than Apple’s Magic Keyboard with Touch ID.

At $219, you feel that the MacTigr should include some features that are common on other high-end keyboards. It can’t connect wirelessly and needs to be plugged in to be used. It also lacks any customization features so you can’t program the keys or knob function. The lack of backlighting plus dark color scheme makes it more difficult to use in low light conditions too.

As premium as the keyboard is, there are a few nitpicks too. The rubber USB-C cable, dedicated media and sleep keys does not feel premium like the rest of the keyboard. Many users would like some adjustable feet to change the typing angle of the keyboard.

Who Should Buy Das Keyboard MacTigr?

While we really appreciate the build quality of Das Keyboard MacTigr, at the end of the day this is a very simple keyboard. If you want a fuss-free mechanical keyboard for your Mac, the Das Keyboard MacTigr just might be the keyboard for you.

Prefer more features to fiddle with? Check out the Logitech MX Mechanical or keyboards from NuPhy.