Das Keyboard 5Q was initially funded by a kickstarter campaign in the summer of 2016. Overall, about $ 580,000 were pledged by 3475 backers. The main idea of the keyboard is to not only use it as input device but also as an output device.
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Das Keyboard 5Q can be configured to display notifications or status information in form of a change of backlighting for certain keys. For example, you can make a key light up once a new mail arrived in your inbox. Or you can use the keys from 1 to 9 to display the current CPU utilization. Other usage examples include stock information, weather outlook and build messages from developer builds. For this purpose, the Q software interacts with chosen services and forwards information to the keyboard. If you are a developer, you are not limited to existing apps, there is also a REST API to access the keyboards dynamic lightning settings.
Das Keyboard 5Q – Hardware
What’s to say about the actual keyboard? Obviously it is RGB-backlit. It features the Gamma Zulu switch, a tactile switch from Omron designed to enable bright lightning. Furthermore, Das Keyboard 5Q has an aluminum top panel, a few dedicated media controls and it comes with a magnetic palm rest.
Tech Specs for Das Keyboard 5Q
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Mechanical Keyboard Score
The mechanical keyboard score is our overall score for a keyboard. The score is based on the available ratings and critics and makes an easy comparison between different mechanical keyboards possible. It is also used for our mechanical keyboard ranking.
Reviews
February 26, 2019
"If you like the idea of a keyboard that can provide visual notifications, then the 5Q is going to meet your needs nicely. But for typical professionals and/or gamers who aren't interested in the 5Q's niche features, a more traditional but equally-excellent keyboard can be had for a lot less."
November 20, 2018
"While the Das Keyboard 5Q represents a step outside of the comfort zone for the venerable keyboard maker, its feature set doesn't quite justify its high price tag."
September 6, 2018
"Das Keyboard’s long-awaited, web-connected 5Q is a solid mechanical keyboard with stable software. But we’re not convinced blinking keys are the best (or even a great) way to get notifications."
September 6, 2018
"So, in the end, are the keyboards worth the money? It's tough to say, because their value is largely dependent on how much use you think you could get out of the cloud features."
