MatiasTactile Pro Keyboard for Mac

I'm giving the keyboard five stars because of the high quality of the keyboard and the wonderful feel of the keys.It has a standard QWERTY layout with the appropriate specialty keys for the Mac computer. It does indeed resemble the old original Mac keyboard. I've only had the keyboard a few hours now, and I like it a great deal. It is no lightweight. It is extremely solid and well built. And the feel of the keys as typing is outstanding. It is at least as good as the 'Das Keyboard' it is replacing which is in the same price range. It comes with 3 USB2 ports, one on each side and one on the front of the keyboard on the right side.Problems? Not with the fit, finish or functionality. The only real gripe I have is the noise. While it's one of the best keyboards I've ever used, it's also one of the noisiest. The 'Das Keyboard' is certainly not quiet, nor are the other high-end keyboards that use electro-mechanical keyswitches. But this one seems exceptionally loud. At first I found it annoying, but now that I've used it for a while I find myself simply ignoring it. But if you are in an office environment where you share space with a coworker, I could see this being a potential problem.

This is a satisfying and fantastic mechanical keyboard experience for the Mac. I had read all of the reviews here on Amazon before buying it, and I wanted to address some of the criticisms that I saw. I've previously used the DAS Keyboard Model S Professional with my Mac. It works fine, but the layout is designed for Windows PCs. The Matias Tactile Pro uses a "true" Apple layout, where in particular, the Command key is where the Alt key would be on a Windows keyboard. This is one difference between Apple and Windows keyboards that always trips me up when I try to use a Windows keyboard with my Mac. Keeping the Apple layout is an important feature to me. Other Apple keys include F1 - F15 (F9-F12 triggers exposé). There are also keys for volume up/down/mute and optical drive eject.The next important feature is the feel of the keys. While it provides the satisfying feel of a true mechanical keyboard, it's different from some others I have used. It's not as "clicky" (in both sound and feel) as the Das Keyboard. I would describe the sound as "hollow clacky." It's loud, but not LOUD (I always thought buckling spring keyboards like the old Model M were a bit louder). As other reviewers have noted, a few of the keys have no click sound or "tactile bump". On my keyboard, the Caps Lock and the Numeric Keypad's Clear button have a linear feel (no click and no bump, they just bottom out). Fortunately, these two keys aren't ones that I frequently use enough in daily typing to even notice. The Matias uses White Alps Strongman switches. It requires a bit more force to activate than the Das Keyboard (which uses Cherry MX Blues). As such, I would give the Das Keyboard a slight edge for rapid touch typing, but it is very close. However, the Matias is closer to my (distant) memory of what it was like to type on an old IBM Model M, clackiness and all.Most negative reviews seemed to take issue with the quality of their Matias keyboard. I am happy to report that there is little wrong with my Matias Tactile Pro 3, just that one of the feet under the keyboard was 1mm shorter than the others, causing the keyboard to rattle on the shorter leg. Annoying, because all of my cheaper rubber dome keyboards have perfectly aligned feet, even the one that cost $19. Really, a keyboard this expensive should be more precisely made. If you are used to an IBM Model M, then this is going to feel as light and plasticky as any other modern keyboard (regardless of what type of switch it uses). Simply put, nobody (except maybe Unicomp?) makes heavy steel keyboards like the Model M any more. Another reviewer said the keys "rattle" when you type, but I don't find this to be the case. The keys are certainly clacky, but I wouldn't characterize it a "rattle." None of the keys are sticking or hard to press, but your mileage may vary.A few other pluses: the keycaps have the option-key and shift-option-key symbols printed right on them, which comes in handy. The aesthetics are close to Apple's "translucent white" look of the 2nd-gen iBook, early iPods, or iMac G5. While it doesn't match Apple's current aluminum design language, it looks right at home next to the current Apple Magic Mouse. The caps lock key has a white LED on it.Pros:True Apple Mac layoutApple-compatible aesthetics (if a bit dated)6-key rollover, good enough for fast typing, gaming3 USB ports (left, right, back)Feels close to classic buckling spring switch, lighter touchCons:Clacky loud, like buckling-spring keyboardsUneven foot pads, some quality problems noted by others

I prefer the feel of alps switches for the mechanical keyboards I use. I recently restored an Apple Extended Keyboard for my regular use at home. I did not want to bring that in to the office though. That is where Matias comes in.This keyboard is everything the current Apple keyboard should be. It is a dream to type on, and it's delightfully LOUD. I am fortunate I work with other keyboard aficionados, or I'm sure someone would have complained. If you type for a living, I don't think there is a better modern keyboard out there short of a custom build that is better.This is not a quiet keyboard. You and everyone around you will know that you're typing. If that is not your thing, you will hate this keyboard. However if you like that satisfying clicky thock, and feeling like you're actually pushing the keys, then you will absolutely love it.