Das Keyboard. The name itself evokes a certain reverence among keyboard enthusiasts. For years, they’ve been synonymous with no-nonsense, high-quality mechanical keyboards, often favored by professionals and power users who value robust build and a straightforward typing experience. Their clicky blue and tactile brown switches became legendary, a testament to their commitment to pure, unadulterated mechanical bliss. So, when news broke that Das Keyboard was finally stepping into the modern era with a compact, wireless offering – the DeltaForce 65 – there was a palpable buzz. Hopes were high for a contemporary take on their classic formula, blending their renowned quality with the convenience and smaller footprint many users now crave.
Yet, sometimes, even the most revered brands can stumble. While the DeltaForce 65 undoubtedly brings Das Keyboard into the realm of modern features like wireless connectivity and a more compact form factor, it arrives with a rather perplexing set of design choices. Specifically, its approach to the 65% layout feels less like innovative adaptation and more like a series of crucial missteps that, unfortunately, overshadow its positive advancements. It’s a keyboard that promised to modernize, but in doing so, made some head-scratching decisions that ultimately detract from the very user experience Das Keyboard has historically championed.
A Modern Facade with Familiar Foundation
First impressions of the DeltaForce 65 are largely positive, at least visually. The aesthetic is clean, understated, and unmistakably Das Keyboard. There’s a certain professional elegance to its dark gray frame and subtle branding. It doesn’t scream for attention but rather projects an air of quiet competence. The move to a 65% layout, which ditches the number pad and function row but retains dedicated arrow keys and a smattering of navigation keys, is a smart one in today’s landscape. It offers a balance between desk real estate savings and maintaining essential functionality that a pure 60% keyboard often sacrifices. For many, a 65% is the sweet spot.
Under the hood, Das Keyboard offers the expected high-quality mechanical switches – our review unit came with Cherry MX Brown, delivering that satisfying tactile bump without the loud click. Typing on these switches is, as always, a pleasure. They feel responsive and consistent, living up to the brand’s reputation for excellent core typing mechanics. Connectivity is also a strong point, with both 2.4GHz wireless via a dongle and Bluetooth options, alongside a traditional wired mode. This flexibility is genuinely appreciated, making it a versatile option for various setups, from a desktop workstation to a laptop on the go.
The build quality, too, feels solid. There’s minimal deck flex, and the keycaps, while not premium doubleshot PBT, are a decent quality ABS with clear legends. It’s a keyboard that feels like it can withstand years of heavy use, which is precisely what one expects from Das Keyboard. However, beneath this polished exterior and solid foundation, the cracks begin to show, particularly when you start to interact with the keyboard on a daily basis.
The Layout Labyrinth: Where Form Overwhelms Function
Here’s where the DeltaForce 65 truly deviates from what many would consider an optimal 65% layout. The fundamental purpose of a 65% board is to be compact without forcing users into excessive use of an Fn layer for common tasks. Competitors in this space generally achieve this by thoughtfully arranging the rightmost modifier and navigation keys. The DeltaForce 65, however, makes some truly peculiar choices.
The Curious Case of the Right Shift and Its Neighbors
The most glaring issue is the cramped and non-standard arrangement around the right shift key. Instead of a full-sized right shift, Das Keyboard has opted for a truncated key, squeezing in an “Up” arrow key directly next to it. This design decision instantly creates a significant hurdle for anyone accustomed to a standard layout. Muscle memory, built over years of typing, expects a large, easily accessible right shift. On the DeltaForce 65, your pinky repeatedly lands on the Up arrow instead, sending your cursor on an unwanted journey mid-sentence. It’s a constant, jarring interruption that makes fluid typing feel like navigating a minefield.
But it doesn’t stop there. Beyond the arrow keys, the traditional cluster of Delete, Home, End, Page Up, and Page Down is scattered in an unusual fashion. Instead of being vertically stacked or in a dedicated block, they’re nestled in odd positions along the right edge, often requiring an Fn modifier or a reach that breaks the flow. For anyone who relies on these keys for text editing, coding, or even just navigating documents, this becomes a major workflow disruption. It forces a constant mental recalibration, slowing you down rather than speeding you up.
A Missing Link: The Fn Key and Layered Commands
While a 65% keyboard inherently relies on an Fn layer for function keys (F1-F12) and other commands, the execution here feels less intuitive than it should. Accessing these secondary functions often feels cumbersome. For a keyboard aimed at productivity, the friction introduced by these layout choices is significant. It’s as if the designers prioritized a symmetrical look or a slightly narrower footprint over the practical implications for daily users. It’s a classic example of form winning over function, and in a tool designed for input, that’s a critical flaw.
I found myself constantly making mistakes, not just with the right shift, but struggling to quickly find Delete or Page Down without looking. This isn’t just a matter of “getting used to it”; it’s a fundamental ergonomic design choice that actively hinders efficiency for anyone who isn’t starting from scratch with their typing habits. For a brand known for its uncompromising focus on the typing experience, these layout decisions feel like a betrayal of their core philosophy.
Beyond the Layout: Other Nuances and Missed Opportunities
While the layout is undoubtedly the DeltaForce 65’s Achilles’ heel, there are other smaller observations worth noting. The keycaps, as mentioned, are decent ABS, but at this price point, PBT would have been a welcome upgrade, offering better durability and a more premium feel. The onboard software (if any) is minimal, meaning there’s little opportunity to remap these problematic keys to alleviate the frustrations, further cementing the layout as a fixed obstacle.
Battery life and wireless stability, in my testing, were solid, which is a definite plus. However, the overarching experience is still dominated by the incessant struggle with key placement. It’s like buying a high-performance sports car with the steering wheel on the passenger side – the engine might be great, but the driving experience is fundamentally compromised.
A Delta of Disappointment
The Das Keyboard DeltaForce 65 is a keyboard that encapsulates a frustrating paradox. It represents a commendable effort by Das Keyboard to modernize its lineup, offering wireless connectivity and a compact form factor that many users desire. The core typing experience, thanks to quality Cherry MX switches and a solid build, is fundamentally good. However, these positive attributes are severely undermined by a series of perplexing and user-unfriendly layout choices.
The truncated right shift, the awkward placement of navigation keys, and the overall non-standard arrangement create a significant barrier to entry and sustained productivity. For a brand built on catering to discerning typists, these design decisions feel like a misstep of monumental proportions. While some might eventually adapt, the constant battle against muscle memory is a frustrating price to pay. The DeltaForce 65 had all the ingredients to be a fantastic modern mechanical keyboard, but its odd layout choices turn what could have been a triumph into a keyboard that sadly misses the mark.
