The Das Keyboard 5Q Cloud-Connected Mechanical Keyboard Review: How To Get Noticed
by E. Fylladitakis on February 26, 2019 10:00 AM ESTSoftware
Das Keyboard developed their [Q] software specifically for their newer top-tier keyboards. The software’s layout may initially seem a bit overwhelming but it actually is cleverly designed, requiring a minimal learning curve. Launching the software the first time will bring up an instruction video on the keyboard’s cloud-based capabilities and notification settings.
In the RGB profiles section, users can either choose one of the preprogrammed profiles or program their own. Per-key lighting programming is possible, with the ability to choose from either any RGB solid color or an effect. The list of effects is adequate, but creating keyboard-wide visual effects can be a tedious process. As for the pre-programmed lighting profiles, Das Keyboard is one of the very few companies that includes not only profiles for popular games but for professional applications as well, such as Adobe’s Photoshop and Autodesk’s Autocad. Sadly, the list of the default preprogrammed profiles is rather short, but profiles may be shared and imported, so it will probably grow over time.
Cloud Connectivity & Notifications
There are dozens of available notification-based settings in the Signal Center, ranging from important email and calendar notifications, to smart device and security camera alerts, to simple break and workout reminders. There are actually so many that the gallery below covers only about half of them.
One of the most interesting notification settings is that the keyboard can display a notification when “your BMW is home”. That way your keyboard can let you know when your (compatible) bimmer leaves home without you and when it gets back. It can also notify you if your (compatible) Samsung's refrigerator door is left open. There really is no shortage of notifications – from coffee makers to security cameras – with the utility of each being left as an exercise to the reader.
More advanced users can also program their own notifications. By default, the software suggests to use IFTTT (If This, Then That) for that, but it is also compatible with several open services and APIs, such as Zapier. Note that the Signal Center is marked as depreciated in the latest versions of the [Q] application, suggesting that users should stick to the applets available in Q's marketplace, yet the applets currently are rather few and limiting, which is probably why the software still offers access to the Signal Center anyway.
Despite the very high level of notifications and signaling capabilities, we should note that the Das Keyboard 5Q is not a programmable keyboard in terms of profiling and layout changes. There currently is no option to even perform simple key remaps, let alone advanced commands such as launching external applications and/or running macros.
Facebook
Twitter
RSS
33 Comments
View All Comments
RSAUser - Tuesday, February 26, 2019 - link
I've converted the entire office.Actually had a lot of people comment on reduced finger fatigue and we had an increase in production (probably as most people can type faster with mech keyboard due to feedback).
Overall worth the $50 investment per keyboard about.
PeachNCream - Tuesday, February 26, 2019 - link
Just wait until the office squirrels get distracted by the RGB LEDs.Midwayman - Tuesday, February 26, 2019 - link
I used to have a keyboard with an actual LCD on it that could display far more internet information than this thing can it was almost useless. At least that could display information that might be hidden like teamspeak user currently speaking, track info on your media player without having to pull it up, etc. This is a solution looking for a problem.Lord of the Bored - Tuesday, February 26, 2019 - link
Ah, yes, the Logitech gamepanel.Those were cool, and I was kinda sad support was so limited. Not NECESSARY, by any stretch of the imagination, but... cool.
Azethoth - Tuesday, March 5, 2019 - link
No, they sounded cool but were just useless garbage. I bought one and that was the last time ever. I already have a giant monitor, i dont need a shitthy thing on my keyboard that I will never glance down to.drexnx - Thursday, February 28, 2019 - link
I kept a first gen (blue plus bigger screen) Logitech G15 loooong past when I should have replaced it, simply because that screen was so useful and cool. Finally caved and went RGB mech last yearjvl - Tuesday, February 26, 2019 - link
From the teaser:> This makes it one of the few keyboards that significantly stands out from the crowded market of commodity mechanical keyboards.
Me: what's so wrong about a commodity mechanical keyboard?
Ahmed sells this stuff for 30 €, hard to make a fortune there, and why would it? The wording in the introduction was excellent and highlights the "problem" well
chaos215bar2 - Wednesday, February 27, 2019 - link
“But what is a “cloud-connected” keyboard? Simply put, it is a keyboard that “talks” with the internet – or rather specific cloud-based services and protocols, to be a bit more precise.”Go on…
“This theoretically sounds very interesting…”
Really? Why?
“…as the keyboard can source information from the internet and provide feedback in real time”
Such as?
“but also connect to compatible ‘smart’ devices around your home and display information or control them.”
Ok. How does this work, and why would I want my keyboard to do that?
“For example, the keyboard could theoretically be programmed to flash a key when a smart door sensor triggers…”
Mmkay.
“or to change its backlighting settings depending on the status of the stock market.”
Well, actually that’s kind of cool. But could this just be done with software running on the computer the keyboard’s connected to?
“Aside from that, Das Keyboard is the first company that's implementing Omron’s new Gamma Zulu mechanical switches, making the 5Q a truly unique keyboard.”
Uh… cool? I thought we were talking about cloud connectivity. Why is that interesting, again?
Icehawk - Wednesday, February 27, 2019 - link
Maybe I missed it since I skim these reviews but HOW does it display notifications - I'm assuming it's by flashing lights/changing colors? I don't know about you but I rarely am looking at my keyboard, it is significantly below my sightline. You know what isn't? A secondary monitor.Azethoth - Tuesday, March 5, 2019 - link
Yes, my Corsair Platinum RGB provides the even better functionality of lighting up like a xmass tree when good loot drops in Diablo 3. But its not connected to the internets, its connected to ... my computer.