I’ve become so used to key backlighting over the years in various laptop and
desktop keyboards that, when I need it for a moment, I notice its absence. For a
keyboard this expensive, you at least hope it’s an option you can toggle on and
R̆EXWDODVQR
Das Keyboard, of course, does have multiple backlit options (notably the full-
VL]H'DV.H\ERDUG43&0DJKDVWHVWHG LIWKDW¶VZKDW\RX¶UHDIWHUEXW,FDQ¶W
help but feel it should be a standard, toggle-able inclusion on all expensive
modern keyboards. It’s not here, so I have to consider that a negative for this
individual product.
2QH¿QDOIHDWXUHLV1NH\UROORYHU 1.52 DQRSWLRQ\RXFDQWRJJOHRQDQGR̆
This is fairly common on premium keyboards and gaming systems, making sure
every keystroke registers. It’s worth noting that having this setting turned on
GLVDEOHVVRPHEXWWRQFRPELQDWLRQVWKRXJK1.52LVWU\LQJWRSUHYHQWLQSXW
logjams, so I was unable to use some Windows key combos like Windows
NH\6KLIW6WRVQLSDVFUHHQFDS7XUQLQJ1.52R̆ ZKLFK\RXFDQWRJJOHZLWK
)XQFWLRQ) DOORZHGWKLVVKRUWFXWWRZRUNLPPHGLDWHO\VREHDZDUHRI
scenarios like that.
A PREMIUM, COMPACT MECHANICAL OPTION
Outside of those smaller issues, the 4C TKL is both extremely easy and pleasant
to use. If you’re somewhat space-restricted like my setup, you’ll love the
tenkeyless design. It’s compact without being cramped, and the high-quality
build and keys complete a premium feel.
The price is perhaps a bit high for the feature set—the Editors’ Choice
6WHHO6HULHV$SH[7./LVFRPSDUDEO\RXW¿WWHGEXWKDVPRUHIHDWXUHVDWDORZHU
price. As we’ve come to expect from Das Keyboard, the construction and
execution are above average, which helps make the price tag easier to digest. If
you’re in the market for a minimalist tenkeyless professional keyboard that can
also function well for gaming on the side, the Das Keyboard 4C TKL is a great
pick.
MATTHEW BUZZI
PC MAGAZINE DIGITAL EDITION (^) I SUBSCRIBE (^) I JULY 2020