Hardware Review
Matias Tactile Pro 2.0 Keyboard
Choosing the right keyboard is more of a personal preference. Users often times choose their keyboards on its layout and comfort level. I myself prefer the old school type keyboards. I've gone through several changes of keyboards for my desktop, from a slim EL keyboard from Xoxide to the Enermax Aurora keyboard to name a few. Tonight we'll take a look at a keyboard Matias just sent us, the Tactile Pro 2.0 keyboard for the PC. We would like to thank the Matias team for making this review possible.
Looking at Matias' website, the company offers a variety of computer accessories from foldable keyboards, Ipod cases, and notebook cases to Apple and PC compatible keyboards. The Tactile Pro 2.0 is a PC based keyboard offering from the company. Here are a few specifications for the keyboard:
| Colour: Silver & Black |
| Mechanical keyswitches |
| Hi-Speed USB 2.0 Dock |
| Optimizer functions |
| Caps Lock Indicator Light |
| Price: $149.95 USD |
Click the image to see it full view...
Let's take a further look at the keyboard. Looking at it for the first time, you can't help but think of it as just another ordinary keyboard. Matias based their design from Apple's keyswitch mechanism on their keyboards. The Tactile Pro 2.0 comes in two versions, a Mac version and a PC version. The only noticeable difference between the two versions physically is that the Mac version's keys are all white and the PC version is black with a silver accent within the casing. The Tactile Pro 2.0 also sports a USB hub located just on the top right corner of the number pad. In addition to the USB hub, a power button is also available, just on top of the function keys.
Click the image to see it full view...
Looking at the keyboard closer, you will notice the shortcut keys Matias implemented. These functions can be used with the help of the optimize key located where the CAPS key would usually be on standard keyboard. This decreases the time the hand has to move from the alphabet keys to the rest of the keyboard. For example, if you wanted to hit the page up key, traditionally the key would be located just on top of the left, right, down, up arrow keys. With the Tactile Pro 2.0, you can just press and hold the optimize key then hit the "O" to perform a page up. I really find this function very useful. Not only it allows the hands to stay within the alphabet key area, it's also very convenient and allows for a better typing flow. However, it does take some time to get used to this function.
Performance wise, I really liked how the Tactile Pro types. The response is very good and the contours of the keys are very comfortable. You can also adjust how the height rests on your desk with two flip down feet underneath the keyboard. I would've liked to have seen a white version for the PC as well, but then again that's more of a cosmetic preference. Playing first person shooters also felt great with the nice keyswitch action on the keys. Overall the keyboard felt great. The responsiveness, shape, contours and the optimize function makes the Tactile Pro 2.0 a very solid keyboard. We give the Tactile Pro 2.0 a score of 9 out of 10 and our Unique Rigs recommendation.
Pros:
Mechanical Keyswitches
1 port USB hub
Comfortable layout, feels great on FPS games
Optimizer key funtion
Cons:
Only available on black/silver colour for the PC
Price of $149.95 USD a bit to high
Manufacturer Link:
