When comparing Das Keyboard Model S vs CM Storm Quickfire Rapid-i, the Slant community recommends Das Keyboard Model S for most people. In the question“What are the best mechanical keyboards?” Das Keyboard Model S is ranked 8th while CM Storm Quickfire Rapid-i is ranked 20th. The most important reason people chose Das Keyboard Model S is:
With the Cherry MX Browns the Model S Professional is very silent and suitable for an office environment. Key presses rarely "bottom out" and it comes with o-rings to prevent noise from being generated when you do.
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Pros
Pro Available as a silent variant
With the Cherry MX Browns the Model S Professional is very silent and suitable for an office environment. Key presses rarely "bottom out" and it comes with o-rings to prevent noise from being generated when you do.
Pro Tasteful Branding
This keyboard's branding is polished and attractive.
Pro Media keys
This keyboard has convenient key functions for media control.
Pro Heavy base
Great for staying put and not sliding around the desk under energetic typing.
Pro You can get it with Linux keycaps
Instead of having to deal with Windows or Mac branded modifier keys, you can configure the Model S to come with keycaps designed for Linux.
Pro NKRO on all models
All Das Keyboard models come standard with N key roll over. This means that the keyboard can handle all simultaneous inputs, making it great for gaming or for really really fast typists.
Pro 30 day money back guarantee
If you get this keyboard directly from Das and, within 30 days, decide you don't want it, you can return it for a refund.
Pro Uses Costar stabilizers
Costar stabilizers significantly reduce friction in key motion.
Pro Provides a two-port USB hub
Two powered USB inputs are available on the Model S, making plugging in a wired mouse or other devices really easy and helps clean up your desk wiring.
Pro Detachable and replaceable cable
The Rapid-i's comes with a long 1.8 m braided cable, which makes it more durable and aesthetically pleasant than common cables. It's detachable and, therefore, easily replaceable by a shorter/longer cable. This also means that, in case the cable breaks, it's easy to fix it and there's no need to replace the entire keyboard.
Pro Customizable backlighting is great for use in the dark
This keyboard is backlit and offers individual key backlighting customization. Up to 4 profiles can be saved, being quite easy to switch between them.
Pro First-class mechanical switches
Cherry MX switches are considered the golden standard of mechanical key switches. This particular model's tenkeyless version is available in the Blue or Brown varieties of the MX. Blue switches offer audible and tactile feedback at the actuation point (about halfway the full travel distance). These are best for typing. Brown switches offer a slightly less pronounced tactile bump than Blue switches, and are silent. They are often described as a mix-switch: something that is equally good for gaming and typing, though not the best at either one.
Cons
Con Large footprint
The Das Keyboard range does not come in tenkeyless variants, so all the keyboards are pretty big.
Con Loss in build quality after a change of manufacturer
There was a noticeable decrease in build quality after manufacturer change.
Con Fingerprint magnet
After some time, the glossy finish used for the case clearly shows fingerprints.
Con Limited switch types for the tenkeyless version
The tenkeyless version of this keyboard is more compact, but it only offers Blue and Brown switches, which are the most popular. However, if you want Green or Red MX switches you'll need to choose the larger version of the keyboard (with a number pad).
Con The USB connector sticks out
Unlike many other keyboards, the USB port for the Rapid-i is not tucked under the keyboard, so when the L-shaped USB connector is inserted, it sticks out a bit. In addition to not looking as sleek as a result, it also means that it's easier to accidentally damage both the connector and the port.