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schalliol · May 15, 2007, 04:38 PM

I thought that people here might be interested to know that Matias received their first batch of tactilepro 2.0 keyboards today in Canada and they should be shipping them on Friday.

I loved my v1 unit and am really excited to get this one.

tactilepro 2.0

IceEnclosure · May 15, 2007, 06:53 PM

Explain why there's only one USB port on it, and why that port is 2.0. wouldn't I be using it for my mouse?

or am I supposed to have a wireless mouse and then use the built-in USB 2.0 port for whatever I like?

I really want to know. Their other keyboards have better arrangements for peripheral connection via USB than does the TactilePro.

schalliol · May 15, 2007, 08:56 PM

Is there only one USB port on it? I assume there's two. It looks like the same housing as the original tactilepro, which did have two.

I don't need the 2.0 so much, but I'm really interested in the other benefits of the new keyboad. I usually try to keep a keyboard port available for flash cards or other peripherals I don't always use.

AC Rempt · May 15, 2007, 10:14 PM

Already sold out! The web site says no new shipments until August! WTF?

IceEnclosure · May 16, 2007, 11:16 AM

Originally Posted by schalliol

Is there only one USB port on it? I assume there's two. It looks like the same housing as the original tactilepro, which did have two.

I don't need the 2.0 so much, but I'm really interested in the other benefits of the new keyboad. I usually try to keep a keyboard port available for flash cards or other peripherals I don't always use.

Well, no, pictures show only one port. Different housing. One port, on the right, and it's USB 2.0. The old Tactile Pro had USB on left and right.

I think it's lame, I was considering purchasing this keyboard.

IceEnclosure · May 16, 2007, 11:18 AM

AC Rempt · May 16, 2007, 11:25 AM

Well that's goofy. I always hook my mouse to the keyboard to save a USB port for other peripherals. I've passed up plenty of nice-looking keyboards for want of two USB ports, and it looks like I'll be doing that again unless there's an extra port hidden somewhere.

schalliol · 11:42 AM

Ok, so I now have my tactilepro 2.0. Matias overnighted it yesterday one hour after receiving them from taiwan. I'm typing on it now.

USB issue
There is a single USB port on the right side (2.0) and the cables come in from the left side. That's right, cables. Like the "USB 2.0 Keyboard" from Matias one cable connects to the keyboard and the other to the USB 2.0 port. This is not an ideal situation. I would've thought that they would have included a powered USB hub inside the keyboard and run a single cable to the computer. As such, I'm going to need to get a new hub that this connects to. I won't cry over that though, as they're inexpensive (try eBay). The point of this 2.0 port then is to have a 2.0 port available right next to your keyboard for easy access, which is fine because you can hide the hub you connect to. Interestingly, there's a cut-out on the bottom for a middle feed cable, so perhaps they'll rev the design some day.

Optimizer Issue
I was really confused when I opened the keyboard, because it is not the keyboard in the image listed here or on its Website. Instead Matias will be shipping two versions this summer: 1. The white version I have now looks about like the 1.0 keyboard with the option/option shift keys and lacks Optimizer labeling. 2. I believe Matias is planning another version in black (haven't confirmed this) that includes the Optimizer labeling, but lacks the option key labeling. However, I was told that I can program the keyboard to work with the Optimizer functionality, and I will be receiving information on how to do this later today. When I get it, I'll share it here (unless I'm told not to). This may be the best combination if you just learn the optimizer key functions, as you probably won't remember every option/option-shift key.

Impressions
It definitely seems improved from the previous version, which was already the best out there. It's definitely loud, but the audible and tactile keys make typing more precise and quick. I like that the caps lock key now is a regular tactile key. The trade-off is no status light. To sum it up, it's probably the best keyboard out there, but I'm a bit frustrated by the switch of labeling.

AC Rempt · May 17, 2007, 07:02 PM

Wha-wha-what!?! So it takes up two USB ports? Am I understanding that correctly?

So how is it improved over version 1?

OreoCookie · May 18, 2007, 02:30 AM

What exactly do you mean by `improved'?
Are the feet stronger? Is the `feel' better while typing? (Not that I'd trade in my 1st-gen Tactile Pro anytime soon.)

JonoMarshall · May 18, 2007, 02:57 AM

schalliol...

What makes you think they'll be developing one in black? Source? I'd buy one in a second if they did..!

schalliol · May 18, 2007, 07:24 AM

What do I mean by "improved"?
Well, it's actually a bit hard for me to place, Matias says that the switches more closely replicate the legendary Apple Extended II. It's hard to know at that level of precision what the difference actually is, and I don't have my original one nearby to test. As such, I'd guess some people may not be able to tell the difference without comparison, and you may or may not want to shell out all the bucks from a version upgrade based on this (I did). Here's what Matias said about it before it took the site down yesterday:

Based on the legendary Alps keyswitch used in the Apple Extended Keyboard and the original Tactile Pro, the new Matias Mechanical Keyswitch recreates the tactile feedback and force curve of the original Alps design, ensuring maximum performance, greater comfort, and faster typing speeds. You will feel the difference immediately.

I also mentioned that I'm interested in trying the Optimizer functions (and the other adjustments listed above).

What makes me think they're developing a black one
I called Matias yesterday and the person I spoke with mentioned "the white unit you're holding in your hands" and then mentioned another version would be coming out with Optimizer labeling.

schalliol · May 18, 2007, 07:30 AM

Google Cached Original tactilepro 2.0 page visable until May 17, 2007

AC Rempt · May 18, 2007, 11:24 AM

All said, version 1 looks like a good deal to me. Now I just have to find one . . .

schalliol · May 18, 2007, 11:45 AM

Yeah, v1 is a very nice keyboard, and is very similar to v2. I'm not sure why having one USB port is a huge deal for folks (reference all the !!s, etc.). The main point should be to have a great keyboard. A bigger USB hub isn't that big of a deal. That said, the targeted consumer of this keyboard isn't the same folks that are just going to be content with whatever has keys and is included with a computer. Most of those users will have more peripherals than just a mouse, so they're going to likely need a hub of some sort anyway. I may be unique I guess with a 7 port USB hub and 5 port hub in addition to whatever the keyboard affords me.

JM Rempt · May 21, 2007, 05:52 AM

Originally Posted by AC Rempt

All said, version 1 looks like a good deal to me. Now I just have to find one . . .

They've pretty much vanished from exsistence, apparently. Couple of hours of online searching only turned up two retailers really listing it at all:

MATIAS<BR>Tactile Pro Keyboard<BR>USB Mac<BR>FK102

ByteWize Computers - Matias Tactile Pro Keyboard - FK102

AC Rempt · May 21, 2007, 12:18 PM

Thanks for the help, man. But no love. Ah well . . .

schalliol · May 23, 2007, 02:37 PM

Here's the info on the keyboards:

Apparently they're programmable and there will be a Silver/Black version.

Matias Tactile Pro 2.0 Keyboard - Mac OS X Setup

JonoMarshall · May 23, 2007, 04:46 PM

I just wet my pants over the idea of a black version.. this is slightly embarrassing!

Oh wait, I could not be more annoyed...

The Silver/Black version of the Tactile Pro 2.0 comes pre-programmed for Windows.

I want a modern black mac keyboard dagnamit!

AC Rempt · May 23, 2007, 05:24 PM

I love that the program is called KeyWarrior. The manliest of all keyboard mapping programs.

OreoCookie · May 23, 2007, 05:32 PM

Originally Posted by JonoMarshall

I just wet my pants over the idea of a black version.. this is slightly embarrassing!
...
I want a modern black mac keyboard dagnamit!

The black version will work just fine on the Mac. I assume the difference is the labelling on the keyboard.

IceEnclosure · May 23, 2007, 06:48 PM

Did they take a poll and decide that clicky-keyboard mac users prefer just one USB port? (a 2.0 port at that, as if you're gonna unplug your mouse and then plug in a thumbdrive for some high-speed data transfer.. but wait! no mouse to navigate!

Unless they want me to have a bluetooth mouse.. in which case I would probably go for a bluetooth keyboard while I'm at it.

I keep asking, only because I wanted one of the originals, and I heard they were being updated and I eagerly anticipated the 2.0's arrival only to be dumbfounded at the single USB 2.0 port

schalliol · May 23, 2007, 06:53 PM

Have no fear, the software online allows you to covert your keyboard to the "Mac" version if desired (w/ or w/o Optimizer). The only downside will be in labeling, but if you want to use Optimizer, you may prefer this labeling.

schalliol · May 24, 2007, 06:39 AM

I agree that a single port is less than ideal, especially when you have to use a secondary USB port to power it (why not just plug in an extension cable and tape it to the back of your keyboard?). However, as I've said before, I'm not sure why it bothers everyone so much though:

If you wanted a Bluetooth keyboard, you wouldn't have any USB ports on that keyboard.
Ports on the keyboard for mousing isn't great because the cable has to just loop around and gets in the way. Running that cable out to a hub farther away helps eliminate this issue.
Hubs are cheap.

AC Rempt · May 24, 2007, 12:06 PM

Yeah, but I use a trackball, so no worries about the cable, and an Apple Bluetooth keyboard and/or mouse doesn't take up a USB port. I have an iMac, and I don't want to litter my desk with hubs, either, especially since all of my power outlets are pretty much overloaded as it is. And finally, I sue the second USB port on the other side of my keyboard to swap out things like game pads and graphic tablets.

It's just how I'm used to working, and in fact, how I prefer to work.

So I'll be sticking with my iceKey for now, even though I like a lot of what the Matias board is offering.

schalliol · May 24, 2007, 12:11 PM

AC Rempt, I hear you on the trackball. I use an optical ExpertMouse Pro from Kensington at home and at work. I hear you about the pain of needing a hub, certainly they should've done something different. That said, I've just run my cables in a neat bundle so they won't be a problem. Just my 2¢.

OreoCookie · May 24, 2007, 12:29 PM

Just a little update for all those first-gen users:

Originally Posted by Matias Support

Dear Max,
Thanks for your email and purchase of our keyboard. I am sorry to advise the original Tactile Pro did not have a programmable chip so you will not be able to use the Optimizer functions on it. We are offering a 30% discount to our repeat clients who wish to upgrade and purchase the new version.
Regards,
Barbara