INTRODUCTION

   Choosing the right gaming peripherals to accompany your brand new (or old) gaming PC is currently not as easy as some may think. The reason for that is not only the vast number of gaming peripherals in the market or the large number of manufacturers but the various components used which in many cases are just enough to confuse most consumers (especially all of you who really like to do some research prior to purchasing such products). Take for example mechanical gaming keyboards which currently feature not only the original Cherry MX mechanical switches but also ones by other mechanical switch manufacturers like Kailh, Gateron and Outemu and even gaming peripheral manufacturers like Logitech with their Romer-G mechanical switches, SteelSeries with their QS1 mechanical switches and Razer with their very own line of mechanical switches (green, orange, yellow and ultra-low profile models). Das Keyboard is the latest gaming keyboard manufacturer to join with their very own Alpha-Zulu (DZERO) mechanical switches (linear olive and tactile yellow) and the X40 Pro Gaming Mechanical Keyboard is the very first model to feature them.

   Best in speed, precision, durability and design is our motto. With Das Keyboard Gaming, we create top performing premium products designed entirely for gamers to outlast the competition. Our products are designed for professionals tapping away for more than 10 hours each day, as well as gamers who just really want to have an amazing and durable product with an experience that will push the limits. Over the course of the countless phases that come with building a product, Das Keyboard Gaming became so much more than that. It became a great beast that somehow took on a life of its own. All of the hardware is equipped with metal detailing to increase the durability and provide everyone who touched it with an unmatched experience. Each piece of equipment has the Das Keyboard detailing and design that makes each piece work together and flow magnificently together. And although look is important, every detail was measured on its ability to take the gaming experience to the next level.

   The Alpha-Zulu switches used in the X40 Pro feature gold plated contacts, red backlight with standby mode (surprised to see no RGB illumination) and are rated for up to 60 million keystrokes just like most of their competition as we speak. They also feature an short actuation point of 1.7mm (compared to the usual 2mm) and as mentioned earlier they are currently available in two "flavors", the linear non-tactile and non-clicky Olive ones (equivalent to Cherry MX Red) and the tactile and non-clicky Yellow ones (equivalent to Cherry MX Brown). As for the rest of the keyboard the X40 Pro features a interchangeable anodized aluminum top panel (extra ones sold separately), internal steel plate, 5 programmable macro keys with on-the-fly recording, Full NKRO (N-Key rollover) and a USB 2.0 passthrough port. True at first glance the X40 Pro doesn't seem to land that far away from other models offered by Das Keyboard but let's take a closer look and see.