★ ★ ★ ½

16 reviews

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I noticed today that the Matias Tactile Pro 2.0 (much loved by some here) has been discontinued with a new model promised this Autumn.

I'll stick to this Extended II for now but it's nice to know there may be an alternative.

My Tactile Pro 2 is still my favourite keyboard. For writing work [1] when I may be pounding the keyboard for 12 hours a day or more it's perfect. If Matias do make another model I really hope they make it easier to buy them in the UK - I eventually bought mine direct from Matias in Canada and had to pay for shipping.

Ian.

My Tactile Pro 2 is still my favourite keyboard.

Damn right. Mine too- and I have a Nimitz that I tried recently on the same iG5. The Matias was crisper, more definite, generally superior all round. Compared to the TactilePro, all other keyboards feel like they're made of blancmange.

I noticed today that the Matias Tactile Pro 2.0 (much loved by some here) has been discontinued with a new model promised this Autumn.

I'll stick to this Extended II for now but it's nice to know there may be an alternative.

I have bought 3 keyboards recently to match the premium IBM PS\2 keyboards of 20 years ago and only this keyboard met my expectations.

If you want the best tactile feeling keyboard with spring coils (not rubber dampers) in each keys, then look no further. This keyboard is a gem.

The OEM manufacturers,IBM and Apple in particular, have stopped producing premium keyboards during the 1990s when the PC prices fell below $1000. Those who have used Mac and IBM PS\2 keyboards in the late 80s and early 90s know what a premium keyboard with high quality components feels like.

This keyboard feels and looks very similar to Mac keyboards in the late 80s, which was very similar in quality, but slightly lighter in feel, to the IBM PS\2 keyboards. You will definitely hear the "click" sound, which is louder than the inferior quality keyboards, similar to the old Mac keyboards.

I can't say these keyboards are good value for the money since you can easily purchase a usable keyboard for $20. These cost more than 6 times as much. Certainly, these keyboards are not 6 times as good, but they are certainly better in tactile feel and component quality.

The USB cable is a generous 5 feet long. There is only a single USB input port, which I use for a mouse. Strangely, the USB output requires two USB connections to the computer (one for keyboard and the other for USB 2.0). So if your PC or laptop has only one free USB port, you may need to get a USB hub and an extra cable.

Having cut my typing teeth on a selectric typewriter, this keyboard felt like "coming home."

I pondered a great deal about buying a keyboard and not being able to try it out first. Since I make my living doing medical transcription, I need speed, accuracy, and I depend on the keyboard being able to keep up with my fingers (roughly 120 WPM).

I checked out every review I could find on the web, even one that gave a sound bite of how loud it would be. I needed to be able to type over the sound. I already knew about the double USB 2.0 connection on the keyboard, but what a plus that is when you need to insert a quick data stick or an iPod charge, the connection is right there at your fingertips. So you lose one connection out of the back of your computer, but Matias brings it right out front, where it is far more useful.

If you are a macintosh person, do not hesitate for one second. You can choose the optimizer function or turn it off if you want, so that it works just like the old ADB's. Your F keys will work with your QuickKey assignments, or you can use the ones that mac gives you, take your choice. One great bonus was that it has a little light on the F13 key that tells you if the caps lock is on or off. I can do a quick glance to know that. If the caps lock is on, the light will be on. What a bonus.

I've been so happy with my keyboard, and it is in use all day every day.

One sad thing was that my husband also uses this keyboard but does not touch type. He pounds the keys kind of, in a two finger manner. As a result, one of our keys happened to break a spring (It's the old IBM bent-spring technology that is why it's loud). I called the company and to my delight it was the best customer service ever. And they're out of Toronto also. I gave my husband a stern warning about not pounding on it, because the keyboard is so responsive it's not necessary.

Overall, if you are a mac person, this is the keyboard for you. For you PC users, if you like the touch of the old selectrics go for it. Otherwise you have many other options available.

Would give it 5 stars if it didn't disconnect spontaneously now and again on a Mac; built like a keyboard should be, but not good if the noise is going to disturb someone.

I wrote an unfavorable review of the MTP 2.0, saying it "combined a fat price ($150) with poor build quality (loose keys, a malformed edge, and a continuing shadow key problem)."

I consider the clicky sound a benefit; it's the rest of the package that is bothersome.

I've always been a big fan of the old Apple Extended II Keyboard and I've been using an Kensington Studioboard at home for several years. I decided to try this keyboard for work and I've been disappointed.

If you like the old-school, noisy keyboards, this one won't disappoint you in that regard. The keys feel nice, have a great tactile response, good travel, etc. It's really a pleasure to type on. The white Mac version has the alternate characters printed on the keycaps which is helpful.

Here are the problems I've found:

1) There are "ghosting" issues when you type too quickly. For example, if I type "ice" too quickly, it adds an extra , onto the end. Typing slowly, this isn't a problem, but it affects me all the time.

(I also verified something I read elsewhere: if you hold the right shift key and type "OP", instead of the P you get odd control characters)

Evidently this is because some keys share the same electrical paths and you only notice it when you type too quickly. People on the net say it was worse on the previous version of this keyboard.

2) The USB connection takes two cables and seems to be "stuffed into" the back. Basically, it seems too large to fit where it is placed. Also, there is only one available USB port on the keyboard so you lose ports rather than gain them.

3) There isn't a Caps Lock light so it's hard to tell if you are TYPING or just typing.

If I had purchased this keyboard on my own dime, I would have returned it. It's really too overpriced for all the flaws it has.

I have all but worn out the letters on this board and it still works flawless. I recently upgraded to the later, version II. THe latter one has improved keyswitches over the first rev. The first rev required just a tad more force to down the key.

The key feel is very smooth on mine and sometimes, I can't feel home position. Other than these minor issues, this is the best keyboard for accuracy and speed that I have used. Both versions are very good although, I do like the USB II as the keys do not have as much side to side play and are a tad less springy feeling.

Well, I don't look down a lot while I'm typing, but, my, is that an ugly keyboard with all those characters all over the place. Other than that -- feels quite sturdy, but definitely much louder clicking than other recent keyboards. One fatal flaw, and the reason it's going back -- no equals sign on the numpad! Not sure how they can call it a Mac keyboard and leave that out. The reason it's so important to me is that I use Finale for music notation, and it requires easy access to the equals sign. Back it goes.

Contrary to this reviewer, I didn't like the TTP 2, particularly compared to the TTP 1.

Was the review unit provided by Matias? I ask because many of the keyboards described in the wild seem to have problems like the ones I describe.

The Mtias USB2 keyboard I have has three lights just to the right of the F15 key. The middle one lights up with the CapsLock is presses. a "more pressing" problem for me is that the space bar does not always create a space, and I wish there were some way to improve its function. The good news is that, unlike the recent iMac keyboards, which are sealed so as to trap dirt and moisture but cannot be cleaned readily, the Matias can be popped open underneath by removing three screws and debris blown air with a pressurized can of air. It's a huge improvemnt over the cramped Microsoft "Mac-Compatible" keyboards, which have small-pitch keys that make operation uncomfortable, and the boards by Mac Ally, which are very cheap "Clunkers. Having the foreign accent keys-combos marked is a bonus, as I use them frequently. I'm glad I bought it after having had two original iMac keyboards become so gummed up after 4-5 months that I refused to to use another one, even under warranty. $30 was well spent!

I strongly disagree with the snide comment about giving up two USB2 ports. The trade-off is well worth it. The dock is handily located for thumb drives and transfering photo images. There are two USB1 docks to the rear of the keyboard, as with the iMac board.

I anxiously waited for this keyboard to arrive, after having pre-ordered it. I had borrowed a friend's Tactile Pro (first version) and loved the mechanical keys. Unfortunately, this keyboard has way too many "ghost" or "shadow" letters when I type. What happens is that you get an extra letter in your word if you type to fast.

It's too bad b/c this is one of the better feeling keyboards out there.

Hopefully version 3.0 will solve this.

I love my Tactile Pro 2.0 (and its easily accessible USB 2.0 port), except for one pain in the proverbial glutes that you didn't mention: Its lack of any indication - light or otherwise - that the Caps Lock key is engaged or not.

Some old-school geeks love the clattering chaos of mechanical-switch keyboards, and the Tactile Pro 2.0 gives us those good vibrations. Each press of the Tactile Pro 2.0’s keys takes us back to a time before squishy rubber membrane keyboards. Unlike the vast majority of other keyboards - nearly all keyboards, aside from those on laptops, use that rubber membrane style - the Tactile Pro 2.0 has a spring inside each key and physical feedback for each press. You can distinctly feel each click and release. Granted, you might find the keyboard too noisy with its clickity-clack action, but it’s music to many a longtime computer user’s ears.

While the Tactile Pro 2.0 is worth considering for its great feel alone, its other features are a mixed bag. Best are the symbols printed on each key - a boon for finding ¥, ©, or other characters. On the other hand, the keyboard hogs up two USB ports on your Mac. One USB connection is for the keyboard itself, while the other acts as an extension for the single USB 2.0 port on the keyboard, to which you can connect a mouse, flash drive, or other peripheral. At this price, we’d expect two or three USB ports.

The bottom line. USB 2.0 design flaw aside, old-school typists won’t go back to cheap rubber membrane keyboards.

+ Feels great. Audible, physical feedback that a key has been pressed. Includes volume, Eject, and Power keys. Special characters printed on keys.
- Nearly useless USB 2.0 design takes two ports and gives back only one. Makes a racket.

I purchased the MTP Keyboard recently on the impression that I would be getting a Quality Keyboard worth $149. My purchase was based on that it was going to have a "New" Optimize Key on the keyboard that would allow you to assign certain functions to the keyboard like cut and paste to half the keyboard... it was a cool option. But after my order without emailing or telling its pre-orders Matias decided to scrap this option. It was still being advertised on its website... plus the keys were a new design and not the Alps Keys. To Top this off the Website also pictured the F13,F14,F15 Keys as having Lights on them.... they were mysteriously missing from the keyboard I had received.

Also The MTP HAS 2 (Two) USB CABLES hardwired to the left side of keyboard?! One of the reasons I Purchased it was I thought it was a USB 2 Hub.... (Matias still advertises this as a 2 port hub I only saw one port. Matias should change its description to it proper function - USB 2 Extender)... its 1 (ONE) usb 2 port has to be plugged into a second USB port... on a powerbook or MacBook pro this takes up every port and being a mobile user I cant see myself plugging in both every time... so a hub is still a must for the laptop user.

My Review before returning it.

The overall feel of the keyboard is cheap (the plastic just not quality I would expect) and the keyboard risers would probably break if any weight was put on the keyboard. Each Key wiggles slightly before you depress it. It does not have the tight feel of a quality keyboard. The angle of the Keyboard is also weird as well... it sits too high and you can't rest your wrists on your work surface and type without bending your hands up until its very uncomfortable.

I was hoping for more and at $149 you should expect it. The misrepresentations of the MTP on Matias's website were unforgivable. (Note as of this writing it looks as if Matias has updated the website to show the current model's picture)