There was a time, not too long ago, where if you wanted a Mac keyboard other than the standard chiclet deck, you had to suffer through using a Windows keyboard. This wasn't ideal for several reasons. Not only did you have to mentally remap your keyboard shortcuts (since the various keys aren't in the same place) but you'd often lose functionality.

And if you wanted a mechanical keyboard? Forget it.

That's obviously changed in recent years with amazing keyboards from companies like Keychron who cater specifically to Mac users who like a little more mechanical chunk on their desk. They also make an excellent line of low-profile mechanical decks.

But now you've got another option from a major mechanical keyboard manufacturer, the Das Keyboard MacTigr.

The MacTigr (which, even after weeks of using it, I still want to call "Tigre") is a full-sized, all metal, low-profile, mechanical keyboard with cherry switches, double-shot keycaps, and a two-port USB-C hub.

Being from Das Keyboard, it retains that brands vaunted build quality and extras like a sleep button, media controls, and one of the most satisfying volume knobs I've experienced on a keyboard.

The low-profile cherry switches used for the MacTigr have a low actuation force of 45 cN and a total travel of 3.2 mm. But those are just a bunch of numbers. What does that translate into as far as typing goes?

The typing experience on the MacTigr is soft without being mushy, mechanical without being clicky. It doesn't take much at all to trigger each key, meaning that you can fly through whatever you're typing and not feel like you've subjected your fingers to a round of burpees.

This is a refined deck that would fit in perfectly in a crowded office but at the same time, you could fire up a game and bang away without worrying about missed strokes. The MacTigr is wired, so there's no need to concern yourself over lag or latency.

The double-shot keycaps feel great under your fingertips and resist grease, so you won't end up with a bunch of shiny home keys a few weeks after unboxing.

What's nice about the MacTigr is right in the title. This isn't a mechanical keyboard that you're going to have to figure out where the keys are because it's built for Windows. It's Mac-forward with all the requisite keys, plus extras like an eject button (for those few souls who still have a media drive) and a sleep key that works so fast you'll think you broke your computer.

It's not a wafer-thin slab of aluminum like the Magic Keyboard, but still doesn't have an overly thick profile. It's nice for long periods of typing, since weird angles of thicker keyboards can put strain on your wrists. If you're the type that enjoys having your keyboard tilted towards you, however, you're out of luck. There are no feet on the bottom of the MacTigr. It's just a nice, solid slab of a base.

End of the day, the Das Keyboard MacTigr feels like the mechanical keyboard that Apple could have made…if they were at all concerned about refining their typing experience and not, y'know, making things as thin as possible.

It depends on how much you love Das Keyboard decks, honestly. The build is incredibly solid and I love the low-profile keycaps and the little extras like media controls and that silky-smooth volume knob. The two-port USB-C hub is appreciated as well.

The problem comes when you start comparing the Das Keyboard MacTigr to keyboards that have come before it in this space. For instance, the Keychron K5 gives you that same ultra-slim profile (albeit with chiclet keycaps, which aren't nearly as nice) and adds a backlight, wireless connectivity, hot-swappable switches, and the option to switch between devices. It's also half the price of the MacTigr.

At $219, the MacTigr the most expensive keyboard that Das Keyboard has produced, but loses the programmability and backlighting of less expensive flagship decks like the 5QS. Seems that "Apple Tax" isn't limited to Cupertino.

There's no denying that the MacTigr is a well-built, aesthetically pleasing, deeply functional full-sized mechanical keyboard. If you can, I'd highly recommend finding one to spend some time with before you plunk down the money. Personally, I love it but at the same time recognize that even the best built gear can have its ability to bring joy undercut by high retail prices.

Learn more about the MacTigr on the Das Keyboard website.