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Apple Keyboard

Brilliant Addition to the Product Line. What took so long?

Written by PE from Superior

3-Mar-2009

This keyboard is standard issue on the iMacs that were announced today. The kbd with the numeric keypad is available as a no-cost option.

That makes perfect sense: most of us aren't accountants or using software needing all those keys. If you do, get the big keyboard. If not, get the compact one.

A wired keyboard avoids the problems of the wireless guys: RF interference, batteries dying, etc. It's also a bit greener. The kbd with keypad did not fit in my backpack; this new one will.

Good call, Apple. And it should be a buck or two cheaper to make. Win/win for everyone.

208 of 266 people found this useful

Apple Keyboard

great products

Written by DH from Milpitas

4-Mar-2009

Yeah, i know i know this is basically the wireless keyboard with a tail, but it does have its advantages. People say that this keyboard is small and cramped, well I got news for you people: You have to type ergonomically. If you type with a keyboard on your lap, avid this product. If you type with your elbows rested on the chair arms, don't get this. But if you use a computer like you are suppose you-- wrists/palms on table edge and elbows handing freely, this size is perfect.

Also, if you have the full size apple keyboard then you will adjust to this smaller size easily since the keys are basically the same size. this thing is just missing the keypad part which not every one needs. You can get the full size if you need it and it is at no extra cost

201 of 256 people found this useful

Apple Keyboard

great for people with computer-pain use issues

Written by AM from San Francisco

10-Mar-2009

I have been waiting for this keyboard for a long time.. first off, I have really small hands, so the "cramped" keys make it wonderful for me. Secondly, I have really bad wrist and neck pain from working too much, so I have to be as ergonomic as possible. Not having the number-pad on the right (which I never use anyway) makes me strain my right hand a lot less since its not reaching out, which means less painful computing and less painful mousing.
Yay for no pain! also, I have been using the bluetooth small keyboard, and I must say, the bluetooth is not very reliable, so having a cord is great because I can actually type without disconnecting all the time!

63 of 82 people found this useful

Apple Keyboard

Not ebough USB power

Written by DS from Portales

20-Mar-2009

I like the small footprint, however, my thumb drives, iPod and even my mouse can't run off it's USB ports. All I get is "USB Low Power Notice". This renders the product nearly useless to me, had to go back to my old keyboard.

39 of 47 people found this useful

Apple Keyboard

ctrl+alt+del on a mac keyboard

Written by DK from Dunmore

22-May-2009

love the keyboards, just make sure not to get the shortned version if you use the num-pad alot. simple. you wouldnt use a hatchback to tow a 5th wheel trailer.

anyway. try ctrl+alt+FUNCTION+del to use the keyboard in windows. (fn key, bottom left)

have fun! ;)

23 of 26 people found this useful

Apple Keyboard

Excellent Keyboard, Perfect Size

Written by DM from Warren

21-Mar-2009

I absolutely love this keyboard. I originally had the Apple Wireless keyboard, and the only reason I hadn't bought a wired keyboard was because of the extra size. I think that for most users, the dedicated number pad of the previous wired keyboard is unnecessary. I bought this keyboard as soon as it was available because I love its minimal size. The USB ports on the sides are extremely convenient, and I have been able to power both my iPhone and flash drives from them. Highly recommended!

30 of 41 people found this useful

Apple Keyboard

Perfect!

Written by JM from San Francisco

23-Jun-2009

I was so glad to see Apple come out with a wired version of the small keyboard. No more dealing with batteries. Ergonomically it's much better to keep your arms in a natural position. For people who don't use the number pad often, it's much more comfortable to not be pulling your right shoulder and wrist so far out.

19 of 20 people found this useful

Apple Keyboard

does not support control-alt-delete functions

Written by DD from kirkland

6-Mar-2009

love the keyboard but one major problem - under Vista, the keyboard does not support control-alt-delete functions. There is only one delete key and this acts to delete backward from the cursor (as shown in notepad and word). I have tried all kinds of key combo's including using the "fn" key but nothing works. So if you want to use this under Vista, beaware - no delete forward from cursor key. Mac OS works fine. No I can't use Mac OS at work - it is a windows shop and I can't convert my desktop machine......otherwise very nice keyboard.

36 of 55 people found this useful

Apple Keyboard

Great keyboard but has low power ports

Written by MM from Tucson

26-Apr-2009

I love this keyboard. The keys are the lowest resistance of any keyboard I've ever used. That is important if you do a lot of typing. I'm a technical writer and I use this keyboard for as much of my work as possible.

I am disappointed with Apple because the wireless model does not have the number pad. I hope that Apple releases another wireless keyboard model that has the same keys as this wired one.

A word of caution to the potential buyer: I tried to plug my iPhone along with its dock into the USB port on the Keyboard. I figured, why have two cords coming out onto the desktop when I could just have one? I got a Low power notice from OS X saying that there's not enough power coming from the keyboard's port to connect the iPhone. I rated it four out of five stars for that reason alone. I am able to plug the wireless receiver for my logitech MX revolution into the USB port of this keyboard without problems. I like to keep the receiver close to the mouse because the battery in the mouse lasts longer.

21 of 27 people found this useful

Apple Keyboard

I thought I would hate the little keyboard, but . . .

Written by CR from Bethesda

4-Mar-2009

I really like how the keyboard frees up space for my mouse. While there is lots of desk space beyond the mouse, the shorter keyboard allows the mouse to sit in a place that is more comfortable.

Now, when I start crunching numbers and don't have my key pad, I may feel differently . . . perhaps Apple can make a little $20 keyboard attachment for those times. I can keep it in the desk drawer.

41 of 67 people found this useful

Apple Keyboard

Excellent product, makes me a better and faster typist

Written by DA from Dallas

29-Sep-2009

I love the wireless version of this product, but I felt guilty having to feed it batteries. I wished for months that Apple would come out with a wired version -- and they did!

This keyboard has excellent ergonomics and it has made me a faster and more accurate typist. To all the detractors: if you want a wireless keyboard, buy the wireless version. If you want a keypad, buy the keypad version. Don't write reviews of the WRONG PRODUCT complaining how it's missing the features you want. Duh!

16 of 18 people found this useful

Apple Keyboard

"Apple of my heart"

Written by AH from Marrero

14-Nov-2009

I recently purchased a brand new 20" iMac. Only to be disappointed by the recent release of the newer LED display iMacs. Initially I thought to myself, I'll just upgrade the keyboard to the wireless one, and I'll swap out my wired mouse for the new, hipper magic mouse. As far as the display goes, I plan on having a multiple monitor set up anyway, eventually purchasing Apple's 30" HD cinema display.

Some of you by this time might be thinking, " What does all of this have to do with giving this wired, soon to be discontinued keyboard, a five star rating? " Well I'm getting to that, you see the first purchase I made in my quest to upgrade my iMac was the wireless keyboard. At the time I placed my order through Apple, the keyboard was being shipped in 7-14 business days, approximately. During this time I had been extremely productive with my iMac. Allowing me to put my wired keyboard through it's paces. In doing so, I found myself being very satisfied with the function and simplicity of my wired keyboard. On my desk, I have a sliding keyboard drawer that neatly hides the wire that connects both display and keyboard to one another. Leaving me with an aesthetically clean work space. I also realized, although a cool piece of ingenuity, I really have no need for a wireless keyboard. Since I currently have a desktop setup only, I don't foresee myself doing any type of productivity away from my desk, making the wireless function, of my potentially new keyboard, simply a non issue. So on about day seven or eight I checked the status of my order to see if Apple had mailed my new keyboard. To my amazement, they had not. I immediately cancelled my order and with ease, a full refund had been issued within days. Leaving me very content knowing I had not forked over more money on something I currently have no use for. If you remember, I did consider this purchase based on the disappointment I had after the release of the new LED display iMacs. Sure it would have been nice to have waited a bit longer to purchase an iMac, in order to own Apple's fastest iMac to date. But after doing some research on all types of reviews and forums on the newer iMacs, I've come to conclude that the upgrades made to Apple's iMacs are marginal at best. The only real significant upgrade is in the display's size and LED technology. Since I intend on having a multi monitor setup, a 30" HD cinema display will soon make me forget about what I might have had if only I had waited a bit longer to drop my hard earned cash on Apple's, what i thought at the time, newest iMac. I suppose technically it was the latest edition of iMacs available. But come on, it had been exactly 32 days after my purchase of the iMac when it was announced that Apple had released a newer, faster, redesigned, reconfigured iMac.

Anyway, all of that is in the past and I'm an Apple user for life. No matter what short comings some of their products might have, most of them exceed in performance and function compared to what PCs offer. Don't forget, there's always Apple Care. For me it's a no brainer, purchase all of your Mac products along with a protection plan. That way, if for some remote chance one of your purchases fail, in either form or function, there is always a rescue net, in the form of Apple Care, to catch all of your worries of figuring out how to repair or ultimately finding the cash to replace that in which you hold so close and dear to your heart, all of your apples.

Bottom line, KEEP YOUR WIRED KEYBOARD! get a new desk.

16 of 20 people found this useful

Apple Keyboard

Why still white keys?

Written by JH from Mountain View

9-Mar-2009

This is great! My bluetooth keyboard runs out of batteries constantly so having a wired version is perfect!

My only complaint is that white keys look horrible within six months... there are nice black keys on the new line of laptops why not put them on they keyboards?

23 of 34 people found this useful

Apple Keyboard

Arithmophobic Dream!

Written by SC from Tallahassee

28-Oct-2009

Does your fear of numbers keep you away from the computer? Does even a passing glance at a number pad make your palms sweat? Well, Apple has the keyboard for you! In it's never-ending struggle to eliminate buttons, keys, and switches from consumer products, Apple has finally delivered the coup de grâce to the venerable keyboard, lopping off a full 35 keys (and over 5"!) from your favorite text entry device. Finally, the abominable number pad, tacked recklessly to the end of the Mac Plus keyboard in 1986, has been laid to rest. Retro is the new chic, and number entry is for squares.

14 of 18 people found this useful

Apple Keyboard

Yay for more options... now just need one more.

Written by MC from Denver

3-Aug-2009

Firstly, let me say that the current line of Apple Keyboards are the most comfortable keyboards on the market. This is coming from a full-time student, writer, and online marketer. I spend a lot of time at my computers, to say the least. I haven't found another keyboard I like in over 10 years.

I like that Apple is finally expanding the options for the keyboards, but they need to expand it just a little bit.

I can't believe that if I were to buy a new iMac today, this is what I would get. Why not just package the iMac separately, and give the option of buying the keyboard you want - or include the two wired models as options and the bluetooth ones (see below) as upgrades???

I really need the 10-key. I understand that other people do not. More power to them. But how about a bluetooth keyboard with a 10-key? It's clear that (about) half the people prefer a wired keyboard and about half prefer a wireless. It's also clear that about half prefer having a 10-key, and about half would rather have a compact keyboard. So, by adding a WIRELESS keyboard with 10-key, we would have four options that would make most people happy... including myself. I'd love a bluetooth keyboard that feels like my wired Apple keyboard, but I need the 10-key...

Four options really isn't too many.

15 of 20 people found this useful

Apple Keyboard

Best keyboard ever and I don't say that lightly

Written by AL from Gainesville

17-Apr-2009

This is by far the best keyboard I have ever used and I have been computing since 1979. The simplicity and low profile are brilliant design elements. It's the solidness of the design, however, that tops it off. At first it looks dainty, but when you pick it up and hold it you can feel how solid it really is. Kudos on this one Apple!

10 of 10 people found this useful

Apple Keyboard

Good: the size - Very Bad: USB ports are useless!

Written by MS from LAFAYETTE

12-Jun-2009

I really like the size of the small keyboard it leaves so much more room on my desk and I can keep the mouse much closer to the hand.

The Ugly: The USB ports are useless! About 90% off all devices I try to connect get the "USB LOW POWER NOTICE"

So I can't even connect my iPhone or a SD Card reader!

I had to go out a by an extra USB Hub to connect directly to the MAC.. this was just what I hoped to avoid in the first place. Only two stars for me on this product - not very well thought through in my opinion.

23 of 37 people found this useful

Apple Keyboard

Fits my needs ergonomically

Written by PH from CUSTER

3-Apr-2009

I'm a bit of a nut about ergonomics, but on the other hand (pun intended) I've never had sore hands or wrists in 15 years on various computers. So I was curious to try this keyboard, opting for the cheaper wired version to replace my bulky extended keyboard. I realized my old keyboard was sticking out to the right (because of the number pad which I never use) just enough to block my mouse at times, causing me to strain a bit.
I like the new thin design. Because I use a Wacom tablet in front of it, I placed a old thin book under the keyboard to raise it to the height of my Wacom. So my hands/wrists rest on the tablet just at the level needed to type on the keyboard. I have a Kensington Expert Mouse (roller ball type) at right. All is good now, in a very small space.
I have medium to large man-sized hands, and have no problem using this keyboard. I think I probably am typing a bit faster on it than on the other one. The keys do not have to be pushed down as far, sort of like my G4 laptop.
I haven't had any problems with dirt on the keys as another user reported. Typical office environment, but I don't normally eat at my desk or have goobery hands.
The 2 USB 2.0 ports are another plus.

15 of 21 people found this useful