Reviews for Apple Keyboard with Numeric Keypad - English (USA)

I am using the Parallel software and have found that the keypad does not work in Excel when running in Windows.

I have a lot of admiration for Apple's computers, which is saying a lot because I am hyper critical, but I would recommend going with a 3rd party keyboard (and mouse, but that's another review). These keyboards are beautifully designed, but I've never had one last even a year and at $70 that is pretty shameful. If your usage is minimal it's sufficient and will extend the aesthetic pleasure of your Mac, but it isn't up to professional use. I buy $30 PC keyboards and haven't had one quit yet. We've had the same experience in our computer labs at school. ESPECIALLY if you are making the switch to Mac, don't let one of these sour the experience for you, because the Mac platform is great. It just deserves a better keyboard. If the aesthetics are that important to you I would suggest investing in a cover as well, thought I can't vouch for how well those work, since I can't bring to throw more money after a keyboard this expensive.

The keyboard itself is great, though black keys might help it remain looking clean and shiny for longer.

My only complaint is the fact that I have had significant difficulties using the USB port to run my external hard drive which very much limits the usefulness of the port.

Love the feel of the keyboard: I can type really quickly on it (much nicer than my Microsoft one).
I wish it had two 'things' at the back to enable it to tilt, however. It would also mean that the mouse/keyboard cables don't catch underneath it. There can be quite a bit of wobble if this happens. Worst thing, though, is the very short length of the mouse cable. It twists incredibly easily and that, too, gets caught beneath the right side of the keyboard. The place where or near where - the cable goes into the mouse also easily sits on top of the rest of the cable, result no mouse. It only takes a moment to sit it on the desk again, but it's still a nuisance. Apart from that, though, really good.

...the USB extension cable is useless. It has a flange on the female that prevents it from hooking into anything. Why would Apple design a cord that cannot be connected to a flash drive or other standard USB devices? Strange.

Although I really like the keyboard, the usb ports are not very good. There is not enough power to support a memory stick. It may support a mouse, but my apple mouse is wireless. I was given a lead with the keyboard, but cannot find out how to use same, as the usb at one end doesn't fit anywhere.
. When I purchased the keyboard I was told the usb ports had improved and worked well with a usb 2. This is definitely not the case, so anyone purchasing one should know.. I cannot understand why Apple would put a usb at each end of the keyboard when there is not enough power.
There are 4 usb ports on my Apple computer, and the keyboard uses one of them. So I really believed that the 2 extra ports were an asset.
If there is a solution I would like to hear from anyone who has one. I purchased a 4 port hub, and it worked at first, but then refused.
I must add that there is very little data on my memory sticks, so there should not be a problem with the latest computer keyboard.

I love Apple's keyboards! They look simple and beautiful, they're easy to clean (no deep key crevices) and they obviously have Mac specific shortcuts printed onto them which is very handy.

However there are some things you should consider here before buying this. This is perhaps a criticism of Apple's whole line of keyboards even, rather than JUST this one.

You either go wireless, or go numpad-less. I really don't understand why they make us choose, there's no logical reasoning behind it. Heck this version would be able to store even more batteries! I need the numpad to do my work or even gaming properly, but that means sacrificing wireless capabilities. So I'm stuck living in the past with cables on my desk.

On top of that for whatever reason this keyboard hasn't been updated with the Fn (Function) key the wireless model has. Why do I care? Well a lot of software uses the 'F' keys at the top of the keyboard. OSX uses these keys for shortcuts like brightness, mission control, etc.

When using this model I can either make them operate as F keys, or make them use OSX's handy shortcuts but NOT both. Every time I want to change it I have to go into System Preferences and change things. On the wireless model I can leave it on OSX shortcuts, then hold FN+F Key when I need them to do something else. Again, another weird omission. Why in one version, but not the other?

Overall as I said it's a great keyboard in terms of build quality and feel but I don't understand why I have to make silly compromises whichever way I go. C'mon Apple, you're better than this. It should 'just work'!

There appears to be no way to assign anything to these keys using Keyboard preferences. Apple support acknowledged that to be the case after spending about 45 minutes on the phone while they tried to figure it out. The keys do at least look impressive!

I love this keyboard ergonomically - fantastic tactile feedback, low-impact keys, optimal spacing, etc. There is none better, and it feels much more grounded and solid than the iMac wireless keyboard.

BUT...it is ***quite*** wide and the right edge is rather sharp metal. What that means in practice is that my right (mouse) hand is constantly abraded by that metal edge. To clear it while using the mouse I have to extend my arm farther to the right than is comfortable or ergonomically sound. What happens in practice is that I keep banging against that edge in the course of a day and causing low-grade irritation to my hand. Not pleasant.

There should be a version of this keyboard that eliminates the side numeric keypad. I use that thing once a week at the most and it extends the width of the keyboard by 2+ inches. Get rid of that, knock $10 off the price for that version, and this would be a perfect product.

OR put some kind of padding or bumper on that sharp edge. It looks nice and clean now, but I don't like being a fashion victim.