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Apple Keyboard with Numeric Keypad

Solid keyboard with solid platform

Written by PB from Houghton

Nov 19, 2009

We have used our Apple Keyboard with Numeric Keypad for over a year and have done much day to day work with it along with it handling the rigors of five children learning to use the machine day in and day out. Other than it getting a dirty face periodically that requires some mild cleaning, the keyboard has never failed us and works and continues to behave like a champ.

One issue we have noted is the difficulty in plugging in USB peripherals thanks to the tight profile beneath the top face of the keyboard. This means that while most Apple as well as many third party USB cable connections work, many USB flash drives may not fit these ports that are beneath the keyboard face. While that is unfortunate, thanks to the numerous USB ports on our machine that has not been a problem in our case.

This is a solid, ergonomic, well engineered product that we are happy to use every day.

6 of 6 people found this useful

Apple Keyboard with Numeric Keypad

A reply to the frustrated interior designer.

Written by DL from Antioch

Nov 18, 2009

I have a MacBook Pro, and this keyboard is almost exactly the same. So why did I get it? Because it offered the number pad. I work with the number pad very frequently on computers so I decided to get this one. I love the soft feel of pressing on the keys in laptops, and this is exactly like that--except it's a keyboard!

The spacing was never a problem for me, but I have heard complaints about over spacing the keys. Why your function keys did not work is a mystery. In Mac OS X Leopard, you should be able to configure the keyboard any way you like, whether it's shortcuts, spaces, or expose. This allows any user to use shortcuts without having to press on the "fn" key.

Pros:
Comfy typing
Customizable shortcuts
Two USB ports
Ultra slim

Cons:
No illuminated keyboard
Keys too spaced out (for some)
No wireless version

8 of 9 people found this useful

Apple Keyboard with Numeric Keypad

To the architect, HB, from SOUTH WINDSOR

Written by EK from Dartmouth

Nov 18, 2009

You are clearly not quite up on the functionality of the Mac OS system because if you were you would know that if you go to >System Preferences>Keyboard> you can set > Use all F keys are standard keyboard functions. Since that's the way you are used to. You can then use the fn key for the secondary controls, itunes, britness ect...

As for typing, this keyboard is great for anyone who is used to typing on a laptop, or people like me who use it for photo shop, and have to hit various cross the keyboard combination to for different short cuts. You and your wife probably have trouble because you have been soo used to typing on standard style keyboards for soo, long and your fingers muscle memory is fixed to that configuration. And of yes, its a great keyboard, and I love it.

5 of 8 people found this useful

Apple Keyboard with Numeric Keypad

Recovery from Disaster

Written by PB from Austin

Nov 17, 2009

I have two of the new low profile keyboards; one for home and one for the office.

Over the years I have consistently violated the number one law of keyboarding: keep your drinks away from your Mac. Good advise, but advise I frequently ignore.

Every now and then, Murphy steps in to remind me that rules are generally born from experience.

I was at home, on the phone. A full tumbler of sweet tea on my desk. I spun my chair around and inadvertently knocked over my tea.

Splash. My keyboard was swimming in sweet tea. Emergency procedures. I unplugged it immediately and wiped it down as best I could.

Two days later, keys started sticking. Uh Oh. I saw another $49 coming out of my budget. Given that option, I decided to perform radical surgery.

I filled my kitchen sink with hot water and completely submerged the keyboard. Then, I worked the keys under water to loosen the dried tea. I left the keyboard submerged for about 15 minutes, worked the keys again and then pulled it out, dried it off as best I could and placed it on my whiteboard tray on end. At the end of the first day, I pulled it off the tray. Some water had accumulated, I wiped down the keyboard and stood it back on the tray, reversing the original position. At the end of the second day, same thing, I wiped off the residual water and reversed the position.

After three days, I could not see any more water anywhere and put the keyboard back in service. I am thrilled to announce that my beautiful low profile keyboard is working like new.

Incredible. Think I'll save that $49 for the next cool thing to come from Apple.

9 of 13 people found this useful

Apple Keyboard with Numeric Keypad

Don't listen to new user's reviews, here's one after having it a while!

Written by HB from SOUTH WINDSOR

Nov 16, 2009

One look at this keyboard (vb) and it's pretty clear it's mainly about visual design.

I'm an architect and commercial interior designer, so for me - and especially in my office, visual design is VERY important. I will say that this is by far the best LOOKING kb I've ever seen or imagined; I'd actually hoped for something like this for years.

Unfortunately it doesn't work!

It's problems:

1.) I noticed misspellings and a lot of word running together due to lack of space between them whenever I use this kb. I mentioned it and my wife said she was frustrated by the same thing (a renowned medical research scientist, she's been typing for decades). We've both been typing many years in fact w/out experiencing such a thing. (Misspellings were from missing letters, I never recall having had that with any other keyboard I've used)

2.) The F-key keys don't follow the apple OS! Mostly I've noticed the problems are w/ the Expose' & Spaces; keys: F9 & 11, and F8 respectively. They don't follow what's given in the System Preferences > Keyboard & mouse, which has been std. since I started using OS X w/ the expose' function. I'm not on the beautiful aluminum KB right now because I've had to plug in an old KB from an iMac G4 Graphite to make things normal, but recall other irregularities w/ the F-keys that escape me now.
You can make it behave by finding and holding the "fn" key along w/ the desired F-key, but what a hassle. I don't know about you, but I use both expose' functions constantly to find things on my desktop, and now spaces more and more since installing Leopard.

How could apple make a KB that doesn't work w/ the OS that comes with the computer? (Note: you can make it function normally for expose' & spaces by resetting things in System Prefs., but you then loose the volume and mute keys, and I think other things printed on the keys of this otherwise fantastic looking KB's F-keys).

Visual design credit is certainly due: Along with my 20" iMac and Herman Miller Eames Aluminum chair, this keyboard is, visually among the neatest commercially objects in my work space -or was, now it's up in my 10 year old's room on her mac because of the problems.

I've had it 18 months. All the reviews I've read here are from people who just started using it around the time they wrote.

Without doubt, it's a brilliant and beautiful design - can't wait 'till they fix it so it works! I REALLY love the aesthetics of it, everyone does.

16 of 33 people found this useful

Apple Keyboard with Numeric Keypad

MY FIRST...

Written by FR

Nov 16, 2009

I JUST GOT MY VERY FIRST iMAC AND THE KEYBOARD IS REALLY SOMETHING. BEING ABLE TO USE THE KEYBOARD IN SYNC WITH THE SCREEN IS REALLY AWESOME. I REALLY LIKE THIS SLEEK, PRACTICAL, USER FRIENDLY KEYBOARD.

7 of 14 people found this useful

Apple Keyboard with Numeric Keypad

works

Written by JL from South Williamsport

Nov 15, 2009

Works nicely with auto hotkey and windows vista and windows 7. Using it to replace my gaming keyboard because it takes up less space and just looks freaking slick. Only complaint is there is no driver from apple to make it work with a windows pc native. But auto hotkey fixes this for the most part by mapping the keys to w/e functions you want.

3 of 6 people found this useful

Apple Keyboard with Numeric Keypad

best key board ever

Written by GS from Fresno

Nov 11, 2009

Simply plug it in and go- it looks wonderful on your desk and it shines and works great. Every key works without effort. It GREAT, you need to get one.

11 of 20 people found this useful

Apple Keyboard with Numeric Keypad

Nothing too exciting, but no doubt Solid

Written by BG from Natick

Nov 10, 2009

USB ports and a keypad were a must have, and in Apple's lineup, this is the only option and its up to the task. If they were to make a bluetooth wireless version w/KP they would have to ditch the USB ports. Easy to type quickly. I don't like how I can't use F13/F14 to adjust the iMac screen brightness (by default) anymore. Nothing really innovative, its a keyboard that works quite well, yes you may like some 3rd party ones better, but this ones good enough to keep me happy.

My only real gripe (which I didn't deduct for) is that my "N" key was smudged during Apples printing and a streak runs along the whole key and somehow this slipped by Apple's QC dept. Hopefully they will send out a new one, its a bit of an eyesore with such an otherwise great looking keyboard.

9 of 15 people found this useful

Apple Keyboard with Numeric Keypad

Unusable for Older People

Written by PF from Fairfax

Nov 10, 2009

When you get older you tend to develop a hand tremor. The old keyboard anchored the fingers and did not interfere with typing. The new keyboard design causes my fingers to slide from key to adjacent key, requiring lengthy editing and enormous frustration. It is incredible to me that Apple's great design staff did not do its market research with the older population. Everyone who buys computers is not under 50. Apple should have made its old keyboard available to those who need it. I had to spend another $79.95 to buy a Logitech wireless keyboard that still featured raised keys.

39 of 55 people found this useful

Apple Keyboard with Numeric Keypad

5 Stars for Style...

Written by TH from Houston

Nov 10, 2009

...but minus 2 for not having a wireless keyboard WITH numeric keypad. It's kind of a given that this is what would satisfy the majority of users.

23 of 25 people found this useful

Apple Keyboard with Numeric Keypad

Favorite keyboard by far

Written by JR from San Francisco

Nov 8, 2009

I went with the wired keyboard for the full-size layout and it is absolutely worth being "tethered". This is the most pleasant soft-touch keyboard I've ever used, just enough feedback to feel like I'm really typing, while light enough to let my fingers fly. Why isn't there a wireless version of the full-size layout?

7 of 10 people found this useful

Apple Keyboard with Numeric Keypad

Great keyboard

Written by MC from Calgary

Nov 7, 2009

This is an excellent keyboard. My only 2 regrets are:

- No wireless keyboard with numeric keypad available

- No keyboard with extended characters printed on the keys available

4 of 6 people found this useful

Apple Keyboard with Numeric Keypad

This is the BEST KEYBOARD EVER!!!!!!

Written by PM from Gloverville

Nov 6, 2009

I purchased this keyboard a few hours ago and it is GREAT! The keys are very quiet when you type and it works with Windows. Just the Function buttons don't work.

2 of 5 people found this useful

Apple Keyboard with Numeric Keypad

Comfortable, Practical, WONDERFUL!

Written by BS from Kingston

Nov 6, 2009

This is the most wonderful keyboard I have ever typed on! The USB 2.0 ports will let me connect anything I like, including my external hard-drive. The function buttons on the top row work perfect with any newer mac computer. The only thin i have to say is that I regret getting this one and not the bluetooth one... Just because I never use the numeric keypad. But that was a mistake on MY part. Apple has done a wonderful job designing this keyboard. The keys give me that familiar MacBook feel which I'm used to when I'm on the go. This is the first keyboard I have seen that the function keys actually work good, like the "media" keys (play/pause, back and forward) are very handy when listening to itunes music. I would recommend this keyboard to anyone with a mac.

6 of 9 people found this useful

Apple Keyboard with Numeric Keypad

Not just another pretty face...

Written by RD from San Diego

Nov 6, 2009

This keyboard does more than make people go "Ooooooh!" I was able to "test drive" this keyboard for a week about a year ago an fell in love with it after about an hour of use. I'm no speed typist, but adjusting to the lower profile made typing easier. As a PC user it's refreshing to have something that so slim compared to most standard factory issued keyboards. After my brief trial I switched back to my conventional keyboard and was quickly disappointed by how clunky it felt. Most importantly, however, I noticed that I was experiencing increased amounts of discomfort in my wrist, which eventually became quite severe, especially after a particularly busy summer. I made the decision to switch to Mac keyboard and over the course of a week my pain lessened considerably and now, two months later, I am pain free and as comfortable as ever.
There is a downside to using this on a PC, however, as some of my more frequently used keyboard shortcuts don't translate, but this is more an issue of me learning to use it properly than Apple not providing these features. It's a slight learning curve, but shouldn't be enough to deter anyone looking to make the switch. Help can easily be found on-line for users facing the same issue.

6 of 7 people found this useful

Apple Keyboard with Numeric Keypad

Great Keyboard but want Wireless

Written by KL from VICTORIA

Nov 6, 2009

Great Keyboard, i bought one for all my computers, PC and Mac's in the studio, love them so much but wish i could have a wireless option with numeric keypad, the wireless options are useless to me with out the keypad so i sent it back and bought another wired keyboard with numeric keypad. In the Audio recording i need the options of markers and edits and having the keypad makes that much simpler.

19 of 20 people found this useful

Apple Keyboard with Numeric Keypad

Works with any computer

Written by BH from Glen Rock

Nov 1, 2009

I have a Alienware desktop and i took my parents mac keyboard, and tried to see if it would work with my computer and it turns out it does.
So i am going to buy myself one tomorrow. Just thought i would say this for everyone who wants one that has a PC.

20 of 24 people found this useful