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Apple Keyboard with Numeric Keypad

Apple New Wired Keyboard

Written by SG from Foothill Ranch

Aug 12, 2007

Hooked up the new keyboard today and its is a real site to behold. Very thin and lite weight. The new key design has a great feel and very large keys so you don't make many mistakes.

THE ONE PROBLEM I HAVE WITH IT IS the two usb ports will not support an ipod. I have the video Ipod and I get a warning that the USB power is too low to power the attached device. I bought this key board to clear away clutter on my desk and hopefully eliminate a few cords. Unfortunately its not true and I was disappointed. I am very much an apple fan but the low USB ports were a not as advertised on the website.

2773 of 4371 people found this useful

Apple Keyboard with Numeric Keypad

AMAZING...but....

Written by SR from Altadena

Sep 11, 2007

Well, on the OS X side this is the best keyboard I've ever had. Took a little while to get the feel of it, but now it's second-nature. Once problem...Boot Camp. This little baby uses Function keys for audio up and down and brightness, and Vista really didn't like it. Sadly, I'm going to have to keep using my old keyboard until they update BootCamp to work with this new keyboard. That's why I'm only giving three stars. Otherwise, it'd be a full FIVE, baby!

:-)

2495 of 3937 people found this useful

Apple Keyboard with Numeric Keypad

Valid replacement

Written by FP from Montreal

Mar 9, 2008

The design needs no review as it is stunningly minimal with clean lines. The keys are bouncy and the travel low so this makes a great kb for those like me that have arthritis which makes depressing keys a pain in the long run. The greater distance between the keys also help as the risk of clicking 2 keys at once is greatly reduced.
Now, the powered USB ports: this has to be clarified: if you plug the keyboard directly into your Mac's USB port you'll get powered kb ports. If. like I, plug it at the back of your Apple display, the ports will not have enough power for items such as your iPod, flash drive, printer etc.
This aside am still glad I got this kb.

240 of 286 people found this useful

Apple Keyboard with Numeric Keypad

Be carefull, it work only with the new Mac Intel processor machine

Written by SP

Aug 23, 2007

I was looking for a new keyboard. I decided to buy this one for the 2 high speed USB port. In is web site, the Apple company don't mention that you need a Mac with the Intel processor to use the USB high speed port. I have a macmini with the 1.42 GHz Power PC G4 processor. I can't use the USB port on the new keyboard. I gave a phone call to the Apple assistance service that told me that after I tried to connect my Ipod mini on it without success. It will be fair to mention that point on the Apple web site.

216 of 275 people found this useful

Apple Keyboard with Numeric Keypad

Intolerable design defect

Written by TB from LITTLETON

Aug 16, 2007

I had great hopes for this keyboard. I played with it at the Apple store, and even though it was not what I would call an excellent keyboard by any means, it was better than most of the keyboards that you can buy these days, most of which are horrible in comparison to the typical keyboards of the decades past.

This keyboard has one significant design flaw, and one design defect. The design flaw is that the top surface of the keys is too flat to permit you to sense whether your fingers are centered on the keys. There is a reason why the top surface of the keys is concave on most keyboards. The only reason why this unbiquitous practice was skipped on many notebook computers, is because flatter keys mean a skinnier notebook.

The design defect is that the space key does not register the way that it should. With any keyboard or keypad, if you press the key just to the point where you have exceeded the force required to cause the key to "give", and you feel the discrete transition within the key, i.e., the "click", the key should register, without exception. If you feel the click, the key should register, each and every time, with no exceptions. The space bar on this keyboard does not do this, and that is why I am going to take it back to the store either today or tomorrow. For anyone who doubts what I am saying, the way to test whether this is true, is to gently press on the space bar just to where you feel it give, and no further. If you do this, you will find that if you are gentle enough, that even though you get the sensation of having pressed the key, that the keystroke does not register. No keyboard should work this way, and as far as I am concerned, this is a design defect. In any case, I can't tolerate it, because I can't stand having to continually go back and insert spaces where they were missed.

Aesthetically, this keyboard is beautiful, and I've never said that about any keyboard before. It would never have occurred to me to think of a keyboard as a piece of sculpture. But sculpture is exactly what this keyboard is. So the question becomes, whether it is better to type on a piece of sculpture, or on a keyboard for which function was the only significant design consideration.

Apple has become an enigma of sorts in recent years. More and more, Apple's products seem to be driven more by style and aesthetics than by function. The new iMac is beautiful to look at, and it is probably the best value of any Apple computer in perhaps twenty-five years, in terms of the hardware that you get relative to the price. Unfortunately, the iMac and its monitor are an integrated unit, and the monitor that you get with the new iMac, has a reflective front surface. Glossy monitors have strong show-room appeal, but I can't fathom that anyone who anticipates working in front of a computer day in and day out, would be in favor of the idea of having the constant reflections of the ceiling lights.

While writing this, I would estimate that the space key has missed perhaps two dozen times. That's way too much. There is a used computer store a few miles from here, and I think that I will drop by there today and see if they have any good used keyboards.

268 of 392 people found this useful

Apple Keyboard with Numeric Keypad

USB ports really aren't full function

Written by RC from Cottage Grove

Aug 17, 2007

"And two USB 2.0 ports provide high-speed connectivity for your iPod, Mighty Mouse, digital camera, and other USB-based electronic devices."

The above sentence is directly from Apple's advertising material for the new keyboard. Oh, how I wish it were true. I was facing the purchase of a USB hub because I was tired of turning my iMac, unplugging one item, plugging in another. I thought this keyboard would be a great solution. But even my Nano iPod kicks up a low power warning. The keyboard is great aside from the USB function. Great feel, easy access function keys, etc.

150 of 180 people found this useful

Apple Keyboard with Numeric Keypad

Awesome keyboard for Mac or PC

Written by PJ from Columbus

Aug 30, 2007

I bought this keyboard for use with my main computer, which happens to be a PC and it is fantastic. I was using the $150 Microsoft Wireless Entertainment Desktop 7000 prior to this, and while the wireless was nice, this keyboard is better in every way. I really forgot how nice it is to have a number pad since I had only used wireless keyboards without one. The cord is also very short, which is nice for those of us with USB ports on our computer monitor so there isn't a long cable dangling around (Apple includes an extender cable if you need your cable to be longer). And keep in mind this is only a $49 keyboard, I had used $150-200 keyboards prior to it - this one is the best!

My one wish is that Apple takes a small amount of time to write a keyboard driver for XP/Vista so that the media controls would work on PCs also - I can't imagine this would be too difficult or take much time. Otherwise , a perfect and affordable keyboard whether you use a Mac or PC.

121 of 147 people found this useful

Apple Keyboard with Numeric Keypad

Best keyboard I've used

Written by FB from Cambridge

Nov 29, 2007

I can't give it 5 stars because it's not completely flat. That would be ideal. But realistically, you need to put the circuitry somewhere, so I understand why there's a small angle to this thing.

It's worth the money. My wrists rest on my desk as I type. Keys feel good. Typing is easy on this thing. I'm positive that I'm reducing hand strain. And it's small & minimalist, leaving out any stupidity and preserving everything you need. Takes up a minimum space on my desk. Would definitely recommend to anyone.

147 of 200 people found this useful

Apple Keyboard with Numeric Keypad

Great Keyboard

Written by RM from Fairfield

Nov 30, 2007

When I took this keyboard out of the box I was not so sure about it, but after using it for about 15 to 20 minutes, I found that this was a fantastic device. I would highly recommend you to get this if you are shopping for a new keyboard.

140 of 205 people found this useful

Apple Keyboard with Numeric Keypad

Great look and feel, but...

Written by TR from Washington

Aug 17, 2007

I like this new keyboard a lot, but was VERY disappointed to learn that ipods and the iphone will not operate through the keyboard's usb ports. The keyboard's description on the apple site reads:

"And two USB 2.0 ports provide high-speed connectivity for your iPod, Mighty Mouse, digital camera, and other USB-based electronic devices."

Too bad.

93 of 113 people found this useful

Apple Keyboard with Numeric Keypad

Somone at Apple must be a darn good typist.

Written by JE from Rialto

Jan 16, 2008

And that person must have had a lot to say about the design of the latest Apple keyboard.

At first glance, it looks like a touch typist's nightmare. It's too flat! The keys barely move! Where's the tactile feedback I need to get up to speed?

I scoffed when I first laid eyes upon it, but after a few minutes with one at an Apple retail store, I was hooked. While the profile of the keyboard is low and lean, the keys and their spacing are generous enough for big shovel hands like mine. The touch is reminiscent of a good electric typewriter, not mushy and uncertain like so many "quiet" keyboards. The keys can't bind against each other and the space between them prevents cruddy build-up.

Since it's also the stock keyboard for the new aluminum iMac, the keyboard provides USB 2.0 support for low power and externally powered devices when connected to other computers, including the white plastic iMac, any MacBook, the Mac mini and the Mac Pro. That won't be a big issue for most users who plug a mouse or trackball into the keyboard. You'll still need to plug your iPod diretly into a USB port on the computer.

One more thing. . .

Apple has finally labeled the Command key with its name in addition to that mysterious cloverleaf symbol. For Boot Camp users, the Option key is also labeled "Alt".

Well, OK, that was TWO more things.

80 of 89 people found this useful

Apple Keyboard with Numeric Keypad

USB Does Not Work

Written by DB from Brooklyn

Nov 20, 2007

This keyboard looks great and functions well, but only as a keyboard. I used the USB ports on my old Pro keyboard all the time (because they actually supported 500mA devices). This new keyboard only supports 100mA devices. No iPods, no flash drives unless you have an alum (2007+) imac... I do not. This huge functional constraint forces me not to recommend this product unless you have the hardware to support it.

89 of 111 people found this useful

Apple Keyboard with Numeric Keypad

The best keyboard I've ever owned

Written by CM from Draper

Dec 21, 2007

I have to admit, when Apple first introduced this keyboard I thought it would be terrible. However, after using it for about 30 minutes I didn't want to use a regular keyboard ever again. I'm a software engineer so I'm typing all day long and I love this keyboard. The keys are very responsive and require much less pressure than traditional keyboards. The low profile keys make it much easier to type really fast, nothing is getting in your way. I bought one a couple of weeks ago and now I need to replace the keyboard on all of my computers with one of these. One you use this you'll not want to use anything else.

76 of 98 people found this useful

Apple Keyboard with Numeric Keypad

Great keyboard.

Written by RB from Vancouver

Nov 25, 2007

I upgraded from a little microsoft wireless comfort curve keyboard. I currently use the keyboard as my main keyboard on my Windows Vista Ultimate (64bit) machine and it works flawlessly. It was very easy to remap the F13-F19 keys to do whatever I wanted them to do. The only keys that do not work in windows are the eject key along with the FN toggle. To be honest I was expecting the transition to be ok with a minimal impact on my typing speed, however the transition was almost instant and I could swear that I type 10-20wpm faster. The CAPS LOCK key is fantastic no more accidental presses since I switched keyboards.
My only issue with the keyboard was the absence of windows drivers and software to get the full potential of this keyboard. I fully understand that it is intended to be a Mac keyboard, but windows drivers and software should have been provided. They're missing out on a large chunk of customers who will not try the keyboard as it states that it only works in OSX.

56 of 64 people found this useful

Apple Keyboard with Numeric Keypad

I can't believe I'm buying another keyboard!

Written by CC from Port Angeles

Jun 11, 2008

After being disappointed by my wireless replacement, (it *ate* batteries like the Cookie Monster eats cookies -- even the rechargeable ones), I thought I'd just live with the old, dirty, wired keyboard with the sticking key. But then I began working with a company that had the new Apple keyboards and I can't go back. I'm having to buy one of these keyboards for home -- and possibly another to use when I travel!

I'm a heavy typist, pounding my keys, especially the space bar, but this keyboard takes it. I also have smaller hands and hated those "ergonomic" ones that made me stretch to reach the sides. The low, light profile of the keys and more subtle click seem to make the typing easier and less of a strain for long shifts.

I honestly can't think of how they can improve on this keyboard.

100 of 154 people found this useful

Apple Keyboard with Numeric Keypad

Works with Windows!

Written by EB from Longueuil

Aug 6, 2009

Bought this keyboard the other day when I couldn't find any Logitech/other keyboards that met my fancy. I wasn't sure if it worked with windows but it certainly does! For you Closet Mac lovers who still need to use Windows OS, you can have can still have a little part of mac! Amazing keyboard. Feels like each of my fingers is sitting on little clouds.

48 of 51 people found this useful

Apple Keyboard with Numeric Keypad

Made my PC more MAC :-)

Written by JR from Kelowna

Nov 12, 2008

I had to switch to PC at work to "conform" to the norm. My keyboard felt like I was working on a 1960's typewriter. I had all the wrist comforts and still wrists sore. So I grabbed one of these and it was like magic! No soreness - faster typing. Just plain better. Like typing on the desk and not a keyboard. Company might be getting these for everyone in the office now.

46 of 49 people found this useful

Apple Keyboard with Numeric Keypad

A new design and layout.

Written by DG from Spring

Nov 24, 2007

It's beautiful, but there should be an ergonomic version. If Apple had an ergonomic version, the keyboards might sell more because there are more comfort options. Then there is the two USB ports on the sides of the keyboard. They really come in handy when you want to keep clutter off your desktop. The only thing is they don't produce enough power. So when you are trying to charge your iPod, it won't work because there isn't enough power being produced. The only thing you can plug in there is Apple's Mighty Mouse or something that doesn't have to be charged when plugged in. If those issues where fixed, (those are the only two) there wouldn't be so many bad reviews. I hope you guys read this. It could be the next step up for the Apple Keyboard.

56 of 69 people found this useful