A question about the new Apple keyboard

[Hecklerdanny]

I've been made aware through these forums that the new Apple keyboard chord is WAY too short (Which is very typcal of most Apple chords in my opinion, but that's another thread.) My keyboard will sit a pretty good distance away from the computer, so I know for a fact it will be too short for me. I'm wondering if this new keyboard has the exact same style of USB input as the older keyboards started to have when they started shipping them with the USB extender cables.

I hope i'm being clear about my question. It's kind of hard to explain.

The Apple USB extender cables have a little notch in it that only fits into the white/clear Apple keyboards, and I'm wondering if the new Apple Keyboards have the same notch, so that it will work with the older USB extender cables, or if I need to get a typical USB extender cable. (I've got tons of those Apple USB extender cables lying around.)

Hope that makes sense. Thanks in advance for any info.

[CortexRock]

I bought the new keyboard separately and it came with the extender featuring the little notch.

I read somewhere else on MR that the new keyboard when bought as a package with the Alu iMac doesn't have the extender included though.

[Hecklerdanny]

I bought the new keyboard separately and it came with the extender featuring the little notch.

I read somewhere else on MR that the new keyboard when bought as a package with the Alu iMac doesn't have the extender included though.

Thanks a lot for the info. As long as it's got the "little notch" then I'm in good shape. I've got lots of those extender cables laying around.

[taylorwilsdon]

I bought the new keyboard separately and it came with the extender featuring the little notch.

I read somewhere else on MR that the new keyboard when bought as a package with the Alu iMac doesn't have the extender included though.

Yeah I got no extender cable with my bundled one. The keyboard cord is short but manageable, but the mouse cord - forget about it. Its like 6 inches long. I get that you're supposed to plug it into the keyboard USB, but wow. Thats embarrassingly short, and it would have cost them nothing to make it longer.

[Hecklerdanny]

Yeah I got no extender cable with my bundled one. The keyboard cord is short but manageable, but the mouse cord - forget about it. Its like 6 inches long. I get that you're supposed to plug it into the keyboard USB, but wow. Thats embarrassingly short, and it would have cost them nothing to make it longer.

Yeah, there are some things that Apple does that I've just accepted, things that I'll never understand. One example is why on earth they make their chords so short. The other is the Mouse. Why are they in absolute refusal to make a two button mouse? The Mighty Mouse works okay, but JUST "okay". Refusing to make a mouse with two buttons is like making a speaker system that you can't control the volume of....Just why?

[joebells]

my sister just got one(new imac) and both cords are embarissingly short. I believe I heard they did it for asthetic reasons(didn't want that mass of cord looking ugly) not for cost saving reasons.

[Hecklerdanny]

my sister just got one(new imac) and both cords are embarissingly short. I believe I heard they did it for asthetic reasons(didn't want that mass of cord looking ugly) not for cost saving reasons.

It seems that while focusing on the asthetic appeal of the new iMac, they forgot about one simple factor, the practical appreal...being able to plug the damn thing in.

[joebells]

I agree there it is patheticly short

[powerbook911]

I used my USB extender, from the last Apple keyboard, and it worked fine.

[glamour]

Can one use this new keyboard with an eMac 1 ghz G4 OSX 10.3.9?

I need a new keyboard.

[Shaduu]

Can one use this new keyboard with an eMac 1 ghz G4 OSX 10.3.9?

I need a new keyboard.

No, you have to be running 10.4.10.

[mcc]

Yeah, there are some things that Apple does that I've just accepted, things that I'll never understand. One example is why on earth they make their chords so short. The other is the Mouse. Why are they in absolute refusal to make a two button mouse? The Mighty Mouse works okay, but JUST "okay". Refusing to make a mouse with two buttons is like making a speaker system that you can't control the volume of....Just why?

More importantly, why don't they make and support a three button mouse with thumb-operated trackball?

There are a few of us from the Unix world that selected a Mac because of its hardware and its BSD underpinnings. Rarely do I use any applications that use the Mac OS X graphical interface aside from iTunes and NeoOffice. Most of the applications are based on X Windows and presume that you are using a 3-button mouse.

[antmay]

Hi,
Is there a wireless version of the new keyboard ??

Thanks,
Anthony

[kheller2]

More importantly, why don't they make and support a three button mouse with thumb-operated trackball?

There are a few of us from the Unix world that selected a Mac because of its hardware and its BSD underpinnings. Rarely do I use any applications that use the Mac OS X graphical interface aside from iTunes and NeoOffice. Most of the applications are based on X Windows and presume that you are using a 3-button mouse.

Apple just recently woke up to having multiple buttons.. almost overkill, the mighty can be used as if it has 5 buttons. For practical X11 work, I use a Logitech MX300 where all mouse chords work just fine.

[Liamf555]

Is there a wireless version of the new keyboard ??


Yes there is a bluetooth version

[kheller2]

Yes there is a bluetooth version

Keep in mind it is not a full size keyboard, it doesn't have the num pad.

[Liamf555]

Keep in mind it is not a full size keyboard, it doesn't have the num pad.

I know :( I wish it was full size

[mus0r]

More importantly, why don't they make and support a three button mouse with thumb-operated trackball?

YES!!!!! I've had to use these ugly grey MS or Logitech trackballs because no one makes a thumb-ball that matches my Mac :mad:

[tuc]

Can one use this new keyboard with an eMac 1 ghz G4 OSX 10.3.9?

No, you have to be running 10.4.10.

I believe that the keyboard will work on any USB mac or pc, just that 10.4.10 is required for some of the specialty keys to do anything. See this thread (http://forums.macrumors.com/showthread.php?p=4056890) from three weeks ago.

[RichardI]

I agree there it is patheticly short

Story of my life.....:D:D:D:eek:;)

[MK2007]

Perhaps the next iMac will come with a 6-inch power cord too. :)

[Ironduke]

Keep in mind it is not a full size keyboard, it doesn't have the num pad.

and seeing as steve said thats because people like to hold it in both hands, apple should of put a trackball on it

[Chrystal Ocean]

Am expecting the delivery of the new, wired keyboard anyday. How long IS the cable? I haven't any extender cables here, so if it's going to be too short, I'd like to be ready with one.

[mbalson]

You would only need an extender if you're not placing it directly in front of the iMac. Which I think most people do.

[JoshFink]

This place has great deals on cables and the USB Extension in particular. I paid $3 with shipping for a 6ft extension


http://www.monoprice.com/products/subdepartment.asp?c_id=103&cp_id=10303

Josh

[joebells]

ah you know what I bet the reason for the short keyboard cable is for power delivery. I know my girlfriends portable 2.5" hard drive says if you use a usb cable that is past some short length that you must use a power adapter. So the short length might be to allow the keyboard to safely provide power to the ipods and such that the new imac is able to do.

[a morning view]

everyone here keeps calling the cords "pathetically short" but could anyone actually measure the cords so we know exactly how short they are?

[nick@gt]

Mouse cable is 18.5" and keyboard is 34". That is the connector to connector (the wire) dimension.