Keyboard on Alum iMac (not ergonomic) [Archive]

3lutz3toe

Feb 22, 2008, 11:38 AM

IgnatiusTheKing

Feb 22, 2008, 11:43 AM

I like the new keyboards. They are a big upgrade over the crappy one I have on my crappy PC at work.

oursfan

Feb 22, 2008, 11:44 AM

I just got the new Alum. iMac from work the other day. (Planning on getting one for home as soon as Apple comes out w/ new tweaks to address some of the annoyance).
—The keyboard was designed purely for looks and I love the look. But functionally, it is really hard on your fingers. It’s like you're typing on concrete blocks or something. What was Apple thinking? Sure, I could get a different keyboard but why should I? Apple should have disigned a much more comfortable and ergonomic keyboard.
—Besides this, I love the new iMac and Leopard. Although, I still miss the Windowshade function from OS9 terribably. (utility Windowshade doesn't work in Leopard anymore)

I love the new keyboard to tell you the truth. I thought it might be a bit hard to get used to but once I started using it I really enjoyed it and am a really big fan of it now. I have the wireless one that is not a full size keyboard (no number pad on the right hand side) and thought that that may have been a mistake getting the wireless because of that, but now I love it.
Sorry you do not feel the same as I do. Maybe over time you will get used to it and start to change your mind.

czachorski

Feb 22, 2008, 12:28 PM

Personally, I thought it was more ergonomic, because it has a flatter profile, and requires less tilting back of the wrists to type on it. I find my hands in a much more natural position.

MrT8064

Feb 22, 2008, 12:32 PM

i got an iMac after a MacBook Pro, which has very very soft keys, so i agree, at first it did feel a little hard,

now i am totally used to it... and the MacBook Pro one feels too soft, i suppose its really what ever your used to.

one things for sure, it beats that horrible old Mac keyboard.

tuxtpenguin

Feb 22, 2008, 12:36 PM

I'm not a fan of the old mac keyboard, but I haven't yet had a chance to check out the new ones.

Yvan256

Feb 22, 2008, 12:54 PM

I have used a lot of keyboards in over 20 years (TRS-80 MC-10, TRS-80 CoCo2/3, C64, Timex ZX-80, IBM Model M, etc. including the previous Apple Keyboard and the current Apple aluminum keyboard) and while I do agree that it takes some time to get used to, the new Apple aluminum keyboard is by far the best.

Give yourself some time to get used to it. After that it's the other keyboards that will seem awkward to type on.

Xfujinon

Feb 22, 2008, 12:58 PM

Hands down, the new keyboard is the best I've ever used for typing. Frankly, I find it very hard to go back and forth from my Dell at work to the Mac at home. My typing speed (already in the 100s) has gone into the 130s and beyond on the new keyboard.

Give it time, although it is possible you'll not grow into it- I've never met a keyboard that was unanimously loved by all.

Ugg

Feb 22, 2008, 02:41 PM

I like the new keyboard, you don't have to "pound" so much, saves wear and tear on the fingers. I also agree that the low profile is way more ergonomic than a standard keyboard.

mslide

Feb 22, 2008, 04:48 PM

I'm surprised to hear someone say that they don't like the new keyboard. Out of any keyboard I've used before, PC or Mac, I think it is by far the best design. I can type quite a bit faster using that one over a more traditional pc keyboard. Plus, it's easier on my fingers. I'm glad that they came out with a keyboard that matches my macbook's keyboard. Part of me wants to buy a 2nd one and use it at work, even though I use a Windows PC there.

fivepoint

Feb 22, 2008, 04:59 PM

I just got the new Alum. iMac from work the other day. (Planning on getting one for home as soon as Apple comes out w/ new tweaks to address some of the annoyance).
—The keyboard was designed purely for looks and I love the look. But functionally, it is really hard on your fingers. It’s like you're typing on concrete blocks or something. What was Apple thinking? Sure, I could get a different keyboard but why should I? Apple should have disigned a much more comfortable and ergonomic keyboard.
—Besides this, I love the new iMac and Leopard. Although, I still miss the Windowshade function from OS9 terribably. (utility Windowshade doesn't work in Leopard anymore)

I completely disagree. Its the best keyboard i've ever typed on. Now... the Mighty Mouse is a different story. Ergonomic disaster on that one.

Morod

Feb 22, 2008, 05:22 PM

+1 for the Al keyboard! :)
Morod

wilfried

Feb 22, 2008, 05:43 PM

It's better than most any PC keyboard I've used, and far and away better than an old lucite Mac keyboard I borrowed. That one I found impossible. It lies flat on the the desk and has a scooped out profile so to type I had to keep my wrists up in the air and I got instant cramps. The keys on the aluminum keyboard have a larger strike area, less key travel, and take a lighter touch. It did take a little, but just a little, getting used to. Within an hour or two I didn't want to use any other. That keyboard has style and substance, the best of both worlds.

beast

Mar 6, 2008, 02:57 PM

I've got the new wireless one and while it's not as nice as the keyboard on my MBP it's not so bad I want to change it..... i think apple struck gold with the powerbook/mbp keyboard design and feel. When they get round to release as wireless desktop version (including the backlight), i'll be first in line to buy one

Chris Blount

Mar 6, 2008, 03:12 PM

Another vote for liking the keyboard. I find I can type faster. Not as much lifting and pressing of my wrist and fingers thus, less stress on my hands.

JayLenochiniMac

Mar 6, 2008, 04:01 PM

If it's too hard on your fingers, you're typing too hard. Not to mention that too many people incorrectly rest their palms below the keyboard while typing.

AlexisV

Mar 7, 2008, 05:43 AM

You can't please all the people all the time.

Personally, it seems I'm very easy to please!

I love the old white keyboard, the new keyboard, the Mighty Mouse and the glossy screens on the iMac.

Chris Blount

Mar 7, 2008, 08:44 AM

You can't please all the people all the time.

Personally, it seems I'm very easy to please!

I love the old white keyboard, the new keyboard, the Mighty Mouse and the glossy screens on the iMac.I completely agree. I also like the new keyboard, mighty mouse and glossy screen. I doubt Apple would have released them without at least doing some market research.

jerry1

Mar 7, 2008, 01:19 PM

Loving mine! (But only after 10:00pm weekdays and on weekends)

GimmeSlack12

Mar 7, 2008, 01:21 PM

Keyboard is great! Typing on concrete? Not sure what you mean.
Maybe try adjusting your chair, can really make a difference.

ryanwarsaw

Mar 8, 2008, 08:46 AM

lostprophet894

Mar 8, 2008, 12:29 PM

The overwhelming consensus seems to be the new alu keyboard is awesome. The only flaw with it seems to be that you personally don't like it. Do we really need thread after thread of people voicing what appears to be merely an idiosyncracy?

Not sure if you noticed, but you are on a public forum designed for discussion of rumors and the expression of opinions. Who peed in your cheerios this morning? :confused:

EDIT: The new keyboard rocks, BTW.

ryanwarsaw

Mar 8, 2008, 06:53 PM

I just thought that the entire thread as a concept added nothing. It isn't an idea or a solution or even a flaw. No issue was addressed in anyway whatsoever. If somebody had taken a leak in my Cornflakes I would realise this is my unique experience and not make a thread of it. I am sure your Cornflakes are untainted, so why make an issue of nothing? This was my original point.

Sorry it was Cheerios.

lostprophet894

Mar 8, 2008, 07:31 PM

I guess some people enjoy talking about the things they like about their products rather than complaining all the time. I, for one, enjoy listening to people's critiques.

trip1ex

Mar 8, 2008, 07:33 PM

Yeah the new keyboard rocks! Best keyboard I've used. Quiet. Easy on the fingers, wrists and eyes.

tsd

Mar 10, 2008, 12:21 AM

Personally, I thought it was more ergonomic, because it has a flatter profile, and requires less tilting back of the wrists to type on it. I find my hands in a much more natural position.

You got it. It's more ergonomic by definition because it gets your wrists in a straighter profile than any other Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) Apple keyboard. There ARE more ergonomic keyboards out there, but they are all after-market. No OEM ones are as wrist-flattening as the new Apple one, and therefore are not as ergonomic as the new Apple one.

It sounds like the OP is missing the tactile feel of pushing a spring-loaded key down onto it's contact. Have you looked at any of Matias' keyboards? They've got a great one called the Tactile Pro:
http://matias.ca/tactilepro2/index.php
It's probably got that feel that you've been missing. Just make sure you get some kind of wrist rest to reduce that upward angle (and get the wrist flat again).

The ultimate keyboard would be one that's flush with the surface of the desktop that the mouse is sitting on, and would be right next to the mouse. They keys would get pushed below the surface when pressed.

VoodooDaddy

Mar 10, 2008, 01:16 AM

Just got my iMac the other day. I wasnt sure how I would like the slim keyboard, but I really do. Much better than the last gen iMac keyboard which I had been using on my mini.

VoodooDaddy

Mar 10, 2008, 01:19 AM

Have you looked at any of Matias' keyboards? They've got a great one called the Tactile Pro:
http://matias.ca/tactilepro2/index.php

$150 for that??? Looks like the old, old iMac keyboard to me.

http://www.protectcovers.com/1133707264609_graphite_kb_w_mouse.jpg

tsd

Mar 10, 2008, 06:46 PM

$150 for that??? Looks like the old, old iMac keyboard to me.

http://www.protectcovers.com/1133707264609_graphite_kb_w_mouse.jpg

Yep! My point exactly. Oh, I should point out that it uses actual spring-loaded keys instead of rubber membranes like the past 10 years of Apple keyboards. But, yeah it's made to exactly replicate the looks of the old (late 1990's) Apple keyboards. Hopefully it'll perfectly solve the OP's problems because it looks that way.

iMaccore2

Mar 10, 2008, 07:14 PM

The new keyboard is great. My only complaint is that it is so different from the hp keyboards i use at school, that when i come home to type my homework, it seems like i cant type for ****. idk.......i would love it a whole lot more if they had the same keyboards at school

Bobbi Flekman

Mar 11, 2008, 06:01 AM

No problem with the new keyboard. The only problem is that I need to re-learn to pace myself as I also have to work on other keyboards and they need more force to use.

takeabyteoutta

Mar 12, 2008, 04:34 PM

ya'll put way too much thought into this. if you really want to be more ergonomic, do what I do.... keep your wrists off the table at all times and constantly flex. prevents carpal tunnel and improves your forearm strength.

o and yes, the new keyboard is sexier and more ergonomic.

Erwin-Br

Mar 13, 2008, 06:15 AM

The only complaint I have about this keyboard, is that it's slipping away from me. My desk is made of a very glossy material, and the rubber feet aren't doing their thing. Plus, the keyboard is very light, which contributes to the problem.

I have to keep pulling my keyboard straight, especially during intensive typing and gaming.

--Erwin

m1stake

Mar 13, 2008, 05:40 PM

I have the keyboard that came with the Quicksilver G4, which I like. I also have a keyboard that came with the first generation iMac G5, which I don't like so much. Seems like I almost have to bang on them to get response. Probably doesn't help that it's old old old and filled with crumbs, but the G4 keyboard is twice as old and still feels better.

From my (limited) experience at work (I work at a Micro Center), the new aluminum keyboards are... Strange. I haven't used them enough to get a feel, but I do like them. Guess I'll have plenty of time to get used to it when I get a mac pro though!

4DThinker

Mar 15, 2008, 09:32 PM

You may just be suffering from poor positioning. If the mac keyboard is on the same desk as your old keyboard, you need to realize it is lower to the desktop. If your hands or wrists are getting cramped, consider lowering your chair (or raising your desk) the same distance as the difference between the new and old keyboard heights.

As for the throw of the keys it will take some getting used to, but I believe you'll appreciate the difference eventually. I'm a long-time windows/PC user who just (this week) bought and iMac. I'm not quite used to the key placement and command key verses control key verses function key, but I'm, already liking the thin keyboard. It's much quieter than any other keyboard I've owned. In theory the short throw will give necessary feedback but require less energy.

Give it a little time. Adjust your position a bit. If your displeasure never lessens then there are other keyboards you can use. If your old keyboard was a USB keyboard it may work.

Good luck, and happy keying. ;)

GradientMac

Mar 16, 2008, 06:22 AM

To be completely honest with you, I love this keyboard and all. I think it's very ergonomic and easy to type on, but I find myself making more errors on it then my previous keyboard. Which was actually a laptop keyboard, so I'm surprised that this keyboard is taking me a while to learn.

I have only had it since December though. I find it much easier and faster to type on it though. Even though I do make more errors I find it extremely easy to type on and it's much more comfortable than any previous keyboard I've owned.

I hate laptop keyboards simply because they're all risen to the height of the laptop so you have a sort of harsh drop off at your wrists.

But yeah, I love this keyboard.

RobertD63

Mar 16, 2008, 01:21 PM

I love the Alum ones. There sleek thin easy to get use to. Very elegant. I also love the fact as you have to actually press the caps lock. No tapping it is going to get it on. Big time saver for me because i hit the caps lock a lot when trying to type fast. Or trying to it the "a" button/ Shift.
-Robert :apple: