Why I think Apple made the Slim BT keyboard "small"

[bluedoggiant]

My guessing is to give extra battery life, don't you think?

[Aperture]

I'm not sure I understand how cutting off a handful of keys helps dramatically save battery life. They did it with the old bluetooth keyboard, right? I haven't used the new bluetooth one in person yet, so I'm not sure how many batteries it takes. Is it the same as the old one?

[bluedoggiant]

I'm not sure I understand how cutting off a handful of keys helps dramatically save battery life. They did it with the old bluetooth keyboard, right? I haven't used the new bluetooth one in person yet, so I'm not sure how many batteries it takes. Is it the same as the old one?

I have both, i think they both take 3, but maybe the old one takes 4, idk.

Either way, I just pulled the slim BT keyboard out of the closet today, ive been using the wired one that came with my imac, and its actually not that bad.

I'm monitoring its battery life in iStat, 95% and have been using it for like 3 hours...:eek: (in a bad way)

[squeeks]

I'm monitoring its battery life in iStat, 95% and have been using it for like 3 hours...:eek: (in a bad way)

ive had the same batteries in mine since november and istat reports 55% i use it quite a bit too

[drrich2]

Taking a wild guess here, perhaps they thought people who value a clean, efficient design enough to go for a wireless keyboard sans the 'cable clutter' might also prefer the smaller, lighter form factor of this design, even at the cost of a numeric keypad most people don't particularly need.

And it does look 'cool,' which is a plus particularly with an Apple product.

Richard.

[John.B]

It exactly matches the current MacBook keyboard, which is what I think they were going for. :)

[grimslade]

I think it was just to make it symmetrical. So if, say, you're using it on your laptop (like a laptop), the keys and keyboard are centered.

[NATO]

The physical size of the keyboard has no practical implications on battery life. It could be twice the size and still have the same battery life.

The size of the BT keyboard is purely for design reasons (to sit squarely on your lap when using it)

[bluedoggiant]

It exactly matches the current MacBook keyboard, which is what I think they were going for. :)

I have found that incorrect, the slim BT keyboard has the keys spaced out more than our macbook, and wired keyboard!!

It was extremely difficult for me to type on.

[xUKHCx]

I have found that incorrect, the slim BT keyboard has the keys spaced out more than our macbook, and wired keyboard!!

It was extremely difficult for me to type on.

I just measured the BT keyboard and my MB keyboard and the keys have the same separation and the same dimensions.

[Mindflux]

I just measured the BT keyboard and my MB keyboard and the keys have the same separation and the same dimensions.


Yep.

I think they wanted to be able to turn a laptop keyboard into a desktop keyboard by doing nothing more than putting a shell on it.

I do wish that apple would either:
a) release a matching 10 key touch bt keyboard or
b) release a keyboard like the wired one only wireless.

[bluedoggiant]

I just measured the BT keyboard and my MB keyboard and the keys have the same separation and the same dimensions.

:eek:

mine are spaced out more!!!! ahh!!

[twitter]

Yep.
I do wish that apple would either:
a) release a matching 10 key touch bt keyboard or
b) release a keyboard like the wired one only wireless.

i agree i would go wireless but not to have the number pad
makes the kb useless as a addition to a mbp

[joshwest]

i think they need to come out with a bt full sized no question asked...

[xUKHCx]

:eek:

mine are spaced out more!!!! ahh!!

really ?? There is some variance between the keys but they fall in the 3-3.5 mm range. Pull out a ruler and measure it for yourself. Along with the entire size of the keyboard. They must be widely different to make extremely difficult to type.

FYI old keyboard 4 batteries, new 3 batteries.

In regards to the question about the wireless keyboard and the number pad I actually quite like it and thought it would be a sticking point and actually put me off from buying it (until I got a great deal). I don't miss the number pad at all and love the size especially compared to the old bt keyboard.

[jessica.]

I highly doubt that many could call the new BT keyboard an "efficient design" namely because efficiency seems to lack when a number pad is missing for most. While I use my PB's keyboard often and my work laptop more often than that I find I am much faster using an external keyboard with a number pad.

Now if you just surf and type letters or whatever I get it but in the world of twisted finance and such the number pad is key (no pun intended).

And if for some reason the missing keys improves batter life; highly impossible imo, then I will gladly pay for more batteries to get the new slim BT keyboard with a number pad.

[nick9191]

I'm monitoring its battery life in iStat, 95% and have been using it for like 3 hours...:eek: (in a bad way)
Get some decent batteries, duracell ultra etc. and it will last you months and months.

[Sesshi]

I'm monitoring its battery life in iStat, 95% and have been using it for like 3 hours...:eek: (in a bad way)

What, like sitting on it?

I suppose they figured that most people who would want a wireless keyboard as opposed to a wireless mouse were the sort of person who doesn't actually do any work of consequence - i.e. more of a 'lifestyle' use - and so they didn't need number keys.

:p

In which case of course the touchpad is missing. I have a Keysonic 540RF which is a more viable design for such a 'lifestyle' keyboard. It does incidentally - if you can get over the Windows legends - work with OS X. I use it with my UMPC's at home.

http://img233.imageshack.us/img233/5015/540rfzj4.jpg

[ljones]

I got mine October 30, as a gift. And since then, my battery reading from iStat Pro is 31%. I plan on buying more Energizer E rechargeables since they last a very long time in my XBox 360 controllers.

A great keyboard though.

[iMacUser-21]

Well i got the small BT keyboard and ive had it for about a month and the battery like at the moment is 75% and I do think Apple should release a full sized BT keyboard.