Apple Keyboard Revision

MacRumors · May 3, 2003, 01:00 AM

One reader reports seeing a slightly modified Apple keyboard image on a new banner hanging in the "Etc..." section of a larger Apple Store.

The user was unable to provide photos, but described a side-view image of an Apple Keyboard which was slightly different (no elevation bar, instead a larger base) than current ones.

Still awaiting verification of this image. Any readers with personal observations/photos are welcome to comment...

Kwyjibo · May 3, 2003, 01:03 AM

cool i hope someone nabbed a pic

arn · May 3, 2003, 01:11 AM

per observer... this is a very rough mockup...

Doctor Q · May 3, 2003, 01:19 AM

Intriguing. We'll just have to stay tuned while arn pumps his army of highly-unpaid secret undercover informants for more information.

Sun Baked · May 3, 2003, 01:22 AM

So is this just a simplification of the current enclosure to reduce parts count/cost?

scem0 · May 3, 2003, 01:33 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Sun Baked
So is this just a simplification of the current enclosure to reduce parts count/cost?

I doubt it. Apple (usually does) needs to innovate, and keeping
the same enclosure wouldn't be an innovation. Although there
isn't much apple can add to the keyboard, I'm sure there is
something they could improve.

wdw_ · May 3, 2003, 01:42 AM

I have a video tape under my keyboard between the bar and the main part. My desk is raised up by a couple of bricks, becasue of a small flooding problem, so I need it at a different angle to be comfertable. Anyway, Apple could use a new radical, functional keyboard design. I love the keyboards now, but I just love it when Apple releases new products.

Natron · May 3, 2003, 02:25 AM

I wonder if Apple will add "touch sensitive" buttons to the keyboard, like the ones added to the iPod. Not to the entire keyboard, but either some at the top or on the side.

Maybe these could be for volume, screen brightness, eject, etc. The keyboard could also add a scroll wheel (like the iPod) that would work like the Powermate for volume, video scrubbing, or even include a center button, and work like the iPod, in the Finder's column view. (I personally think this could be pretty cool.)

mac15 · May 3, 2003, 04:14 AM

I hope the letters glow and are light sensative much like the ones on the 17 and 15 inch powerbooks

bikertwin · May 3, 2003, 07:40 AM

The reader reported a thicker keyboard . . . isn't that required for a wireless/Bluetooth keyboard?

And as previously suggested, a video scrubber would be awesome (in my dreams, anyway).

ear2ear · May 3, 2003, 07:51 AM

Ambient light sensors would be great for my little recording studio since the lights are always down low.

Is USB capable of this? (I'm assuming yes given the existence of the Flylight).

Bluetooth certainly isn't.

(Someone should make this at least.)

makkystyle · May 3, 2003, 07:53 AM

I couldn't even find an "Etc..." section on the apple store. Can anyone divulge it's location? Has anyone else seen this keyboard?

The mock up above looks exactly like the pictures of the keyboards they have up already only with the thicker base. It doesn't seem logical to me that apple would remove the ability to lay the keyboard flat. If the mock-up is anything like what the user saw couldn't it be that the person just mistook the picture currently up on the Apple store site (which has the fold out legs extended) for a new keyboard?

shakespeare · May 3, 2003, 09:31 AM

The "Etc" section is where accessories (printers, scanners, etc) are stored in physical, retail Apple stores, not online. They tend to be in the back right of the store.

McCord9 · May 3, 2003, 10:24 AM

Wouldn't the large section be designed to hold batteries for a possible wireless model? Just a thought.

lafbbr · May 3, 2003, 10:25 AM

I saw it at the Southdale Apple Store. The banner said something like The Other Stuff. The keyboard had no USB port on the side.

From Win to Mac · May 3, 2003, 10:36 AM

Then it's not made by Apple. With the short length of our mouses, with absolutely need a USB plug on both sides.
Now say they were gonna "innovate" by giving the mouse a long cord, that would be dumb.

So the other possibility is Bluetooh. But i would still hope that they leave the USB ports, since i need them both ! And Macs only come with 2 on the back, and 1 is used for the keyboard.
why don't we get 4 or 5 like PC people !

Niknar · May 3, 2003, 01:24 PM

Well I have been waiting for a new keyboard and mouse.

So I hope this is near release.

I doubt the USB ports will be taken of completely maybe justed moved to a new place.

I am not to bothered with a bluetooth keyboard.

Can somone get a pic of this?

macguymike · May 3, 2003, 01:41 PM

Personally, I'd like to see the return of the power button to Apple's keyboards.

scem0 · May 3, 2003, 01:44 PM

They have digital cameras at the store and macs with internet
access..... So basically anyone can go to the apple store and
post a pic. Think of how cool you would be if you did that...

bennetsaysargh · May 3, 2003, 01:54 PM

this is sorta on topic.

me and my brother usually go to the palisades mall apple store once in a while. we noticed that a big sign had a 12inch PB, only with IE in the dock instead of safari. it was there since november/december-ish. we didn't notice it was a 12PB until late march. it had silver keyboard, and it said "PowerBook G4"

now we both feel stupid

my point is, this is probably an apple keyboard.

i wanna see some pictures of this!

Doctor Q · May 3, 2003, 02:11 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by scem0
They have digital cameras at the store and macs with internet
access..... So basically anyone can go to the apple store and
post a pic. Think of how cool you would be if you did that...

I was surprised at the freedom they give you in the stores. For example, no problem getting into iChat and talking to friends online. And no problem setting preferences in an application or saving files to disk. I asked an employee how they keep the systems running when we untrustworthy customers have such freedom. He said they reinitialize from scratch regularly (daily?). Maybe they netboot them. In any case, it's a lot nicer than the stores where you're stuck in a demo or an At Ease/Multiple Users environment and can't really "take the machine for a spin".

jholzner · May 3, 2003, 02:32 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by From Win to Mac
Then it's not made by Apple. With the short length of our mouses, with absolutely need a USB plug on both sides.
Now say they were gonna "innovate" by giving the mouse a long cord, that would be dumb.

So the other possibility is Bluetooh. But i would still hope that they leave the USB ports, since i need them both ! And Macs only come with 2 on the back, and 1 is used for the keyboard.
why don't we get 4 or 5 like PC people !

I think that keeping the usb ports on the keyboard if they used bluetooth would be pointless...it would be sooooo slow that it wouldn't be worth attching a device to.

MacRumors · May 3, 2003, 02:44 PM

One reader noted that a new Apple Store banner contains a side view of a revised Apple keyboard -- with a larger base, and no USB ports on the sides.

Per reports -- the new Keyboard will have two USB ports on either side of the keyboard cord, which still comes off the back of the keyboard.

Minor mouse revisions are expected as well.

bennetsaysargh · May 3, 2003, 02:55 PM

if it was bluetooth, there wouldn't be any usb ports on it because like jholzner said, it wouldn't be worth doing that. rediculously slow.

period.

jcontonio · May 3, 2003, 02:58 PM

Well damn, considering I can't find the keyboard or mouse anywhere on the Apple Store or the Hardware section of their website that's gotta mean something. I even searched on the Apple Store under Hardware and all that came up was an iMac and a Powermac. You can't buy the keyboard and mouse through the Apple Store?

Or is it because I just woke up and don't know what's going on.

May 3, 2003, 01:00 AM	#1
MacRumors macrumors bot Join Date: Apr 2001	Apple Banner - New Keyboard? One reader reports seeing a slightly modified Apple keyboard image on a new banner hanging in the "Etc..." section of a larger Apple Store. The user was unable to provide photos, but described a side-view image of an Apple Keyboard which was slightly different (no elevation bar, instead a larger base) than current ones. Still awaiting verification of this image. Any readers with personal observations/photos are welcome to comment...

May 3, 2003, 01:11 AM	#3
arn macrumors god Join Date: Apr 2001	per observer... this is a very rough mockup... Attached Images

May 3, 2003, 01:19 AM	#4
Doctor Q macrumors god Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: at the table with countless relatives	Intriguing. We'll just have to stay tuned while arn pumps his army of highly-unpaid secret undercover informants for more information. __________________ "You've just been abducted, of course you need crepes!" -- Walter Bishop

May 3, 2003, 01:22 AM	#5
Sun Baked macrumors 603 Join Date: May 2002	So is this just a simplification of the current enclosure to reduce parts count/cost? __________________ May you be plagued by images of Richard Simmons flouncing through you brain, and squat thrusting his way though all waking thoughts.

May 3, 2003, 01:42 AM	#7
wdw_ macrumors newbie Join Date: Aug 2002	I have a video tape under my keyboard between the bar and the main part. My desk is raised up by a couple of bricks, becasue of a small flooding problem, so I need it at a different angle to be comfertable. Anyway, Apple could use a new radical, functional keyboard design. I love the keyboards now, but I just love it when Apple releases new products. __________________ JFK + KFC = John Fitzgerald Chicken...Wonder Showzen

May 3, 2003, 01:03 AM	#2
Kwyjibo macrumors 68040 Join Date: Nov 2002	cool i hope someone nabbed a pic

May 3, 2003, 02:25 AM	#8
Natron macrumors member Join Date: Oct 2002	I wonder if Apple will add "touch sensitive" buttons to the keyboard, like the ones added to the iPod. Not to the entire keyboard, but either some at the top or on the side. Maybe these could be for volume, screen brightness, eject, etc. The keyboard could also add a scroll wheel (like the iPod) that would work like the Powermate for volume, video scrubbing, or even include a center button, and work like the iPod, in the Finder's column view. (I personally think this could be pretty cool.)

May 3, 2003, 04:14 AM	#9
mac15 macrumors 68040 Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Sydney	I hope the letters glow and are light sensative much like the ones on the 17 and 15 inch powerbooks __________________ Check out my guiKitting at the theflanneleffect

May 3, 2003, 07:40 AM	#10
bikertwin macrumors regular Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: This Old House	The reader reported a thicker keyboard . . . isn't that required for a wireless/Bluetooth keyboard? And as previously suggested, a video scrubber would be awesome (in my dreams, anyway).

May 3, 2003, 07:51 AM	#11
ear2ear macrumors member Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: Toronto	Ambient light sensors would be great for my little recording studio since the lights are always down low. Is USB capable of this? (I'm assuming yes given the existence of the Flylight). Bluetooth certainly isn't. (Someone should make this at least.) __________________ -ear2ear ...magomus sounds...

May 3, 2003, 07:53 AM	#12
makkystyle macrumors regular Join Date: Aug 2002	I couldn't even find an "Etc..." section on the apple store. Can anyone divulge it's location? Has anyone else seen this keyboard? The mock up above looks exactly like the pictures of the keyboards they have up already only with the thicker base. It doesn't seem logical to me that apple would remove the ability to lay the keyboard flat. If the mock-up is anything like what the user saw couldn't it be that the person just mistook the picture currently up on the Apple store site (which has the fold out legs extended) for a new keyboard? __________________ once was lost but now am found...

May 3, 2003, 09:31 AM	#13
shakespeare macrumors 6502 Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Portland, Maine	The "Etc" section is where accessories (printers, scanners, etc) are stored in physical, retail Apple stores, not online. They tend to be in the back right of the store.

May 3, 2003, 10:24 AM	#14
McCord9 macrumors member Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: New York City	batteries Wouldn't the large section be designed to hold batteries for a possible wireless model? Just a thought. __________________ Go Irish!

May 3, 2003, 10:25 AM	#15
lafbbr macrumors newbie Join Date: May 2003 Location: MN	I saw it at the Southdale Apple Store. The banner said something like The Other Stuff. The keyboard had no USB port on the side.

May 3, 2003, 10:36 AM	#16
From Win to Mac macrumors regular Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: Montreal, Canada	Then it's not made by Apple. With the short length of our mouses, with absolutely need a USB plug on both sides. Now say they were gonna "innovate" by giving the mouse a long cord, that would be dumb. So the other possibility is Bluetooh. But i would still hope that they leave the USB ports, since i need them both ! And Macs only come with 2 on the back, and 1 is used for the keyboard. why don't we get 4 or 5 like PC people !

May 3, 2003, 01:24 PM	#17
Niknar macrumors member Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Scotland	Well I have been waiting for a new keyboard and mouse. So I hope this is near release. I doubt the USB ports will be taken of completely maybe justed moved to a new place. I am not to bothered with a bluetooth keyboard. Can somone get a pic of this?

May 3, 2003, 01:41 PM	#18
macguymike macrumors 6502 Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: California	Personally, I'd like to see the return of the power button to Apple's keyboards.

May 3, 2003, 01:44 PM	#19
scem0 macrumors 601 Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: back in NYC!	They have digital cameras at the store and macs with internet access..... So basically anyone can go to the apple store and post a pic. Think of how cool you would be if you did that... __________________ GradientCreator.com - Gradiented Text on Forums

May 3, 2003, 01:54 PM	#20
bennetsaysargh macrumors 68020 Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: New York	this is sorta on topic. me and my brother usually go to the palisades mall apple store once in a while. we noticed that a big sign had a 12inch PB, only with IE in the dock instead of safari. it was there since november/december-ish. we didn't notice it was a 12PB until late march. it had silver keyboard, and it said "PowerBook G4" now we both feel stupid my point is, this is probably an apple keyboard. i wanna see some pictures of this!

May 3, 2003, 02:44 PM	#23
MacRumors Thread Starter macrumors bot Join Date: Apr 2001	Apple Keyboard Revision One reader noted that a new Apple Store banner contains a side view of a revised Apple keyboard -- with a larger base, and no USB ports on the sides. Per reports -- the new Keyboard will have two USB ports on either side of the keyboard cord, which still comes off the back of the keyboard. Minor mouse revisions are expected as well.

May 3, 2003, 02:55 PM	#24
bennetsaysargh macrumors 68020 Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: New York	if it was bluetooth, there wouldn't be any usb ports on it because like jholzner said, it wouldn't be worth doing that. rediculously slow. period.

May 3, 2003, 02:58 PM	#25
jcontonio macrumors newbie Join Date: Dec 2002	Well damn, considering I can't find the keyboard or mouse anywhere on the Apple Store or the Hardware section of their website that's gotta mean something. I even searched on the Apple Store under Hardware and all that came up was an iMac and a Powermac. You can't buy the keyboard and mouse through the Apple Store? Or is it because I just woke up and don't know what's going on.

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