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Aluminum Keboard
- Thread starter Me1000
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all this talk about the numpad has got me wondering what the hell this "Clear" key is there for when there are already two keys that do the exact same thing (delete and forward delete)
the Apple Human Interface Guidelines page reads:
"Clear - The Clear key has the same effect as the Delete command in the Edit menu: It removes the selection without putting it on the Clipboard. Not all keyboards have a Clear key, so dont require its use in your application."
the Apple Human Interface Guidelines page reads:
"Clear - The Clear key has the same effect as the Delete command in the Edit menu: It removes the selection without putting it on the Clipboard. Not all keyboards have a Clear key, so dont require its use in your application."
Clear is the same thing as "numlock" on PC keyboards. Apple doesn't need Numlock so they just made it a clear button...I guess for entering digits and quickly erasing.
Anyways, I use numpads for Adobe applications, if I don't have a numpad, my work will slow down by 10 fold.
i didn't think i would like the very short macbook-like keys of the new alu kb, but i messed with one for a while and found that it was actually easier to type after you get used to it.
the aesthetics are top-notch, especially when compared to the old white ones. my white kb is full of bugs and food and stains. it's gross. It also makes "crunchy" plastic creaking sounds when i pick it up, or lean into the spacebar too much. And the hard ridge around the edge leaves a mark in your hand if you use it for a couple of hours at once.
i got the wired alu kb because i wanted all of those function keys and the keypad. I use the keypad all the time. I have to make bar codes pretty often, or at least punch in isbn's and upc codes. try inputting 100 12 or 13 digit numbers with the querty number keys. not a chance.
It's also nice to be able to map the higher-level F keys to application shortcuts in CS3 and in the OS.
I also like the replacement of the "Insert" key (which stopped being useful with GUI OS'es 20 years ago!) with apple's Function key, so you can change the volume or switch tracks in itunes or whatever you want with your right hand alone, and still retain the proper use of the F keys in your apps.
it is all around my favorite Apple product in years. I do wish the cord was about 1 foot longer. It comes with an extender, but I dislike extenders.
Also, the USB ports are not powered beyond the minimum requirements to power a mouse. It can't handle providing power to a mouse and a small, single-format card reader at the same time.
the aesthetics are top-notch, especially when compared to the old white ones. my white kb is full of bugs and food and stains. it's gross. It also makes "crunchy" plastic creaking sounds when i pick it up, or lean into the spacebar too much. And the hard ridge around the edge leaves a mark in your hand if you use it for a couple of hours at once.
i got the wired alu kb because i wanted all of those function keys and the keypad. I use the keypad all the time. I have to make bar codes pretty often, or at least punch in isbn's and upc codes. try inputting 100 12 or 13 digit numbers with the querty number keys. not a chance.
It's also nice to be able to map the higher-level F keys to application shortcuts in CS3 and in the OS.
I also like the replacement of the "Insert" key (which stopped being useful with GUI OS'es 20 years ago!) with apple's Function key, so you can change the volume or switch tracks in itunes or whatever you want with your right hand alone, and still retain the proper use of the F keys in your apps.
it is all around my favorite Apple product in years. I do wish the cord was about 1 foot longer. It comes with an extender, but I dislike extenders.
Also, the USB ports are not powered beyond the minimum requirements to power a mouse. It can't handle providing power to a mouse and a small, single-format card reader at the same time.
I don't mind the new keyboard... the layout was done by a cross eyed school child though. It's very consumer-ish with funny looking icons on the top function keys. I hope Apple comes out with a Pro keyboard but if they give us the current consumer one I have no problems with it. The only thing I would like them to change at that point is the horrible Mighty Mouse.
I agree, the Mighty Mouse is horrible. I replaced mine with a Logitech mouse. It took a while to get used to right clicking again. The Mighty Mouse gave me the sense of not trusting the right-click. It's amazing Apple hasn't updated it and sent all references to the current design down the memory hole.
Having said that, I love my new wired aluminum keyboard. It looks as slick as it works. It's a fantastic update.
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love the aluminium keyboard and also really like the mighty mouse: the scrollball is awesome
love the aluminium keyboard and also really like the mighty mouse: the scrollball is awesome
I couldn't stand using the standard Apple keyboard that came with my Mac Pro and was considering buying the aluminum one once it came out but in the end I picked Logitech diNovo Edge.