Apple Keyboard with Numeric Keypad or Apple Wireless Keyboard

Hello. I am considering to get an external keyboard for my MBP 2010. Although it would be the best if there were a wireless version of the Apple Keyboard with Numeric Keypad, Apple doesn't make it. (Anybody knows why?)

Anyway, the most important thing is comfort. The 2nd factor is wireless and size. I have a few questions and would appreciate some info.

1. Which one is more comfortable to type on for a long period of time?

2. Are the size and spacing of the keys the same between the two keyboards? I am not sure if the keys in the wireless version are smaller and more tightly packed/compact than the one with numeric keypad.

3. How are the keys of these keyboards compared with the keys on the 2010 MBP (17" version) ? Based on experience, they seem to have a slightly different feel from the one on the MBP 2010. (Based on experience, I found it more comfortable to type on the SR MBP than on the 2010 MBP.)

4. How come the location of the fn key is different in the numeric keypad version?
The layout of the wireless version seems to be the same as the one on the MBP 2010 17".

I assume that both keyboards work fine under Windows 7 64-bit. Please correct me if I am wrong. Thanks.

 

Can you charge the IPT using the keyboard with numeric keypad?

Thanks for the replies. I like the wireless one but for doing CAD-related work, having the numeric keypad may be good. Wonder why after all these years, Apple does not make a wireless version with numeric keypad.

I read that there are two USB 2.0 ports on the keyboard with numeric keypad. Anybody used those ports to charge the iPod Touch? The reason I am asking is that for the MBP 2010, I am able to charge the IPT using only the USB port closest to the MagSafe power port. However, I cannot do it using the other two available USB ports. Although when I plugged the IPT into any of these two ports, there was a lighting sign on the IPT screen saying that the device was being charged, it did not. I checked with Apple Store. One genius did not believe that but after she checked with the other, she confirmed the issue. Sometimes I am able to charge the IPT by plugging it in a 7-port USB hub (if the hub is connected to the port closest to the MagSafe power port). Sometimes I can't. I guess it also depends on which port I use and the number of devices connected to the hub.

 

I read some postings, dated a year ago, about the wireless keyboard. Some people had the following problems:

- lag during typing
- keyboard not picking up the initial 1-2 keystrokes
- interference

Have all these problems been fixed for those on the current market? Please note that I plan to use the external keyboard under Snow Leopard and Windows 7 SP1 64-bit (under bootcamp and occasionally vmware). Thanks.

 

I read some postings in the forum that the keys in the wired version "feel" better. Is this just personal opinion or it is really true?

 

At last, I found a store which has both on display. A side by side comparison shows that the wireless one has a shorter space bar. It has better feel than the longer one in the wired version. When pressed, the spacebar in the wired version produces annoying sound. The height of the wireless keyboard is slightly higher but almost negligible. The wireless keyboard has a longer depth while the wired one is wider. The two supports at the front of the keyboard has a larger distance in the wired case. At last, I chose the wireless one.

By the way, I found a small bump at the edge of the keyboard. I wonder if Apple will exchange it. I went to a local store and found that the two wireless keyboards both have several bumps at the edges. Is this a common quality control problem?

 

I heard that one could use the iPod Touch or iPhone as a wireless keypad. So, there is no point for me to get the larger wired keyboard.