Apple (Wired) keyboard + static electricity?

[damezumari]

I bought my (newest) wired keyboard just month ago; however, by now, I am really annoyed by the fact that I seem to get static shocks from just touching the metal parts (which are hard to avoid) after being 'out of touch' of it for awhile.

Attempted fix: removed USB devices on the path (used to be: kb - KVM - USB3 hub - Mac Pro; now just kb - Mac Pro).

I cannot remember similar annoyance with wireless keyboards, and the old wired keyboard I used was 'plastic fantastic' model with which static electricity was obviously not a problem.

Anyone else encountered this or found a way to address it? My immediate solution idea is just to buy (yet another) (non-Apple) keyboard..

 

[matreya]

Is it a classic Mac Pro? And are you plugging it into the front USB port?

 

[damezumari]

Nope, nMP. After some more testing today, I get same static electricity effect actually with the keyboard -> KVM -> Windows PC too, so I guess it is just either keyboard being flawed, or it being a 'feature'.

I wonder why I do not get static shock from other metallic devices I have around though; at a guess, that metal _has_ to be connected somewhere, as the (Apple) wireless keyboard I have next to it does not have that issue and I have used it for years.

Sigh. Now to find some mechanical keyboard that I like that does not bug (cough). I have one Ducky model which sometimes hangs (regardless of how and what it is connected to), anyone have recommendations?

 

[matreya]

If you're getting zapped when the keyboard is connected directly to the nMP then that suggests that the keyboard is leaking current. :/

As for mechanical keyboards, I have no experience with them. I use a Logitech illuminated keyboard.

 

[itsGrant]

I have a WASD Code keyboard at home with Cherry MX Green switches, which are comparable to a buckling spring key switch. The keyboard is also white backlit and very well built. Also comes in a non-clicky switch which is Cherry MX Clear.

http://www.wasdkeyboards.com/index.php/products/code-keyboard.html

If you don't mind not having a backlight, you can also create your own keyboard with different colored keycaps, different switches, and you can add dampeners to minimize the "clack" from bottoming out the key.

http://www.wasdkeyboards.com/index.php/products/mechanical-keyboard.html

Update: CODE also comes in MX Brown now, a lighter non-clicky switch.

 

[broadbean]

Is your nMP properly grounded?