iBook spacebar problem explained!

[MacRhythmGuy]

OK, so let`s see what the US keyboard looks like then. Here's a picture of the wonderful\sophisticated\graceful ~British~ keyboard.

I'm not sure what mine is now! You have the Euro and Pound symbols, like I'd expect. I don't! But this is not the standard USA keyboard, either. It's some mysterious crossbreed, apparently. Notice the § symbol in the upper left. I don't know what that is. I'll have to look again to see if you have it.

I'm sure someone else can post the USA keyboard. Or I can, later.

MRG

P.S. My apologies - this photo quality is pretty bad.

 

[California]

Well it looks like more of a "European" keyboard than strictly Brit -- the shift, tab, caps lock, return and delete keys have universal symbols instead of the names printed out in English. But the nice thing about that keyboard is the longish return/enter bar, that seems to displace the last brackets key to the next line. Interesting.

 

[MacRhythmGuy]

Well it looks like more of a "European" keyboard than strictly Brit -- the shift, tab, caps lock, return and delete keys have universal symbols instead of the names printed out in English. But the nice thing about that keyboard is the longish return/enter bar, that seems to displace the last brackets key to the next line. Interesting.

Here's the USA keyboard (sorry, another crappy photo). Apple sent it promptly and it also seems to solve the spacebar problem. Compared to the brit/euro, I like the wider return bar and the wide left shift which matches the right shift in size. I have lazy pinkie fingers that don't like reaching so far and finding a smaller key for these common functions.

Each of these keyboards I've gone through has a slightly different feel. There is certainly some variance in the manufacturing. The PB keyboard is superior to all of them.

MRG

 

[paperinacup]

Well if anyone wants to get rid of/trade a British/European iBook Keyboard PM me.

 

[MacRhythmGuy]

Hey! Waitaminute! These different iBook keyboards ARE different! Again, I thought I must be crazy, but no. My USA keyboards (both old and new) have a single plastic dimple in the middle of each key providing the resistance. The Euro keyboard has a plastic "X" under each key providing the same function. The "X" design feels more solid!! It fixes most of the iBook keyboard's "cheap" feel.

I tried pictures but you can't tell the difference with my phone camera. I'll get a hold of a real camera.

Luck of a different manufacturing plant? A new improvement they're silently introducing with the latest revision of the iBook, and my new USA keyboard is from old stock??

MRG

 

[iEdd]

OK, so let`s see what the US keyboard looks like then. Here's a picture of the wonderful\sophisticated\graceful ~British~ keyboard.

Ukkkk.. The only thing good about that is the extra command key...

 

[MacRhythmGuy]

Ukkkk.. The only thing good about that is the extra command key...

What extra command key? All three keyboards I see here have one command key on either side of the spacebar, for a total of two.

MRG

 

[court]

Oh Crap...

I just ordered an ibook and I'm hoping not to have this problem. How long will I be under Apple Warranty before I need to buy Apple Care??

 

[devilot]

I just ordered an ibook and I'm hoping not to have this problem. How long will I be under Apple Warranty before I need to buy Apple Care??

You get 1 full year of manufacturer's warranty against defects... you can purchase an additional 2 years of AppleCare anytime prior to the final day of that first year. However, free phone support lasts for only 90 days from day of purchase.

I really like the fact that on the UK keyboard the "option" key has the option symbol on it instead of the words "alt" and "option."

 

[iEdd]

What extra command key? All three keyboards I see here have one command key on either side of the spacebar, for a total of two.

MRG

We only have one on our pbs/ibooks in AUS.

Fn-Ctrl-opt-com-space-opt-enter (I think..) definitely only one command though.

 

[MacRhythmGuy]

We only have one on our pbs/ibooks in AUS.

Fn-Ctrl-opt-com-space-opt-enter (I think..) definitely only one command though.

Wild. I'm amazed how many keyboard variations are out there. I mean, YES I'm an ego-centric American prick, BUT you know, still!

Here's one last shot of the two keyboard styles I ended up with, from a better camera. Euro-English-but-not-UK(?) on top, USA on bottom.

The Euro keyboard is definitely higher quality, which I can only hope is just a new manufacturing style going into effect for all keyboards. No snide comments from you Brits, thank you. ;-)

I'm giving up the higher quality feel for that nice big left SHIFT key!!

My spacebar problem is still cured. I'm just a little nervous about ever opening the keyboard again for a memory upgrade etc. because that tiny plastic tab just barely holds everything in.

This is my first Mac and I'm loving it.

Over and out.

MRG