Lighted Keyboard?

[WeatherWeasel]

Probably pigs will fly out of my hiney before Apple comes up with a backlighted keyboard. I have an iMac with the whole wireless keyboard and mouse, 2017 variety. It would be great to have a back lighted keyboard for those of use who do not want to wake up everybody with the room light.

I did purchase the Logitech MX lighted with the numeric pad. It is good, but I found it losing contact with the Bluetooth and then I had to go in and get the imac to recognize it and so on, not a great idea. It now sits in my closet if I get desperate. I mean it is nice, it senses when I am near and turns on, lasts about a week before recharging, but ... it is extra drivers and stuff and doesn't do as I would like.

I wish Apple would start to listen to the consumer, lighted key board, watch bands that fit, etc....

 

[glenthompson]

My wife really prefers a backlit keyboard too. She’s currently using a Matias keyboard. Haven’t noticed any Bluetooth problems.

 

[colodane]

Logitech really nailed it with their K811, which I believe is no longer available. It was small, good key action, no bluetooth issues, had adjustable automatic backlighting and ran for months without a recharge. I have one and still enjoy using it.

That Logitech was able to accomplish this several years ago is a significant statement in terms of feasibility. Nobody can say it can't be done.

 

[WeatherWeasel]

I might give the one in the closet another try. Sadly some of the letters on my keyboard have worn enough that they are light. So I guess I might take it out of the closet and see if an update comes in as others might have had that problem.

However, Apple should really take hold of that and do the one with the key pad. I'd update my iMac if it had that.

 

[TheIntruder]

Apple does not update its input peripherals often, so unless a "prosumer" Arm iMac or mini has yet to be revealed with its own accessories, I doubt we'll see a backlit Apple keyboard any time soon. They've added Touch ID with the new iMac's keyboards, and colors, but for whatever reason, no lighting.

Too bad. I've tried the MX Keys, and it's ok, above average for a mass market keyboard even, but the first lost connection came within the first few days, so back it went.

The Satechi keyboards look great on paper, with a choice of size and connection, but I've been hesitant, based on the negative reviews. Still might take a chance and see.

In my dream world, there would be a lighted version of the 2007 vintage Apple Wired Keyboard with Numeric Keypad. Crazy to think that was a $49 keyboard, given its quality. The legendary Extended I/II keyboards were also tanks, but had $150+ price tags.

 

[salamanderjuice]

That's because the Extended I/II were mechanical boards in a time before there was 30,000 Chinese clone switch manufacturers flooding the market. Even today a good mechanical board is around $150. Matias makes the closest thing to a modern Extended keyboard with the Tactile Pro with Alps style switches. Still costs over $150!

Apple has been using membrane keyboards since the iMac at least. Some of them are pretty good like the Magic keyboard but others like the old Pro keyboard were nothing special. Still a bit overpriced for what they are IMO.

I would check out the Matias Wireless Aluminum Keyboard with Backlight as well. They make good stuff.

 

[AlphaCentauri]

If you don’t mind wired keyboard, both Steelseries and Corsair have been supporting MacOS for quite some time.

 

[snow755]

…

 

[someoldguy]

I've got an Azio Backlit Keyboard for Mac. Its wired , with the wrist pad removed is about the size of a G5 iMac keyboard , but without the usb ports . White backlight with 3 intensity options or off . Keys have some travel in them , unlike the membrane like feel on Apple keyboards . Had it for about 9 months now , so far so good .

 

[xraydoc]

That's because the Extended I/II were mechanical boards in a time before there was 30,000 Chinese clone switch manufacturers flooding the market. Even today a good mechanical board is around $150. Matias makes the closest thing to a modern Extended keyboard with the Tactile Pro with Alps style switches. Still costs over $150!

Apple has been using membrane keyboards since the iMac at least. Some of them are pretty good like the Magic keyboard but others like the old Pro keyboard were nothing special. Still a bit overpriced for what they are IMO.

I would check out the Matias Wireless Aluminum Keyboard with Backlight as well. They make good stuff.

Apple's external keyboards are scissor switches, not membranes. The last generation of laptops used butterfly switches (again, not membranes).

 

[chscag]

The Satechi keyboards look great on paper, with a choice of size and connection, but I've been hesitant, based on the negative reviews. Still might take a chance and see.

Don't bother. I sent one back for a refund because it kept losing BT contact with my iMac. Had to keep pairing it every day in order for it to work.

 

[TheIntruder]

That's because the Extended I/II were mechanical boards in a time before there was 30,000 Chinese clone switch manufacturers flooding the market. Even today a good mechanical board is around $150. Matias makes the closest thing to a modern Extended keyboard with the Tactile Pro with Alps style switches. Still costs over $150!

Apple has been using membrane keyboards since the iMac at least. Some of them are pretty good like the Magic keyboard but others like the old Pro keyboard were nothing special. Still a bit overpriced for what they are IMO.

I would check out the Matias Wireless Aluminum Keyboard with Backlight as well. They make good stuff.

Those keyboards were built to a higher standard altogether, not just the switches. I've disassembled both variants, and I'm not sure if even a $150 or pricey keyboard today would be built as solidly.

Here is a good summary of the keyboards Apple has made.

The early membrane keyboards like the Keyboard II and AppleDesign keyboard weren't bad.

The post-Platinum/post-ADB translucent, then transparent, keyboards were garbage, and turned into mushy, sticky messes as they wore down. With a key action not unlike walking on a dirty movie theater floor. While wearing soft, thick-soled shoes.

When ADB was supplanted by USB, I desperately sought a good quality keyboard, and none were to be found. The Matias Tactile Pro claimed to fill those shoes, but I found it disappointing, and not worthy of the hype. They may have used Alps switches, but the rest was flimsy, and they still had quality issues. I haven't taken a serious look at what they offer now.

Apple redeemed themselves with the aluminum keyboards that shipped with the 2007 iMacs. They were solid, if not quite as hefty as before, had good key action, and compact (something the Exts were not). They helped me get accustomed to lower-travel membrane switches, and allowed me to move on from the battleships. I'm typing this on one today, and wish that there was a lit version. The MKs don't measure up.

Apple's external keyboards are scissor switches, not membranes. The last generation of laptops used butterfly switches (again, not membranes).

Scissor and butterfly keyboards still employ flexible dome switches, which are formed by a single membrane overlay that forms the entire keyboard switch matrix, acting upon the traces on a circuit board. Basically large versions of the same technology used in remote controls, with mechanical support for the keycaps (which is the actual scissor or butterfly part), instead of bare rubber buttons.

Mechanical keyboards employ individual, discrete switches for each key.

 

[xraydoc]

Scissor and butterfly keyboards still employ flexible dome switches, which are formed by a single membrane overlay that forms the entire keyboard switch matrix, acting upon the traces on a circuit board. Basically large versions of the same technology used in remote controls, with mechanical support for the keycaps (which is the actual scissor or butterfly part), instead of bare rubber buttons.

Yes, this is true. I presumed you were talking about "membrane" keyboards where the key itself is supported by the rubber dome, common on the cheapest mushy keyboards like the ones included in many big-box bargain PCs. My apologies if I misunderstood that you were differentiating mechanical keyboards from all others.

I had an Apple Keyboard II back in the day. It was awesome. My PC currently has a mechanical keyboard with Cherry Blue clicky switches. Much lighter press required as compared to (my memory of) the Apple Keyboard II, but I really like it.

 

[MevetS]

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The Satechi keyboards look great on paper, with a choice of size and connection, but I've been hesitant, based on the negative reviews. Still might take a chance and see.

... snip ...

I have been using a Satehi Compact Keyboard with my 2018 Mac mini since December 2019. I am quite happy with it.

The mini does have an occasional Bluetooth hiccup, but it is the mini not the keyboard. I know as all my bluetooth items stop working at the same time. Lasts about a minute and then they just start working again.

I also have the keyboard paired with my iPad and iPhone and can switch between then with the press of a key.

Cheers.

 

[TheIntruder]

Yes, this is true. I presumed you were talking about "membrane" keyboards where the key itself is supported by the rubber dome, common on the cheapest mushy keyboards like the ones included in many big-box bargain PCs. My apologies if I misunderstood that you were differentiating mechanical keyboards from all others.

I had an Apple Keyboard II back in the day. It was awesome. My PC currently has a mechanical keyboard with Cherry Blue clicky switches. Much lighter press required as compared to (my memory of) the Apple Keyboard II, but I really like it.

None necessary, just a simple misunderstanding.

I generally consider switch type the primary descriptor when discussing keyboards, and I believe that's the most prevalent practice. If taken to the literal extreme, "membrane" could also best describe keyboards and keypads that lack key caps altogether, just a flat surface, like found on a Speak & Spell.

I have been using a Satehi Compact Keyboard with my 2018 Mac mini since December 2019. I am quite happy with it.

The mini does have an occasional Bluetooth hiccup, but it is the mini not the keyboard. I know as all my bluetooth items stop working at the same time. Lasts about a minute and then they just start working again.

I also have the keyboard paired with my iPad and iPhone and can switch between then with the press of a key.

Cheers.

That's an older, but also interesting model I've looked it. Does it also function as a wired keyboard if connected by wire, like the newer models, or is the port charge-only? How's the battery life?

Wired functionality as a fall back would be a positive, if there are connection issues, and when the battery eventually wears out.

I'd also warming to the idea of a more compact form factor, but don't want to give up the numeric keypad.

 

[MevetS]

... snip ...



That's an older, but also interesting model I've looked it. Does it also function as a wired keyboard if connected by wire, like the newer models, or is the port charge-only? How's the battery life?

Wired functionality as a fall back would be a positive, if there are connection issues, and when the battery eventually wears out.

I'd also warming to the idea of a more compact form factor, but don't want to give up the numeric keypad.

It does function as a wired keyboard when connected via USB.

I use it every day and have not had any battery life issues. There is a light in the upper right corner that comes on sheen it needs to be charged. I just plug it in and keep on going.

The model I have includes a numeric keypad.

Have fun deciding.