New keyboard = lame.

[Krevnik]

Maybe this isn't clear to you. The keys are also smaller. It is not a fullsize keyboard. And please, don't suggest to me what I should use simply because you don't use a feature. I like fullsize keyboard, not midget media remotes turned keyboards. If you like the keyboard, that is fine. However, a choice would have been a nice balance for everyone.

You sure the keys themselves are smaller? While they may look that way, the actual surface area of each key that you can press isn't any different from any other keyboard. Since it really is just a MacBook keyboard slapped into its own case, I can attest that compared to the old desktop keyboard, this style keyboard provides just as much type-able surface area. What it doesn't have is the volume that hides how small the surface area you can type on like a regular keyboard.

Link to the video.

Can you believe it? They have eliminated all 15 function keys. Now they are a series of dedicated keys instead of function keys that mean different things in different applications. Glad I jumped on the Refurb page and ordered an "old" Bluetooth keyboard while I still could.

Losing all the function keys is the dumbest thing I have ever seen Apple do.

Eliminated? No. Harder to reach? Yes. It behaves just like the laptop keyboards where you have function keys accessible using the new 'fn' key on the keyboard.

I need sculpted keys with long down to up distance. I can't bear to type on flat keys that barely go down when you touch them.

Actually, despite your feelings, I like the new keyboard, from the simple standpoint that I have gotten so used to laptop keys, and the lack of action on them, that I have problems typing on more standard keyboards because of the force required. I have been searching for a good slim keyboard for the Mac for awhile, and haven't found a keyboard beyond 'it works, but only just'. If this is any better, I will be getting one for my desktop just so I don't have to readjust my typing every time I switch between the laptop and the desktop.

 

[Loge]

Just had a go with the new (wired) keyboard at the Apple Store. I liked it much more than I thought I would, looks like I can type quite fast on it. I need the numeric pad though for things such as Sibelius, so the BT one won't interest me.

 

[Multimedia]

I Don't Like Them. Glad Some Of You Do.

You sure the keys themselves are smaller? While they may look that way, the actual surface area of each key that you can press isn't any different from any other keyboard. Since it really is just a MacBook keyboard slapped into its own case, I can attest that compared to the old desktop keyboard, this style keyboard provides just as much type-able surface area. What it doesn't have is the volume that hides how small the surface area you can type on like a regular keyboard.

I'm not sure they're smaller. But they have no curvature - little scoops for your fingers to rest in and hit - nor do they go down as far as traditional keyboards when you press them - can't remember the word for it. So the combination of those two changes make it much easier to press the wrong keys a lot.

Eliminated? No. Harder to reach? Yes. It behaves just like the laptop keyboards where you have function keys accessible using the new 'fn' key on the keyboard.

This was my bad for not noticing the small Function Numbers in the corner of each dedicated symbol key.

I use a Macally iKey USB keyboard that has 15 function keys that are the same size as all the other keys on the keyboard. I object to the function keys being made smaller - the size of mobile keyboard function keys. Look I really dislike the new keyboards plain and simple. I'm glad some of you like them. That's great. It's what make Earth such a wonderful place to live. We can agree to disagree. Peace.

 

[RichP]

If apple wants a mini-BT keyboard, then make a full sized one and a mini one. I really liked the older layout, with the volume and eject separated from the other section of the keyboard. I also use the number pad whenever I am entering digits in the computer. Finally, I do find when I use the current BT keyboard, and I have it on my lap, its wide enough to be very stable.

Looks like back to wires for me...

Oh, the irony: Apple releases a new spreadsheet program called "Numbers" but also releases a new keyboard with no number pad. Hmm...

That may be the Best Post of 2007!

 

[levitynyc]

If apple wants a mini-BT keyboard, then make a full sized one and a mini one. I really liked the older layout, with the volume and eject separated from the other section of the keyboard. I also use the number pad whenever I am entering digits in the computer. Finally, I do find when I use the current BT keyboard, and I have it on my lap, its wide enough to be very stable.

Looks like back to wires for me...




That may be the Best Post of 2007!

Its a real shame too. I sort of agree. I really want to try the BT one before I buy it. I'd really like to have the keypad, but I really hate wires. I really wish Apple had the BT ones in stock so I could try one out.

 

[mpw]

...That may be the Best Post of 2007!

Don't count your chickens yet pal, I've got a cracker planned for late November

 

[Angrist]

Actually the last great keyboard that Apple made was the Apple Pro Keyboard. The one before the current white/clear Apple Keyboard with the rim around it. It had a foot on the bottom that allowed you to adjust the angle and it had the USB ports on the sides instead of the back. It first had black keys and then later had white keys. I don't know if anyone remembers or still has this keyboard, but they were really nice. I have a white Apple Keyboard that shipped with my iMac and it is fine, but the one right before it was even better.



The Apple logo on the command key is an old remaining remnant of the Apple II days. I remember when there was a closed apple on one side and an open apple on the other side. Certain commands were referred to as "open apple S" for example if you wanted to save something to your floppy drive. I am not that old...but I did use Apple IIe's in elementary and middle school. Anyone else remember these commands???

Yea, I have three of those keyboards and they're just awesome .... layout and spacing is perfect, etc. They ARE starting to get a little mushy though. I plan on ordering at least one of the Matias Tactile Pro 2.0's when they're available, I tried the older version and it was great ... best keyboard EVER!

I also remember the open and closed Apple keys. They will be missed

 

[Krevnik]

Look I really dislike the new keyboards plain and simple. I'm glad some of you like them. That's great. It's what make Earth such a wonderful place to live. We can agree to disagree. Peace.

All I was looking for was a change from stating something as 'this is the way it is', to 'this is the way I see it'...

One tends to be more confrontational, and we could all probably use a little less confrontational tone (however unintentional) in a heated thread. I understand that this keyboard isn't for everyone... but on the flipside, I have been waiting for a keyboard like this because of how much my typing suffers on full-height keyboards. I have gotten so used to low-travel keys that I find I hit too many wrong keys on accident because I am not hitting the full-height keys right. I can completely understand someone coming from the opposite angle, after-all, it is all muscle memory once you get used to it.

 

[jrodatus]

I'm not sure they're smaller. But they have no curvature - little scoops for your fingers to rest in and hit - nor do they go down as far as traditional keyboards when you press them - can't remember the word for it. So the combination of those two changes make it much easier to press the wrong keys a lot.

Has anyone else experienced this? Not quite ready to risk $50 on another potential Appleflump, I'm afraid that the short action and lack of curvature might make typing uncomfortable or difficult. And a decrease in accuracy wouldn't be worth a penny.

 

[mpw]

Question for anybody with the new wired keyboard:

With the 'increase brightness' key on now on the F2 key, what happens when you ctrl+F2?

If that doesn't invoke the Apple menu anymore how do you? I can't see a function key, although I do on the BT short version?

EDIT: Never-mind, I found the fn key on the wired keyboard amongst the document navigation keys

 

[Krevnik]

Has anyone else experienced this? Not quite ready to risk $50 on another potential Appleflump, I'm afraid that the short action and lack of curvature might make typing uncomfortable or difficult. And a decrease in accuracy wouldn't be worth a penny.

The keyboard is effectively the same as the MacBook keyboard. If you find it usable, this will be just as usable. If the MacBook keyboard annoys you or whatever, so will this. The BT keyboard /is/ the same size as the MB keyboard, and the wired keyboard has the added numpad.

 

[powermac_daddy]

my ipod nano does NOT work with the new thin apple keyboard.

my external hard drive works with the USB on the right, not the left. Why is that?

When I plus in the Nano to the left USB port, nothing shows up, not even the lower power message.

any words regarding the USB issue? thanks.

 

[brop52]

I need my number pad. It's far faster typing on a number pad than on the top row. The number pad is how you are supposed to type out numbers. Hence why I went with the wired version of the new keyboard. I'm loving it and they way my desk is set up I'm going to have to put a hole in the desk to put the cord through. Other than that it's really nice and I can type very quickly on it.

 

[byakuya]

I wouldn't go as far as saying that the keyboard is lame...but it sure has some deficits (design wise, usb ports).
But if you are a macbook owner you will really appreciate that the keys are the same as the ones used for the macbook. this way you have the same typing feel on the road and at home if you are a external keyboard user...for me that was the main buying argument.
if anyone is interested in a unpacking photo series of a japanese layout version click here
byakuya

 

[feelthefire]

I personally hate the old apple keyboards, love my macbook keyboard, but actually use a Logitech S530 for an external keyboard.

Why does the keyboard have to be Apple? there are plenty of good looking wireless keyboards with all the key travel and number pads you could possibly want.

 

[Cloudgazer]

I suppose i could live without the full sized keybaord.

But it completely irritates me that it doesn't have a CTRL button on the right side.
What about us lefties??

 

[wPod]

I got the wired keyboard this weekend. and after using it as much as I could in a couple days I really like it. i think it looks tons cooler than any other keyboard on the market.

As for the BT keyboard, I think it would be great for sitting on the couch, but I do not like not having a number pad. I have the old BT keyboard and use it as a 'desktop' setup with my PB. w/o the wire i get a less cluttered desk, but i still get the functionality of a 'full' keyboard. but im guessing someone at apple did some real research on how many people use/want the number pad. much more research than 'i use it therefore everyone must'!

function keys: whats with the new function keys? i plug in the keyboard and they all act like normal keys. (ie the little pictures of new functions do nothing). and why did apple move the keys? the brigtness keys (F1, F2) are the same, but the volume keys are different on the keyboards than they are on the MB and MBP keyboards. are you trying to confuse us apple???

 

[The Stig]

Oh man. This is the best thread ever. I got a big kick from reading the fight between suneohair and megfilmworks! Too funny!

My take on the new keyboard. It sucks. I want a BT keyboard too but I want a numpad. I love the numpad! I use it more than the numbers on the top. Smaller keys? How stupid is that!?! I have a MB, are they smaller or the same size? I'm used to my MB keyboard now and typing on the new keyboard shouldn't be a issue with me, BUT if the BT keys are smaller than that would be a problem. I'm not the best typer in the world but I'm good enough, and it the keys are smaller that is going to throw me right off! I'm pretty sure Apple said the MB keys are spaced apart just as a standard keyboard. SO is the BT keyboard not? Or is the wired keyboard bigger? Which is which? That is just dumb.

I'm on the look out for an old BT keyboard I guess.

The Stig

 

[Krevnik]

My take on the new keyboard. It sucks. I want a BT keyboard too but I want a numpad. I love the numpad! I use it more than the numbers on the top.

It does suck that this option is left out.

Smaller keys? How stupid is that!?! I have a MB, are they smaller or the same size? I'm used to my MB keyboard now and typing on the new keyboard shouldn't be a issue with me, BUT if the BT keys are smaller than that would be a problem.

The keys on both the wired and BT keybaord are the same size as the MB keys, and spaced the same way. The BT keyboard is pretty much a MB keyboard without the numpad mode that the MB/MBP keyboards have.

People are saying the keys are smaller because they don't have the same shape. An optical illusion, nothing more.

I'm on the look out for an old BT keyboard I guess.

The Stig

Last week, a lot of Apple stores still had the old keyboards, I would pick one up soon if you intend to get an older one.

 

[aaronw1986]

I didn't think I'd like the new keyboard, as I don't like how macbook's feel really. However, I tried one yesterday and I really love it. The new keyboard's are awesome.

 

[zap2]

I'm upset the BT keyboard doesn't have a number pad, although I like the White/Al(goes well with my Mac Mini)

 

[aaronw1986]

After doing my posting on this topic yesterday, I thought about it.

I decided I could really care less. If this is what Apple wants to do with their keyboard, who cares. I'm not going to buy one anyway.

Someone is bound to like them. If the masses don't, they'll have no choice but to create an old fashioned keyboard.

I tried one yesterday....I like it and will most likely buy one.

 

[suneohair]

I personally hate the old apple keyboards, love my macbook keyboard, but actually use a Logitech S530 for an external keyboard.

Why does the keyboard have to be Apple? there are plenty of good looking wireless keyboards with all the key travel and number pads you could possibly want.

I would hardly the call the RF (what a joke) Logitech S530 decent kit.

 

[wako]

One of the reason why I got a MBP over a MB was to escape the MB keyboard....



I personally think both the BT keyboard and the full sized ones both suck. Sexy and all but I rather have a nice feel when i press down each individual key....



Sad part of it all is that I actually need a new keyboard (i hook up my systems to external monitors ), I guess Im stuck with these crappy new ones :'(

 

[dollystereo]

Is by far the better looking keyboard of all! is gorgeous...
Maybe is not that functional, but it looks incredible.