I intend to get a display for my new macbook, and I want to know whether it is worth getting a keyboard. The display will be used, mostly, for watching movies on, so I am thinking that I could just turn the brightness down on my macbook, mostly close the lid, and watch stuff on the display, rather than spending the extra money on a keyboard. Opinions?
Got a tip for us?
Let us know
Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.
Worth getting a Keyboard with display?
- Thread starter northy014
- Start date
- Sort by reaction score
if you end up using the dispay for anything more than movies (and given the MB's small screen, trust me, you will...) then you will for sure want a keyboard. I had a HDTV set up as my primary monitor over the summer, and tried doing the close the lid until I needed to type approach, and it got to be annoying. Take my word for it, you'll want that keyboard.
Also, if you are shelling out at least $200 for a non-
display (or $500ish + for an ), how does the extra $20 for a non- (or $50-$80 for an ) keyboard really hurt that much? As I said, trust me, you will want it very much very quickly.
That said, if you really do use that display ONLY for watching movies, well... no sense in getting a keyboard. On the other hand, it is bloody convenient actually having a number pad and a "delete" key (as opposed to "backspace")
Really, it all boils down to personal preference and what you will actually use it for. Personally, I'd say get the damn keyboard...
Also, if you are shelling out at least $200 for a non-
display (or $500ish + for an ), how does the extra $20 for a non- (or $50-$80 for an ) keyboard really hurt that much? As I said, trust me, you will want it very much very quickly.That said, if you really do use that display ONLY for watching movies, well... no sense in getting a keyboard. On the other hand, it is bloody convenient actually having a number pad and a "delete" key (as opposed to "backspace")
Really, it all boils down to personal preference and what you will actually use it for. Personally, I'd say get the damn keyboard...
Yeah. I wanted a wireless keyboard, but one with the mac keys on, and unless you get Apple's then it's really expensive. Oh, and 's is too. I will probs go for the wired one. The display is £130, the mini displayport adapter is £20 and the keyboard will be £30/£50 depending on whether I go wired or wireless. I do want the second USB port though, and I don't really want a hub clogging up my desk, so i might as well just spring for the wireless. I don't mind not having a delete button really.
's is too. I will probs go for the wired one. The display is £130, the mini displayport adapter is £20 and the keyboard will be £30/£50 depending on whether I go wired or wireless. I do want the second USB port though, and I don't really want a hub clogging up my desk, so i might as well just spring for the wireless. I don't mind not having a delete button really.
yup, that's about what I got. Be fore-warned tho, the ports on the keyboard have two issues:
1) non-powered, so high-power devices and some flash drives won't work.
2) the ports are tucked up under the keyboard, so some bigger plugs (like flash drives) won't necessarily fit.
Those are my only two gripes against the
keyboard. and while you may not mind not having the delete key and such, you will find in indispensable once you have it 
And I sure agree on wanting the MB-like chiclet keys. They are definitely love-or-hate, and I love them. So ya, the wired keyboard is very worth it (I only wish that they made a full-sized wireless keyboard like, well, EVERY other manufacturer on the planet
) Oh well, that sums up apple: we know your needs better than you do 
I bought an external display, a couple months later, added a keyboard. I bought one mainly because I do a lot of work with excel and wanted a proper numberpad, though... if it weren't for that, I likely would have stuck with the MB's keyboard.
That said, adding a keyboard (especially a wireless one) gives you a lot more flexibility in terms of how you layout your system. Worth it for that, imo.
That said, adding a keyboard (especially a wireless one) gives you a lot more flexibility in terms of how you layout your system. Worth it for that, imo.
Yeah, if one prefers wired keyboards, the hub probably is really a good option. If you want it out of the way, double sticky tape it to the back of the display. Although the hub adds more cable, in the end, at least one advantage of it is that you can leave all your USB stuff plugged in and together, and then you have less cables to plug into the Mac when you bring it there.
On the other hand, if the MB mostly lives at the desk, then the hub is probably a waste.
Oh, and the other thing to think about if you don't have your display yet is that many of them have powered USB hubs in them. I think pretty much every Dell is like this, unless they stopped doing it?
I'm getting an Acer display, which doesn't have it. The Dell equivalent was £50 more ($80).
The latest Apple desktop keyboards are absolutely the finest keyboards ever produced in my opinion. They are just like the black keyboard on your MacBook, but the keys are made of a different plastic which has a better texture which is easier to type on. I really recommend the wireless one - at £50 I know it is pricey but to me that is worth every penny.
^^^^ Completely agree, and they are so easy to maintain, god forbid you should eat near your mac then crumbs are easily removed . But seriously its a pleasure to work with and well worth the £50. Go for it my friend.
then crumbs are easily removed . But seriously its a pleasure to work with and well worth the £50. Go for it my friend.