Review: Apple's new flat keyboard

[giza]

After setting up a new iMac for my mother (music4fun) last weekend, I liked it so much that I went and bought one of my own. You can see it below, next to my old clunky Gigaware keyboard:



So, what's to like?

For starters, the keyboard takes up less desk space than my old keyboard. Also, there are two low power USB ports on the underside of the keyboard, which let me unplug my mouse from the back of my iMac. (Yes, the Gigaware keyboard really did not have USB ports on it)

If you look closely at the function keys, they have symbols on them for common desks, such as starting/stopping music, firing up Dashboard, etc. I have no idea if these work on a PC (I'll test at the office soon), but it works great on my ancient G5 iMac. And it seems stupid, but I actually find myself making use of these keys because they're so darn convenient.

The keys are very short. Whereas the average keyboard has keys that stick out of the keyboard up to 1/4 of an inch, I measured these keys, and I would say they're closer to 1/16th of an inch. If you're a fast touch typist, this is a big boon because less effort to press each key == faster typing speeds.

The gaps between the keys are almost non-existent. This is awesome if you're like me and eat meals at your desk. No more nasty crumbs that fall between the keys and cause nasty things to come out when you turn the keyboard upside down and shake it. (No, I've never done that to co-workers, why do you ask?)

What's NOT to like?

Something that takes getting used to is the fact that the keyboard is very low to the desk. I'm used to "feeling my way across the keyboard" because it's so high from the desk. With this one, it's much more difficult to do that. However, I found myself adjusting to the height difference even while typing this post.



The Apple Keyboard currently sells for $49.99 and can be snagged from Apple's online store, or at any of their physical Apple Stores.

Comments

[zorinlynx.livejournal.com]

It's funny; I had the opposite experience.

I thought it was neat, so I picked one up and tried using it for a while. My main complaint was that the pressure required to strike a key is too low. Just gently resting my hand on the keys would press them from the weight of my fingers alone.

Also, the keys are completely flat, large, and have very little space between them. This means that it is difficult to "center" my finger on the keys by touch. I was frequently hitting two keys at once and my accuracy went way down as a result.

I suppose it's just what I'm used to. I like long-throw keyboards with good tactile feedback. This is what I type on now; as you can see the Apple keyboard is *quite* a leap. :)

[simbab.livejournal.com]

Yes, the Gigaware keyboard really did not have USB ports on it

Apple keyboards are the only ones I have run across which integrate a USB hub. It's really only good for mice, most flash drives don't work.

I have no idea if these work on a PC (I'll test at the office soon)

I'm sure they're just key codes. Some "multimedia" keys have been standardized (by Microsoft no less) and Apple follows the convention, e.g. I think volume mute is keycode 160. In Linux mapping these keys is usually pretty trivial, I'm sure there's some kind of add on for Windows that does this.

One thing to remember though is that at least on Apple laptops the convention from the PC world is usually reversed, i.e. you have to press the Fn key to get the F-key function, the "special" function is the default action. I don't know (can't remember) if this is a hardware or software thing. At least on older PowerBooks it was a hardware/firmware thing because you could set an Open Firmware variable to control the behavior and it affected the keyboard outside of OS X, e.g. in Linux.

I've never used one in any great amount, I get the impression they'd cause fatigue faster because of the reduced key button travel. You'd be pushing too hard, out of habit. Maybe you can adjust, I don't know.

[simbab.livejournal.com]

This is what I type on now; as you can see the Apple keyboard is *quite* a leap. :)

Me too, now if it would just stop spazzing out and spamming my text with ////////////////////////////// I'd be much happier. I don't know if it's a USB converter issue or what but it's annoying.

[giza.livejournal.com]

I'm resting my fingers on the keys now, and not having this problem. :-)

I wonder if maybe Apple tweaked the sensitivity at some point?

[giza.livejournal.com]

I don't think fatigue will be a problem for me, since I'm already being lazy and pushing the buttons softer. :-)

Just tried a USB stick and it worked for me. But it was thick enough to make the keyboard tilt slightly. Not sure if that's Apple's fault or PNY's fault.

[simbab.livejournal.com]

Older and smaller sticks tend to work, but if anything requires a non-trivial amount of power then it won't work. I don't understand why Apple can't pass through the full 500 mA minus whatever ridiculously trivial amount is required to power the keyboard.

[simbab.livejournal.com]

Maybe you just have a feather touch ;-)

[giza.livejournal.com]

I'd say ask an electrical engineer about that one. Maybe it's just not possible to power a keyboard and have enough current left over for non-lower power USB devices.

As it stands, I already freed up one port on the back of my Mac since I can plug the mouse into the side of the keyboard, and that's good enough for me.

[frostyw.livejournal.com]

In recent versions of the Mac OS, the interpretation of the Fn keys can be switched within a System Preferences pane. I would guess software.

http://idisk.me.com/frostyw98/Public/Skitch/Keyboard-20091202-213631.png

[simbab.livejournal.com]

It's firmware, actually, if memory serves.

[frostyw.livejournal.com]

I'm not an EE, but I seem to recall the maximum amount of power that can be passed by a USB port is 500mA. So if the keyboard is receiving 500mA, and it's using some of that, it can't pass 500mA to any child devices. I believe there are only two current settings - 100 and 500. Thus, any child devices off a bus-powered device would only be able to request 100mA.

[seeklynx.livejournal.com]

very nice
I have always liked mac hardware

[whyrl.livejournal.com]

I received one of these keyboards at work a few months back and I've gotten so used to typing on it that yesterday I got one for home too. I can't go back to the "old style" long-throw keyboards because they make typing a chore.

I only noticed the USB ports today. D'oh!

[mapdark.livejournal.com]

I tried the keyboard and I have to say that in my case , it's clunky old pc keyboard for me.

The apple keyboard doesn't feel right . My fingers are used to have big keys under them that have a good relief to them. The problem with the Apple keyboard is that the keys are simply very flat.

It looks good and takes less space. it's a fact . But I could never get used to them in the past and I don't think i could get used to them nowadays either.


At least it's not the curling stone mouse .. AKA the hockey puck mouse . which was a DISASTER.

[chefmongoose.livejournal.com]

I've got one of those. Well, the Unicomp clone-variant. I love me that big space bar. Mmm.

[silent-o.livejournal.com]

Not my cup of tea...

I'll take the clunker plz.

[silverscalenaga.livejournal.com]

I slam my fingers pretty hard. Hard enough to blank keys either by having rubbed or accidently scratched off the letters, or in the case of my current board, to have made blobs of lights form on various keys. http://www.saitek.com/uk/prod/eclipseii.htm

I might go to this later but... http://www.saitek.com/uk/prod/eclipse3.htm

that fucker looks too big for the space I have for a board. and I don't like monster boards.

[smack-jackal.livejournal.com]

I use the smaller Bluetooth version with my MacBook Pro when I'm at home typing away from my desk. I'm really quite pleased with the keyboard in general though I have noticed that my error rate goes up slightly for a little but when I switch from the laptop's internal keyboard to the BT keyboard.

[sebkha.livejournal.com]

Odd. I assumed the separate keyboard was ergonomically identical to the laptop keyboards.

[sparkybluefox.livejournal.com]

Long live the original IBM model M keyboard!

read:

http://www.clickykeyboards.com/

The original IBM keyboard was built like a die cast battle ship! It
was so heavy it could be used as a weapon!

[giza.livejournal.com]

You might be thinking of this one (http://store.apple.com/us/product/MB869LL/A?fnode=MTY1NDA1Mg&mco=MTA4Mzc5NDY), which is sold as a separate item.

[giza.livejournal.com]

That, and a 1.5 AMP keyboard would be kinda scary.

[smack-jackal.livejournal.com]

I have an older non-unibody MacBook Pro, they keyboard on it is like most PC laptops on the market. The Apple Bluetooth keyboard is like the one Giza is talking about only it doesn't have the number pad or USB ports.

[sebkha.livejournal.com]

Well yeah, but the actual keys have the same action, I presumed.

[delphanaeous.livejournal.com]

I was about to say... I'll buy another keyboard just as soon as my beloved 1988 IBM Model M dies... And it'll probably be another Model M!

It's also kinda fun driving around the internet with a keyboard that's older than... well... most of the internet. :D

*CLICK!* *CLICK!* *CLICK!* *CLICK!*

[chipotle.livejournal.com]

While someone else mentioned the Unicomp keyboard, they didn't mention that that's what it is -- a Model M. Not like a Model M, or similar to a Model M, or what have you; they're actually the company that bought the rights to keep manufacturing them from Lexmark. They sell USB variants with the Windows keys. (Ironically, while I almost never use those on Windows machines, they're all but essential if you plug a PC keyboard into a Mac!)

Having said that, I actually use one of the Apple keyboards Giza's writing about at work, and it's possibly the best low-travel keyboard that I've ever used. I'd still probably prefer having a buckling spring keyboard there, too... but my coworkers probably wouldn't like that.

[chefmongoose.livejournal.com]

Unicomp does make a slightly 'quieter' version with the same chassis but a slightly different return mechanism on the keys for a bit quieter of experience.

I'm quite happy with my Unicomp, which I bought after the market for used Model Ms got beyond the $20 range.