When Steve Jobs announced new Apple Keyboards last Tuesday, I could not control my excitement. Sure, Jobs just announced a keyboard, but for me the announcement came at the right time. My previous generation Apple Keyboard looked and felt dirty (partially due to the clear design), and I was debating between giving the keyboard a proper cleaning or picking up a new one. After the announcement, cleaning the keyboard just sounded silly.
I always liked my MacBook’s keyboard, so naturally I love the new Apple Keyboard. While the low profile does take time getting used to, having the keyboard at the same height as the wrists feels natural. The limited travel of the keys seems to speed up typing, and while the keys are flat, they are easier to press (especially for the fat-fingered). Those used to typing on laptops will feel right at home with Apple Keyboard.
Rearranged Keys
The new special function keys are a nice addition, but I feel Apple placed them incorrectly. I’m used to pressing F9 for Exposé and F12 for the Dashboard. Their new placement at F3 and F4 feels awkward. Furthermore, I can no longer easily access the desktop via F11 without having to hold in fn. Sure, I could reassign Exposé Hide to one of the 19 available function keys (Apple, do we really need 19 function keys?), but then hiding would be messed up on my MacBook Pro. There is no perfect solution in this case, and most likely I will be forced to learn to use fn.
While the keyboard may be small, Apple’s packaging certainly is not.
Wired or Wireless
Regarding wired vs. wireless, my decision was interesting. While some people are choosing wired due to the full size keyboard, that did not affect my decision. I never use the number pad and the middle buttons always appeared quite useless to me. I picked the wired keyboard because I wanted the extra USB 2.0 ports. I also prefer to leave Bluetooth off on my MacBook Pro, so having to turn Bluetooth on and off between battery uses would have been a pain.
Conclusion
If you’re in the market for a new keyboard, look no further than the Apple Keyboard. It’s relatively cheap, looks stylish, and feels great. As long as the new function keys don’t bother you, the Apple Keyboard truly is another engineering marvel and will look good on just about any desk.
21 Comments
Thanks for the review. It reinforces my decision to replace my old Apple Keyboard. Unfortunately, mine isn’t likely to arrive until after I leave for my week-long vacation
Also, you’re not having any trouble with the F3 and F4 keys? Apparently a few people are.
That stinks. If you know it’s going to arrive while you’re away, make sure you pre-sign for the shipment and have a neighbor hold onto it. I know FedEx will send a package back if the package is not picked up on the third delivery attempt.
Regarding F3 and F4 problems, I have none. Both keys work fine as well as the iTunes controls. However, they didn’t work until I downloaded Keyboard Update 1.1. I have a feeling most people don’t have the update, because it will only download if you have the new keyboard plugged in.
Does your keyboard lack the Open Apple symbol? Or is it just the command button now? I never liked those kind of keyboards however, I’ve always used the split keyboard by Microsoft and I really hate typing on anything else. I really wish Apple made an ergonomic keyboard, rather not use anything with a silly Microsoft flag on it.
It’s just the command button now. Personally, I can’t stand ergonomic keyboards, so I’m glad this keyboard is a standard one.
I would of said the same thing before I got one. However, after getting used to it, I can’t type any other way.
Glad to hear it’s overall a great piece of hardware.
I ordered my wired keyboard this afternoon. My decision for wired over wireless was due to the missing keys in the wireless version. I use the number pad and home/end keys while coding and can’t imagine not having them. Kind of sucks to be going back to a wired keyboard after being wireless for so many years, but I’m sure I’ll get over it.
Sidenote - I’m really surprised the keys are white. Or at least, surprised that the keyboard that ships with the new iMacs doesn’t have black keys. I can see white keys for those with older hardware, but it doesn’t even match the new hardware that it’s bundled with. Strange.
Yeah, I saw you ordered one over Twitter. Enjoy it!
Regarding key colors, I don’t think white was a bad choice. Black keys with an aluminum frame would have looked really bad. I think the best color choice would have been aluminum keys as well. They didn’t have to be actual aluminum keys, just painted like the MacBook Pro’s keyboard.
“Furthermore, I can no longer easily access the desktop via F11 without having to hold in fn.”
Command+F3 does it just fine. Ctrl+F3 is the other ’secret’ F3 shortcut. And, yeah, those are both two keys rather than one, but you don’t need fn.
Great find Craig! Command+F3 hides all windows, however Ctrl+F3 does nothing for me. Is it suppose to Exposé the current application? Furthermore, it appears Option+F3 opens up the Dashboard and Exposé preferences page.
I don’t get it - if you are getting a keyboard for use with your MBP (and find it a hassle to turn bluetooth on & off), yet don’t use the number and middle keys of the wired keyboard.. why not just use the keyboard on the MBP itself?
I run my MacBook Pro closed in desktop mode. A picture of this can be found on Flickr. When I’m not hooked up to my monitor, I have no problem using my MBP’s built-in keyboard.
Hi,
good review. I really enjoy the new keyboard, I feel that the typing speed has greatly improved, so, all should be fine. However, maybe I am theonly one doing something wrong, or the issue can be setupped, but I find one thing about the new function keys kinda inconsistent: While most special functions (brightness, volume, play controls) are accessible right away with just the one key, to get exposé-all windows (f3) or dashboard, I have to use fn+f3 resp. fn+f4. I think that´s kinda odd. There´s a setup option in system preferences/keyboard that reverses that- if i check that thing, f3 and f4 are to be used without fn while the others are with fn, and the dashboard is suddenly on f9 also!
Other than that, just a cool keyboard, in fact the coolest I have used in years. Apple keyboards seemed very wonky to me (apart from the raved ADB pro keyboard, which was a monster of solidity and control).
Ahh. There´s a fix for my problem, I shoulda looked earlier. If anyone else encounters it, check out this discussion:
http://discussions.apple.com/thread.jspa?messageID=5141546�
Interesting variance in the packaging between UK and US shipping. I’ve written a fairly lengthy look at the packaging after seeing your flickr pages (yeah yeah its a slow morning) and I reckon Apple has gone a long way to improving things — it can go further but when I remember what my older clear plastic crumb bucket’s packaging was like — I think some real improvements have been made so wary credit where it is due — I suspect these are shipping and cost considerations rather than Eco-reasons — but its a good two-fer.
I like this new wired keyboard. The lower action means more pivoting action is made where the triceps at the base of the elbow pivot from the edge of my desk rather than pivoting at the wrists — and I sit better and I type lighter, and I make fewer typos! Its amazing what a few degrees difference will do. Sadly as I use a lot of spreadsheeting and find the position of the page navigation buttons annoying on the Bluetooth Keyboard I shall have to slum it with the short length of umbilical. For £29 I think its pretty good value. See how it lasts over time.
A nice review. Thanks!
I go the same problems . i update my home station bought a mstand + new keyboard.
but.. F3 F4 …. thoese are mess. i dun want to change it coz my MBP will use with out exndend keyboard. what can i do ? i think we shoudl ask apple make a pugin for us to swif it !!! Does’nt it ?
Donnie From HK
I’ve had the new wired keyboard for a week now, and I really like it.
Consider me weird but I have always liked typing on laptop keyboards, and wanted one like the PowerBook keyboard. This one will do, and I’m digging it.
I had no problems with install - Plugged it in, downloaded the update, and was off and running.
My only complaint is that the caps locks key needs to be more sensitive. It takes a good SOLID pressing for it to turn on.
I actually like the caps lock being less sensitive. On previous keyboards I would always accidentally press the caps lock key when on a typing frenzy. That doesn’t seem to happen anymore with the Apple Keyboard.
This is the ultimate Mac keyboard. I absolutely love it!
I have just got a new keyboard (after getting sick of having to apply 20 pounds of pressure to my old G4 keyboard as the keys just seem to get stuck) and playing around with the function keys and I totally agree with you, I miss the regular desktop, expose and dashboard placements and yes, why are there 19 function keys! I’m sure they could’ve put the volume and eject keys instead of F16 to F19.
It’s a nice keyboard thouse, and I’m in the same boat as you being used to the Macbook.
Regarding #7, you say black keys on aluminum would’ve looked bad, but then http://www.apple.com/macbookair/design.html, haha. Just a point. I’ve ordered an Apple Wired Keyboard today for my Macbook, really looking forward to it as I enjoy typing on my MacBook - but am moving to a dual display set up for my MacBook and so want to position it a bit further away from me + lifted up - not a good place to type!
@Matt Sledge: “My only complaint is that the caps locks key needs to be more sensitive. It takes a good SOLID pressing for it to turn on.”
I’m pretty sure it’s an intentional feature to save you from accidentally pressing the caps lock button in a touch typing frenzy! Bravo, Apple! Who uses the caps lock key these days anyway?
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