Sleek and stylish like an ostrich walking across water
When Apple revealed the new iMac at its Town Hall meeting, I was less than impressed. Sure, the design was cooler and the speeds were increased, but it still looks an awful lot like my iMac G5 with iSight. However, with the new iMacs came new Apple keyboards. Slim as hell and packed with improvements, it takes on the style of keys that the Macbook uses. Of course you don’t need to buy a new iMac to have the new keyboard, so let’s look over this baby with a magnifying glass.
The first thing you’ll notice is that compared to the old Apple keyboard, there’s no place for crumbs to go. The keyboard is flatter than Michelle Tanner and any mess you might make can easily be remedied by turning the keyboard upside-down. Problem solved.
Next thing you’ll notice is the new style of keys. As I mentioned earlier, Apple decided to stick with the Macbook-style of keys and typing on them is fantastic. You can type quickly and precisely due to the fact that there’s not a big chunk of plastic to press on. ::Tap tap tap:: you’ll hear for hours on end. It’s a pleasant break from keyboards of the past.
Included on both the wired and wireless version are new function keys. F1 and F2 control brightness levels on your display, F3 is Expose, F4 is Dashboard, and F8 through F12 are dedicated music control keys. Skip track, play/pause, and volume adjustments make iTunes easily accessible when you’re busy raiding in World of Warcraft or just browsing the web. You’ll have to install a software update when you buy the keyboard before you can take advantage of these. A minor inconvenience, nothing more.
The numpad works fine and there’s nothing new here. It’s worth mentioning that if you are picking up the Apple Wireless Keyboard, you’ll be getting it sans numpad. For some reason, Apple decided to just do away with the numpad on the Wireless Keyboard. Perhaps to keep it small and economical? Who knows. Just keep it in mind.
One of the overlooked features of this keyboard is that it has two USB 2.0 ports on each side. You’d think with this on the Apple website, they’d be a godsend:
Completely redesigned, the included Apple Keyboard perfectly complements your iMac. Its ultrathin anodized aluminum enclosure features low-profile keys that provide a crisp, responsive feel. The keyboard includes special function keys for one-touch control of Mac features, and two USB 2.0 ports for high-speed connectivity to your iPod,
Oh sweet! I can use my iPod on my keyboard now? Awesome! I plugged mine in and guess what showed up on my Macbook and iMac? “USB Low Power Notice.” Thanks for lying out your ass Apple. I’ll stick to using the keyboard for my mouse and a card reader.
Well, having a .33-inch thick keyboard rocks, but is it worth $49.99 + tax? Not really. If your old keyboard is fine and you don’t need a new one anytime soon, then ignore and don’t even bother. If both USB ports on the keyboard could power an iPod, then maybe I’d be more inclined to urge you to buy one.
However… if you are in the market for a new keyboard and already have an Apple desktop, then it’s worth a trip around the block to the Apple Store. Need a longer keyboard? Get this one. Apple has included a USB extension cord in case you use a Mac Pro. The function keys really help with productivity and the new keys allow for much faster typing. In the end, it comes down to whether or not you’re comfortable with it.
Have you ever seen an ostrich walk across water? As a matter of fact I don’t think it’s even possible? So what does this analogy say about your opinion of the new Apple design? ;-)
Good review, Vince. You pointed out many of the concerns that I have with the new Apple keyboard as well.
I can’t wait for the Bluetooth version.
what the hell, why would they do away with the numpad.
Unless I just don’t understand what a numpad is, I see numbers section on the right side in the picture above. Any chance this would work on a PC? I’m looking forward to Bluetooth version as well. (although, I’ve read online about people having to ‘turn off bluetooth’ to get their Firewire-base Audio I/O box to record properly)
I bought this keyboard to replace the white one that came with my Mac Pro. The old one was a clunky one with keys that sometimes stuck on the way down – and I’m not the only one who complained.
The new keyboard is a definite improvement. Much smoother and quieter. I thought it was worth the price.
As for why the wireless has no numeric keypad, two possible reasons:
1. If you are throwing it in a bag, without the keypad it actually fits in the bag.
2. If you are using it on your lap, the main keyboard is perfectly centered if you chop off the numeric keypad. With the keypad, it’s unbalanced.
I see the wireless keyboard as the perfect companion to a mini hooked up to a big screen TV in the living room, with the keyboard within easy-to-grab distance on the coffee table.
I’m not saying it’s the best thing. Obviously Apple should have provided an option for wireless with keypad, don’t know what Apple was thinking there. But chopping off the keypad is FAR from useless.
Did you watch the Apple special event when the keyboard was released? Jobs said that the wireless keyboard was designed without the numpad because he thinks people want to hold it in their hands and on their laps and the keyboard will be more comfortable without the extra length.
Also, did you use the keyboard with a new mac or an old Mac? Is it possible that they upped the USB power on the new model for this keyboard? Of course I agree that they should disclose that if it was the case so people with older Macs are not mislead.
I hate the old Mac keyboard which is why I’m still using a Logitech Windows model with my Mac Pro, although this looks appealing, but why no numberpad on the wireless model? I need a number pad plain and simple.
There is only one high-power USB connection associated with this keyboard, which is not really surprising since it takes up only one USB port on your computer, and so it can only give maximum power to one device.
Apple decided to allocate power by giving the high power to the device that’s plugged in first. So what happens? You plug in your keyboard, plug in your mouse, and your mouse gets the high power! So of course you’re upset that your iPod doesn’t work.
Try unplugging your mouse, plugging in your iPod and then plugging in your mouse and see if it works. As long as your computer is on, port allocation should stay the same, so you should be able to plug in your iPod anytime but will have to go through this same bizarre ritual whenever you power cycle your computer.
Did that work? Let us know!
D
Great tip on getting the high power USB connector on the keyboard to work. Thanks!
i know you meant the line “flatter than Michelle Tanner” to be a jab – but dude, it is actually a compliment to both the keyboard and the nymphette! :-)
once again, underwhelming innovation from apple –
1) where is the illuminated backlight of the laptop version!?!
2) where is the bluetooth version?
3) where is the DC-IN power port to run & charge high draw devices like ipods, cameras etc (no to mention the auxiliary DC-out guest ports!)
4) where is the media reader slot?!?
5) where is the infra-red (tunneling back to the host) for all the millions of legacy macs that dont have access to remcon (eg front-row)?
bbs: The New slim Apple Keyboard Review / once again, underwhelming innovation from apple –
1) where is the illuminated backlight of the laptop version!?!
2) where is the bluetooth version?
3) where is the DC-IN power port to run & charge high draw devices like ipods, cameras etc (no to mention the auxiliary DC-out guest ports!)
4) where is the media reader slot?!?
5) where is the infra-red (tunneling back to the host) for all the millions of legacy macs that dont have access to remcon (eg front-row)?
/ power prioritization for the built-in hub
attn webmaster: hmm, double posting …
something is wrong with the comment engine on thsi site –
the first (two) times, i did not see any result after using teh submit button
the only way i could verify the comment was to reload the url manually (for some reason the comment fragment of the url was still there after the first post).
also:
any review of a keyboard should include an (well-engineered!) audio sample so we can know how ‘clickity’ or how ‘clackity’ the strokes are!
more things apple forgot to include in the new keyboard:
1) LED flexi-arm stype of lamp …
if there is no back-lit illumination, then at least there should some ability to type in the dark (and the lamp should use an internal usb port inside the keyboard’s hub to draw power – not hog an external usb port).
2) a pc-card slot is also missing! (gps)
3) secure biometric sensors (thumbprint etc)
4) magnetic swipe for smart cards
5) heads up mini display: a short but wide LCD panel could be put to many interesting functions that present an intriguing opportunity for a simple menu-ing/windowing UI
* shell access: emacs/vim editor (which also doubles as portable typewriter when NOT connected to a computer!)
* web2,0 telemetry: display text/icons from the dashboard widgets or the (always cluttered) SystemUIServer menu
* application telemetry (this external display area would fight with the application UI on the main screen) – download status, email/vmail status; etc
* gaming telemetry (cf the logitech models)
* stripped down ipod player interface (like the existing minimized itunes controller)
6) maybe an internal battery (obviously for BT but also as part of a mini-ups)
7) internal am/fm radio – or maybe also optional DAB (like the griffen SHARK)
I have plugged the new Apple (flat) Key-board to my iMac (not the recent version), and can’t control the sound volume anymore. F11 and F12 do not work with the sound.
Any idea?
Actually the keyboard does provide power to high-power USB devices, but only for the new iMac. If you had bothered to read the keyboard section on Apple’s website you would have seen this:
Two USB 2.0 ports enable you to easily connect your Mighty Mouse as well as a high-speed peripheral such as a digital camera or printer.*
*Devices that draw high power from the USB connection, such as iPods, hard drives and some flash drives, can only be used with the new keyboard when it is attached to the aluminum iMac.
So no, Apple did not lie out their ass in anyway shape or form – you just made some assumptions you shouldn’t have.
Love your post zahadum! :D
Just a quick pointer, they are indeed USB 2.0 ports… but only when used on the new aluminum iMacs. Other models (including the white Core 2 Duos) do not give the keyboard enough power!
@ Zahadum; DC IN, on a keyboard??. I am extremely relieved that you don’t work for Apple hardware design or aesthetics – your concept is a messy, clunky and potentially ugly one.
I never heard such a proposition… what a laugh. The USB ports are there for convenience, NOT an out and out replacement of a SEPARATE, powered USB hub.
Zahadum is crazy! As long as we’re including a biometric scanner, FM radio, card reader, lamp, DC in, and an LCD, why not a wood-chipper, pez dispenser, and turkey baster? 95% of us want a keyboard that we can use to type things, and maybe plug a mouse, digital camera, or flash drive into. The other 5% are served by third party keyboard makers, for video editing inputs, fancy gaming setups, and scientific workstations. Apple’s creation serves the masses quite well, and the lack of gadgetry serves to streamline the thing into the kind of high design that sets Apple apart from all other makers.
This is the ultimate Mac keyboard. I absolutely love it!
uhhhh guy’s zahadum was obviously being ironic one can’t really be serious in saying all those things. Apple usually puts style before function and I really think that anyone thinking that a DC in/out port on a keyboard can even be a serious idea doesn’t really get what apple is all about.
Great Review, a bit late in the reply i know, but I am getting a new iMac in the next few weeks so better now than never to find if the new keyboard is any good or not. I think this review has changed my mind in favor of the new style. And, although it would have been great to have been backlit, The amount of light that the new iMac puts out, there is no need. (if using with said iMac)
Thanks to your review I’ve now talked myself into to getting this new one, ordered and on its way! The old one seems to have a parttime job as a dust/crumb collector so I’ve given it the sack. Cheers, Gareth.
this keyboard sucks for gaming. i need something that sits stable on the table, has lots of tactile feedback. also i think the keys are too small in height. oh and it’s too flat.
To come I get to that weighing, it should be acicular out that in the chart superior to before, the Dell’s “$1,432” bonus is after $650 in diversified Dell discount/coupon finaglings. Granted, Internet shopping geeks (and I cogitate on myself to be one, so that’s not an discourtesy) whim be clever to bring to light a Dell coupon rather most, but your conventional consumer? And requite then, this one’s a whopper—it’s not on numerous occasions that you can buy a $2,100 computer for less than $1,500. So I’m booming to look at continuous honorariums and then let you do the “coupon math” at the end.
(It should also be famous that the total in this article was based on Dell’s bonuss on a discrete day final week. As anyone who has done dangerous count on-hunting on the Dell Web orientation knows, honorariums hard cash diurnal—requite by the hour and minute.)
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For touch, high speed typing, as in heavy word processing I found the keyboard an erogomatic nightmare. I switched it out for cheapie, supposedly non compatible keyboard. Works great, except the function keys pick up some of the functions of the Mac keyboard and other functions not on the keyboard. No biggie.
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this keyboard is bullshit. it has no tactile feedback whatsoever. like typing on a piece of paper. I had a better keyboard on my zx-81. yeah it looks cool – but that is it. maybe its because I am not a touch typist but I find this keyboard horrible to use.
Typically for the mac, if you don’t like this keyboard there are no alternatives available. using a windows keyboard is annoying coz all the modifier keys are labeled wrong.
Like all things, your brain needs to learn how to use it. As for keyboards, I have some real WHINES about Sun Microsystem’s and the why they moved the [ESC} key around.. A real pain for a UNIX dude who use vi..
I find the cable out the back the keyboard hits against the iMac base. Because I use a Wacom tablet (flush w/the table), I often push the keyboard up, out of the way. Would have liked the option to move the chord to one side. I also find it harder to perform multi-key combinations, such as “Cmd-Option-Shift-2″, which I use regularly in my work
Be careful though the keys on the new flatter keyboard are delicate, so if you have kids that use your keyboard you might want to stick with the older version. I have already had a couple keys pop off and our imac is less than a year old.
Just picked mine up from best buy, powers my wireless mighty and my ipod shuffle on my hackintosh LOVE IT
Waaazzzup AWSUM
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Main article: Dance-punk
Many groups in the post-punk era adopted a more rhythmic tempo, conducive to dancing. These bands were influenced by disco, funk, and other dance musics popular at the time, as well as being anticipated by some of the 1970s work of David Bowie,1] Brian Eno, and Iggy Pop, and some recordings by the German groups referred to as Krautrock.
The music style re-emerged under the name dance-punk at the beginning of the 21st century.2] The style was championed by rock- and punk-oriented bands such as Liars, The Rapture and Radio 4, as well as dance-oriented acts such as Out Hud. Other groups, such as !!! and The Faint fell somewhere in the middle. There has since been a crystallization of musical forms within dance-punk, with bands such as Death from Above 1979, Test Icicles, Fake Shark – Real Zombie!, and Q and Not U exploring aspects of dance-punk, along with post-hardcore and other musical styles. DFA Records can be seen as the current center of the dance-punk genre. As well as James Murphy’s LCD Soundsystem, the label is currently home to The Juan MacLean, Hot Chip, Hercules & Love Affair, Brinvonda, Shit Robot, Delia Gonzalez & Gavin Russom, Prinzhorn Dance School, Booji Boy High, Shocking Pinks, Holy Ghost!, Still Going, Syclops and YACHT.
Our work just got these because they look nice which is true but its like typing on a really really bad laptop keyboard its just horrible, everyone commented. Then again i wan’t expecting much Apple hasn’t got a very good track record with their keyboards. Save yourself the pain go buy a decent Logitech and spray it white if you have to.
Incredible! I love it. I bought it because it looks so darn attractive and comfortable, but wasn’t sure if I’d like typing on it (who cares? It’d look great on my desk!). But it has surpassed my expectations. Now I can hear my music/TV while typing. It seems to help me type faster and more accurately now that I don’t have to press so hard, just tap the buttons. Amazing design.