Filed under: Accessories, Analysis / Opinion, Peripherals, Apple
TUAW Hands On with the Apple Keyboard
But you don't buy a keyboard for its durability-- you buy it to type on, and that's where I ran into problems.
The keyboard does feel very similar to the new MacBook keyboards-- each key only drops a tiny bit, making for small, quick movements. The keytops are completely flat, or at least so much so that I couldn't feel any grooves or contouring. So if you like the MacBook keyboard, you'll probably like this one. I, however, am in the Model M crowd-- I like my keys big, deep, and clicky. I like to feel like I'm actually punching out words when I'm, well, punching out words, and so I like a keyboard that has a little heft to it, a keyboard that can chop a melon in half.
Actually, the Keyboard is probably thin enough to do a little fruit chopping, but in terms of really feeling it, I couldn't. I'm sure if I had more time with it, I'd get more used to it. And I was extremely impressed with the way the keyboard itself was built-- just like the iPhone (which I spent way too much time playing with in the store yesterday... again), it's a slim, well-designed, very functional*, beautiful, amazing thing.
It's just not my thing. If I got one with an iMac, I'd probably use it and learn to love it. But using it for the 20 minutes or so I did yesterday didn't convince me to replace the keyboard I've got now. It's a great keyboard, it's just too darn thin for me.
Have you guys bought or used it yet? What did you think?
*The only other problem I had with it was that, even in the Apple Store, the dedicated keys didn't do what they were supposed to-- an employee told me to go into settings and change all the hotkeys, which is obviously not what should have happened. But I believe that exact problem got fixed this morning, so it's probably not a concern any more.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 4)
mathmonkey said 5:10PM on 8-10-2007
I played with one at my local store. I hate my iMac keyboar and love my MacBook keyboard, and this is close enough for me. It was great. Typing was fast and clean. I wish they were cheaper, so I'll have to wait for a refurb or 3rd part clone. They told me they rushed to get them out so hadn't installed the software update necessary to use all the functions, which I think showed too little forethought.
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John Sample said 5:12PM on 8-10-2007
I think you're right that a great deal has to do with the beholder, I used to think PowerBook/MacBook keyboards felt too 'dainty', but having used them almost exclusively for years, even the godly apple key-switches started feeling foreign and clunky. The keyboard in question is obviously a derivative from portable design, and I for one am thrilled to see it because it means an external keyboard that doesn't feel like I need to use my fists to hit the keys.
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Jon Stieglitz said 5:13PM on 8-10-2007
I've got the previous generation of bluetooth keyboards. It is a beast compared to the new one. I'm pretty sure it could cut a melon in half. I too like the raised keys plus it has a numeric keypad. Basically the only advantage, besides looks, that the new one has going for it is battery life and since I use rechargeable batteries I think I am going to stick with the original.
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Lars said 5:19PM on 8-10-2007
Just in case someone from Apple reads this, I repeat my plea for an ergonomic keyboard. If MS can do it ;)
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PSM said 5:20PM on 8-10-2007
I'm thinking about getting one. I want one to use with my MBP when I'm home. I think the thin design will be good because I don't like having to make a huge adjustment from my built-in to external keys.
I wish they were offering a Bluetooth version with a numeric keypad. As it is, I'd go with the wired one now. My Apple keyboard from 2002 has stopped working in one section, so I am in need of one.
Anybody have any input on how they are for gaming?
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shannin said 5:21PM on 8-10-2007
i havent used the new keyboards, problaby with in the next week or so, i have to do alittle shopping anyway.
i personally think that the keys are too far apart from each other (by looking at the pictures / renderings) but i like that style of keyboard.
what really bothers me is that theres no numberpad on the wireless version! i think they were stupid for not putting one on it, i mean i think that they were going for the lap keyboard or kitchen counter keyboard where you either dont want a gigantic think on your lap. you need to conserve space.
they should have released two different models of the wireless version.
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Object-X said 5:27PM on 8-10-2007
It takes some getting use too. I've been at it since this morning and I'm not fat fingering the keys anymore. I was getting a little of that when I started because it's a bit different than the last Apple keyboard.
But it really frosts me that they don't have a wireless extended version. ??? I don't want my keyboard on my lap Steve! I just want my USB ports free and all the stupid cables gone. Thank you.
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BdeRWest said 5:33PM on 8-10-2007
Ergonomics are in the eye of the beholder, Lars. As Jobs said in his presentation, the new keyboard is significantly lower to the desk (whatever), which makes for a more natural wrist arch.
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required said 5:36PM on 8-10-2007
Seems to be much quieter which is nice.
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Anthony said 5:39PM on 8-10-2007
I consider myself a Model-M guy as well. Although, for some reason, I decided to try a MacAlly IceKey so I picked one up on Monday. I'm still not crazy about it. I just discovered the Matias Tactile Pro 2.0 keyboard and it looks interesting, but why the hell is it $150??!!??
http://matias.ca/tactilepro2/
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Mike Schramm said 5:41PM on 8-10-2007
It was a little bit of an awkward angle (as I'm used to having a little lip of a keyboard to rest my palms on, and clearly that's not there with this one). But then again, I was standing, so I can't say for certain that it made a big difference. Like I said, I think if I used this exclusively I'd get used to it. But compared to other keyboards, I think I'd like something with a little more heft, and that's enough to keep me from buying it.
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Michael B. said 6:08PM on 8-10-2007
I agree it was stupid to rush the iMacs out if the keyboard didn't function right. Because if I was actually looking for a new computer I'd want it to work right (or a new keyboard), and when the volume up key (which is now f12) opens dashboard I might just think something is wrong and then I don't want to buy an unreliable product. Normally the stores are slow to update software, but as soon as Apple starts getting in new keyboards and put them on display (and right now with the iMacs) I hope Apple pushes the software update ASAP.
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Pat said 5:48PM on 8-10-2007
I wish that they would put a number pad on the bluetooth one.
I understand Steve's reasoning, but at least offer 2 models. I use my bluetooth keyboard at a desk, so I want a real full keyboard, but I don't want the cables.
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Abubaker Shamlan said 5:49PM on 8-10-2007
Can you please post the dimensions of the keyboard?
i just wanna know how thin is it?
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Chris McGrail said 5:56PM on 8-10-2007
I'm really excited by it - I've hated the fullsize keyboards and have for a long time wished for a wireless keyboard & trackpad combo - something like a 12" powerbook with the screen removed! in fact most of the time i control my desktop machine with my 12" pb using teleport.
i definitely feel the strain in my hands using a fullsize keyboard as much as i do, so i can't wait to get my hands on this - i just wish there was one that had a trackpad built in.
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mathmonkey said 5:59PM on 8-10-2007
It's clear by my comment (#1) that I'm not too comfortable typing on anything.
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mason said 6:05PM on 8-10-2007
The keyboard is about 3/4 in thick and slanted upward. It has the same little rubber stoppers that are found on the bottom of the macbook that keep it from sliding around the desk.
My only real issue is the moving reassignment of the function keys. It is more obvious what the function of the keys are because of the addition of the function logos (ie little boxes for expose and an odometer-looking icon for dashboard), but my fingers are used to F9, F10, F11, and F12. Why change to F3 and F4? We're not all new users, Stevo, as much as you want that to be true...
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Fred said 6:10PM on 8-10-2007
Lars, Apple has done an ergonomic keyboard previously. As a matter of fact it was considered one of the best on the market at the time. It had two separate halves, and was very user friendly. I think they stopped making those right before Steve came back.
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walkerjs said 6:10PM on 8-10-2007
It isn't just modeled on a Macbook keyboard, it *is* a Macbook keyboard. Or at least it's identical in terms of key spacing and tactile feel. It looked that way in the pics, and I confirmed this at the Apple store when I went to check them out.
As such, I'm not sure I'd care to live with it all the time. I use my Macbook keyboard when out and about, but come home to an Apple bluetooth external keyboard of the previous generation. I prefer the previous gen keyboard but then I'm old school. I have no real problem with the Macbook keyboard and if I found myself on a deserted island with a power source, internet, and no external I'd get by just fine.
I just don't think I'd buy an external keyboard modelled after the Macbook built-in, keypad or no.
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Steven said 6:16PM on 8-10-2007
Pity that it's slanted upward in back and not adjustable. What a terrible and stupid decision on Apple's part. That's perhaps the #1 worst ergonomic mistake you can make, to tilt your keyboard that way. It forces the wrists to bend when they should always be straight. If anything the keyboard should be flat or slightly tilted in the *front*, depending on how you're seated. I hope they come to their senses and make the next version adjustable.
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