Customer Reviews

Apple USB Keyboard - White

5 star:		(32)
4 star:		(19)
3 star:		(7)
2 star:		(9)
1 star:		(10)

 

 

Pros:

-Aesthetically pleasing
-Integrated USB cable
-Two additional USB ports
-Driverless (at least under 10.2.8, which is what I'm using), hot swappable
-Adjustable foot for increased or reduced angling

Cons:

-Minor discrepancies that notebook users may find initially annoying
-Tactile response, while good, is not the best
-Cord is too short
-No power key

I use this keyboard with my OS X 10.2.8 based PowerBook, and overall, I'm very pleased. There are some odd glitches, such as the fact that the key repeat rate is slower on this keyboard than on the PowerBook's integrated keyboard, and the tactile response isn't ideal for high-speed touch-typists like myself. On a good keyboard, I can reach about 130 words per minute, but this keyboard doesn't give me the right "feel" for me to hit speeds like that.

If you're used to using your notebook's integrated keys for controlling your notebook's sound or display, you may be initially disoriented by the arrangement of the keys. Turning your notebook display's brightness up or down is possible with this keyboard, for example, but the keys that do it aren't labeled -- I discovered it purely by accident thru experimentation. And where's the function key? Granted, it's not critical -- perhaps not even needed at all -- but I'd still like to have it available to me. The keyboard doesn't have a power key, either, meaning you'll have to use the Mac's power key.

The cord, at only thirty-two inches, is *much* too short. Be aware of this limitation, especially if (for example) you're thinking of plugging this keyboard into the back of a tower that's sitting on the floor behind your desk.

On the upside, the keyboard is very handsome and comfortable to use. In addition to the integrated USB cable, there are two USB ports on either side of the keyboard, allowing you greater flexibility in connecting and placing your USB-based mouse. You can also use the extra port for any other USB-based peripheral (I personally find it very convenient for using my jump drive). No installation or configuration is required for use -- plug the keyboard in and you're set to go. The keyboard is also hot-swappable, so you can plug it in, or unplug it, anytime you like (although you should be cautious if you've connected any kind of storage device to one of the USB ports -- be sure to properly unmount the storage device before unplugging the keyboard). There are some other, smaller, conveniences as well -- such as the CD eject key -- that enhance the keyboard's utility.

All in all, a very good keyboard that's definitely worth your consideration.

I am using this keyboard with my Win XP PC and it works perfectly. It fortunately came with a USB extension cord. It is quite stylish but this inadvertently makes my Logitech mouse and Viewsonic monitor look sadly ancient. My only real complaint would be that it isn't equipped with a pair of feet to increase the keyboard angle.

Compared with a decent Microsoft PC keyboard, I noticed that on the Apple keyboard (1) the distance between the surfaces of two adjacent keys is shorter, (2) the surface of each key is flatter, and (3) the height difference between an unpressed and pressed key seems smaller. This gives the keyboard a softer/fuzzier feel that some people might not like or might need a little time to adjust to.

As a former Windows wonk, I was firmly committed to the classic clicker keyboard. That didn't make me very popular with other people in the room. The alternative, the quiet soft-touch keyboard made typing about as enjoyable as plunging one's fingers into a pile of cold raw liver.

When I bought a Mac mini, I decided I'd fully trick it out with a new keyboard. My first few keystrokes on this keyboard at The Apple Store made me wary. "It's too quiet, " I thought, but then I noticed the touch is a lot like the keyboard on an IBM Selectric typewriter. Each key has that moment of resistance before bottoming out, essential for speedy touch-typing.

The built-in USB hub is a nice feature but is the only real drawback. The Mac mini has two USB 2.0 ports but when you plug this keyboard in and plug a mouse (ugh) or trackball (yeah!) into the keyboard, you end up with one USB 2.0 port and one USB 1.1 port. So much for getting your money's worth from any USB 2.0 device you plug into the keyboard's free port.

Aside from that, the keyboard is the perfect match for a Mac mini. The multimedia keys (volume up, volume down, mute, eject) are icing on the cake, especially if your iTunes collection has a wide dynamic range.

I just wanted to say that this page refers to an older model that has sience been updated what is being sold is the remainder of amazon's stock.

The water damage remark is spot on, these recent Apple keyboards are really hard to salvage if they get wet. They're also hard to clean, a problem that is exacerbated by the pure white on clear materials. There are covers like iSkin that should rectify that, but the material feels weird.

A pretty decent second choice for a basic compact Mac keyboard is the Kensington Keyboard in a Box. It lacks the dedicated volume and eject keys found on the Apple units, and it has a slightly mushier feel. The enclosure is somewhat larger front to back (it's about the same width as the Apple board), but it comes in a more dust tolerant gray/black color scheme and takes spills a little more gracefully.

Despite the flaws, I'm buying yet another Apple keyboard because the size and port placement are just right for my needs, and I am spoiled by those volume and eject keys.

My keyboard that originally came with my emac died recently. I was all set for buying another Apple keyboard, but something not made by Apple, unfortunately. Well, none of them had the things I needed (eject button, 2 usb ports) so I was stuck with buying the standard Apple keyboard again.

As much as I love my Apple computer, my apple mouse, my apple ipod shuffle, this is not my favorite Apple proudct. Heck, I preferred using the PC keyboard I had to use in the days I was waiting for my keyboard to come in the mail!

I have an old lime green iMac G3/266 running OS X 10.3. The keyboard bit the dust after seven years so I needed a replacement. This keyboard is very reasonably priced at around $30. The clear plastic base with white keys is stylish and the keyboard itself is very compact. If space is tight this will be a plus for you. The keys are closer together and when pushed move a shorter distance up and down than most computer keyboard keys. This may bother some people along with the softer feel of the keys but I like it. The keyboard is also notably very quiet when the keys are being used.

The keyboard has some nice features such as keys to eject the CD and to raise and lower the volume. These are clever features though I admit I have not used them yet in the few weeks I have owned the keyboard. Be warned that there is no power key on the keyboard. On my iMac I have to boot up with the power button on the iMac itself and power down by selecting shut down from the drop-down menu. For some reason, the old iMac won't shut down from the power button on the computer itself. It took a few days to adjust to this but I don't consider it a problem. The keyboard also has two USB ports so there is a place for a mouse and an extra USB port for your digital camera or other USB device.

I am very satisfied with this keyboard. It is Mac compatible, works on my old iMac, was plug and play right out of the box, and works just fine for my purposes. It was also a good price at $30 - less then most keyboards offered for sale these days. I don't do a lot of speed typing and I don't write novels on the computer. Those people might not like the feel of the keys as other reviewers have mentioned, but for basic computer use, it fits the bill perfectly!

I've been struggling to like this kb for about a year, but I've finally ordered a MacAlly replacement. It's a funny kb with a spongy feeling and close-spaced keys. I'm not that picky about kbs -- I use about 7 regularly, and only this one drives me bats. My old iBook kb and my new MacBook kb are both far more comfortable for me.

It's all personal. This one makes my hands ache. On the bright side it's clean looking, stylish, and compact. I just wish I liked it!

The USB ports are 1.x and won't charge anything over 100 mA btw. Still, they'll work on a mouse just fine.

I've heard many people complain of extra keystrokes. So far I have not experience it at all. Possible it's a new revision or becuase I'm using OS X Tiger but I have no problems. Actually I have one small complaint. The keys are soft (no that's not it). Because they are soft(-er than regular keys) I have to sometimes type with a tiny more force to get it to respond. I'm sure people who pound at the keys won't have problems. That's a minor complaint and happens very few. Back to the goods, the look is awesome! The clear plastic is a nice touch, it looks simple, clean and saves some desk space. The 2 USB 1.1 ports are a big plus, especially for the mac mini I use. The mouse plugs into one so USB 2.0 on the mini won't be wasted. I DID use the other 1.1 for charging a device. It's perfect, besides the need to maybe add a bit of pressure on the keys. Definately 5 stars.

I thought I was going bonkers and maybe myy fingers suddnenly got extra heavy. Not only has my typo rate gone way up on this keyboard but I get random double letters, which I've left in this review so you can see. I turned off the keyboard repeat feature altogether and itt still happens. There are a few other complaints about thhis issue here, so I don't feel alone. I'm going to return it for another brand, maybe MacAlly or Logitech. Even if I could return it and get one without all the "bonus" letters, I find the keyboard very uncomfortable and cramped, which I suppose causes the extra typos.