Apple Aluminum Wired Keyboard MB110LL/A
by Apple Computer
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List Price: Our Price: $19.99 You Save: $30.00 (60%) Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days Category: CE See more product details |
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Customers in the UK,
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for British Pounds
Digital Cameras Photo Reviews of Apple Aluminum Wired Keyboard MB110LL/A
Customer Review: Best Keyboard Ever!
Summary: 5 Stars
When I got my iMac in Oct 2005, I sprung for the bluetooth wireless keyboard/mouse option --what a disappointment that was. I'm not a touch typist, but I type quite quickly using about 6 or 7 fingers. With the Bluetooth keyboard, I found that I was typing more mistakes than I have ever typed with any other keyboard I have used in the past 25 years. It literally felt like they used marshmallows instead of springs underneath each key. When attempting to type fast, the resistance varied from key to key so sometimes I hit them too hard, other times not hard enough. I wondered how Apple could design such a wonderful computer and yet create the worst keyboard and mouse I had ever used.
After a few frustrating weeks I started looking for a replacement. At the time, Logitech came out with their S530 Wireless Desktop for Mac. That was a huge improvement. The keys were a lot lower in profile, but the key travel was still longer than I preferred--I tend to like the light, short keystrokes of notebook computer style keyboards. The mouse included in the package was MUCH better than the Apple Bluetooth mouse (not the mighty mouse variety) as well. Still, there were problems with the Logitech solution as well. One problem is that the wireless uses its own RF receiver instead of Bluetooth. This means that you tie up one of the (only 3 ) available USB ports to plug the dongle in. Also, the iMac's screen must cause RF interference because sometimes keystrokes and mouse movement was erratic if I plugged the RF dongle directly to one of the USB behind the iMac. Instead, I have to use the little extension cord/stand to get the receiver closer to the keyboard. This makes the "wireless" capability a joke since the keyboard had to be right next to the dongle. More annoyingly, however, the iMac would somehow reverse the functions of the Alt and Command keys EVERY time I would start up or wake up the computer. I would then have to press the connect button on dongle and under the keyboard, to get them to assigned properly again. This became very tiresome quickly. Also, the Logitech driver software uses Unsanity's Application Enhancer, which has been identified as causing problems for those upgrading to OS X 10.5 Leopard.
When the new Aluminum iMacs came out I was impressed by the look of their new keyboards and curious how they would feel in real use. I was a bit disappointed that Apple decided not to make a full wireless as I would have preferred the combination of wireless AND having a num keypad. I still don't know why Apple doesn't release one like that. However, since the wired keyboards were less than $50US, I decided to take a gamble and order one. I was already using a USB port for the Logitech wireless receiver, so I could just plug that into one of the keyboard ports and plug the keyboard where the receiver was plugged in--net result, I actually gained one extra USB port by using the wired keyboard.
When I started using the keyboard I was surprised at how fast (and quietly) I could now type. The action is just about as perfect as I could have hoped for and the looks of the unit are spectacular. Those who have been classically trained to touch type on old keyboards, or typewriters will probably hate it, but for the rest of us, it is fantastic. I have never used a keyboard that I like more than this one and would heartily recommend it to anyone. In fact, I just convinced my brother to buy one last week and already he thanked me for the advice saying it it is a vast improvement over the older, "marshmallow-y" model.
Now if only Apple would designed a Bluetooth multi-button mouse worthy of being a companion to this wonderful keyboard I would be one happy camper.
Customer Review: Fantastic keyboard, I love it
Summary: 5 Stars
When apple announced the new keyboards, I was excited, and mad. I was excited at this keyboard, the wired version, and was upset about the wireless, as it was not a full keyboard. The older model was fantastic, so I kept my wireless bluetooth, and bought a few spares before they went out of stock.
I recently bought a new macbook pro, and got this keyboard to accompany it (opposed to my wireless, or my wired saitek eclipse). This keyboard is very thin, very beautiful, and super sexy.
The design matches my macbook pro perfectly. It has 2 usb ports, so I can hook up my mouse, and tablet with ease with this keyboard.
The keys have this amazing texture, which I cant explain, you will notice it when you type. It is the kind of thing that makes you happy to have an apple product.
I use this keyboard in OSX and in VISTA. No problems, and with bootcamp drivers everything works the way you want (with exception to the eject key).
In System Preferences in Leopard, you can turn off the annoying feature that stops you from using the f9 keys. I run maya and photoshop, and have custom short cuts I use that use these keys with modifiers, and to use them, I have to turn off the auto functions, and remap OSX's shortcuts (I use command + option + control + the f key as I do not have this mapped in my software programs)
I also have special short cuts for spaces that I use with this keyboard.
This keyboard comes with a small cable, and has an extension that makes it bigger. This is fantastic. I use the regular cable when I'm using the keyboard with my laptop, and I add the extension when I have it hooked up to an external monitor.
I keep my mouse plugged into the keyboard (I use a logitech g9 as I find it far superior to the Mighty Mouse), this saves me from running another long cord across the room, and saves a USB port.
The keyboard is very functional, nice to type with, perfectly laid out, very thin and portable. Matches my macbook pro (the white keys are the same as the white apple, and the base color is the same as the color of the laptop), I keep the keyboard in the box when I transport it as the box is also small.
You need this version so you can have all the keys, a full number pad, and a more spacious design. It fits on my lap, and I use it all the time. I even play games with it.
If you get the wireless version, you will have problems installing OS X and or windows. You need a wired version over wireless to go with your computer. I still have my wireless, but It feels very old and clunky after using this for a month. I thought you could not have a better design than Apples Previous wireless keyboard, I was wrong this one is perfect. If they release a full-sized wireless, I will buy it and use it over this (but keep this as you need a wired keyboard for certain functions).
The wireless is too limiting, as it is smaller, cramped, and does not have all the features of this keyboard. You would need to get a mighty mouse with the wireless, otherwise you will need to run your mouse cord from your computer to wherever your mouse is, and that could be problematic.
Great keyboard, worth the price, I highly recommend. I do not recommend the wireless, it is not worth the extra cash, and I would not buy it if it were cheaper than this keyboard.
Customer Review: Slightly disappointed.
Summary: 3 Stars
I bought this apple keyboard around Christmas time to use on my Windows laptop. As first I thought it was all gravy, just plug and play and it's good to go.
Now, that's kind of the truth and a lie at the same time. Some of the keys (The function, scroll lock & insert keys) won't work. This was a HUGE BUMMER for me seeing as the function keys are labeled with multimedia functions (Play, Back, Forward, Mute, ETC) and they can't be easily accessed. There is a key combination that makes them work, but whats the point of dedicated function keys that require a modifier to work?
The "command" key functions as the Windows (Start menu) key out of the box.
Another HUGE disappointment is that the number lock key is unlabeled. In order to enable number pad on the keyboard I have to open up my laptop and use that numlock key.
The final insult was being given the run around while looking for windows drivers for this keyboard...I SPENT HOURS AND NEVER FOUND THE DRIVERS!! Windows drivers for this keyboard do exist, allegedly.
The most ANNOYING THING ABOUT THIS KEYBOARD, HANDS DOWN:
They keys on my keyboard stick fairly often. On rare occasions (About once a month) I'll type CNTL-W to close a firefox tab, and all of my tabs go away!! Other times I get text like
The good news is that I haven't heard anyone else complaining about this, so perhaps this too is some sort of a driver issue...(Reading the data off the line wrong?, The keyboard has this glitch but the mac driver filters it?).
I haven't tried returning it as the apple store is a long ways off for me, so these issues may be my fault (for not testing a replacement).
Anyways, All that was the bad stuff, now for the good stuff (Which is why I don't rate this keyboard one star)
I love a few things about this keyboard, not only is the design SPECTACULAR, but also functional. The keyboard may be thin, but boy is it strong...If apple just made the keys water/dust proof then this would be the "Toughbook" of computer keyboards.
I do like the response that I get from the keys, typing requires much less pressure on the keys than a standard keyboard, which makes a big difference if you're typing for long periods of time.
But my favorite thing about this keyboard is the fact that IT CAN BE INLAID INTO A DESK!!!
I was successfully able to cut a hole into my (cheapo) computer desk and actually lay this keyboard flat into the hole, which creates an effect similar to the keyboards that you see in "Star Trek" and the movie "Hackers". The downside to this approach is that the USB ports on the back will be blocked.
Anyways, the low score was almost solely for jerking me around in my quest for windows drivers, and the involuntary key repeat issue that drives me insane. Overall though, if the key repeat & function key(s) issues were gone then this would be the best keyboard I've ever used.
Customer Review: Hardware is great, Lacking software really drags it down
Summary: 3 Stars
As I sit here typing away on this keyboard at this very moment, I cant help but look down upon everything I did to get this working on a Boot Camped Windows partition.
This particular keyboard is fantastic. The aluminum plate that all the keys are housed on top of is rather elegant and fits in perfectly with any mac interface (probably doesn't look nearly as amazing on a PC obviously due to color disagreeance). The keys are relatively soft and yet they aren't exactly mushy. They made it so it has a satisfying "let go" in the key when you start pressing it. Its a rather clever design trait because it makes the keyboard thin and have great tactile feedback despite having no height to assist it.
However, the design is the only commendable thing about the keyboard. Though I own Apple computers, I cannot live without Linux or Windows. I was incredibly put off by the lack of real Windows support. On Windows 7, the provided Boot Camp drivers are completely unusable. They install just fine and the computer recognizes it and all the primary keys work (so the numpad and main keys of course). However, not a single f key wants to work like it should. The volume buttons don't work no matter what button combinations I use, etc etc.
I decided that I would attempt to just plug the keyboard in without any drivers installed. So I uninstalled all of the items in device manager relating to it, restarted the computer, and plugged it in. Boy oh boy, would you be surprised to hear that Windows 7 mapped it nearly perfectly? All the F keys work now and alt works as well. Some of the keys didn't map obviously because the hex codes for the keys that didn't map were not standardized (aka no normal system could read it not knowing that it was supposed to be different and weird). However, this issue was eventually fixed by manually mapping the keys in some of the registry files for Windows.
If you never plan to use Windows, then this keyboard will be perfect. However, if you plan to use Windows, this not only doesn't work with their drivers, but it wouldn't be easy for a normal person to setup. I think that Apple purposely made the drivers bad so they make the consumer assume that its Window's fault that its not mapping right so they can continue to use their underhanded tactics to bash Microsoft. I am a diplomat of computers. I have an old relic running Arch-Linux, an expensive Mac Pro, and a vicious custom-built (by me) gaming computer running Windows 7 Professional. I like all three to be honest, they all have their upsides that are really worth mentioning. However, to put it bluntly, this keyboard is really just apple waving around their toys at Microsoft to make more people consider the switch from PC to Mac. I slowly have been losing respect for Apple over the past couple months because of subtle moves like this...
Customer Review: A HUGE Improvement over previous offerings!
Summary: 5 Stars
This keyboard is wonderful! As someone who uses a laptop a good deal of the time but also does a lot of typing on our two Mac desktops, I was constantly typoing when I would start typing on one of the PREVIOUS Apple desktop keyboards. I have always yearned for something that had more of a quality laptop feel, like my new Mac Book Pro 15" offers.
Gone are the clanking, clattering, plastic banging sounds of those traditional keys and the ergonimic adjustment I was constantly being forced to make when I would go from MBP to our iMAC or Mini.
This keyboard has a very solid feel to it. The keys are well damped and make hardly any sound when you type on them. This extended model provides me with everything I had before in terms of keys, PLUS Apple has added the same MODE control keys found on their current laptops. Keys such as brightness up and down, Expose, Dashboard, Play, Pause, FastForward, Rewind etc.
My only complaint about this extended model is that they MOVED the function key from the bottom left corner to below the F13 key which is on the other side of the keyboard! I can no longer hold the function key down with the thumb of my left hand while hitting the F1 through F6 keys with my left index finger. The smaller version does not have this change. The FN key is in the lower left hand corner where it should be. This has taken some getting use to, and I was forced to remap my Expose hot keys from F1-F3 to F16-F18. They are still on the right side, but because they are dedicated, the FN key is not needed to use them. I would have preferred having the FN key where it should be, but as I said, that is my only complaint.
I also purchased the smaller version of this keyboard for use on my Mac Mini. That really helped reduce the cramped desktop space in front of the 21" display, because I am using a very narrow end table to hold the display with the keyboard and mouse directly in front of it When using the standard keyboard, it had to hang off the left edgeof the table because it wouldn't fit on this table with any room left on the right for a mouse pad. Now with that little version of this keyboard, there is plenty of room to spare, and the beautiful design of these keyboards makes the whole workspace look more classy!
I don't understand the negative comments I have read on here about this or the other version of this keyboard. This new feel obviously takes some getting use to, but there really is no comparison between this new design and the old standard style keyboard Apple previously offered.
The most amazing thing of all is the PRICE! This thing is worth every penny of $[...] bucks! Heck, I would have paid more if I had to!
With Amazon's great return policy, you really have nothing to lose by trying one out for yourself.