Apple's Keyboards

ozt9vdujny3srf

Hey Guys, I am buying a keyboard to go with the new monitor that I am getting to hook up to my 13" mbp. My Question is for people who are currently using or have used apples current style of keyboard, and also people who are using non apple specific keyboard with their mac.

Also I am curious about peoples experiences using the apple keyboard for Linux and Windows.

Specifically I am trying to decide between this Apple Keyboard and this Bog standard MS keyboard.

Any thoughts?

Greentree_uk

a few points.

if you like style then of course the apple matching the metal finish of the macbook pro is nice.

with regards to usage. your fingers don't travel as much. all your media keys on the mac one will work without additional programming. the mac keyboard also has a built in usb hub. handy for the mouse. so there's value in that. bear in mind your usb ports are on left hand side of MBP so almost necessary unless you are left handed. I have the wireless version of the Apple keyboard, I like minimalism. and a wireless logitech mx Revolution. I love the asthetics and for me that's what its about. being wireless you can ofcourse operate wherever you want. if you want a cheap keyboard, you can get cheaper than the MS one.

ozt9vdujny3srf

Thanks for your reply.

Have you used the apple keyboard on on any other OS's and how did you find it?

With regards getting cheaper then the MS keyboard - regardless of whether i get an apple keyboard or not, I want one that is nice to type on. I only have experience of logitech, MS and dell, and the MS and logitech ones were the nicer of them, so they are they alternative.

J-blk

The feel is very similar to the MBP keyboard so if you like that, then you'll like the separate Apple keyboard and if you hate it... They are practically the same keyboard (except for the addition of a numeric keypad if you go for that wired variation) and the only improvement over your laptop keyboard is slightly better ergonomics because of the way the keyboard is angled.

It's worked fine for me in Windows XP, Vista and 7 really (I have the wired numeric keypad version), as long as you get used to the mapping of Cmd = Windows key, etc (pretty much the opposite of what you would be doing with any Windows keyboard on a Mac).

I find it quite comfortable though and I do a lot of coding, so it's not like I only type one word every 15 minutes or so . Have you looked at one in store though? Could you give you a better idea of the overall "feel" - even if they have just the smaller wireless version on display, the differences are minimal.

ozt9vdujny3srf

I have seen and used them in the shops, but I was curious as to what experience people who actually owned them had of them.

I appreciate the replies. One last question, how do you get the # symbol in windows?

J-blk

Janiyah Tall Coal wrote: »

I appreciate the replies. One last question, how do you get the # symbol in windows?

I thought it was the same as it is on the Mac side? Option/Alt + 3 - though it's been awhile since I tried. I can confirm when I get home tonight though...

mailforkev

Hash key is alt+3.

As for the flat metal keyboard, I've been using one since they came out and although it did take a day or two to fully get used to, I now find "regular" keyboards feel strange. I would recommend it no problem.

ozt9vdujny3srf

Just as a follow up, the keyboard is awesome, and its ctrl + alt + 3 to get # in windows.

Wish you could post without bumping a thread...