What Keyboard do you use?

[vonleigh]

Hello,

I'm assuming that a keyboard is not nearly as popular to replace as the mouse is, so I didn't really come up with a poll or anything. I'm looking for opinions on keyboards basically.

I started having a bit of discomfort in my left wrist, because of this I got a little scared and started looking up keyboards again.

I used to have the Apple Adjustable Keyboard and was a huge huge fan, I loved that keyboard, it was so nice and comfortable. I've tried the keyboards that curve into a more natural position, but I really didn't like them (even though I have friends that swear by the Adesso).

I also checked out a few keyboards by Kinesis, they seem interesting but would like some opinions.

I'm leanning towards the Goldtouch USB keyboard <http://www.goldtouch.com>. As it seems most like my defunct Apple Adjustable Keyboard. If it only came in Dvorak I'd be completely happy, that way if anyone sits down they're like: huh?

I also saw the Maxim model by Kinesis, but since you have to buy an optional adapter for PS/2 I'm not considering it in the running (too expensive, and I really want something USB).

BTW, to learn Dvorak, there's a nifty tutorial by the same guy that makes watson I believe: <http://www.karelia.com/abcd/abcd.html>.

So anyway, sound off on your keyboards, ergonomic or not, if you have one besides the apple stock. Also maybe a reason why you use this particular keyboard.


Vonleigh

[mervTormel]

well, i am depressed. i, too, am shopping for a new keyboard. but no one has an opinion? perhaps a keyboard should run for office. i nominate the Adesso (ugly as a foot).

spitting sunflower shells and spilling beer in my ol' apple pro finally took its toll.

there aren't many offerings in the 'stricly mac' arena. i'm not sure i want the windoze usb variants (yet). what i really want is the control key in the correct place, next to the 'a' key, where the wholly regrettable caps lock key is now. i know there's a swapper for the usb keyboard, but the driver has gakked at every upgrade, i believe.

what i'd really like is an old DEC LK401-AA. you could bust it apart into three pieces and wash it in the sink with a wire brush ( i **** you not ).

so, $60.00 is too much for the lackluster apple pro keyboard. the adesso is, rightfully, not going to survive the derisive laughter and ridicule it would receive here. what's left? kensington super-booger deluxe with fifty candy-like buttons for little girls? bah!

what say you?

[Craig R. Arko]

Get yourself a Griffen USB/ADB adapter, and use a real keyboard. :cool:

[xchanyazy]

The first thing I bought for my g4 was the macally ikey keyboard (this was back when we got those pathetic excuses for keyboards - the old iMac style). It's pretty much the old Apple Extended keyboard, only translucentish and the power key is a circle instead of a square. Not ergonomic or anything, but it works and it doesn't suck horribly.

[griffman]

At work, I use the MacAlly ikey as well. At home, it's the wide Apple keyboard that came with the G4/733 (I use that same keyboard on my PC, too, with the KVM switch).

It's mice that give me wrist problems, not keyboards. The newest Microsoft base (three button) optical mouse has the best shape of those I've tried lately. I need to replace my home mouse, but I want the five buttons, not three ... still looking for that one!

-rob.

[bakaDeshi]

http://www.safetype.com/

kinda weird, vertical, expensive. I've always wanted a keyboard that's completely split in half so I can put each half whereever I wanted. Plus it reminds me of techie movies where they have keyboards all over the place. There was also a half keyboard that you could strap to your wrist. Can't find it at the moment, don't remember what it was called. I've got a PB so I'm kinda stuck with it. Hackers-I've always wanted to paint my keyboard like the laptop they had, so noone could read it and then you can use Dvorak and then noone would be able to decipher it. All for fun though:D Maybe we could hack one together from different keyboards.;)

[rusto]

Gah! MacAlly iKey? No Way! :)

When my venerable Apple Extended keyboard finally crapped out (came with Centris 660 AV, preferred it over the stock G3/350 keyboard) and I bought one of those MacAlly's, it had some wacky problem where certain typed keys would come out twice all the time, additionally the silk screened letters on the home keys wore off in the two weeks before I gave up on it. The stenciling on my ancient Extended keyboard was like new despite the miles and numerous cleanings.

The iKey is now my 17 month old daughter's toy.

Been using an Apple Pro ever since...it ain't perfect but I can live with it.

[mmj_ngen]

I'm using a Apple Pro right now, but not by choice. I like the Pro keyboard except for the lack of sensitivty in the keys. I'm used to writing fast and relatively light. That doesn't work well with the Pro keyboard in my experience. The iKey is clunky, but I think I prefer it right now since it responds better to my typing style. Plus the iKey reminds me of my work keyboard (PC) in the way that it feels. Not that the work keyboard is that great, but the consistency in feel can be important.

[Dr.Evil]

I actually use a Microsoft Natural Elite (http://www.microsoft.com/hardware/keyboard/nke_info.asp) keyboard (the "wave" style). The model I have includes a PS/2-USB converter, so it hooks up no problem. The buttons are a little wonky - the Windows key is the Command key, and Option/Alt stays put, which might throw some people, but I adjusted just fine. Of course, now that I have an AirPort card, I pretty much just sit in front of the TV with my iBook in my lap and use the built-in keyboard. ;)

[sjoshi]

The original query about keyboards is dated June 1st, 2002. After reading the thread my questions about keyboards have not been answered fully. So I am reviving this discussion. I think there are a few more options available now, and more still will be available in the near future.

I am looking for an inexpensive keyboard to use between a PC and a Mac with a KVM switch. I am not thinking about a wireless keyboard now, because it is bound to cost more. But it will be interesting to discuss them.

Rob, you claim that you use the wide Apple keyboard (black?) from your G4 733 with a PC through a KVM switch. I tried using the Apple Pro keyboard (white) from my iMac-FP with a PC through a KVM switch, and it did not work. Please tell me a little more about your configuration.

I looked for keyboards in MacWorld in January. Most of the folks who were showing their keyboards had interesting solutions. But they were either quite expensive, and most of them required some kind of conversion from ADB or PS/2 to USB.

Wired
Microsoft has more one or more keyboards for use with PC & Mac. I looked into them online and in the stores, but I concluded that PC gets better treatment. (The only MS product I currently use is MS-Office, and I would like to keep it that way. :-) At the minimum, I want "Command" and "Option" keys clearly marked, and support for most of the features on the newer Apple keyboards (e.g., speaker control & CD eject button).

This Logitech keyboard (http://www.logitech.com/index.cfm?page=products/details&CRID=1&CONTENTID=6006&countryid=19&languageid=1) seems to have the Apple keys clearly marked. And it costs only $30. I think it is worth a try. Anyone have any experience with this??

Wireless
Apple's support for Bluetooth in the new PowerBooks is likely cause interesting reactions from other vendors. Apple itself is rumored to be coming out with a wireless keyboard and a mouse "sometime soon". I am aware of Microsoft and Logitech wireless keyboards for Mac. The current wireless solutions with dongles (e.g., FM, bluetooth) are bound to evolve. I also came across one rumor that talked of support for the Microsoft Bluetooth keyboard in the next version of OS X itself (10.2.5?).

Logitech has this (http://www.logitech.com/index.cfm?page=products/details&CRID=1&CONTENTID=5061&countryid=19&languageid=1) wireless keyboard mouse combo.

[djn1]

Originally posted by vonleigh
I'm leanning towards the Goldtouch USB keyboard <http://www.goldtouch.com>. As it seems most like my defunct Apple Adjustable Keyboard. If it only came in Dvorak I'd be completely happy, that way if anyone sits down they're like: huh?
I bought a Goldtouch about six months ago which I use with the Dvorak layout and DoubleCommand (http://www.versiontracker.com/dyn/moreinfo/macosx/12295) to swap the alt and command keys, and I have to say that it's one of the best peripherals I've bought. Sure, it's expensive but it's a beautiful piece of kit.

Personally I can't recommend it enough. And, like you, I was starting to get RSI from using an existing keyboard but after six months of using this one it's completely gone.

[mpdtwo]

Heh... I use a standard iBook keyboard. Good 'nough for me.

[houchin]

Originally posted by Craig R. Arko
Get yourself a Griffen USB/ADB adapter, and use a real keyboard. :cool:

Yes! Yes! Yes!

The best keyboard I have ever, ever found, for either Mac or PC was the the Apple Extended Keyboard II that came with systems back in the 1987-1992 era (Mac II, Mac IIc, ...). Very nice, crisp action, good hand position, ...

The one I'm using now was the one I purchased with my Mac IIx back in 1997, and it's never missed a key. Still perfect action after 15 years. I've got one at work that's been in service for 9 years. No service other than cleaning off the keycaps with plain household cleaner.

Look on eBay, used Mac sellers, ...

[vonleigh]

houchin,

How well does the adjustable work with the imate? I happen to have an imate, and just found out a friend has an adjustable keyword they wouldn't mind parting with.

As I stated above this was my favorite keyboard. Had one that I bought with a 6100 and later used with a 9500. I don't have it anymore though.



v

[AHunter3]

Another vote for the exquisite Apple Extended Keyboard II. The one where the Caps Lock key physically stays down when active. (That's how you identify it, not why it's desirable). Still the best keyboard ever created. Even Yamahas and Rolands weep with jealousy.

houchin:

Re: ADB

Originally posted by Craig R. Arko
Get yourself a Griffen USB/ADB adapter, and use a real keyboard.

Yes! Yes! Yes!

The best keyboard I have ever, ever found, for either Mac or PC was the the Apple Extended Keyboard II that came with systems back in the 1987-1992 era (Mac II, Mac IIc, ...). Very nice, crisp action, good hand position, ...

[sjoshi]

Rob replied to my query about details for using Mac keyboard with PC through a KVM switch.

Black USB Apple keyboard plugged into a IOGear MiniView 4-port USB KVM switch. USB cables from the KVM to the PC and the Mac.

That's it ... it just seems to work!

I am using PS/2 KVM switch. I connected the Apple Pro keyboard through a USB to PS-2 converter stub. That seems to be the problem.

So I first need to get myself an inexpensive USB KVM switch.

Any recommendations? :-)

[ebow]

Originally posted by mervTormel
what i really want is the control key in the correct place, next to the 'a' key, where the wholly regrettable caps lock key is now.

I've heard this sort of sentiment many times before, and while I'm no fan of the caps lock key (always getting turned on by accident) I can't remember a time when consumer PC (including Mac) keyboards came with the control key next to the 'A'. Why the strong feelings, as if it was so recently changed? :confused:

[SunByrne]

Another vote for the Apple Extended Keyboard II, the best keyboard ever made, period. Why can't anyone else make a keyboard with such perfect action? Have mine hooked up through an iMate as well.

Actually, though, I've been looking at the Logitech Elite keyboard, which has all kinds of cool stuff on it (scroll wheel, volume control), has Mac as well as PC markings. I love my Logitech MX700 mouse and the action on the Elite seems OK (if not *quite* as good as the amazing AEK-II), and it's only like $30, so I might check that out as well.

[mervTormel]

Originally posted by ebow
I've heard this sort of sentiment many times before, and while I'm no fan of the caps lock key (always getting turned on by accident) I can't remember a time when consumer PC (including Mac) keyboards came with the control key next to the 'A'. Why the strong feelings, as if it was so recently changed? :confused:
i could've sworn an early apple keyboard had it in the correct place.

i've done a lot a admin'ing with UNIX and VMS and control sequences are essential, and the control key is in the correct place on the old kits.

[saint.duo]

I'm using the black Apple Pro Keyboard, and it is connected to a PC via a KVM. Windows 98se and up recognize it as a "HID Input Device" if memory serves.

The OLD apple keyboards, non extended, used to have the caps lock where the control key is now, and vice-versa. I believe these keyboards also had the open apple and closed apple keys distinguished (it's been a while since I looked at one).

I love the apple pro keyboard, but I also have it on a keyboard tray with more than enough wrist room, so strain is not a problem here.