Apple Aluminum Wired Keyboard MB110LL/A by Apple Computer
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Digital camera reviews of Apple Aluminum Wired Keyboard MB110LL/A
Digital camera Review: Almost perfect
Summary: 5 Stars
Compact, excellent feel, easy to use. Only downside is that in the desert where I live, in winter you can get a pretty good static electricity zap from the aluminum body.Digital camera Review: Almost perfect for a PC too...
Summary: 4 Stars
I bought this for use on my PC, not because I'm a Mac-wannabe, but because this is actually a really confortable keyboard to use. Plus it's super easy to clean, and takes up less space on my desk.
However there are a few things to note, some of which others have mentioned.
1. Missing a few key buttons, mainly a Print Screen button. This isn't a big problem for most people, but occasionally it can be an issue. It's also missing some buttons like Num Lock and Scroll Lock, but who really cares about those anyways?
2. On the Num Pad, the operators (+, -, * ,/) are in kinda odd places compared to other keyboards. The + button in particular is the size of a normal key instead of being double-sized, which, while it makes sense, is unlike every other keyboard I've used. This wouldn't be an issue if everyone had this keyboard, but trying to switch between this and the Num Pad at work can be frustrating.
3. The "Windows" key and Alt key are technically swapped (and yes I know this is an Apple keyboard, so this isn't really Apple's fault). It's not really an issue, and in fact I probably hit the Windows key less. But it just feels a little odd after dealing with them in their old spots for so many years.
4. This one is the main reason I still keep my old keyboard at hand. This keyboard doesn't seem to get power until Windows has fully loaded. So if Windows crashes (haha yeah...) and you get the prompt for booting normally or in safe mode, you can't select anything, as the keyboard doesn't yet have power. I have to plug in my old keyboard to select what I want. This also has implications if you dual-boot into another OS at startup, as you won't be able to select anything but the default OS without using another keyboard. Thankfully we have USB keyboards now that we can just hot-swap at any time.
I haven't tried this keyboard in *nix yet, so I can't comment how it works on those
Digital camera Review: Almost perfect in design.
Summary: 4 Stars
I upgraded to this keyboard from the last version which is the white USB with transparent plastic casing. You may recall that prior to introducing the white USB plastic keyboard was the similarly styled black keyboard.
As you can see, this latest Apple keyboard iteration is a significant departure from the last two in terms of material and design.
PROS:
- MATERIALS.
Aluminum. The obvious major additional component is aluminum on the exterior versus an all-plastic offering in the past. This is one strong keyboard.
Also the look is in-line with the current Apple design and their generous use of aluminum. In fact this keyboard is what should have been included starting as far back as the Power Mac G5 desktop.
Plastic. The keys have an elegant texture and matte appearance that gives a night and day impression of higher quality. (Since the keyboard was relatively newly introduced, time will tell from frequent use if this texture on the plastic will wear out sooner than later.)
- DESIGN.
Function. My number one objective in patronizing this keyboard was the additional use of the function keys which allows access to certain Mac OS X shortcuts including being able to control iTunes.
Spacing. The spacing of the keys is similar with their notebook line-up where each keys are individually enclosed around an aluminum material versus an open design which would allow more dust and dirt to enter in between keys. Now, the entrance of any dust has been minimized.
(HOWEVER, the same is true to dust that has in fact entered inside the keys already. It would be nearly impossible to remove them at this point. Imagine it was very, very difficult then to remove dust that has entered the old keyboards, moreso with these models.)
Slim. Unbelievably thin which allows your hand to be in a more natural position since it's closer to the tabletop and not painfully raised. This slim profile extends to the keys. Now you don't have to depress each key so much. This allows less repetitive stress injury as well as faster typing. If you don't need to depress the keys so much, then you don't have to exert so much force and movement. Not exerting much movement allows you to go to the next key stroke.
- USB. Two USB outlets are still provided and retained despite the slim profile. This time the USB sockets are on the opposite ends of the keyboard versus placing them both on the front. The good thing about this is that it allows a stealth placement of the USB plugs.
- CLEANING. Easier cleaning of the keys. You can slide a cloth gracefully from one key to the next without snagging in between.
CONS:
- As mentioned above, the individual wrapping of each keys around the aluminum material helps deter dirt and dust from entering in between. However, this also prevent any of those debris from exiting as well once it was entered.
- Adjustable L.E.D. Back-lighting, anyone? Where is it? I'm surprised with the backlighting on keys of the Apple notebook which has been around for years has not been carried over to the desktop keyboard line. This is a no-brainer in design addition at this point and a big omission not having thought about it even with the recent introduction of the compact wired version.
THOUGHTS:
First there are complains that the USB sockets are not powerful enough to provide charging function to power-hungry devices such as the iPod. This will never be possible unless there is a power socket for the keyboard to connect to an electrical outlet.
The short-length of the USB cable is actually perfect to prevent more cable clutter. You can plug the keyboard directly to your Apple monitor, iMac or Mini. If you use it for a desktop, then the included USB cable extension (same as the old version) is there to help you plug it to the computer hidden under your desk.
I would have given this keyboard 5 stars if it only incorporated a built-in back-lit LED on the keys. If that were the case, it would have been a perfect introduction to a new era of Apple design and it would have been tough to beat something better than this in the near future.
Also, since Apple has gone one-step in providing a relatively ergonomic keyboard. How about going further and creating a split-type keyboard similar to what Microsoft has done with their Natural keyboard line in the past.
Overall, with little minutes spent on this keyboard you will naturally adapt to this new feel and shallow typing depth and hopefully enjoy it the same way I do without regrets in tossing out my old Apple keyboard.
Digital camera Review: An excellent (wired) Full Keyboard Option for your Mac
Summary: 5 Stars
I've had this keyboard now for the better part of a year. The aluminum matches with my MacBook Pro exactly. The key action is great. It is quiet and a dream to type with. I like having the full numeric pad, additional function keys and the directional keys laid out the way they are. The white keys do get dirty after awhile but they clean up easily. It comes with two USP ports (one on each side) but they are not "powered" so you can't use them to charge your iPad/iPod/iPhone but they are handy for a quick transfer of data / syncing or to plug in a USB drive for quick, portable, storage of data.
If you're like me and you want the full functionality but you don't want the upfront expense of a wireless keyboard (as well as the ongoing expense of batteries for a wireless keyboard) then this is the one for you!
Digital camera Review: An excellent corded keyboard
Summary: 5 Stars
The keyboard is slim and practical and the keys have a crisp and very pleasant feel.
I am very happy with the keyboard.