Macally USB Slim Keyboard - ICEKEY by Macally
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Digital camera reviews of Macally USB Slim Keyboard - ICEKEY
Digital camera Review: A True Keyboard for the Mac User.
Summary: 4 Stars
For some reason if you search all the Mac keyboards, this doesn't show up. I bought this in Sept. '05 to be the companion to my newly-acquired Mac mini. Here are my impressions after 3 months of consistent use:
1) Before, I used the original keyboard to my Grape iMac. This Macally keyboard is lightyears ahead of that board, and I like it better than the Apple Pro Keyboard I use at work. The keys type very, very fast without the need to push down on them. My long fingers handle it very well, and I make fewer mistakes on this keyboard than I did with my other keyboard.
2) A few things I wish were different about it: A) it's white, so if you don't wash your hands before using your keyboard, it gets filthy pretty fast. But I knew that it would be that way when I bought it, besides I needed a keyboard that would aesthetically go with the silver and white Mac Mini and my White Westinghouse LCD monitor. (And it's not the keyboard's fault I don't wash my hands, but anyway...) B) I'm old school, I wish the power button were still on the keyboard. On the other hand, now that I have this new operating system and new computer, I find myself very seldom actually turning the computer off, so maybe that's not the big issue it used to be. C) I can't seem to get the volume controls above the number pad to actually work to turn down the volume on either my iTunes or the computer itself; however the arrow keys do work the volume on iTunes if I actually have iTunes selected. Still, one would think they'd at least work for the computer's overall volume. On a Mac-based keyboard I kind of expect any key they put on the keyboard to work. D) There was absolutely no literature on how to program the F keys! It was a plug and play device straight out of the box, then I threw away said box since it had no instructions on it anyway, so these keys will remain unused unless I Google some answers! (Side note to Amazon: the box used to send this small keyboard was ridiculous. I didn't need a huge box full of airbags for what was inside it! You would have thought I'd gotten a PowerMac rather than a keyboard! Work on that.)
Overall, the lack of frustration using this keyboard, compared to using my purple keyboard, made this keyboard more than worth the money. Something doesn't have to be perfect in order to be just what I need! The choice for me was between this one and the Kensington Pilot Board they had attached to the display model Mac Mini at Best Buy. The reason I didn't choose that board was because it was wireless and came with its own mouse, and I had already bought a mouse to use over a year ago for when I finally got a new computer. Mice are virtually indestructible, and there's no sense in having a spare. The more important thing in MacAlly's favor is of course the ports. Macintosh keyboards have mouse ports in the keyboard. I shouldn't have to sacrifice a USB port or have to buy a hub to make up for the bad design inherent in PC keyboards! So with all that plus a much more reasonable price, as the price on the Kensington is far more than one should spend on a keyboard, I'm very happy with the choice I made.
Digital camera Review: A keyboard delight!
Summary: 5 Stars
The Macally ICEKEY keyboard performs as promised. I found it to be streamlined, attractive and flawless in function. The keys are responsive, improving keyboard activity significantly over the dated keyboard I previously owned. The instruction disc is easy to use, resulting in a happy marriage of keyboard and screen function.Digital camera Review: A keyboard with a different fell.
Summary: 5 Stars
The keyboard has a totally different feel to it. I like it. I didn't know when I purchased it that it was a for a MAC, however it works just fine on our PC.Digital camera Review: Amazing!
Summary: 5 Stars
This keyboard feels very comfortable, especially if you are at the computer for hours at a time and type a lot. I immediately found that I was typing a bit faster because they keys are so quick to press and respond.
I like this over the Apple white keyboard because you don't see all the dirt and stuff that gets inside of the keyboard, the Function keys are separated in 4's (makes them easier to quickly find without looking) and the keys don't have that sharp, pointed edge all the way around them.
The volume and eject keys are conveniently in the same place as on the Apple keyboard.
The keys are also much quieter than most keyboards that I have used in the past.
Very comfortable and well worth the price!
Digital camera Review: Awesome alternative to Apple wireless keyboard
Summary: 4 Stars
I got this to replace the tiny Apple wireless keyboard that came with my new iMac. I hated the Apple keyboard with a passion, it is too small even for average sized hands, it made my forearms ache after even short periods of typing, and I made tons of typing errors. I almost did not buy the Macally because it looks a lot like the Apple keyboard in some of the photos, but it's a huge improvement. It's much more comfortable and the keys have a nice feel - almost retro, but not loud like old style keyboards can be.
The driver that was included with the Macally did not work with my iMac. The Macally website has a new driver for OS 10.4 and above. It was easy to download, and the volume and eject buttons on the keyboard work fine for me. This is much nicer than the Apple wireless keyboard, and a third the price.
1/20/11 - I'm altering my review and deducting one star. After only 2 weeks of use, one of my keys (the "P" key) sticks and no longer works unless I pound on it. Amazon is sending a replacement keyboard free of charge, but I am now a bit skeptical about this keyboard.