[Chestnuts]

Well, I went to Best Buy Wednesday night and looked at keyboards. I can't stand the Apple keyboards precisely because of their too shallow key play, and also being so flat, they contribute to pain in the wrists. Saw the Wave and typed "See the quick brown fox jump over the lazy dog" for awhile and decided I liked the key play on it a lot better, plus the contoured layout and wrist rest. Came with a decent (average) wireless mouse. A snap to install the software, restart and was up and running, no problems. I don't know that I can type any faster on it than other keyboards I have tried but it's comfortable.

Note: software must be installed for Apple "command" and "option" keys to be in correct (default mac os) place. Eject, itunes, volume/fkeys work fine.

Pal replies: Kudos on your purchase Chestnuts. If you have any problems with your Wave, please post about it... I'd like to know (it'll probably be a while before I retrieve mine from its sealed box in the garage). I agree re: the current Mac OEM keyboards: though I like that the design looks as if it's very dirt-proof (and thus, hopefully durable) it's too flat and low-travel for my tastes... it actually reminds me a bit of the dreaded IBM PC Jr. 'chicklet' keyboards, and that's not a flattering comparison.

I was under the impression that you could just use OSX's own System Preferences/Keyboard & Mouse/Modifier Keys to swap the 'location' of the Alt and Command keys without resorting to Logitech's software... is this not the case? Just curious.

[Trace]

Has anyone tried the gaming Logitech keyboard with the backlit keys and how is it for plain ol' typing?

I've tried the G15, which is pretty good for me - of course, I'm using the Wintel platform, so I don't know if there'd be any glitches with using it with a Mac.  It's a full-travel keyboard with a variable-intensity backlight, fairly comfortable for typing.

[Chestnuts]

[quote

Note: software must be installed for Apple "command" and "option" keys to be in correct (default mac os) place. Eject, itunes, volume/fkeys work fine.

Pal replies: Kudos on your purchase Chestnuts. If you have any problems with your Wave, please post about it... I'd like to know (it'll probably be a while before I retrieve mine from its sealed box in the garage). I agree re: the current Mac OEM keyboards: though I like that the design looks as if it's very dirt-proof (and thus, hopefully durable) it's too flat and low-travel for my tastes... it actually reminds me a bit of the dreaded IBM PC Jr. 'chicklet' keyboards, and that's not a flattering comparison.

I was under the impression that you could just use OSX's own System Preferences/Keyboard & Mouse/Modifier Keys to swap the 'location' of the Alt and Command keys without resorting to Logitech's software... is this not the case? Just curious.






[/quote]

I believe one can just use OSX's system prefs to do that, but you will probably lose some of the other functions of the keyboard without Logitech's software install: ie: eject, itunes, volume control etc.

Logitech's CD requires OSX 10.3.9 or newer and was no problem to install.

I have been **94** egg nog with extra 'nog' (southern comfort) and eating cheese, trail bologna and crackers and watching football games in a sincere effort to be as lazy as possible while I get a couple days off, so haven't been inspired to investigate further. BUCKEYES RULE

Pal replies: yah, of course you'll need the mfgr. software to properly make use of all the buttons (media, etc...) that aren't on a standard factory keyboard. Since I've gone back and forth btwn a few different mfgr kbds lately, I've got the system prefs for both Logitech and Kensington installed. I'm a little afraid to ask: what's 'trail' bologna?

[RDaneel]

I've got the Apple slim keyboard and like it much better than the clunky originals or most of the 3rd party ones. Granted it came with the Mac Pro but it does double duty on the MBP as well.

The only downside is that Parallels 5.0/XP Pro SP3 won't recognize the numeric keypad for some reason. I know it's pricey but it feels great, seems to withstand my heavy fingered pounding nad errant food specks and liquids.

[Chestnuts]

I believe one can just use OSX's system prefs to do that, but you will probably lose some of the other functions of the keyboard without Logitech's software install: ie: eject, itunes, volume control etc.

Logitech's CD requires OSX 10.3.9 or newer and was no problem to install.

I have been **94** egg nog with extra 'nog' (southern comfort) and eating cheese, trail bologna and crackers and watching football games in a sincere effort to be as lazy as possible while I get a couple days off, so haven't been inspired to investigate further. BUCKEYES RULE

Pal replies: yah, of course you'll need the mfgr. software to properly make use of all the buttons (media, etc...) that aren't on a standard factory keyboard. Since I've gone back and forth btwn a few different mfgr kbds lately, I've got the system prefs for both Logitech and Kensington installed. I'm a little afraid to ask: what's 'trail' bologna?

Well, I've decided I hate the wireless optical mouse that came with the keyboard. Have read of some having issues with Logitech drivers but I haven't. Trail bologna? Bologna in hot dog form I guess. Wife picked it up along with the crackers and cheese.

Near end of Logitech CD software install, got a message that it was checking for newer drivers, which it found and installed. Haven't tried starting up in XP with the new keyboard yet and installing drivers on the pc side.

[TheZookie007]

Not a Mac keyboard, but one for the iPhone:

Mashable: "One iPhone Keyboard to Rule Them All"

Think you’ve seen iPhone keyboards? This, my friends, is an iPhone keyboard. It’s called iType, and it’s pretty much the same keyboard you see on laptops, only for the iPhone.

If you’re wondering why on Earth would anyone want to turn their iPhone into something 10 times bigger, wait just a second; this thing may not be as useless as it seems. Since it doubles as an iPhone charger, it might be of use to heavy SMS and Twitter users who’ll be able to type messages quicker when at home.

Still, if you think that a full-size QWERTY keyboard for the iPhone is crazy, ION Audio (the company behind the iType) has launched another similar accessory for the iPhone: a piano keyboard called iDiscovery Keyboard. This one will probably become obligatory for the folks at iBand.

The iType comes in two different colors: gray and black. It should become available somewhere in the first half of 2010, for the price of slightly more than $100. The price for the iDiscovery Keyboard is unknown.

I will almost definitely get one...even if it looks like a throwback to the microcomputers made by Sinclair Research

[Q_BE]

And the lines between computers and hand-held devices just got a LOT blurrier...

Q-"One Internet to rule them all, one wireless network to combine them"-BE

[Palomine]

Not a Mac keyboard, but one for the iPhone:

Mashable: "One iPhone Keyboard to Rule Them All"
I will almost definitely get one...even if it looks like a throwback to the microcomputers made by Sinclair Research

There's not much new under the sun. I bought one of those fancy folding keyboards for my Handspring Visor... when folded inside its aluminum shell, it's about the same size as the Visor PDA itself and a lot lighter. Open, it's a fairly usable 9/10ths scale keyboard, albeit one with very little key travel (as you'd expect given packaging constraints). I really only used it a few times (it also cost about $100. as I recall) when I would take it on a long flight with a big bag full of post-it notes, business cards, cocktail napkin notes, etc.... stuff I would enter into the PDA contact database all at once in order to make productive use of the flight time.

If I were a HEAVY text user w/an iPhone, I'd probably prefer a netbook instead. If I somehow felt the netbook too big, then perhaps the iPhone w/keyboard makes sense, but still... it seems more novelty for most and necessity for few to me than anything else.

[Q_BE]

I'm just waiting for the neurotelepathy devices to be invented. Thought-to-text software should spell the end for keyboards, unless speech-to-text gets MUCH better over the next century.

Q-"I think, therefore I type"-BE

[Chestnuts]

Well, while I am still using it, I wish I had not bought the wireless  Logitech keyboard. I can type along at a pretty good clip (though not as quick as 100wpm Palomine) but get annoyed by intermittent hesitations, especially on the back/delete key. Drives me crazy at times. Later saw the same keyboard but wired version available at Tiger Direct (or through Amazon.com) for much less.

Oh well, maybe try a Denovo keyboard next time.

[Palomine]

Well, while I am still using it, I wish I had not bought the wireless  Logitech keyboard. I can type along at a pretty good clip (though not as quick as 100wpm Palomine) but get annoyed by intermittent hesitations, especially on the back/delete key. Drives me crazy at times. Later saw the same keyboard but wired version available at Tiger Direct (or through Amazon.com) for much less.

Oh well, maybe try a Denovo keyboard next time.

Generally speaking, this has been my experience too... though I'm *very* appreciative for the feedback Chestnuts. My own new wireless Logitech combo is still in the box... having gotten used to the moderately crappy Kensington (wired) slimtype I've been using for a while now, I'll probably just keep using it till it dies. I don't recall exactly, but I've probably had two or three different wireless kbd/mse combos so far (on this Mac) and AFAICR, NONE of them were 100% FREE of the occasional lag/delay, which can be very frustrating for a fast typist.

Admittedly, not everyone types so fast, or even so much... but I use my Mac a LOT for a LOT of different things, some of which include various kinds of long-form writing (not just my overly-verbose forum posts ) but rather technical writing for work/stuff. Based on my tries thus far, I'd probably opt for a regular wired keyboard (preferably one with full travel keys) over even a fancy/modern wireless ones. Mice don't seem *quite* as annoying when wireless (though I have noticed some tracking delays with those too) but between the increased cost (for wireless) and the battery life issues and the tracking/delay/lag problems, I think I'll just stick to wired.

I still cruise eBay for a Mac/Unicomp but not one has come up yet.

[Chestnuts]

Took typing class in high school in the 70s for an easy credit and because I knew I planned on being involved in small business which involved the use of typewriters. Little did I know at the time how valuable it would be to have typing skills for the computer age to come.

The thumb reach on the Logitech keyboard is a little odd with the space bar also, but I'm getting used to it. I type somewhere around 70wpm on a good day although haven't timed myself for several decades.

Another little irritation on the wireless Logitech Wave is no caps lock indicator, no little light, nothing. But the wired version does have a small light come on under the arrow keys when caps lock is on.

There is a 'zoom' button on the left side of the keyboard for quick close up views of the screen though, comes in handy for my aging eyes.

[Shara]

The g15 still does it for me. Though just for being fancy I'm thinking about the g19

[Chestnuts]

G15 and 19 look like great keyboards for gaming. I'm curious how they are for everyday typing though.


 Wish I wouldn't have bought a wireless keyboard, but my hands and wrists are thanking me for getting the contoured layout of the Wave.

[Trace]

G15 and 19 look like great keyboards for gaming. I'm curious how they are for everyday typing though.


 Wish I wouldn't have bought a wireless keyboard, but my hands and wrists are thanking me for getting the contoured layout of the Wave.

G15 is pretty good for sustained typing, from my experience.  Full-travel keys, closer to the old Model M than the slimline laptop-like keyboards one often finds these days.  (Though it's obviously not a Model M; no buckling-spring clicky keys, for one thing.)