# I covet the Mac keyboard... **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [March 20, 2009, 12:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-covet-the-mac-keyboard/490098 "2009-03-20T00:16:28Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Tabby\_Cat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/6a8cbe/32.png) [@Tabby\_Cat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tabby_Cat)\ **Post date:** [March 20, 2009, 12:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-covet-the-mac-keyboard/490098/1 "2009-03-20T00:16:28Z")
…but I don’t have a Mac. Still, who could refuse [this](http://store.apple.com/us/product/MB110LL/A?fnode=MTY1NDA1Mg&mco=NDE4NDIyOA)? The thing is, I don’t know if it works on a PC… and, if I can get a similar keyboard for cheaper. 😛 That is a bit more dough than I would like to spend on a keyboard, but I just went keyboard shopping and there are absolutely no keyboards that aren’t monsters with thirty five extra useless keys for controlling your media player, volume, CD rack, GPS system, alarm clock, and/or opens the cat flap. Any ideas? ---
**Author:** ![Ice\_Cream\_Man](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/9f8e36/32.png) [@Ice\_Cream\_Man](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ice_Cream_Man)\ **Post date:** [March 20, 2009, 1:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-covet-the-mac-keyboard/490098/2 "2009-03-20T01:10:37Z")
I wish the wireless version came with a num pad. It works for a PC. ---
**Author:** ![Absolute](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/b2d939/32.png) [@Absolute](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Absolute)\ **Post date:** [March 20, 2009, 1:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-covet-the-mac-keyboard/490098/3 "2009-03-20T01:15:41Z")
It works just fine on a PC. The “Option” key is the same thing as “Alt”, and the “Command” key is the same as the “Windows” key. As for the price - you get what you pay for. ---
**Author:** ![Superfluous\_Parentheses](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/8edcca/32.png) [@Superfluous\_Parentheses](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Superfluous_Parentheses)\ **Post date:** [March 20, 2009, 1:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-covet-the-mac-keyboard/490098/4 "2009-03-20T01:47:30Z")
I have my sights on [this thing](http://www.goldtouch.com/p-139-goldtouch-go-travel-keyboard.aspx). But I’m not going to order any keyboard I until I can try it out with my own hands. ---
**Author:** ![Argent\_Towers](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/e8c25b/32.png) [@Argent\_Towers](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Argent_Towers)\ **Post date:** [March 20, 2009, 2:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-covet-the-mac-keyboard/490098/5 "2009-03-20T02:24:22Z")
I cannot stand those Mac keyboards. Every now and then I will have to use a Mac computer lab, and those keyboards drive me fucking insane. Why? Because the GODDAMN KEYS ARE TOO LOW. I’m used to my standard PC keyboard with keys that are big, thick, and make a satisfying “thunk” when they’re depressed. The keys on the Mac keyboard are so thin and low-profile that I feel like I’m walking on eggshells every time I type on them. ---
**Author:** ![ZenBeam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/3ab097/32.png) [@ZenBeam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ZenBeam)\ **Post date:** [March 20, 2009, 2:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-covet-the-mac-keyboard/490098/6 "2009-03-20T02:37:02Z")
I don’t get it–what makes it so appealing? It looks like a normal keyboard, except that it’s white. ---
**Author:** ![Argent\_Towers](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/e8c25b/32.png) [@Argent\_Towers](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Argent_Towers)\ **Post date:** [March 20, 2009, 2:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-covet-the-mac-keyboard/490098/7 "2009-03-20T02:39:12Z")
It’s not a normal keyboard. All the keys are flat, practically flush with the frame of the keyboard, and have non-existent ergonomics. IMO. ---
**Author:** ![GameHat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/ed655f/32.png) [@GameHat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GameHat)\ **Post date:** [March 20, 2009, 2:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-covet-the-mac-keyboard/490098/8 "2009-03-20T02:42:29Z")
Sorry, I don’t see the appeal. Give me a classic [Model M](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Model_M_Keyboard) any day. /80 WPM with excellent accuracy, bizz-otches. ---
**Author:** ![Tabby\_Cat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/6a8cbe/32.png) [@Tabby\_Cat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tabby_Cat)\ **Post date:** [March 20, 2009, 2:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-covet-the-mac-keyboard/490098/9 "2009-03-20T02:49:03Z")
AND the outer “frame” is much much smaller, and wastes a lot less of my desktop real estate, which is running at a rather high premium at the moment. I wants. ☹ ---
**Author:** ![Argent\_Towers](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/e8c25b/32.png) [@Argent\_Towers](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Argent_Towers)\ **Post date:** [March 20, 2009, 2:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-covet-the-mac-keyboard/490098/10 "2009-03-20T02:51:00Z")
> [@GameHat](#): > > Sorry, I don’t see the appeal. > > Give me a classic [Model M](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Model_M_Keyboard) any day. > > /80 WPM with excellent accuracy, bizz-otches. Yes. Those are keys with some _heft_ to them. That Mac abomination is like an anorexic woman in comparison. ---
**Author:** ![Superfluous\_Parentheses](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/8edcca/32.png) [@Superfluous\_Parentheses](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Superfluous_Parentheses)\ **Post date:** [March 20, 2009, 3:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-covet-the-mac-keyboard/490098/11 "2009-03-20T03:10:34Z")
> [@GameHat](#): > > Sorry, I don’t see the appeal. > > Give me a classic [Model M](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Model_M_Keyboard) any day. > > /80 WPM with excellent accuracy, bizz-otches. I’ve got one of those. It’s OK, I guess, but it’s way too large and the springs are too stiff. Even my MS natural 4000 (my main keyboard) has lighter keys. On the other hand, it’ll probably last forever. ---
**Author:** ![MacTech](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/c0e974/32.png) [@MacTech](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MacTech)\ **Post date:** [March 20, 2009, 3:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-covet-the-mac-keyboard/490098/12 "2009-03-20T03:35:31Z")
The new Mac Aluminum keyboards have the same keyswitches as the plastic cased MacBooks, they use a simple “plunger” style keyswitch, and as such, feel rather _mushy_, personally, I can’t stand the Aluminum keyboards, yes they look nice, but typing feel is lacking Now, the Mac keyboard I _DO_ covet is my old Apple Extended Keyboard II, the old “Nimitz” keyboard with the nice, clicky Alps keyswitches, I have two of them and no, I’m never parting with them, they work just fine with my USB based Macs thanks to a ADB to USB adapter they’re at least 15 years old, and have outlasted five of my Macs and are still going strong (they’re similar to the IBM Model M’s) This post was composed on my trusty ol’ workhorse Nimitz, the old war-horse refuses to die They don’t build 'em like they used to… ---
**Author:** ![gotpasswords](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/c57346/32.png) [@gotpasswords](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gotpasswords)\ **Post date:** [March 20, 2009, 3:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-covet-the-mac-keyboard/490098/13 "2009-03-20T03:47:54Z")
[QUOTE=MacTech] Now, the Mac keyboard I _DO_ covet is my old Apple Extended Keyboard II, the old “Nimitz” keyboard with the nice, clicky Alps keyswitches, I have two of them and no, I’m never parting with them, they work just fine with my USB based Macs thanks to a ADB to USB adapter [/QUOTE] Oooh? Nimitz, you say? ADB to USB adapter? I have got to do some digging in the garage… Just about the first thing I did when I got my iMac was ditch the keyboard. For now, I’ve got a generic KeyTronic that’s tolerable. ---
**Author:** ![Snowboarder\_Bo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/snowboarder_bo/32/229_2.png) [@Snowboarder\_Bo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Snowboarder_Bo)\ **Post date:** [March 20, 2009, 5:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-covet-the-mac-keyboard/490098/14 "2009-03-20T05:31:40Z")
I got a new Mac Pro last fall, and I love it, but I don’t use the keyboard. I love the way the keyboard looks, I love the way the keys feel, I love slim design… so why don’t I use it? I use the function keys A LOT, and on the Mac keyboard, you have to press a button to get the function keys to stop being media player commands and be function keys. STUPID! I’d rather have a keyboard that is backlit and has both function keys AND media player buttons. BEHOLD! The [BTC 6300CL](http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16823110004)! Seriously, I love this keyboard. Very slim, great feel, and backlit so it’s easy to see. My Mac keyboard just sits on a shelf, still in it’s box, in case it is needed someday. ---
**Author:** ![Mojo\_Pin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/6a8cbe/32.png) [@Mojo\_Pin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mojo_Pin)\ **Post date:** [March 20, 2009, 7:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-covet-the-mac-keyboard/490098/15 "2009-03-20T07:48:16Z")
I like small keyboards–here’s one that sounds nice [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t1XBmmsP2gI](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t1XBmmsP2gI) Mine’s not quite so chunky but it’s tiny with all the keys that I need. ---
**Author:** ![Spectralist](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ecccb3/32.png) [@Spectralist](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spectralist)\ **Post date:** [March 20, 2009, 8:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-covet-the-mac-keyboard/490098/16 "2009-03-20T08:33:55Z")
> [@GameHat](#): > > Sorry, I don’t see the appeal. > > Give me a classic [Model M](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Model_M_Keyboard) any day. > > /80 WPM with excellent accuracy, bizz-otches. That’s the one i used up until a few months ago. Sadly it isn’t compatible with my new computer. ☹ ---
**Author:** ![groo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/ecd19e/32.png) [@groo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/groo)\ **Post date:** [March 20, 2009, 9:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-covet-the-mac-keyboard/490098/17 "2009-03-20T09:34:31Z")
> [@Tabby\_Cat](#): > > AND the outer “frame” is much much smaller, and wastes a lot less of my desktop real estate, which is running at a rather high premium at the moment. > > I wants. ☹ > [@Snowboarder\_Bo](#): > > I got a new Mac Pro last fall, and I love it, but I don’t use the keyboard. > … > My Mac keyboard just sits on a shelf, still in it’s box, in case it is needed someday. How can we get you two crazy kids together? (I just got a Mac Pro, and I have a MacBook; I don’t have problems with either, though I LOVE my Apple USB Exended Keyboard purchased about five years ago. I have more computers than a sane person would need, but I DO use all of them.) ---
**Author:** ![Absolute](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/b2d939/32.png) [@Absolute](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Absolute)\ **Post date:** [March 20, 2009, 12:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-covet-the-mac-keyboard/490098/18 "2009-03-20T12:53:43Z")
> [@Snowboarder\_Bo](#): > > I got a new Mac Pro last fall, and I love it, but I don’t use the keyboard. > > I love the way the keyboard looks, I love the way the keys feel, I love slim design… so why don’t I use it? > > I use the function keys A LOT, and on the Mac keyboard, you have to press a button to get the function keys to stop being media player commands and be function keys. STUPID! I’d rather have a keyboard that is backlit and has both function keys AND media player buttons. You can change that in System Preferences. ---
**Author:** ![Deeg](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/deeg/32/2955_2.png) [@Deeg](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Deeg)\ **Post date:** [March 27, 2009, 5:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-covet-the-mac-keyboard/490098/19 "2009-03-27T17:19:42Z")
> [@Spectralist](#): > > That’s the one i used up until a few months ago. Sadly it isn’t compatible with my new computer. ☹ A small company in Kentucky makes a Model M clone. They have a few different options (like pointing stick and trackball). They have USB versions as well: [http://pckeyboards.stores.yahoo.net//keyboards.html](http://pckeyboards.stores.yahoo.net//keyboards.html) I’ve got my eye on this one: [http://pckeyboards.stores.yahoo.net//ontheballplus.html](http://pckeyboards.stores.yahoo.net//ontheballplus.html) > [@Argent\_Towers](#): > > Yes. Those are keys with some _heft_ to them. That Mac abomination is like an anorexic woman in comparison. Ah, great analogy. You could add the she’s a ditz because she has no depth like the Model M. I have two Model Ms: one built in 1991 and the other in 1984 that both still work great. The 1984 version has the old AT-style connector so to use it I have to daisy chain an AT-PS2 connector to a PS2-USB converter. ---
**Author:** ![Troy\_McClure\_SF](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/troy_mcclure_sf/32/4150_2.png) [@Troy\_McClure\_SF](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Troy_McClure_SF)\ **Post date:** [March 27, 2009, 6:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-covet-the-mac-keyboard/490098/20 "2009-03-27T18:02:34Z")
> [@MacTech](#): > > …I have two of them and no, I’m never parting with them, they work just fine with my USB based Macs thanks to a ADB to USB adapter I still have my old ADB Apple keyboards, which I’d actually prefer to my current third-party keyboard, but all the ADB/USB dongles were ~$30. It that about right? Because they seem like something that should be about $2 plus shipping these days. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-covet-the-mac-keyboard/490098.md?page=2)