# 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:** 4\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Hunter\_Hawk](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/50afbb/32.png) [@Hunter\_Hawk](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hunter_Hawk)\ **Post date:** [March 28, 2009, 4:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-covet-the-mac-keyboard/490098/21 "2009-03-28T04:20:30Z")
> [@Deeg](#): > > 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) Honestly, I wouldn’t bother with this–if you want a Model M, I’d recommend saving up some money and buying a genuine Model M. The Unicomp keyboards are much better than your standard cheap keyboards, but they’re definitely not the same quality as the classic Model M hardware. However, if you’re looking for a high-quality modern keyboard, I can heartily recommend the [CVT Avant Stellar](http://www.cvtinc.com/products/keyboards/stellar.htm). It’s intended to be the reincarnation of the Northgate Omnikey, and it’s great. It uses ALPS switches rather than the Model M buckling spring switches, so it feels a lot different, but it’s really quite nice. ---
**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 28, 2009, 4:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-covet-the-mac-keyboard/490098/22 "2009-03-28T04:45:57Z")
Thanks for the tip. I’ll keep it in mind but one reason I’d like a Unicomp keyboard is that I can get a USB version. Every now and then my Linux computer freaks out for about a second with the daisy-chained adapter. ---
**Author:** ![MacTech](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/c0e974/32.png) [@MacTech](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MacTech)\ **Post date:** [March 28, 2009, 5:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-covet-the-mac-keyboard/490098/23 "2009-03-28T05:12:26Z")
> [@Troy\_McClure\_SF](#): > > 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. I honestly don’t remember how much the adapter was, I think it was around $20, but Belkin no longer makes this model, [Griffin Technologies made the iMate](http://www.griffintechnology.com/products/imate) for a while, but it’s now discontinued ☹ I actually have a good number of old Mac keyboards, starting with an original Mac 128 keyboard, an original “chicklet” style keyboard that shipped with the Classic/LC, an AppleDesign (similar to a Nimitz, but with slightly mushier keys and a integrated keyboard cord), as well as the rare and not-thought-out-very-well Apple Adjustable ergonomic keyboard and multifunction pad, as well as my two Nimitz-es (Nimitzii?) the Nimitz has the best typing feel of them all, the only reason I don’t use it on my primary machine is the lack of media control keys (volume/mute/eject) and I’m too lazy to set up a Macro for those features ---
**Author:** ![mswas](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/e99b99/32.png) [@mswas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mswas)\ **Post date:** [March 28, 2009, 7:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-covet-the-mac-keyboard/490098/24 "2009-03-28T07:10:47Z")
I love my Mac USB kb for what its worth. Nice slim light doesn’t take up too much space. Great design. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-covet-the-mac-keyboard/490098.md?page=1)