Keyboard

Hades · 22 Jan 2010 at 15:45

Do Apple make a bluetooth keyboard with either the number pad or alternatively just the pgup/pgdn keys? Or would I have to use a wired version to get the extra keys?

Slogan · 22 Jan 2010 at 15:51

As far as I can tell, Apple have three different keyboards available at the moment.

Wired (Full Size with USB ports either side)
Wired (Small Size, missing numpad with USB ports either side)
Wireless (Small size, Bluetooth, missing numpad with no USB ports)

I think only the Wired Full Size has all the functionality you want.

hyper_piper45 · 22 Jan 2010 at 15:52

Unfortunately they do not make a full wireless keyboard.

Feek · 22 Jan 2010 at 16:00

Which is a real shame as if they did I'd buy two of them.

Slogan · 22 Jan 2010 at 16:16

I'm sure it's not that difficult to implement. Perhaps they don't want even more keyboards in the line up. The fact they have 3 already is a bit cluttered and un-Apple-like.

It doesn't look great on the shelf either, I recently bought a wired small size and for the average consumer looking at the wall, to say it's vague says the least. Yes they can get help and advice on which is which but it's not as clear visually as it should be. Partly down to the stupidly simple images on the packaging.

mr.sly · 22 Jan 2010 at 16:18

If you have an iPhone there's a Keypad app available. Not the best solution but it's there when needed.

Hades · 22 Jan 2010 at 17:03

Thanks guys. I'm new to this Mac malarky (my wife has one but this is my first foray into Mac - or at least it will be when I get home tonight and open it!). I know I'm going to miss a full size keyboard.

Prime · 22 Jan 2010 at 17:41

The older (white) wireless keyboards are bluetooth i believe.

Another case of dictating to the market.. especially the price they are charging!

Turbo-G · 22 Jan 2010 at 22:41

How come you need pgUP/pgDN keys? The new mouse is an absolute joy to use for any form of scrolling work

Hades · 22 Jan 2010 at 22:44

Turbo-G said:
How come you need pgUP/pgDN keys? The new mouse is an absolute joy to use for any form of scrolling work

Yes I'm finding that. Having come from a Windows and Linux environment it's probably just a case of getting used to a new way of doing things. But I do a lot of software development and I still think I'll find it easier to page up and down while coding.

I'm loving the trackpad scrolling though

panda_uk · 23 Jan 2010 at 11:10

Everyone wants a full size wireless keyboard, really can't see why apple hasn't made one yet.

Raymond Lin · 23 Jan 2010 at 12:00

panda_uk said:
Everyone wants a full size wireless keyboard, really can't see why apple hasn't made one yet.

I still got the old plastic bluetooth version of the full size keyboard, never been used either....but its just not as nice to type on compare to the new one.

panda_uk · 23 Jan 2010 at 13:56

Yeah I recently changed over and it makes typing a lot easier. Also the controls at the top of the keyboard are very handy. Worth an upgrade.

Blackhawk47 · 23 Jan 2010 at 16:10

Maybe they will release one soon. I only hard decision would be, what price point. Higher than the small wireless one or lower?

panda_uk · 23 Jan 2010 at 19:48

Yeah there have been rumours but the price for the small wireless I think is a bit steep anyway.

Blackhawk47 · 23 Jan 2010 at 21:27

panda_uk said:
Yeah there have been rumours but the price for the small wireless I think is a bit steep anyway.

Its top quality though. I got the small wireless one just for use with my Macbook and its great when I need it.

For some reason though I seem to prefer the Macbook's keys compared with the wireless keyboard. They seem a lot smoother and black keys look a bit better with the overall appearance of the new Macs.

Hades · 23 Jan 2010 at 22:21

Blackhawk47 said:
Its top quality though. I got the small wireless one just for use with my Macbook and its great when I need it.

For some reason though I seem to prefer the Macbook's keys compared with the wireless keyboard. They seem a lot smoother and black keys look a bit better with the overall appearance of the new Macs.

Strange you should say that. I've just been comparing my wife's wireless keyboard on her 21.5" iMac with the keyboard on my Macbook Pro 13. Mine definitely has the slight edge in overall feel.

panda_uk · 24 Jan 2010 at 10:28

What they really need to do is full size wireless, black keys and backlit keyboard.

Hades · 24 Jan 2010 at 10:54

panda_uk said:
What they really need to do is full size wireless, black keys and backlit keyboard.

This is exactly 100% what I'm after! Although it would probably need to be rechargeable from a USB port due to the battery life if the keys did illuminate. So my ideal kb would be:

* Full size
* Wireless
* Black keys
* Illuminated keys (which can be turned off/on)
* Recharges from a USB port
* Can be used while wired into the USB port

Raymond Lin · 24 Jan 2010 at 12:15

Hades said:
This is exactly 100% what I'm after! Although it would probably need to be rechargeable from a USB port due to the battery life if the keys did illuminate. So my ideal kb would be:

* Full size
* Wireless
* Black keys
* Illuminated keys (which can be turned off/on)
* Recharges from a USB port
* Can be used while wired into the USB port

If the current wireless one is £55 !!! Your idea will push it above £70 easy ! lol