New Apple Keyboard

Solnyshko · 30 Aug 2007 at 18:43

just bought one and what a lovely thing it is too...

Question though - anyone here know of PC drivers that will enable/extend functionality so that keys currently disabled can be mapped to their corresponding media UI under XP?

gumbald · 30 Aug 2007 at 18:56

I was going to suggest this would be better in the Mac Hardware forum, but I'm not sure it would

Use a Mac?

Chris C · 30 Aug 2007 at 18:58

what are the keys like ? laptop key ? Firm/soft ? Clicky / silent ?

Solnyshko · 30 Aug 2007 at 18:58

hehe - wouldnt even know how to turn one on!

Solnyshko · 30 Aug 2007 at 19:05

Chris C said:
what are the keys like ? laptop key ? Firm/soft ? Clicky / silent ?

silent and firm (well, positive spring action - certainly not rubbery) with about a millimetre of travel - it feels like something entirely new - not quite laptop-like and certainly a departure from the usual desktop variety.

very nice to work with - the flat inclined surface is pleasantly ergonomic which suprised me & the exceptionally clear layout means I'm making less typos too!

Chris C · 30 Aug 2007 at 19:30

you should write keyboard reviews, thats a very good description, made me want to buy one now !

Solnyshko · 30 Aug 2007 at 19:47

actually for £29 it's not a bad proposition, as is the older version still available for 19 quid. They're both excellent keyboards, one thing Apple does very well -- really couldnt go back to using anything else.

intergrated USB 2 hub is also a nice attraction.

bit more info here: http://www.apple.com/uk/keyboard/

how about XP modded drivers though?! (I should mention it works fine as a plug and play device - and the USB hub works as it should right off the bat - just the programmable features I'm missing)

artaxerxes · 30 Aug 2007 at 20:10

Could you check that it is a full powered hub?

Solnyshko · 30 Aug 2007 at 20:26

I think it depends on what you have your keyboard plugged into/running on - some of the newer more powerful imacs (i forget the designation) are happy for you to run things like external hard drives etc through though the keyboard's USB port(s), although this is not recommended for all machines. It certainly does not have an dc adapter port/plug for an external power source as some standard 'powered' hubs do

from the page i linked: * Devices that draw high power from the USB connection, such as iPods, hard drives and some flash drives, can only be used with the new keyboard when it is attached to the aluminium iMac.