Looking for a keyboard.
Ok that’s it. My almost two year old Apple Bluetooth Keyboard officially sucks.
Bigtime. It has sucked for a long time now, but I always kept postponing changing it. This is kind of weird, as I recall the thrill I got after using it for the first time, in May 2005. Back then it definitely felt much much better than what it does now. It was light, as most dome-switch keyboards are, but firm and provided good tactile feedback. Now it’s just spongy and stiff. In other words horrible.
Being a fast touchtypist, I thought I’d check out what’s available out there for my Mac, before venturing to one of Athens’ excuses for computer stores and buying something I’d most certainly regret later. Logitech, one of the high-profile, high-volume brand of peripherals have almost always had bad keyboards in my experience: stiff, spongy feel, clunky, cheap. Maybe I was just unlucky and never got a good one. I was quite sceptical when the Logitech S530 set for the Mac was released about a year ago. That, and the fact that — before Fnac opened its doors in that despised monstrosity we tolerate in Athens — it was practically impossible to find a store with stock of that product, made me postpone my purchase for several months. Trying it out was the final nail in the S530’s coffin, so to speak. It’s definitely very cheap and the feel, although better than my current Apple keyboard, still sucks. it also comes with a mouse — for which I have no need — and it is wireless on the 2.4GHz ISM band using its own radio (something I hate; why oh why didn’t they just use Bluetooth?). Definitely not worth €90.
Leaving Logitech behind, there is only one option left in the domestic market: Microsoft. I’ve had conflicting experiences with Microsoft hardware products: some Microsoft keyboards I’ve used over the years were definitely bad, others were quite decent, if not excellent, for what they are: i.e. consumer, dome-switch keyboards, and have lasted me for many years. Sadly, Microsoft’s Mac keyboard and mouse set suffers from many of Logitech’s failings: it’s wireless, it uses proprietary radio and comes with a mouse for which I have no need. It is also ugly (no wonder Microsoft stopped having that stupid left-hand zoom+button area and redesigned their keyboards on their latest models). Most importantly, I haven’t been able to find any stores with stock in Athens.
So this only leaves more exotic options open to me within the Mac keyboard market, such as the — very costly — Matias Tactile Pro keyboard that sports Alps mechanical switches and provides that typical clicking mechanical feel, bringing memories of different times (it also ensures that I’d wake everyone in the house whilst typing past midnight). Since I was never a fan of that kind of keyboard — I *always* preferred the buckling spring Model M keyboards from IBM — the Tactile Pro is out of the question. It also costs a fortune.
Then there’s Macally. Hmm, I won’t even go into Macally: Their keyboards are toys that I wouldn’t really consider for my box.
So that’s the situation. Need to type a lot of stuff, the keyboard I’ve got sucks bigtime and I have very few — if any — Mac-specific options open to me.
I could always get a good Type-M(ish) PC keyboard and get used to the idea of not having all the function and special keys I’m used to, although I’d rather avoid this if possible. A friend is obsessed and cannot praise Sun’s Type VI USB keyboards enough. I could get a couple from Ebay for cheap. They are excellent keyboards, but then again they are so different to what I’m used to and, as such, I’m not sure I’d like getting used to them now.
Any ideas?
I got the S530, I am sort of disappointed. Not from the feel, the feel is ok really, though the wireless mechanism SUCKS big time. There are moments that there seems to be some sort of disconnect from the base usb. So I have to re- sync them. It would be very very nice if they would just ship with with a f–king cord.
Man..this Tactile Pro .. is really impressive..I am almost ready to order to one and sell logitech ..though its not available until March 2007.
Eventually you are right we have an issue here….keyboard conflicts!
Hmm, as I wrote in the article, I am not sure I’d like the Tactile Pro. I prefer buckling springs to Alps switches as they are lighter/softer and provide a better tactile feeling than Alps in my opinion. It’s all down to individual tastes, but I really wish we could get a proper Mac keyboard with buckling springs ala the old IBM Model M (you can get a new PC 101 Model M keyboard by the current licensee of the technology, Unicomp, at http://www.pckeyboard.com).
Regarding the wireless problems you’re experiencing, I am very sorry. I generally dislike wireless keyboards and mice, unless it’s about a computer in a living room used mainly for watching movies etc. ;)
What’s wrong with Macally? I ‘m considering buying a keyboard for my mbpro and I can’t find many reviews on their keyoards. I am used to low-travel keys -that’s probably the reason they got my attention in the first place-. So have you tried them?
I have used Macally keyboards on several occasions. By reading the post you’ll notice that I’m interested in a high-end, relatively heavy-duty keyboard as I type a lot. Low-travel keyboards just don’t cut it for me: they are usually membrane (or dome-switch) keyboards with subpar tactile feel and lower quality than most keyboards mentioned in the post. In my opinion, the Macallys are ok for — say — a home theatre machine, or a machine that is not used much for typing. I don’t like their feel and I don’t find them particularly well-made/robust for my intended use. Yet if low-travel keyboards are your thing then perhaps they’re your only Mac-specific option.
Take a look at Unicomp. They make the old school buckling spring keyboards in a USB version. (They are IBMs old keyboard division.) You can get the 104 key (Customizer or EnduraPro), and customize the keycaps if you like. They’ll even throw in a few blank keycaps if requested. OS X can software map the alt/option and Windows/Command to their “correct” position. You only give up volume, CD Eject, and power.
Here’s the link for the Customizer:
http://pckeyboards.stores.yahoo.net/customizer.html
Thanks. I was already aware of Unicomp (check the comments above). The problem is that I live in Hellas (Greece) and shipping from the U.S. costs a fortune and is also liable to Customs Duty — there aren’t any local distributors here obviously (at least to my knowledge).
Ha! I live in Atlanta, Georgia, USA and read “Athens” as Athens, GA. How’s that for a parochial mindset?
No worries. Although, I have to admit, it is not exactly an uncommon trait among your compatriots :)