[SafariX]

Are there any elegantly designed silver or black or something keyboards that go will with the G5 (and work with X)? I dislike the ridiculously large logitech product line, and dont need wireless or anything really expensive. Thanks for any help with spending my money for me!

[wuzup101]

Well I was going to suggest logitech (what I'm typing on right now- MX duo); however, since you don't like that because of it's size I don't really know what to tell you. I'm not aware of anything w/ that color scheme that's like the size of the white Mac keyboard (if that's the size you want). Logitech does make a higher end keyboard/mouse combo that's priced pretty high, but it's much sleaker than the MX duo and would probably match nicely.

Expensive Logitech

[STAT]

Man, that thing is UGLY!

[Luca Rescigno]

Get a black-colored Apple Pro Keyboard.

[SafariX]

Thanks guys, I've seen that Logitech one before, and although I like the sleekness of it, the 250$ price tag just about kills it in my eyes. I dont even care if its an el-cheapo kb, just something nice (it may come down to finding a NIB ProKB in black..). Any suggestions on where to find one of those badboys?

[wuzup101]

Don't know about finding the Pro in black, but if you find more than one please let me know

[STAT]

Too bad that company that used to make the colored keycaps for Apple keyboards (Digital Hipps) is no longer in business.

[madmacgames]

Originally posted by STAT:
Too bad that company that used to make the colored keycaps for Apple keyboards (Digital Hipps) is no longer in business.

These guys make skins for previous generation Apple Pro keyboards (not newer wireless ones though):

http://www.iskin.com

[STAT]

Originally posted by madmacgames:
These guys make skins for previous generation Apple Pro keyboards (not newer wireless ones though):

http://www.iskin.com

Eh... I got something very similar about ten years ago (like the things you see on keyboards at oil change places to keep the junk from getting down into the keyboard) because I kept spilling drinks onto the keyboard and ruining them. It was alright, but it really did make typing more difficult because I type really fast and it makes more downward force necessary to actuate the key, as well as slowing down the rebound of the keycap. Make sense? So...I still wish Digital Hipps was still in business.

[SafariX]

Anyone have suggestions on tracking down a black Pro KB?

[madmacgames]

Originally posted by SafariX:
Anyone have suggestions on tracking down a black Pro KB?

http://www.welovemacs.com/m8691llbr.html (refurbished)

http://search.ebay.com/pro-black_Key...ertyZ2QQsotrZ2 (used)

not sure if those are the ones you are talking about, but there you go.

[STAT]

I've been out of the Apple product offering loop for quite some time now, so I'm confused about all these differences between white Apple keyboards, black Apple keyboards, wireless Apple keyboards, and Pro Apple keyboards. Could somebody fill me in on the different offerings? I'm confused about why it'd be hard to get a "black Apple pro keyboard" if Apple makes and sells them.

[Luca Rescigno]

That's the thing... Apple doesn't sell them anymore. And ever since Jobs came back, Apple products have had the most confusing names. Starting with the one released in 1998, Apple has the:

Apple USB Keyboard (multicolored, came with iMacs, B&W G3s and early PowerMac G4s)
Apple Pro Keyboard (black, came with Apple desktops starting in mid-2000)
Apple Pro Keyboard (white, came with G4 iMac and eMac, later the PowerMac)
Apple Keyboard (white, smaller, non-adjustable, originally came with eMac, now comes with all Apple desktops)
Apple Wireless Keyboard (same as Apple keyboard, but bluetooth wireless, available separately or as BTO option on G5)

In mid-2000, the original Pro Keyboard and Mouse were released. They were a huge improvement over the USB Keyboard and USB Mouse (the puck) and everyone loved them. Then, when the G4 iMac came out, they made a white version to match. The black version still shipped with the PowerMacs. When the eMac came out, it also shipped with a white Pro keyboard. Things stayed the same until spring 2003, when the updated eMac started shipping with a new "Apple Keyboard" and "Apple Mouse." These were basically cheaper versions of the Pro Keyboard and mouse. The keyboard is non-adjustable, and has a less convenient location for USB ports. The mouse no longer has an adjustable click tension. So the new keyboard and mouse originally shipped with the eMac, but they also started including them with the iMac and the PowerMac G5 when they were released last year, leaving the PowerMac G4 as the only Mac shipping with a Pro keyboard. Somewhere in there, the PowerMac G4 switched from a black keyboard to a white one. That may have been in mid to late 2002, I'm not sure.

Anyway, the black Pro keyboards are the best ones and I'm not sure why Apple has gotten rid of them in favor of a non-adjustable, less comfortable, uglier version. The only advantages to the new keyboard are the smaller size (very slightly smaller than before) and the totally sealed-off design, which makes it easier to clean.

By the way, this one is silver, has a USB connection (you can use uControl to swap the Windows (command) and Alt (option) keys), and it lights up. Looks pretty compact too.

[SafariX]

Thanks for the help Luca. That lighted KB is nice, but I guess Im just a picky bastard. What would be perfect is a PowerBook equivalent. Silver keys, silver bezel, fiber optic lighting system...Just a nice elegant kb.

[Luca Rescigno]

Haha. It doesn't exist. You have to expand your criteria a little, otherwise the only way you'll get one that fits the bill is to buy a PowerBook and use Remote Desktop to use your PowerMac through your PowerBook's keyboard. Hey, it might be overkill, AND slower than necessary, but anything for style

[SafariX]

Wishful thinking, I know...

I shall prevail....oh yes, I shall find one.

[STAT]

Unfortunately, Luca's post left me just as confused, but I think that's because Apple has managed to make this matter as complicated as possible. So there's really no way to make things easier to understand. <sigh> What a headache.

[SafariX]

Anyone know of a place to buy a new black apple proKB besides eBay? There is one new one on there that ends in 4 days...but I cant wait that long. MUST HAVE NOW.

[bbxstudio]

Here are some PC keyboards I've come across in my travels. Apple will definitely come out with aluminum keyboards, but my bet is they're waiting so they can charge a premium for them - I just hope they're backlit like the powerbook KBs.

http://www.zippy.com/K_PRODUCT_LIST....amp;lv_rfnbr=2
http://www.coolermaster.com/index.ph...loy%20Keyboard
http://www.jdr.com/interact/item.asp?itemno=KBD-ALUM#

[STAT]

Originally posted by bbxstudio:
Here are some PC keyboards I've come across in my travels. Apple will definitely come out with aluminum keyboards, but my bet is they're waiting so they can charge a premium for them - I just hope they're backlit like the powerbook KBs.

http://www.zippy.com/K_PRODUCT_LIST....amp;lv_rfnbr=2

Yeah, looks pretty good except for the Windows key on it!!!

[MindFad]

I'm hoping Apple will release a nice aluminum when the iMac comes in September. Maybe even a new mouse. I'm in the market for a new keyboard this Macally iKey has been a great keyboard for years, but I've been eyeing this Macally, the IceKey:

http://macally.com/spec/usb/input_device/icekey.html

Wonder how it is. I think CompUSA has them. I'll have to check it out. Anyone tried it?

[cbutter]

Any of these do it for ya?

They are from kensington.

http://www.kensington.com/html/4757.html