[azdude]

First, quick background... and yes, I'm anal with my purchases. It's just a keyboard, for god's sake!

Just got a 15" Powerbook, but I'm anticipating certain times during the school year, I may want it desktop-ish. I already have a BT mouse, and an external display (not necessary), but I may end up wanting an external keyboard.

I have a few options:

El Cheapo USB Keyboard - $15? - No Mac-specific keys (-).

Apple USB Keyboard - $44 - Mac (+), style (+), USB Hub (+)

Apple BT Keyboard - $62 - Mac (+), style (++), No USB ports (-)

Matias Tactile Pro - $99 - Mac (+), style (+), awesome feel (+++), USB hub (+)

Kensington StudioBoard - $58 - Same as Matias TactilePro, essentially.

Griffin iMate + Extended Keyboard from my Garage - $10
Mac (1/2+), ugly, great feel (++), no USB ports (-)
------

Specifically, I just need the answer to 1 question, but I'll take recommendations also, considering my options above. I'd like to be able to plug my USB accessories into the keyboard, and leave them there for "desktop-ish" situations (scanner, palm cradle, etc), but it's not essential.

Finally... the 1 question:

Regarding the USB ports on the Apple, Kensington, and Matias: I doubt that the "hub" hardware has an effect on USB **2.0** speeds, but I'd like to ask for a more informed opinion-- do USB 2.0 devices work at full speed through the keyboard? Thanks.

[rozwado1]

School = beer = el cheapo keyboard. Depending on how drunk your friends get and how lenient(sp?) you are with letting them play with iTunes, I'd go for a waterproof one for the desktop.

[azdude]

Originally posted by rozwado1:
School = beer = el cheapo keyboard. Depending on how drunk your friends get and how lenient(sp?) you are with letting them play with iTunes, I'd go for a waterproof one for the desktop.

Hah... true, but living @ home = cheap & no-beer = more money for not-junk.

[tooki]

Remember that Logitech and Microsoft both make Mac-friendly USB keyboards with extra hot keys, etc.

tooki

[macaddict0001]

out of those I recomend the matias tactile pro but I would like to point you in the direction of the macally ice key :
some arguments for it are that it has short key's so it will feel like a laptop keyboard and therefore you will get faster typing speeds because you will not have to switch back and forth between two completely different keyboards. also it has similar features to the ones you wanted that cost more. It has a good design and function keys and even a scroll wheel.

[STAT]

Oh man! That Matias and MacAlly IceKey are cool! Too bad they aren't Bluetooth!

[azdude]

Originally posted by macaddict0001:
out of those I recomend the matias tactile pro but I would like to point you in the direction of the macally ice key :
some arguments for it are that it has short key's so it will feel like a laptop keyboard and therefore you will get faster typing speeds because you will not have to switch back and forth between two completely different keyboards. also it has similar features to the ones you wanted that cost more. It has a good design and function keys and even a scroll wheel.

Any idea what mechanical scissor switches feel like with laptop-height keys? Trying to imagine that.

Neat-looking kb, though... thx.

[STAT]

Originally posted by azdude:
Any idea what mechanical scissor switches feel like with laptop-height keys? Trying to imagine that.

What are you implying? Can't tell if you're saying that it'd be undesirable or desirable.

[azdude]

Originally posted by STAT:
What are you implying? Can't tell if you're saying that it'd be undesirable or desirable.

Didn't mean to imply anything.... just seriously asking.

[tooki]

Umm, since all Apple laptops since at least 1998 have used scissor switches with laptop-height key caps, I think you probably already have a pretty good idea what it might feel like.

tooki