[Eug Wanker]

My Cube came with an Apple mouse, but no keyboard. I'm using a PC keyboard for the moment, but the option and command keys are reversed. I want to get an Apple keyboard.

The current Apple keyboard has USB ports at the back right? There is no mention of USB ports in the keyboard blurb at the Apple Store.

And is the keyboard's USB power enough to power a USB pen drive or a Bluetooth dongle?

I'll either get a new Apple keyboard, or an old iMac one off eBay or something. Which has the better feel?

[d.fine]

I like the new one better, 2 usb ports nicely tucked away at the back, not one the sides. It has a very nice finish and feels very sturdy. I'd prefer new
Don't know about the usb capabilities, but there's a good thick wire coming out of the keyboard, which to me suggests it can provide the ports with plenty power ...

[Skip Breakfast]

You can not put storage devices on ANY keyboard. It must be on a powered USB hub are on the USB port on the computer itself.

The new Apple keyboards are better IMO.

[drive-thru]

I've used both a USB bluetooth dongle and a USB flash drive on my (new version) Apple keyboard fine. I guess there is enough power for one of these devices, but both at the same time may cause a problem. My flash drive is dead so I can't test it.

[Eug Wanker]

Originally posted by Skip Breakfast:
You can not put storage devices on ANY keyboard. It must be on a powered USB hub are on the USB port on the computer itself.

I use USB pen drives on non-powered hubs which have a mouse and keyboard attached. Seems to work fine. I just wanted to confirm it would work with the Apple keyboard as the hub too.

Originally posted by drive-thru:
I've used both a USB bluetooth dongle and a USB flash drive on my (new version) Apple keyboard fine. I guess there is enough power for one of these devices, but both at the same time may cause a problem.

Thanks, that's what I wanted to hear. One at a time is fine.

[Skip Breakfast]

YRMV. Every USB flash drive I've owned doesn't work on the keyboard. ( and not just my keyboard, eiher.

[Disgruntled Head of C-3PO]

Originally posted by Skip Breakfast:
You can not put storage devices on ANY keyboard. It must be on a powered USB hub are on the USB port on the computer itself.

The new Apple keyboards are better IMO.

EVERYTHING I have plugged into the keyboard from Pendrives to Printers/scanners all work 100%

[Skip Breakfast]

USB floppy and Zip drives definitely don't work, but who uses those these days?

[Eug Wanker]

Originally posted by Skip Breakfast:
USB floppy and Zip drives definitely don't work, but who uses those these days?

Yeah, I wasn't expecting to use those, and even if I were, I wouldn't expect the keyboard to handle them.

Unfortunately, there's no educational discount on the USB keyboards. There is a discount on the wireless one which makes it only CAD$20 more than the USB one, but I like the idea of the built-in hub. Saves me from buying an extra hub and it saves on clutter.

[Disgruntled Head of C-3PO]

Originally posted by Eug Wanker:
Yeah, I wasn't expecting to use those, and even if I were, I wouldn't expect the keyboard to handle them.

Unfortunately, there's no educational discount on the USB keyboards. There is a discount on the wireless one which makes it only CAD$20 more than the USB one, but I like the idea of the built-in hub. Saves me from buying an extra hub and it saves on clutter.

Not to mention you will be changing the batteries all the time and I swear you will never move that keyboard more than 2 feet from the computer anyway.

[Cadaver]

Originally posted by Disgruntled Head of C-3PO:
Not to mention you will be changing the batteries all the time and I swear you will never move that keyboard more than 2 feet from the computer anyway.

I've changed the batteries in my Apple Wireless keyboard once in the 6 months I've had it.

And for what its worth, when I was using a wired keyboard, I never had any problem using either a USB thumb drive or a bluetooth dongle on it.

[Eug Wanker]

Originally posted by Disgruntled Head of C-3PO:
Not to mention you will be changing the batteries all the time and I swear you will never move that keyboard more than 2 feet from the computer anyway.

Originally posted by Cadaver:
[B]I've changed the batteries in my Apple Wireless keyboard once in the 6 months I've had it.[b]

Yeah, I've only changed my wireless RF keyboard batteries once in the last 6 months. I have to change the batteries much more often for the wireless mouse though. BTW, I could just use this RF keyboard. It works great with OS X if I install the MS software, which is also quite good. But it's just too big for my tastes.

So I went shopping today for an Apple keyboard. It's CAD$69 at the Apple Store but I wouldn't get it until next week. Since North Star was the only one close by open at night, I went there... and they want $89 for it. WTF? I can get a box of DVD-Rs and a keyboard shipped from Apple directly and still have money left over.

However, while I was there I played around with the old keyboard with the USB ports at the sides. I actually kinda like that keyboard better. So I just might do the eBay thing instead... and hope I don't get screwed.

[subego]

Originally posted by Disgruntled Head of C-3PO:
Not to mention you will be changing the batteries all the time and I swear you will never move that keyboard more than 2 feet from the computer anyway.

My AWK gets at least a couple months between battery swaps.

[Disgruntled Head of C-3PO]

Originally posted by subego:
My AWK gets at least a couple months between battery swaps.

Yippie, considering I never move the keyboard from infront of the monitor even a battery once a year and losing the USB ports is not worth it.

[subego]

Originally posted by Disgruntled Head of C-3PO:
Yippie

Do you usually get so exited when you're wrong?

I believe this isn't the first time you've harped (incorrectly) on the AWK battery issue. What's the bee in your bonnet?

[Disgruntled Head of C-3PO]

Originally posted by subego:
Do you usually get so exited when you're wrong?

I believe this isn't the first time you've harped (incorrectly) on the AWK battery issue. What's the bee in your bonnet?

The battery issue is VERY relevant on the mouse from experience. Big whoop about the battery on the keyboard if it lasts 2 months or a year. Point is I can't see why 99.9% of people would need to move the keyboard so far away from the screen they can't even see what they are typing. Not to mention you lose the USB ports.

[subego]

Originally posted by Disgruntled Head of C-3PO:
The battery issue is VERY relevant on the mouse from experience. Big whoop about the battery on the keyboard if it lasts 2 months or a year. Point is I can't see why 99.9% of people would need to move the keyboard so far away from the screen they can't even see what they are typing. Not to mention you lose the USB ports.

The AWK is nice for laptops.

My AWM's (I have 3) last about 2-3 weeks, longer when I don't use rechargables. Either you had a bum AWM, or your expectations are VERY high. Admittedly, they do complain way too early about needing new batteries. Mine usually last a week past their first warning.

[Disgruntled Head of C-3PO]

Originally posted by subego:
The AWK is nice for laptops.

My AWM's (I have 3) last about 2-3 weeks, longer when I don't use rechargables. Either you had a bum AWM, or your expectations are VERY high. Admittedly, they do complain way too early about needing new batteries. Mine usually last a week past their first warning.

'

I have to use the a computer 8 hours a day and I don't think the mouse would last even 3 weeks. My co-workers last 2 weeks.

[subego]

Originally posted by Disgruntled Head of C-3PO:
My co-workers last 2 weeks.

How long should the thing last?

[Disgruntled Head of C-3PO]

Originally posted by subego:
How long should the thing last?

why do the non-bluetooth wireless ones last over a year? What does bluetooth offer that is worth changing the battery every 2-3 weeks?

[Luca Rescigno]

The only advantage bluetooth has is that it lets you use a mouse without having any kind of external connector. Internal bluetooth + bluetooth mouse is heaven for laptop users. The other benefit is that if you buy a bluetooth mouse, it should come with a bluetooth receiver, which will allow you to connect other bluetooth devices as well (assuming you care about getting other BT devices).

That's it, though. Personally I think BT is overhyped and really not that useful. It might cover a few more areas than other technologies can, but it doesn't do them as well. It's very slow compared to RF technology (for wireless mice and keyboards) and USB (for phones, PDAs, cameras, and so on). So I'd really only care about having a bluetooth mouse if I had a laptop with internal bluetooth. All it would really do would be to reduce clutter anyway.

[subego]

Originally posted by Disgruntled Head of C-3PO:
why do the non-bluetooth wireless ones last over a year? What does bluetooth offer that is worth changing the battery every 2-3 weeks?

Had no idea non BT mice had such good battery life.

I stand corrected.

[im_noahselby]

I use a bluetooth mouse and keyboard with my PowerBook and I will never go back to a wired one of either. I like the idea that I'm eliminating clutter and have the freedom to type from my bed, or anywhere else I wish, without being limited by a cord.

For those concerned about buying batteries: Just buy rechargables and you'll never have to worry about running out of batteries again. It's a small investment to pay for something that will improve many users experience.

Lastly, I use my laptop everyday and like the idea of having an external keyboard to type on. Not only can I position my screen further away from me, but I can also eliminate needless wear and tear on my PB's keyboard. Also, I'm spearing the USB slots from needless wear and tear, by not constantly plugging in and out a keyboard and mouse out of them all the time. I expect that my PB will last longer because of this.

Noah

[blackbird_1.0]

I have a question about the bluetooth wireless keyboards. how fast is wireless bluetooth compared to wired usb?

[Luca Rescigno]

Bluetooth is about 1 megabit per second, compared to USB at 12 megabits. However, USB can only allocate 8 megabits to any one device.

I've heard reports of certain bluetooth mice skipping because of lack of bandwidth... the MX900 in particular. RF is more accurate and doesn't skip nearly as much.

Battery life depends greatly on the mouse. My Logitech MX700 lasts only a few days before it has to be put back on its charging cradle. This isn't a hassle since I just set it on the base station every night. My wireless Logitech keyboard, on the other hand, has lasted nearly a year without new batteries. I don't know how other wireless mice compare but I would expect a very wide range of battery lives... perhaps from just a few days (like mine) to as much as a year, but I have no way of knowing.

[subego]

Originally posted by blackbird_1.0:
I have a question about the bluetooth wireless keyboards. how fast is wireless bluetooth compared to wired usb?

I believe...

BT: 1 Mbps
USB: 12 Mbps
USB2 480 Mbps

It's not like you can tell the difference with a keyboard though.

[edit: dammit! Luca beat me! ]

[blackbird_1.0]

Originally posted by Luca Rescigno:
My Logitech MX700 lasts only a few days before it has to be put back on its charging cradle. This isn't a hassle since I just set it on the base station every night. My wireless Logitech keyboard, on the other hand, has lasted nearly a year without new batteries. I don't know how other wireless mice compare but I would expect a very wide range of battery lives... perhaps from just a few days (like mine) to as much as a year, but I have no way of knowing.

Thanks. I was thinking about getting a Logitech Keyboard/Mouse for my G5. Do I need a bluetooth thing to use with it, or does it come with it?

[blackbird_1.0]

Originally posted by subego:
I believe...

BT: 1 Mbps
USB: 12 Mbps
USB2 480 Mbps

It's not like you can tell the difference with a keyboard though.

[edit: dammit! Luca beat me! ]

Thanks, anyway.

[Luca Rescigno]

Originally posted by blackbird_1.0:
Thanks. I was thinking about getting a Logitech Keyboard/Mouse for my G5. Do I need a bluetooth thing to use with it, or does it come with it?

The bluetooth version comes with a charging cradle for the mouse that also acts as a bluetooth receiver. In fact, Apple's keyboard and mouse set are the only bluetooth input devices I know of that don't include a bluetooth module. But don't bother with the bluetooth version... it costs extra and provides no benefit other than giving you bluetooth capability in case you wanted to add some other bluetooth device. The one I have is the Cordless MX Duo, which comes with an MX700 mouse and a wireless Elite keyboard that are both connected to a single base station, which also serves as a charging cradle for the mouse. It's an excellent keyboard and mouse set, highly recommended. Pretty expensive, but worth it.

[blackbird_1.0]

Originally posted by Luca Rescigno:
The bluetooth version comes with a charging cradle for the mouse that also acts as a bluetooth receiver. In fact, Apple's keyboard and mouse set are the only bluetooth input devices I know of that don't include a bluetooth module. But don't bother with the bluetooth version... it costs extra and provides no benefit other than giving you bluetooth capability in case you wanted to add some other bluetooth device. The one I have is the Cordless MX Duo, which comes with an MX700 mouse and a wireless Elite keyboard that are both connected to a single base station, which also serves as a charging cradle for the mouse. It's an excellent keyboard and mouse set, highly recommended. Pretty expensive, but worth it.

Thanks. If you're not busy, could you give me a link? I found something at CDW's site for $45, but I'm not sure if this is it.

http://www.cdw.com/shop/products/specs.aspx?EDC=640999

[Cadaver]

Originally posted by blackbird_1.0:
Thanks. If you're not busy, could you give me a link? I found something at CDW's site for $45, but I'm not sure if this is it.

http://www.cdw.com/shop/products/specs.aspx?EDC=640999

Here's a link to Logitech's page about the Cordless MX Duo. You can buy from there.

[Luca Rescigno]

Or you can buy from here and pay $64 instead of $100. That's less than Logitech charges for just the mouse by itself.

[blackbird_1.0]

Originally posted by Luca Rescigno:
Or you can buy from here and pay $64 instead of $100. That's less than Logitech charges for just the mouse by itself.

Thanks.

[Eug Wanker]

So I ended up getting the iMac G3 keyboard for uber cheap. The feel isn't quite as nice as the current Apple Pro Keyboard, and the reduced size arrow keys are a little bit of an annoyance. My USB pen drive works fine from the side port, BTW.



However, I think I like the old Apple Pro Keyboard the best. I tested one in the store the other day. The feel is just a little bit nicer IMO than the current white Apple Pro Keyboard. Too bad the only place to get it really is on eBay.

My fave keyboards in terms of typing feel are still those old clickety-clackety loud IBM keyboards however. Too bad they're super-ugly, and don't work properly with Macs.

Originally posted by subego:
Had no idea non BT mice had such good battery life.

I stand corrected.

My wireless RF (non-Bluetooth) MS mouse lasts about 3 months or so with maybe 15 hours per week use. My wireless RF (non-Bluetooth) MS keyboard lasts just about forever. Well, maybe 8 months or so.

[subego]

Originally posted by Eug Wanker:
So I ended up getting the iMac G3 keyboard for uber cheap.

I genuinely like these keyboards, though a lot of that is because of the size. You can generally fit one of these and the mouse in a standard keyboard tray.

Are not the USB ports however, the tightest little bastards ever? Knocked over more than one soda trying to unplug something from it.

[Disgruntled Head of C-3PO]

Originally posted by Eug Wanker:
So I ended up getting the iMac G3 keyboard for uber cheap.

Yarg, that is not the one that came with the cube originally, they keys were black but it had full size arrow keys.

[Eug Wanker]

Originally posted by subego:
I genuinely like these keyboards, though a lot of that is because of the size. You can generally fit one of these and the mouse in a standard keyboard tray.

Are not the USB ports however, the tightest little bastards ever? Knocked over more than one soda trying to unplug something from it.

Yes, I noticed that. Very strange. The mouse connector is a pretty tight fit. Fortunately it's not so bad with my USB flash drive.

Originally posted by Disgruntled Head of C-3PO:
Yarg, that is not the one that came with the cube originally, they keys were black but it had full size arrow keys.

Yeah, I know, but it was 14 bucks.

If I can find a cheap old Cube Apple Pro Keyboard somewhere I'll get that too. I'd prefer that to the new Apple Pro Keyboard.