[GSixZero]

Can anyone suggest third party keyboards with the Apple specific keys? I need to buy a bunch and $30 a pop for the Apple ones is more than I can afford.

[CaptainHaddock]

This looks to be the cheapest reputable Mac keyboard.

http://www.kensington.com/html/2530.html

[-Q-]

I'm a fan of the Logitech Elite Keyboard. I use the wired at work and the wireless at home. Good keyboard, with real Mac buttons (although it has windows stuff too).

[Cadaver]

http://www.macally.com/spec/usb/inpu...ce/icekey.html

[Mojo]

I recently purchased an iceKEY (less than $50 at OWC) and it is a nice, light keyboard with just the right amount of key-travel and action that rivals the best portable Mac keyboards. I own an older Mac with the much-touted mechanical keys and I don't see why some people get so excited about that keyboard or modern third-party keyboards that attempt to mimic the old Apple keyboards. (But it is bettter than the lousy keyboards Apple has included with desktops in recent years.)

[Cadaver]

Originally posted by Mojo:
I recently purchased an iceKEY (less than $50 at OWC) and it is a nice, light keyboard with just the right amount of key-travel and action that rivals the best portable Mac keyboards. I own an older Mac with the much-touted mechanical keys and I don't see why some people get so excited about that keyboard or modern third-party keyboards that attempt to mimic the old Apple keyboards. (But it is bettter than the lousy keyboards Apple has included with desktops in recent years.)

While the Apple Keyboard II was certainly a nice keyboard (I've got one, too), its not the end-all, be-all of keyboards, I'll agree.

I've got this Logitech keyboard (the non-Bluetooth DiNovo) keyboard for my PC, and I really like it. High-quality laptop-style keys like the MacAlly iceKey. No Mac drivers, unfortunately. But... and here's the best part... the included receiver works with my MX700 cordless mouse, so I can continue to use that along with the wireless DiNovo keyboard.
(I didn't want to pay ~$200 for the Bluetooth model, especially since I don't need the 'media pad' functions that the Bluetooth model has that the non-BT one doesn't).

[all2ofme]

I've got a Logitech MX1000 and would like to get a keyboard to go with it. The one you've linked to looks great, Cadaver.

Do you know if it works on the Mac without drivers? I didn't install the drivers for my mouse and it works fine without. I couldn't care less if the extra keys don't work.

Even better would be to know if I can get a wireless Logitech that uses the same base as my mouse does - then I could swap one USB cable and use my other machine without having two mice and two keyboards. Anyone have any experience with this?

[Cadaver]

Originally posted by all2ofme:
I've got a Logitech MX1000 and would like to get a keyboard to go with it. The one you've linked to looks great, Cadaver.

Do you know if it works on the Mac without drivers? I didn't install the drivers for my mouse and it works fine without. I couldn't care less if the extra keys don't work.

Even better would be to know if I can get a wireless Logitech that uses the same base as my mouse does - then I could swap one USB cable and use my other machine without having two mice and two keyboards. Anyone have any experience with this?

It should (key operative word here) work fine without drivers (its just a USB keyboard after all), but the Option/Command keys will be swapped (the Windows/Alt keys are reversed from standard Mac keyboards). Not sure what you'd do for an eject key (likely F12 will work as it does on some other keyboards, but not 100% certain).

There is no Caps Lock light on the keyboard, though there is one on the receiver's desktop base. I don't know, however, if this light is hardware or software-controlled, so it may not work on the Mac. The PC drivers also display Caps Lock status on-screen when its toggled.

The Option/Command key swap can be solved with one of several shareware apps written for this, I believe. And I believe there is a shareware app that will indicate Caps Lock on/off in the Mac's menu bar.

I think I've read on some other (PC oriented) forums that the wireless receiver will work with the MX1000 as well. But don't forget you'll still need its base plugged into the wall AC (but not the computer) to charge it.

AFAIK, the Logitech keyboards require special receivers, so I don't think any will work with the mouse's.

If you try this keyboard, please write back with your experience.

[OreoCookie]

Matias Tactile Pro. Although it looks like the Kensington keyboard, the mechanics is supposedly different. I'm still waiting for the German version.

[selowitch]

The Macally iMediaKEY USB keyboard is a great, cheap keyboard (I'm typing this message on it). It feels great as has all the Mac-related buttons and controls for iTunes and triggering AppleScripts, etc. Good software comes with it. You can get it for just over $20. I recommend it.

[djgraphite]

Would you try it on the mac and expand more on your experience? I too want to get the RF dinovo keyboard. I'd like to know if the media pad (well at least all the number keys) work, and in addition if you've tried any non-logitech drivers to get the other keys working? (on my older logitech keyboard, microsoft drivers could control the media keys for example).

I'm mainly curious because I tried one of the bluetooth ones that my colleague has, and the feel of the keyboard is awesome.

I would really be interested in trying to get some of the other keys working. I don't need all the pc features (like what's playing in iTunes in the mediapad screen, for example), but getting some of the media control keys would be wonderful.

I'd love to hear from ya.

edit: changed to say "try it on the mac"

[selowitch]

I have a current Apple Wireless Keyboard that works under Bluetooth. It's very nice; excellent feel and no evident latencies/delays. I recommend that one too, although it's far from cheap.