[Indigo Boy]

I bought a new indigo iMac DV last month and am enjoying it very much. But I am still adjusting to the new keyboard, which seems to have a much lighter action than my old Performa's Apple Design keyboard. My typing accuracy has dropped--I tendd too hitt extra letterss att thee endd of wordss. I am interested in hearing from other users of the new keyboard: How do you like it? How is your typing accuracy? Is it something I just need to get used to?

[This message has been edited by Indigo Boy (edited 09-12-2000).]

[MacNN Staff]

Transferring to the Peripherals forum...

[gingerblue]

I do the same thing! It's incredibly annoying. I thought I might have gotten a defective keyboard, but I guess it's just the new keyboards. argh

[Indigo Boy]

Hey Gingerblue: Thanks for replying! I had begun to think my post was invisible! :-)

Actually, I have found that my typing is getting better now. The "action" is still not as crisp as I'd like it to be, but I'm finding it to be workable... Maybe that will be the case for you too!

[Cipher13]

Thats just the 'feel' of the new keyboards (was the same with the older USB ones too). It took a while for me to get used ot the USB from the ADB extended, but you do, and they are very fast keyboards once you are used to them.
One of the reasons you hit extra keys is that the ADB keyboards keys tapered more, to a smaller area where you touch, I think. They seemed to be further apart (at the 'top' of the key.) They were also 'deeper' (looking from above the keyboard).

Cipher13

[Indigo Boy]

Hey Cipher:

I agree: the old keyboards were "deeper" as you say. It seemed that there was more space between the keys somehow and that the angle was different. At work I use a USB MacAlly keyboard that is a little closer to the old ADB keyboards that Apple made. But I am getting used to the new one, and, having used the original iMac keyboard recently at work when the MacAlly was in the shop, I am glad Apple redesigned the keyboards in time for me to get one with my new iMac.

[ussfolsom]

My typing speed has gone down with the new keyboard. I go back and forth between my new G4 and old Beige G3 and I feel much more comfortable on the old keyboard. It almost feels like the keys spring back faster on the old keyboard. I hope I get used to it quickly because when I type long letters I can see a large difference in speed and accuracy.

[elzinat]

hmmm... I had never actually thought about analyzing the differences betwen the keyboards before. I think the USB has a softer touch. The part of the new keyboard I most prefer (in terms of feel) is the Enter key on the numeric keypad. That is one beautiful button. Also, the USB keyboard is quieter. Whereas on the old ADB keyboards you had to press the keys firy "straight down" or they would stick and not register, on the USB I find that by pushing the keys slightly back (away from me) as they go down, the sound they make can be smoothly dimished from a clicking to a very slight rustling sound, not at all unpleasant. I like this keyboard (old USB, I have) for typing, even though it lacks some keys and the arrows are horrible, etc. The new Pro keyboard feels the same typing as this one and has more buttons, so is a very good keyboard.

Repeating keys? I have the same problem with the Pro keyboard. Too often, when I hit a key once, it somehow registers twice.

It's so annoying, I've just gone back to the Macsense UKB-600 keyboard, which has good tactile feedback, and never doubles keys.

One other advantage of the Macsense over the Pro and the G4 AGP keyboard: the Macsense is more forgiving in that you don't have to press the key all the way to the bottom to register. So, the Macsense neither doubles keys, nor does it omit them.

Now if I can only work around the problems with the Macsense keyboard: system freezes, keyboard lights going on and off for no apparent reason. I've done a complete system reinstall and am gradually introducing programs and devices to try to isolate the cause of the problem.

I had the same problem when I first got my G4 w/ USB keyboard. At first, I hated the feel (too light), and wanted a full-sized keyboard like the new pro keyboard. After about 2 months of adjusting, this is my favorite keyboard...I love the small footprint, it gives me much needed desk space. Above all, the light keyboard touch actually allows me to type faster, and its quieter because I don't have to hammer the keys so hard. Now, I go back to an old Apple extended keyboard at work, and it feels like a dinosaur. What I'm saying is, give the new keyboard a good chance before you toss it in favor of a cheap aftermarket board...you might change your mind and save some money.

[Indigo Boy]

After using the keyboard for several months now, I do find that my typing on it is getting better... I still tend to hit a few double letters, but it has gotten better. Part of the issue may be that I have a different keyboard (an iKey) at work, so going back and forth between the two makes it harder to truly adjust.

[duboy]

Hey all :-) I just figured i'd drop my opinion in as well. I had the same problems adjusting to the keyboard as most of you have mentioned here, but after a few weeks of using it, i've grown to like it quite a lot. I think it rates up there as one of my favorite keyboards, right after the extended keyboard from the old days. I got the media keys working with my Lombard, so that just made everything all the better. So yes, i am very happy with it now. And plus, it looks awesome. you know, cause looks are what it's all about :-)

This is a post on all of Apple's USB keyboards. I too didn't like the first keyboard and I've been using Apple's new Pro Keyboard too only to find it's almost identical to the first keybaord that came with the first i-macs and the hockey puck mouse. the only difference is that is't softer, the keys are more like rubber than plastic, and you have the full size function keys. There is also the difference with power switch and other minor differences as well. I have decided to keep all of my keyboards and use them. I've grown to like them. I feel like a minority because of it. I did upgrade my hockey puck mouse for the optical, but that's only becuase I like the fact that I don't have to clean it. As for those who are thinking about using a third party keyboard let me warn you. almost everyone of them have had problems with usb implementation and sometimes you'll even have problems using Apple Mice with them. I actually read that on one of the websites. They said that the work around would be to plug the mouse into a usb hub!!!!

[SpeedRacer]

The older beige/ADB keyboards had a better feel and were of considerably higher quality than even the current USB "Pro" keyboards.

If you've taken apart an ADB-based keyboard apart next to a USB-based keyboard you understand exactly what i am talking about. The new keyboards are somewhat better than the older (first generation) USB keyboards, but their still no where near the quality and key action of the ADB boards.

The difference is more than merely a difference in opinion or taste, the construction of the older keyboards (with metal screws holding them together and a springy feel to the keys) versus the plastic tabbed construction and use of rubber grommets in place of the higher quality scissor-action designs of the portables is quite real.

Speed

[This message has been edited by SpeedRacer (edited 01-18-2001).]

[Tominator]

Personally, I miss the old Apple IIe keyboard. Damn my fingers could fly on those things. Better yet, I'd like to have an old school IBM PC keyboard from like 1983--the kind with steel everything. Weighed like thirty pounds. Sweet stuff yo.

[Indigo Boy]

Wow--new life to an old topic. I think this was first-ever new-topic posting!

SpeedRacer, thanks for vindicating me on my impressions of the new keyboard. So many people on the forum seemed to love it, I had began to feel like the Grinch. My old Apple Design keyboard that came with my performa had a much better feel to it.... now I know why.

I use a MacAlly iKey at work, and to me it has more of the feel of the older keyboards. They're not that expensive, so maybe I should just switch. But I do like the media keys on the new Pro keyboard.