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selowitch · Apr 21, 2004, 09:06 PM

Well, I had a chance to try an Aluminum PowerBook today and it's definitely a sweet laptop.

However, I must note that I hate the way the gap between the lowest row of keys (incl. the spacebar) and the housing is so wide and poorly concealed. It's really hideous. The keyboards on the TiBook and iBook are considerably more visually pleasing, IMO.

bkb · Apr 22, 2004, 11:20 AM

Originally posted by selowitch:
Well, I had a chance to try an Aluminum PowerBook today and it's definitely a sweet laptop.

However, I must note that I hate the way the gap between the lowest row of keys (incl. the spacebar) and the housing is so wide and poorly concealed. It's really hideous. The keyboards on the TiBook and iBook are considerably more visually pleasing, IMO.

IMO,
I agree. The gap is a bit strange. I'm guessing it is to allow air to circulate easier & therefore keep the machine a little cooler.

But I have to say I prefer the finish on the Al keyboards. It is more in line with the overall look of the machine.

BKB.

threestain · Apr 22, 2004, 11:34 AM

The Charcoal keyboard of the tibook is much better - two tone makes it look professional in my eyes.

But then I'm not a professional...

!

Tomster · Apr 22, 2004, 11:40 AM

I'll have to take the AlBook keyboard any day over the TiBook for two reasons. The first is the backlighting i it just looks fantastic at night. The second reason is the feel. The TiBook, had a fair amount of flex. The AlBooks are rock solid.

JHromadka · Apr 22, 2004, 11:52 AM

As someone going from a TiBook to a new PB (hurry Apple!

), I hope the kb is at least as good as the one I am used to using. I will miss the charcoal keys though. They were a little translucent, and I think that would have looked cooler for the ambient light than just the letters in the keys.

Tomster · Apr 22, 2004, 11:59 AM

How the keyboard looks is subjective to the taste of the user. In terms of feel, though, all of my friends who made the switch from the Ti line to the Alu line have enjoyed the feel of new keyboard and I am sure you will too. Unless, of course, you like spongy, flexible keyboards.

RooneyX · Apr 22, 2004, 12:26 PM

The Alu's keys are far more solid. I've had five Powerbooks and typing has never felt better than on the Alu.

iREZ · Apr 22, 2004, 12:58 PM

I had a Pismo and my cousin had an iBook and TiBook, and of all those keyboards I still prefer my 12" Alu over all of them. It's tons better when it comes to writing more then your average posts in that its rock solid and the key's react very well to even non aggressive keystrokes.

for Alu.

JHromadka · Apr 22, 2004, 01:07 PM

Sounds great! Can't wait for it to come in.

angelmb · Apr 22, 2004, 01:08 PM

Originally posted by Tomster:
How the keyboard looks is subjective to the taste of the user. In terms of feel, though, all of my friends who made the switch from the Ti line to the Alu line have enjoyed the feel of new keyboard and I am sure you will too. Unless, of course, you like spongy, flexible keyboards.

Sure, I like better the Al color, then the charcoal one but in the Pismo not the Ti.

What I found nice is that I am able to write speedier on the portables keyboards that on the desktops keyboards. We need an ultra slim keyboard :-D

euphras · Apr 22, 2004, 01:17 PM

Quote:"I'll have to take the AlBook keyboard any day over the TiBook for two reasons. The first is the backlighting i it just looks fantastic at night. The second reason is the feel. The TiBook, had a fair amount of flex. The AlBooks are rock solid."

Did you lock the keyboard with the little lever in the upper middle?? When it�s locked there�s hardly any flex noticeable. I�ve written a lot on the Ti�s keyboard (a thesis, several reports and articles and the normal stuff (emails etc.) and i didn�t even felt the need for an external keyboard...................the backlighting thingy: you�re right, i envy the AlBook owners on that

Tomster · Apr 22, 2004, 01:39 PM

Originally posted by euphras:
Quote:"I'll have to take the AlBook keyboard any day over the TiBook for two reasons. The first is the backlighting i it just looks fantastic at night. The second reason is the feel. The TiBook, had a fair amount of flex. The AlBooks are rock solid."

Did you lock the keyboard with the little lever in the upper middle?? When it�s locked there�s hardly any flex noticeable. I�ve written a lot on the Ti�s keyboard (a thesis, several reports and articles and the normal stuff (emails etc.) and i didn�t even felt the need for an external keyboard...................the backlighting thingy: you�re right, i envy the AlBook owners on that

Not only did I lock it, but I constructed custom shims for each magnetic attachment point underneath the keyboard for more even contact. That made things a bit more stable, but there was still some flex in the actual keyboard itself. There is no movement at all in the AluBooks.

SEkker · Apr 22, 2004, 02:15 PM

The AL keyboards are a huge step forward for Apple over the Pismo and Ti keyboards in functionality, which is the ONLY way to judge a keyboard IMHO.

Spheric Harlot · Apr 22, 2004, 04:35 PM

My opinion:

I prefer the look of the new keyboards. Not as cheap-looking and a seamless match with the case.

And though the aesthetic judgement is a matter of opinion, it becomes totally irrelevant when you realize just how immensely better the keyboard is than the ti- and especially iBook keyboards.

For a touch-typist, there is absolutely no contest - really.

-s*