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JKT · May 16, 2007, 02:35 AM

Short version: Anyone know of a Mac compatible backlit desktop keyboard?

Long version: I'm using my Powerbook more as a desktop machine these days, and having just purchased a desk which puts the Mac up on a pedestal too far away for me to use its keyboard, I"m looking to get a desktop keyboard. I'm currently using a slightly knackered Apple keyboard from a Mac mini (some of the keys don't work... not a problem for most as they are in the keypad, but the right shift key is dead and that is irritating as I keep forgetting and using the left shift is RSI inducing). I need to replace it but I would like a desktop keyboard that is backlit in a fashion similar to that of my Powerbook's (sidenote - I can't believe Apple hasn't added this feature to all its keyboards yet! What are they waiting for?). I've done a Google search and all the ones I've found thus far are PC keyboards and I don't much fancy having the keys in the wrong place and with the wrong labels. Does anyone know of a Mac compatible, backlit desktop keyboard?

TIA.

slpdLoad · May 16, 2007, 06:09 AM

i-Rocks Mac X-Slim Backlit USB Keyboard

Logitech G11

Saitek Eclipse Keyboard

Saitek Eclipse II Keyboard

mduell · May 16, 2007, 07:46 AM

Optimus Maximus keyboard

JKT · 02:53 AM

Thanks, both.

slpdLoad - Other than the i-Rocks, none of those keyboards comes in a Mac version. Alas, the i-Rocks isn't sold here in the UK either and none of the stores that do sell it in the US ships overseas (afaict... absolutely crazy of them if it is true).

mduell - the maximus optimus thing looks like a clever idea but I bet it is going to cost an arm and a leg (edit: I just took a look at the press clippings... it'll be a mere $1500 or so!). It is also just a concept at the moment and isn't due to ship until December (as a limited edition as well).

Looks like I'll have to mozy on down to PC World and see if I can test an Eclipse or G11 with a Mac to see if they work or not...

fisherKing · May 16, 2007, 05:19 PM

just an opinion, but apple should make a small, standalone version of the macbook pro keyboard...
backlit, slim profile...

i bet a lot of macusers would love it!

highstakes · May 17, 2007, 12:26 AM

One of my roomies has the Logitech G11, very good for games!

JKT · May 17, 2007, 02:47 AM

Yes, but is it any good for a Mac?

JKT · May 17, 2007, 02:48 AM

Originally Posted by fisherKing

just an opinion, but apple should make a small, standalone version of the macbook pro keyboard...
backlit, slim profile...

i bet a lot of macusers would love it!

Apple should just add the feature to all their keyboards - it is unbelievable to me that they haven't done this yet.

slpdLoad · May 17, 2007, 06:19 AM

Originally Posted by JKT

Looks like I'll have to mozy on down to PC World and see if I can test an Eclipse or G11 with a Mac to see if they work or not...

They will work, however you would have to get used to the Option and Command keys getting replaced by Alt and Windows keys, or whatever they are.

Here's a small review of the Saitek:
MacNN | Review: Saitek Industries Ltd. Saitek Eclipse II Backlit Keyboard

Plus, it works just fine with a Macintosh, well almost. I went to hit command-S and pressed some foreign key - Alt. Whoops, the keys are definitely PC-oriented. The little white not-quite-Windows insignia button does serve as a Command key though.

highstakes · May 17, 2007, 01:09 PM

Originally Posted by JKT

Yes, but is it any good for a Mac?

It works very well with games like Battlefield, and WoW on OS X.

JKT · 07:31 AM

Grand. Thanks for the feedback everyone.

Update. Just ordered a Logitech G11 - I was going to go for a Saitek Eclipse, but they lack USB ports for mice, etc.

Velocity211 · May 18, 2007, 02:06 PM

Good choice, I have the Logitech G15 for my PC, the LCD screen is extremely helpful.

JKT · May 27, 2007, 05:07 PM

For anyone that is interested, as I've had the Logitech G11 keyboard about a week now, here's a short list of its pros and cons.

Pros are:

1. It's backlit (duh)

The backlighting is a pale blue colour. Personally I prefer the white of the AlBook as it makes the lettering clearer, but this is pleasant enough.
2. Backlighting has three levels (off, medium and fully on).
3. It's quiet. The reviews of some of the backlit keyboards I read indicated that some had a low humming sound when the backlighting was on. Fortunately, the G11 isn't one of those.
4. There is a media player key set at the top of the keyboard - the dial in the centre of these controls the volume of my Mac, which is very handy. There is also a dedicated mute key which works.
5. Although it took a little getting used to the key action is quite good - slightly spongy, but firm enough.

Cons are:

1. It is very much a PC keyboard. The @, ", ~, |, #, `, \ and € labels are in the wrong places for someone used to a UK Mac keyboard. Additionally, the Alt keys are located beside the space bar, where the Command keys should be, and there are two Windows symbol keys where the option keys should be. However, the Alt keys still act as option would and the Windows keys act as Command. Therefore, I've had to invert the command and option keys in the Keyboard & Mouse>Keyboard>Modifiers... settings as using the Windows keys for Command was RSI inducing and very awkward.
2. There are 18 G keys to the left of the normal keyboard layout, in groups of 6 each. The G1 to G12 keys act like the F1 to F12 keys, and the remaining G13 to G18 keys input numbers 1 to 6 respectively. This has the advantage of letting me use Exposé with my left hand rather than my right, but other than that, these keys are largely redundant for me - I'm never going to use them. Note, I don't really game very much, but I would probably use them for that if I did, which is primarily what they were designed for on the PC.
3. The set of media keys around the volume dial don't do anything and nor does the number lock or contextual menu key. There is no way to assign these keys to be something else as the software supplied with the keyboard is 100% Windows only.
4. The space bar rattles.
5. The keys themselves are a little closer set together than what I'm used to so I keep on making typos. Less so after a week but, initially, it was occurring frequently.
6. The backlighting has to be activated manually and doesn't tie-in with the light level sensors on the Powerbook. However, the keyboard does switch off if the Mac is put to sleep.

Hope that helps anybody considering a similar purchase.

Summary: I like it, but it would be far better if it was a full-on Mac replacement keyboard rather than a PC keyboard. I could do without the additional G keys and non-functional media keys as well.

inkhead · Jun 2, 2007, 07:46 PM

Actually the best backlight (and nicest key response) keyboard I ever bought is those 19.99 blue-led (cheepo looking but not feeling) keyboards from Fry's, CompUSA, or Best Buy. Just look in the keyboard section, it's usually not on display, but down with the bargain boxes, and says "Gaming Keyboard" with an all black box, and blue glow lights.