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Goofas · Oct 3, 2005, 08:42 PM

I just opened my Matias usb 2.0 keyboard. It works great. In 2 years of being a mac convert, I was never able to get used to the apple keyboard. The usb 2.0 dock is great for my wifes shuffle. Paired with the mighty mouse it is a great combo.

khufuu · Oct 3, 2005, 09:44 PM

Originally Posted by Goofas

I just opened my Matias usb 2.0 keyboard. It works great. In 2 years of being a mac convert, I was never able to get used to the apple keyboard. The usb 2.0 dock is great for my wifes shuffle. Paired with the mighty mouse it is a great combo.

Is this the one where the keys click when you depress them? (Like the old IBM keyboards used to?)

tooki · Oct 3, 2005, 10:19 PM

No. That's the "Tactile Pro".

tooki

chrisutley · Oct 3, 2005, 10:24 PM

Any idea if the Tactile Pro will work on a Windows and/or Linux box? I wanted to get one and use it on my USB KVM, but it won't do me much good if it only works on my Mac.

khufuu · Oct 4, 2005, 12:10 AM

Originally Posted by tooki

No. That's the "Tactile Pro".

tooki

Oh yah... that's right. When I read Matias I, for some unknown reason, thought of the Tactile Pro. Sorry everyone.

Bwa · Oct 4, 2005, 02:04 AM

Originally Posted by chrisutley

Any idea if the Tactile Pro will work on a Windows and/or Linux box? I wanted to get one and use it on my USB KVM, but it won't do me much good if it only works on my Mac.

I am using the Tactile Pro on what is essentially a KVM with a Mac and a Windows 2000 Pro machine. The Command key is the Start menu key.

Works fine with one exception: The keyboard won't wake the Windows box from sleep. I think this is not an issue specific with the Tactile Pro, though I have not tried other USB keyboards. I just have a PS/2 keyboard under the desk that I kick when I want to wake the Windows machine :-). I have a Logitech mouse plugged into the Tactile Pro keyboard.

All in all I'm happy with the set-up.

ajprice · Oct 4, 2005, 03:58 AM

Just found some places that sell Matias keyboards in the UK, one of them lists the USB 2.0 keyboard as having a US Keyboard layout, whats the difference between a US and UK keyboard layout?

And yes, one of these and a Mighty Mouse looks like a good combination.

Nivag · Oct 4, 2005, 06:03 AM

Originally Posted by ajprice

Just found some places that sell Matias keyboards in the UK, one of them lists the USB 2.0 keyboard as having a US Keyboard layout, whats the difference between a US and UK keyboard layout?

And yes, one of these and a Mighty Mouse looks like a good combination.

i think the difference is the 3 key has the # printed above it instead of £ but it still works the same way as a UK keyboard does

OreoCookie · Oct 4, 2005, 06:20 AM

Originally Posted by Nivag

i think the difference is the 3 key has the # printed above it instead of £ but it still works the same way as a UK keyboard does

I also think the return key is shaped differently.

ajprice · Oct 4, 2005, 07:20 AM

This is the Matias US keyboard

and this is a UK keyboard, with a big return key

OreoCookie is right, I never knew the keys shapes were different, just thought it was maybe the odd symbol like Nivaq said.

Well you learn something every day!!

Nivag · Oct 4, 2005, 09:01 AM

also it looks like the Caps Lock is in a different place - how strange!?!

Does the Apple US keyboard have the Caps Lock at the bottom left of the keyboard?

OreoCookie · Oct 4, 2005, 09:21 AM

Originally Posted by Nivag

also it looks like the Caps Lock is in a different place - how strange!?!

Does the Apple US keyboard have the Caps Lock at the bottom left of the keyboard?

No, with the exception of Sun keyboards, the Caps Lock key is at the same position, in between Tab and Shift. At least that's the way on all Apple keyboards I've seen, Danish, Swedish, Finish, US, German and Japanese.

ajprice · Oct 4, 2005, 09:49 AM

Apparently there are going to be UK, French and German versions of it out sometime this month.

OreoCookie · Oct 4, 2005, 10:14 AM

Of which one, the Tactile Pro? I'm waiting for a year now for this keyboard … how did you learn of this?

macforray · Oct 4, 2005, 08:51 PM

I have been looking at the Matias USB 2.0 keyboard since I read about it a couple of weeks ago. I have been hoping to actually "touch" one before I buy, but they are not readily available in retail outlets in my area. In fact, I have never heard of the brand until I read the article.

I just bought a Mac Mini at the beginning of August (my first Mac), and as anyone who has one knows, they are lacking in available USB ports. This keyboard with three available USB 2.0 (two in back and one on top) is the perfect companion for the Mac Mini. Again, these are 2.0 ports, not the 1.1 ports typically found on USB keyboards. I am using a Dell with two available 1.1 ports that just does not do it for me.

I have seen many photos, but still would like to "touch and feel" before I buy. The price is reasonable at $39.95 advertised, considering a 4 port USB hub is $20 to $30 by itself.

ajprice · Oct 5, 2005, 03:35 AM

Originally Posted by OreoCookie

Of which one, the Tactile Pro? I'm waiting for a year now for this keyboard … how did you learn of this?

The USB 2.0 keyboard, got the info from here.

ajprice · Oct 6, 2005, 04:47 AM

I'm waiting for an Apple Mighty Keyboard, with USB 2.0, backlit keys as on the powerbooks, in white and grey or white and aluminium to match the new Macs, because I don't think any of the new Macs have clear plastic anymore (maybe the eMac does, not sure, and thats years old now anyway).

Goofas · Oct 6, 2005, 01:18 PM

Be advised this keyboard will only give you 2 extra usb 2.0 ports. It takes 2 ports from the mini to operate the keyboard and then 1 from the keyboard to run the mouse. This will only leave 2 open ports on the keyboard.

Originally Posted by macforray

I have been looking at the Matias USB 2.0 keyboard since I read about it a couple of weeks ago. I have been hoping to actually "touch" one before I buy, but they are not readily available in retail outlets in my area. In fact, I have never heard of the brand until I read the article.

I just bought a Mac Mini at the beginning of August (my first Mac), and as anyone who has one knows, they are lacking in available USB ports. This keyboard with three available USB 2.0 (two in back and one on top) is the perfect companion for the Mac Mini. Again, these are 2.0 ports, not the 1.1 ports typically found on USB keyboards. I am using a Dell with two available 1.1 ports that just does not do it for me.

I have seen many photos, but still would like to "touch and feel" before I buy. The price is reasonable at $39.95 advertised, considering a 4 port USB hub is $20 to $30 by itself.

macforray · Oct 6, 2005, 08:01 PM

Goofas writes:

"Be advised this keyboard will only give you 2 extra usb 2.0 ports. It takes 2 ports from the mini to operate the keyboard and then 1 from the keyboard to run the mouse. This will only leave 2 open ports on the keyboard."

Are you saying that it has two USB leads that must use both available ports on the Mini? If so, this is why I wanted to get my hands on one first. Thanks.

tooki · Oct 6, 2005, 09:24 PM

Yeah. It's basically a standard USB 1.1 keyboard (with unpowered USB 1.1 hub), plus an integral extension cord for the USB 2 port.

tooki