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geekhack Community => Keyboards => Topic started by: kelchm on Mon, 26 July 2010, 00:27:32

Title: Looking for a new Mac specific keyboard
Post by: kelchm on Mon, 26 July 2010, 00:27:32

Hey guys.  I'm in search of a new keyboard to replace a failing apple aluminum keyboard.  I actually kind of like the aluminum keyboard, though its feel / durability leave a lot to be desired.

My ideal keyboard would be similar in layout to the aluminum keyboard, be backlit and be tactile without being overly noisy.  Anyone know of anything that might meet those qualifications?

Title: Looking for a new Mac specific keyboard
Post by: hyperlinked on Mon, 26 July 2010, 00:50:31

Which aluminum are you talking about? There's more than one.

Title: Looking for a new Mac specific keyboard
Post by: Brodie337 on Mon, 26 July 2010, 03:24:47

The only backlit mechanicals that are readily available are deck:

http://www.deckkeyboards.com/

Title: Looking for a new Mac specific keyboard
Post by: Pylon on Mon, 26 July 2010, 09:54:16

Tactile Pro? No backlit though.

Title: Looking for a new Mac specific keyboard
Post by: ch_123 on Mon, 26 July 2010, 10:38:02

Depends on what sort of Apple layout the OP is trying to emulate. Fullsize? Just about any keyboard. Compact layout? Compromises will have to be made.

Title: Looking for a new Mac specific keyboard
Post by: itlnstln on Mon, 26 July 2010, 10:39:15

DSI has some Mac-specific stuff; nothing backlit, though.

Title: Looking for a new Mac specific keyboard
Post by: kelchm on Tue, 27 July 2010, 22:09:20

Quote from: hyperlinked;206483

Which aluminum are you talking about? There's more than one.

Quote from: ch_123;206597

Depends on what sort of Apple layout the OP is trying to emulate. Fullsize? Just about any keyboard. Compact layout? Compromises will have to be made.

(http://www.everymac.com/images/other_images/apple-aluminum-keyboard.jpg)

Quote from: Brodie337;206497

The only backlit mechanicals that are readily available are deck:

http://www.deckkeyboards.com/

I know I've heard some bad things about Deck in the past.  Anyone have any input about them?

Quote from: Pylon;206585

Tactile Pro? No backlit though.

Quote from: itlnstln;206598

DSI has some Mac-specific stuff; nothing backlit, though.

Thanks for the suggestions.

Title: Looking for a new Mac specific keyboard
Post by: hyperlinked on Wed, 28 July 2010, 02:17:26

This doesn't have backlighting, but it might be close to what you're looking for if you're not looking to stray too far from the aluminiums:

(http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/41CQcHM7ZSL.jpg) (http://www.amazon.com/Macally-BTKey-Wireless-Bluetooth-Keyboard/dp/B000A0C6OS)
http://www.amazon.com/Macally-BTKey-Wireless-Bluetooth-Keyboard/dp/B000A0C6OS

My wife has an old MacAlly that appears to be some kind of rubber domes with sliders. It's too stiff for me, but it's worn well. I've played with some of their keyboards at electronics stores before and find them generally favorable though they don't top my list. That's where the Apple Aluminums sit with me too though. They're generally favorable once you get used to them, but they're not my first pick if I have a choice.

Title: Looking for a new Mac specific keyboard
Post by: hyperlinked on Wed, 28 July 2010, 02:52:07

Someone else just posted this keyboard in another thread. It's not low profile, but it's a similar layout and  has backlighting:
http://www.xarmor-usa.com/index.php?dispatch=products.view&product_id=1

There is one thing I like better about the keyboards that are billed as actual Mac keyboards and it's the layout of the keypad. I'm not a fan of the "+" key being a double height key. The + key isn't that hard to find and having the * key in the corner makes it really easy to hit.