Mac keyboard recommendations

[ed_avis]

I have bought an iMac for my other half, but I want to use it too.  At work my keyboard is an IBM F122, but there is no way that will be allowed in the living room.  On the other hand I don't want to be stuck with the standard Apple keyboard, so I'm looking for some happy medium: a mechanical keyboard with either an explicit Mac layout, or with Windows keys that will map to the Mac Option and other special keys.  A smaller keyboard without numeric keypad ('tenkeyless') would be nice but not essential, likewise Bluetooth.

I know about the Mattias Quiet Touch range, which includes a Bluetooth Mac tenkeyless board.  That is the current front-runner in my mind, but it is pricey.  Or I could look for one of the older Apple keyboards based on ALPS switches, provided they can be converted to USB reliably and without fuss.

I have a SIIG Minitouch with Monterey switches, which is a nice compact size, but it is troublesome to adapt to USB and doesn't have the Windows keys so I don't really think it would work (unless someone thinks otherwise?).

[johndavis33]

The Matias sounds like a match made in heaven for you. I'd probably just stick with that.

[Jixr]

any regular mechanical will work just fine on a mac, it just remapps the windows key to a command key.

there are a few places you can get mac OS keycaps to swap out too. I have a set from WASD and they are helpful, EK has some, and probably a few others.

[TopreFan333]

I grabbed a Keyed Up Labs ES-87 (Cherry brown switches) for my Mac and just love it. You flip one single switch on the bottom to "Mac mode" and you're in business. Then all you have to do is swap the "diamond" key and the option key. The diamond is now your command key and everything aligns with Mac key mapping and layout. There are even media playback labels on the F-keys that correspond to iTunes and general system volume control. No bluetooth, unfortunately.

I also have an old Apple Extended Keyboard II and a little ADB to USB converter (Griffin iMate) and that also works pretty well. But it's GIGANTIC and I personally don't like the feel of the switches as much as the Cherry brown switches. It's approximately the same loudness as the KUL ES-87, to my ear, though it's a deeper sound. The iMate thing is also a bit wonky and needs to be unplugged/replugged occasionally.

[ed_avis]

The Matias does sound good but it is hard to get hold of the right combination: tenkeyless and Bluetooth and Mac layout (even assuming I don't care about quiet vs ALPS switches).  I think the particular model is only available in the USA while I am in Great Britain (and different national keyboard layouts add another variable).  I might get one of the other Matias Mac boards, even if stylistically they don't pair as well with the iMac.

The ES-87 looks great, not very Apple-esque but businesslike and respectable.  Again, not sure if I could find it new in my country (and it's not widespread on the used market).

[TopreFan333]

The ES-87 looks great, not very Apple-esque but businesslike and respectable.  Again, not sure if I could find it new in my country (and it's not widespread on the used market).

I think it was just introduced this year, so yeah. I think I've seen one pop up on the classifieds here, though.

[ed_avis]

Hmm, and it looks like the Ebay purchase I made at a good price was indeed too good to be true.  My PayPal account was refunded but it is still annoying to be ****ed around by the seller in this way.  (The same item has been listed, sold, and then cancelled twice now I think.)

[ed_avis]

In the end I did manage to get a good deal on a lightly used Retina iMac.  I bought the Matias Mini Quiet Bluetooth Laptop Pro for Mac.  It has quiet switches (I prefer loud) and it's US layout (I prefer international with the chunky Enter key) but you can't have everything.  The ES-87 isn't readily available in the United Kingdom.

[Jokrik]

Been countering the same issue
I use Mac pro with stand at work, though I love all my keyboards collection, they just won't fit in Apple life

Been thinking to get a Matias clicky version, but on the other side I don't wanna add more to my collection
Dilemma

[jacobolus]

I use Mac pro with stand at work, though I love all my keyboards collection, they just won't fit in Apple life

Which keyboards are in your collection? What does “won’t fit” mean?

Technically, they should all work just fine. In the OS X preferences you can swap the behavior or the caps lock, control, alt/option, and command/windows keys, to get a consistent experience across different keyboards, if you need. Or if you need more substantial remapping, there are several ways to handle it.

Or do you just need the keycap legends (“command”, “option”, etc.) to match the key function? In that case, I’d recommend just swapping out the handful of relevant keycaps, as a slightly easier alternative to buying a new keyboard.

[rowdy]

I've been using all sorts of keyboards with my Mac, and the only one I had problems with was the Model M, as it has no key equivalent to Option.

[Hypersphere]

I've been using all sorts of keyboards with my Mac, and the only one I had problems with was the Model M, as it has no key equivalent to Option.

Alt?

[rowdy]

I've been using all sorts of keyboards with my Mac, and the only one I had problems with was the Model M, as it has no key equivalent to Option.

Alt?

Alt == Command.

[jacobolus]

I've been using all sorts of keyboards with my Mac, and the only one I had problems with was the Model M, as it has no key equivalent to Option.

I used a 101-key Model M on a Mac for at least 5 years. Caps Lock -> Control, Control -> Option, Alt -> Command

[rowdy]

I've been using all sorts of keyboards with my Mac, and the only one I had problems with was the Model M, as it has no key equivalent to Option.

I used a 101-key Model M on a Mac for at least 5 years. Caps Lock -> Control, Control -> Option, Alt -> Command

That's one way of doing it.

I only missed Option a few times, not enough to make any effort to correct the situation

[Jokrik]

I use Mac pro with stand at work, though I love all my keyboards collection, they just won't fit in Apple life

Which keyboards are in your collection? What does “won’t fit” mean?

Technically, they should all work just fine. In the OS X preferences you can swap the behavior or the caps lock, control, alt/option, and command/windows keys, to get a consistent experience across different keyboards, if you need. Or if you need more substantial remapping, there are several ways to handle it.

Or do you just need the keycap legends (“command”, “option”, etc.) to match the key function? In that case, I’d recommend just swapping out the handful of relevant keycaps, as a slightly easier alternative to buying a new keyboard.

Currently I'm using a Filco tkl for my Mac, and it does work fine.  The thing is it changed my typing behaviour completely.  I found that when using the mac pro keyboard I can do all the task fluently for example Screenshot, etc.  And to do the same task I'm faced with different layout to press when using my filco

And compare to adjusting that behaviour with a Filco than getting a mac Matias, would surely save my time to get a mac Matias

And I don't like changing to wasd keycaps, I'm a double shot cherry profile guy. It's a bit complicated but it's the matter of changing habit which I'm not fond of since I have to change my way of typing again when I unplug the Mac pro and carry it around the office everyday. And then change again when I'm home since I use Windows...

[jacobolus]

Currently I'm using a Filco tkl for my Mac, and it does work fine.  The thing is it changed my typing behaviour completely.  I found that when using the mac pro keyboard I can do all the task fluently for example Screenshot, etc.  And to do the same task I'm faced with different layout to press when using my filco

So I’m assuming that you use the key labeled “alt” for option, the windows key for “command”, etc.?

Well, the answer is: don’t do that!

If you go to the “keyboard” section of the system preferences, you can swap these however you prefer. For instance, on the built-in keyboard I typically switch caps lock and control:


Whereas on an external keyboard designed for a Windows machine (like your Filco), I’d also switch command and option.

And then change again when I'm home since I use Windows...

Easy solution: stop using Windows at home.

[Jokrik]

Currently I'm using a Filco tkl for my Mac, and it does work fine.  The thing is it changed my typing behaviour completely.  I found that when using the mac pro keyboard I can do all the task fluently for example Screenshot, etc.  And to do the same task I'm faced with different layout to press when using my filco

So I’m assuming that you use the key labeled “alt” for option, the windows key for “command”, etc.?

Well, the answer is: don’t do that!

If you go to the “keyboard” section of the system preferences, you can swap these however you prefer. For instance, on the built-in keyboard I typically switch caps lock and control:

Show Image

Whereas on an external keyboard designed for a Windows machine (like your Filco), I’d also switch command and option.

And then change again when I'm home since I use Windows...

Easy solution: stop using Windows at home. ;)

Thx for the tips! Definitely gonna try it as soon as I'm back

I find Mac is better for me at work, but unless I can nailed building a watercooled hackintosh and (most of all) all games work on Mac. I'll never leave Windows :p

[crazystu]

Just a question to all those Mac users who switch Alt and Windows key positions - what fingers do you press "Command" with when doing Command+z (undo)? That combo drives me nuts on my standard TKL mech.
I find using either the Windows key, or Ctrl (= Windows shortcut) much more comfortable. On Apple keyboards I use my thumb, as Command is taller and further to the right.

[ed_avis]

The Matias keyboard arrived.  The keys are certainly quiet and a lot less clicky than I'm used to (I guess I've been spoilt by Model F and Monterey blues!).  But should be a big improvement on the wet-fish Apple keyboard.  I will see if I can try it out today - but not too much, this is going to be a Christmas present after all...

[ed_avis]

It turns out Unicomp has a Mac layout keyboard: http://pckeyboard.com/page/category/SpacesaverM
I wonder if they sell the keycaps separately?

[Gordy]

The Matias keyboard arrived.  The keys are certainly quiet and a lot less clicky than I'm used to (I guess I've been spoilt by Model F and Monterey blues!).  But should be a big improvement on the wet-fish Apple keyboard.  I will see if I can try it out today - but not too much, this is going to be a Christmas present after all...

I mainly use my thumb.

I'm using a poker 2 on my mac.  I've installed Karabiner for the F keys and swapped the alt and cmd round.  Which I found interesting that you could do on a specific keyboard not just system wide. 

[JimByr]

It turns out Unicomp has a Mac layout keyboard: http://pckeyboard.com/page/category/SpacesaverM
I wonder if they sell the keycaps separately?

Yes. But only for the 104/105-key keyboards.
http://pckeyboard.com/page/Buttons/MAC

I had Hajime Nakazato make me a set of Command/Option key caps for 101-key IBM keyboards.
https://www.etsy.com/shop/DecentKeyboards?page=1

[Hypersphere]

I've been using all sorts of keyboards with my Mac, and the only one I had problems with was the Model M, as it has no key equivalent to Option.

I used a 101-key Model M on a Mac for at least 5 years. Caps Lock -> Control, Control -> Option, Alt -> Command

Same here. Works very well.

[ed_avis]

Well, the Matias seems fine, but the silver coloured plastic case feels cheap compared to the aluminium case of the stock Apple keyboard.

Are there any real keyboards with metal case these days?

[jacobolus]

Are there any real keyboards with metal case these days?

Sure, there are a bunch of custom keyboards milled out of blocks of Aluminum. Great choice if your budget is in the $350-700 range (depending on the details).

[rowdy]

Just a question to all those Mac users who switch Alt and Windows key positions - what fingers do you press "Command" with when doing Command+z (undo)? That combo drives me nuts on my standard TKL mech.
I find using either the Windows key, or Ctrl (= Windows shortcut) much more comfortable. On Apple keyboards I use my thumb, as Command is taller and further to the right.

I just switched back to my Model M, so probably not the best example to try.

But on this keyboard I tend to use my left thumb, and I suspect it is the same on more conventional TKL layouts.

[hemflit]

For remapping other special keys that the OS doesn't support, I'd recommend a program called Karabiner.

I use it to remap my Application (≡ / "Menu") key to Command, on a keyboard that otherwise has only one Windows key.

[Alexia]

The only ones I wouldn't recommend for Mac hardware are those using a Costar controller.(Such as the Rosewill.)  They are not recognized at boot and require replugging them a few times to get the EFI boot screen to recognize it.

[TopreFan333]

The only ones I wouldn't recommend for Mac hardware are those using a Costar controller.(Such as the Rosewill.)  They are not recognized at boot and require replugging them a few times to get the EFI boot screen to recognize it.

Ah, good to know, thanks!

[ed_avis]

Thanks for your reply jacobolus.  It looks like there could be a gap in the market for a board which resembles the stock Apple keyboard in size, key position, and aesthetics (like the aluminium case and Helvetica typeface), but with mechanical switches.  Then again, by looking too similar you could end up the target of a lawsuit.

[jacobolus]

It looks like there could be a gap in the market for a board which resembles the stock Apple keyboard in size, key position, and aesthetics (like the aluminium case and Helvetica typeface), but with mechanical switches.

Apple keyboards don’t use Helvetica.

Anyway, if you like the chiclet-style keycaps and aluminum, you might like the Rappoo KX:
http://www.rapoo.com/ProductShow.aspx?PType=8fQpYH%2b%2b7i8%3d&PID=uCupl3PJuVw%3d

[ed_avis]

You're right - I had assumed that when they changed the UI to Helvetica Neue they changed the keyboard too, but that's not the case.  That Rappoo KX looks fun - shame it uses a crappy wireless dongle instead of Bluetooth.

[Jersern]

I recommend a HHKB! It's looks nice with my iMac.

[rowdy]

I recommend a HHKB! It's looks nice with my iMac.

+1

Mine goes very well with my Mac mini

Plus I can use Ctrl sequences to do many common things - beginning of line, end of line, forward character etc. - unlike Windows, where dedicated arrow keys are not just nice, they are essential.

[ed_avis]

Thanks to those who suggested HHKB - I'd certainly like to try one for myself but I think "normal" people prefer to have arrow keys...

There's also the Matias 60% keyboard, which has an aluminium case, clickier switches, and Mac layout.  But I only found out about it just now.  Also it's not Bluetooth - but apart from that looks superior to the Laptop Pro.  Any experiences with the Matias 60%?

[rowdy]

I dunno about the Matias, but if you want Topre with arrow keys, you could consider the Leopold FC660C.