Looking for a new Mac specific keyboard

[kelchm]

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?

[hyperlinked]

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

[Brodie337]

The only backlit mechanicals that are readily available are deck:

http://www.deckkeyboards.com/

[Pylon]

Tactile Pro? No backlit though.

[ch_123]

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.

[itlnstln]

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

[kelchm]

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

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.

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?

Tactile Pro? No backlit though.

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

Thanks for the suggestions.

[hyperlinked]

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://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.

[hyperlinked]

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.