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Apple debuts compact new Apple Keyboard sans numeric keypad
Tuesday, March 03, 2009 - 10:48 AM EDT

The new Apple Keyboard features the compact design of the Apple Wireless Keyboard and the elegant, ultrathin anodized aluminum enclosure and two USB 2.0 ports of the Apple Keyboard with Numeric Keypad.

This new wired keyboard has low-profile keys that provide crisp, responsive feel as well as function keys for one-touch access to a variety of Mac features such as screen brightness, volume, eject, play/pause, fast-forward and rewind, Exposé, and Dashboard.

Its compact design fits on your lap or on even the most crowded desk. And two USB 2.0 ports enable you to connect your Mighty Mouse as well as a high-speed peripheral such as a digital camera or printer.

This new keyboard joins the $49 Apple Keyboard with Numeric Keypad (wired) and the $79 Apple Wireless Keyboard (no numeric keypad), bringing the total number of Apple keyboards to three.

Learn more about the new Apple Keyboard here.

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Reader feedback page 1 of 2 pages:  1 2 >
Mar 03, 09 - 11:52 am Comment from: sget88

what?

nooooooooo leave my numeric keypad alone!!!

Mar 03, 09 - 11:52 am Comment from: Driver

Uhh.. WRONG DIRECTION... How about adding the numeric keypad BACK to the wireless version? That's what I'd like to see.

Mar 03, 09 - 11:53 am Comment from: HotinPlaya

agreed, will they still sell the key pad version?

Mar 03, 09 - 11:54 am Comment from: Yimmie

Ugh, no keypad???!!! WTF?

Mar 03, 09 - 11:54 am Comment from: TowerTone

Anyone tried one of these to augment their Bluetooth keyboard?

http://store.apple.com/us/product/TT030LL/A?fnode=MTY1NDA1Mg&mco=MzAyNTE3Ng

Mar 03, 09 - 11:56 am Comment from: Digits McGee

Will it plug into my Mac Plus?

At least you can choose the regular keyboard with no price increase.

Mar 03, 09 - 12:01 pm Comment from: M

What's new about this keyboard? Looks like the same bluetooth keyboard that has come w/ imacs for some time now..

Mar 03, 09 - 12:05 pm Comment from: Big Als MBP

@ M,

The wire.

Mar 03, 09 - 12:06 pm Comment from: Big Als MBP

@ M,

The USB ports.

Mar 03, 09 - 12:07 pm Comment from: Big Als MBP

@ M,

The missing battery case.

Mar 03, 09 - 12:07 pm Comment from: Spark

That must have been a tough press release to write. Like, "The NEW Corvette, featuring 6! cyinders!!!"

The lack of the numerical pad is the reason I won't buy the BT keyboard.

Mar 03, 09 - 12:08 pm Comment from: Big Als MBP

@ M,

The missing Bluetooth radio.

Mar 03, 09 - 12:09 pm Comment from: jonahan

Chill out everyone... You can still get the one with Numeric Keys free in the BTO options.

Mar 03, 09 - 12:09 pm Comment from: MacBill

Un-fu**ing-real. Are the guys at Apple absolutely crazy?! We NEED the 10-key keypad on the keyboard, not the other way around!! UM, HELLO, APPLE?!?! This is utterly ridiculous. Not to mention the fact that Apple doesn't offer an ergonomic keyboard either. Apple has truly lost it when it comes to keyboards.

Mar 03, 09 - 12:10 pm Comment from: iSteve

I like the compactness of the design. I may get one of these to freshen my 3-year old iMac.

Mar 03, 09 - 12:16 pm Comment from: jtc

@TowerTone

That keypad looks horrible and cost too much.

Mar 03, 09 - 12:18 pm Comment from: Apple Doesn't Get It

No FireWire 400 on consumer Macs. 1 FireWire on a $1,500 iMac.
Forced Gloss Screen on Consumer Macs.
Integrated Graphics (Vampire Video) on a $1,500 iMac.
Display connector Roulette- tomorrow will see a new connector.
Crappy partial keyboard at a full keyboard price.

I guess I'll be holding on to my Macs for quite a while, this crap is ridiculous.

Mar 03, 09 - 12:19 pm Comment from: MacSmiley

Time to buy a spare numbered Apple keyboard.

Mar 03, 09 - 12:25 pm Comment from: Alex McKenna

These new keyboards really are Vile. Keep trying them in the Apple store, just to be certain how awful they are. Like an enormous pocket calculator. Not for real work, which is what some of us have to do. The same mind-set that brought us the "puck" mouse I suspect.

Mar 03, 09 - 12:27 pm Comment from: Missy Pants

People!
Breeeeathe!

As far as I can see, it's the exact same keyboard as what's on my MBP.
I edit graphics and video on this machine, with no desire for a numeric keypad.

This new Apple keyboard will nicely fill a niche, but may not be suitable for you number crunchers.
That's okay. As mentioned, there are options.

Mar 03, 09 - 12:29 pm Comment from: Missy Pants

Did I really just write,
"...as what's on..." ?!

Heh. red face

Mar 03, 09 - 12:29 pm Comment from: TomL

It needs a trackpad (and a wireless version too)

Mar 03, 09 - 12:31 pm Comment from: NCIceman

Agreed, I prefer to see choice. Offer us options with and without numeric keypads. I am hoarding my old keyboards.

Also, to me, a keyboard is a very important ergonomic part of interacting with a computer. I think Apple can design a keyboard that is both artistically designed AND ergonomic to use. I have gotten used to split keyboards, and wish Apple would offer one too for those of us who suffer repetitive motion effects.

Mar 03, 09 - 12:32 pm Comment from: Jubei

@ jonahan

Good. I'm going to buy one right now, just incase Apple gets a brain fart and discontinues it later on.

Mar 03, 09 - 12:33 pm Comment from: HMCIV

Was there an Apple Keynote I missed today?

Mar 03, 09 - 12:35 pm Comment from: MacBill

@MacBill:

I stand corrected: Apple STILL offers wired keyboard WITH AND WITHOUT the numeric keypad. Okay, this is excellent, because I can actually see reasons to have BOTH choices.

But nonetheless, I would still like to see Apple make an ergonomic keyboard.

Mar 03, 09 - 12:35 pm Comment from: bisse

Take it easy!!!
You can still buy the old one in the apple store.
http://store.apple.com/us/product/MB110LL/A?n=keyboards&fnode=MTY1NDA1Mg&mco=NDE4NTQ3NQ&s=topSellers

Mar 03, 09 - 12:42 pm Comment from: eMax

yeah i want a bluetooth apple keyboard WITH the numeric key pad, or at least one that would be removeable.

These small keyboards are only good if you use the computer connected to a TV.

for my desktop i want full keyboard.

Mar 03, 09 - 12:45 pm Comment from: Wandering joe

@ jonathan
"Chill out everyone... You can still get the one with Numeric Keys free in the BTO options."

Yes, and free of charge to boot!

Mar 03, 09 - 12:51 pm Comment from: Brad

Yay! No keypad! No shoving-the-mouse-further-to-the-side-and-inducing-carpal-tunnel keypad!

Mar 03, 09 - 12:56 pm Comment from: Grigori

Come on, Apple: a USB or wireless multi-touch trackpad is WAAYYY overdue.

Mar 03, 09 - 12:56 pm Comment from: John_B

@Apple Doesn't Get It

Consumer Macs that have FireWire 800 have no need for FW 400. It just takes a simple 9-pin to 6-pin cable to be able to run your FW 400 audio interface, external hard drive, etc.

I agree the iMac should have more than one FireWire port.

Mar 03, 09 - 12:58 pm Comment from: oomu

I still prefer the compact keyboard without the numeric pad.

Mar 03, 09 - 01:00 pm Comment from: MacArch

Hell, I still miss the extra function keys on the LEFT side of the keyboard! Old AutoCAD habits die hard.

Mar 03, 09 - 01:01 pm Comment from: Mister Snitch

I never use that keypad so this is just fine with me.

Mar 03, 09 - 01:02 pm Comment from: The Mac That Roared

Why in tarnation would anyone want such a thing? If there's one thing that bugs me about using laptops, it's that there isn't a numerical keypad! WTF?

Mar 03, 09 - 01:08 pm Comment from: Loru

I agree...wrong direction...

Mar 03, 09 - 01:08 pm Comment from: GQB

jeez... take a pill y'all. Some people want a keypad, others (like me) don't need it.
Get the one you need at get a life.

Mar 03, 09 - 01:13 pm Comment from: alansky

Hooray! Enough with the numeric keypads on every keyboard in the universe! For those who use the numeric keypad, there are innumerable options. For those who don't want or need it, there were no options at all until the latest Apple wireless keyboard. Now there is yet another option. Great!

Mar 03, 09 - 01:14 pm Comment from: MizuInOz

I love Fate.... or F8 not F-8 ...

I have a MacPro - now outdated but still blazen.. and it was giving me the - well, you know_ and I took it into a trusty dusty Auth Apple repair shop and they told me I didn't have a USB port problem, I must need a new KB - so, I bought another full sized KB with 10 key pad (new version) and tried it - still was having digital diarrhoea. Not fix. so, I bought a second KB (same config) and again same results...

Then I went to a DIFFERENT auth Mac Fixer upper and low and behold my MacPro was not feeling well. In fact, it died and I received a new MacPro from Apple - the latest as of four weeks ago - and it is smokin! And the USB ports all work. So, I have two extra full sized KB with 10 key key pad, And I;m gonna save em.

So now I have four of these things!

Isn't fate amazing?

Cheers...

I even use one with my 17" MBP - plugged in. (The MBP is on a stand).

Mar 03, 09 - 01:17 pm Comment from: solid

Ooooh, Apple is firing on all cylinders with the innovation so far in 2009. Wow, a keyboard without a numeric keypad. What's next? Optional hard drives?

Mar 03, 09 - 01:17 pm Comment from: Ralph M

OMG - When did 73% of the people on this forum suddenly turn into total morons??!!

Guys, if you don't want a wired keyboard without a numeric pad, then the solution is simple: DON'T BUY IT!

In the meantime, Apple is still selling both wired and wireless keyboards, including one with a keypad. If you need a numeric pad, you know what you can do? BUY ONE OF THOSE.

As for the tactile quality of the keyboards themselves, well I guess that is a subjective matter. I've noticed that most reviewers seem to like them. But you know what? If you don't like the feel of the keyboard, BUY ONE FROM ANOTHER COMPANY.

Jeez... what whiners...

Mar 03, 09 - 01:20 pm Comment from: MacGuy

Numeric Pad is only for Nerds, as in diaper pad.... go ahead wet yourself.... hehehe

Mar 03, 09 - 01:26 pm Comment from: Olternaut

Just get a 3rd party keyboard.....geez!

Mar 03, 09 - 01:34 pm Comment from: Yours Smugly

Choice is good, but forcing the option which most people wouldn't choose is not good. The full keyboard should still come as default. And if Apple is serious about giving people choice (which I seriously doubt), they should give their customers the option of a full wireless keyboard, too.

All you guys who'd like to see Apple release a full-featured wireless keyboard: contact them! http://www.apple.com/feedback
I did.

If they never hear from you they won't know you exist.

Mar 03, 09 - 01:42 pm Comment from: T

Don't like numeric keypad. Makes me have to move my mouse further away. And you always type with the keyboard not in line (centered) with your monitor, which is bad for your posture. So goodbye horrid numeric keypad!

Mar 03, 09 - 01:42 pm Comment from: neo

F.Y.I. Apple still sells the numeric keyboard and it is still the standard keyboard. Apple just added the wired mini keyboard as a third option. Don't worry you have choice like you when always buy a new mac.

Mar 03, 09 - 01:44 pm Comment from: Andy Lee

@Ralph M,

I agree, there's a lot of hysteria here. I expect a two-year-old to think his needs are the only ones that matter.

If I were buying a new Mac I'd choose one of the smaller keyboards. I need every inch of desk space I can get, I never use the keypad, and as someone mentioned it makes the ergonomics a little worse for me as I have to extend my hand further to get to the mouse. I'm not sure if I'd use the Bluetooth or wired version. Very likely this new wired one since I can put a flash drive or card reader in the USB ports.

I love the solidity and key action on these keyboards, but of course that's a personal preference like everything else I just mentioned. I agree it would be nice if they rounded out the line with a full-sized Bluetooth keyboard.

Mar 03, 09 - 01:47 pm Comment from: Andy Lee

P.S. Yours Smugly has a good suggestion too: report feedback to Apple at the link he gave.

Mar 03, 09 - 01:51 pm Comment from: Predrag

On the subject of the "chicklet" keyboard (as opposed to the old-fashioned one, with plastic keycaps and long travel), my touch typing has become much more accurate and faster since getting the new alu-iMac with the alu-keyboard. I haven't read any debates on the subjects, so my mind wasn't tainted, swayed, influenced one way or the other. It was a bit strange at the beginning, but very soon (after an hour or two of continuous typing), it became clear that the tactile feedback is much more accurate, which reduces the number of typing errors.

As for the numeric keypad, it's good to see it.

There is a number of people who will find fault at anything and everything that Apple releases, no matter what. They seem to be out in full force today. For them, keep in mind, folks: this is <b>just a keyboard<b>! It doesn't replace any other keyboard, it is just an additional option for those who need desk space and DON'T need numbers.

Mar 03, 09 - 01:53 pm Comment from: KingMel

I like the wired aluminum keyboard (with numeric keypad) that came with my iMac 24". The only drawback that I have found is that some USB sticks will not fit into the recessed USB ports under the keyboard. Once again, Apple trimmed the dimensions just a little too much, resulting in a compatibility problem.

Speaking of limited dimensions also limiting functionality, I was hoping that the new Mac minis would be large enough to accommodate a desktop HDD (greater storage, greater speed, less cost).

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