Apple Keyboard Review (or I’m Slow to the Draw)

Yeah – I’m a little late to the party. But – that’s not really news. I’m always a little stubborn and reluctant to change. But a well-placed cup of apple juice forced my hand this time.

My son (5) spilled a cup of apple juice into the keyboard of the Mac Mini that we use for home schooling and fun for the kids. Keyboards don’t like that, oddly enough.

It fried, and I decided that I’d give my trusty white Mac Pro Keyboard to them and buy myself a new keyboard. I’m just generous like that. Besides, the eject button was shot and the command key was getting a little wonky from years of abuse from my left thumb.

Went online and found that the local BestBuy had the new Apple Aluminum Keyboard in stock, and I thought that $49 was a pretty good deal. I’ve read good reviews, and I could just go grab it. So – 15 minutes later and I had the pickup confirmation. Online ordering and in-store pickup is grand!

I got it home, unpacked it and started in on abusing it. After a 4 day trial – here are my thoughts:

• Very small. But only sort of. It’s actually the same size as the Pro, but without the tray.
• Very sexy. It’s typical Apple design fare. Sleek, minimalist and stylish.
• Nice key feel. Really smooth action, and a small distance between down and up, so you don’t have to press hard. Very nice for folks like me with arthritic joints and carpal-tunnel syndrome.
• Not adjustable. The only thing I don’t really dig. I prefer to have my keyboard cocked up at a slightly higher angle (again with the fingers and wrists.) But, not bad at it’s default angle.
• 19 F-keys. Huh? Wow. That’s a lot of function. Photoshop only uses 15. I’ve got more functions than a Swiss Army Knife.
• iTunes Control. Very, very nice!
• Quality Materials. Much nicer than the very plasticky Pro. Feels like quality.