Alternative apple keyboard

Right well, the fact I have a mac mini shows I'm on a budget, plus I'm a student so be nice. I've got to admit the thin keyboard is the sexiest keyboard I've seen so far but it's ridiculously overpriced and I'd rather have a bulky one then get my parents to sell their house so I can afford one.
Does anyone, however, know of a keyboard (preferably made for macs so I don't have to stare at the ugly windows logo) that's in the price range of all the sane humans out there and that slightly approaches the beauty of the thin keyboard? Not bothered about wired/wireless or anything like that, just a good looking space-saving one. All other keyboards seem to have jumped out of the 1980s...

Have you considered the Apple keyboard with numeric keypad for £40, which is £17 less than the Apple keyboard without numeric keypad? If you're concerned about cost, consider the additional cost of replacing batteries in a wireless version, over time (although this newer version keyboard is supposed to be more energy efficient than before). If that's not an option, and nobody here has an alternative, have you gone to amazon.co.uk (or another source) and looked for something else?

Similar Messages

  • New (iMac) Apple keyboard - don't hurry to replace it

    I've been a fan of "clicky" keyboards since my first computer, an IBM PS/2 from a long time ago in a galaxy far away. When Matias sold the first "Tactile Pro" keyboard ( http://matias.ca/tactilepro/index.php ), I quickly purchased one for my old iMac; I still use it to this day and love it. So Matias rolled out Version 2.0 ( http://matias.ca/tactilepro2/index.php ) - in colors matching the new iMac, no less - I ordered one the same day I ordered my new iMac.
    After using the included new Apple keyboard for a week, I finally received my new Tactile Pro. And I must say, I'm disappointed.
    The not-so-obvious problem is the advertised USB 2.0 "hub" which isn't really a hub at all. Matias cheated: the keyboard has two USB cables, the second of which just relocates an existing port from the iMac to the keyboard. Worse, this one (one?!?) port is on the right-side of the keyboard and facing right, where it is typically blocked by mouse placement and thus unusable. What a waste of scarce USB ports.
    The above would be less of a problem if the second cable were removable, which it is not, leaving its connector dangling uncleanly off the back of the computer. And that cable is one of two ways in which version 2.0 of this keyboard falls short of version 1.0. The cable is too stiff, too short, and too inconveniently placed. Out of the left side only? Not redirectable like on 1.0 or most any other keyboard? And coming out of the keyboard sideways, instead of forwards? Ugh.
    But the greatest shortfall of the new Tactile Pro versus its predecessor is the quality of its keys. Matias has clearly cut some corners on the key-switches: they are much softer and thus provide less tactile feedback. Even worse, the keycaps are rather loosely attached to the switches.
    I'm not asking for a refund, as this keyboard is marginally better in its tactile feedback and styling than Apple's new aluminum keyboard. However, the Apple keyboard costs $100 less, uses a more convenient cable (cable_, singular, not cables, plural), and provides 2 USB 2.0 ports, one out each side. I was also planning to replace the Tactile Pro 1.0 on my old iMac with the 2.0 - not any more.
    (Alternatively, try to find the original Tactile Pro on close-out or places like eBay.)
    That's my opinion & experience - YMMV.

    Probably not - but that certainly does not involve iPhoto for the Mac - you need to look at Crashplan support for you options 
    And iCloud is not a place to store photos so that is certainly not a possibility
    If you restore your masters folder out of the iPhoto library you will have all of your original photos to do with what you please
    LN

  • Something went wrong with the alternative Number Keyboard!

    I can't tell, from when on, that little Number Keyboard began to malfunction. I have tried in as many as possible applications. But every time, the same result: as soon as I turn on the Number Keyboard with NumLock (F6) in an app, it stops responding right away. And other apps stop to responding to mouse click simultaneously. So I have to use the keyboard to bring up the Force Quit window, then force quit the app within which I turn on the Number Keyboard. Everything would be back on the line right at moment that app has quitted.

    Today, again, I found the real cause of this problem all by myself accidently. By default, Mouse Key, which located in the Mouse & Keyboard pane of Universal Access, is turned on. This option use the alternative number keyboard as the controller of cursor movement. So when this option is turned on, you can't use the alternative number keyboard to type numbers. And I think Apple shouldn't turn on Mouse Key by default.

  • My 2006 Imac running 10.4.11 is not working well with my new apple keyboard

    just bought a new apple keyboard - wired full keyboard - The Funtion keys will not respond as marked.
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    In the keyboard shortcut of Preference, there is not even a listing for volume.
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    It's a USB keyboard it should be fine. I have a similar model that works on 10.5.
    If it doesn't work you can almost certainly return it (local sales laws apply, so check those).
    You could also go to an Apple Store (or any other PC store) & ask them if it could work & ask if it doesn't work can it be returned?
    You can search Ebay or Amazon etc for a keyboard that says it supports 10.4, however since that OS is also 10 years old not many manufactures are willing to test an ancient OS that not many people use anymore.
    Another option is to find a second hand keyboard from the same era of Mac. Frankly that would be 'icky if it has been used.
    Alternately you could try fixing or cleaning yours, but these things don't last forever.
    Keyboards & mice generally work.

  • '{' Key not working with Apple Keyboard in Windows & Visual Studio

    Good morning,
    I've been bugged by this forever now and tried it with Windows XP, Vista and 7 now on my macPro & (the latest version of) Bootcamp: I can type the { and } brackets just fine in most windows apps (e.g. start > run etc), but in visual studio, for some reason the 'ctrl + alt + 7' (for the '{') does result in the whole line being commented with // instead of the expected opening '{'. 'ctrl + alt + 0' ('}') does however work just fine.
    Now I am really not sure why this is happening, but it's the same for VS2008 and the VS2010 beta and developing in C# without a proper '{' combo is somewhat.. difficult
    Has anyone ever come across the same behavior and knows what to do?
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    -J

    Does it happen with another KB?
    If only this KB then the is either dirty or faulty. Maybe this will help
    http://theminiblog.co.uk/archives/2006/11/16/how-to-cleaning-the-apple-keyboard/

  • Hard drive not recognized when connected to Apple keyboard

    Hi there,
    I'm using a dock (Henge) for my MacBook Pro with a wired Apple keyboard to which I connect a Passport hard drive using the USB port (my Time Machine backup). The hard drive is self powered but still it won't be recognized by the Macbook Pro. I have used the USB port to connect my iPhone without any issue.
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    The USB ports in the Apple keyboard are NOT powered, so your passport HD will not work on it because it pulls too much power from the USB port.
    More info here: http://support.apple.com/kb/HT4049

  • I need a way to get usb thumb-drive securely recognized as a apple keyboard

    I posted this question over at Developer Discussions also, just to get more eyes on it, not to be disruptive.
    So, I would like to utilize a maximum-length Admin. password (255 characters?) without having to manually type it in each time I login, install/update software, or for any other reason. The perfect situation would be some type of script or software installation onto a USB pen drive (2 gig sony)which is inserted into the macbook (via usb) when the Leopard Login screen appears. It logs me in, then, afterwards, it creates a clickable icon on the desktop that achieves the same goal (entering a long admin password securely). And all of the above is achieved using the built-in security of Keychain access, without having to continuously mount and unmount the drive.
    Searching google produces many expensive products that do not fit: Securikey, omnikey, smart cards, tokends, and on and on. They seem to have figured this out at microsoft - not that it matters much, except that it appears to be possible.
    One problem is that a USB thumb drive is not mounted until after login, it seems, but, I plugged in a friend's usb apple keyboard from the year 2000 and was able to type in my password at login. And, an email reply elsewhere suggested writing a daemon (that constantly runs in the background of the operating system) that could recognize the drive and accept a script from it that inputs the password and executes the 'enter' command.
    I don't know how to write daemons yet, but I can stumble around a bit with bash and applescripts, and I can copy any Xcode project out of a book and make it run properly. I'm a beginner.
    This project might create security issues for my operating system, but I'm really not concerned about that because this is a computer I don't rely on and can safely perform experiments on. And I would like to use this as an opportunity to learn - so I'm going to give it a whirl anyway - unless someone has already accomplished something similar. In that case, why reinvent the wheel and plug it into the wall, eh?
    Basically I am asking for help. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

    You don't need to get deep into programming to do much of this.
    launchd, the background process that's responsible for launching most of the background processes on your machine, has the ability to launch a script based on disk mount events.
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    mounted.
    So you could create a LaunchDaemon script that watches for a disk mount. When a disk is inserted your script is fired off. You'd need to perform some verification to ensure the disk is, indeed, your USB stick and not some other device, then it can trigger the rest of the login process. Off hand I'd look to osascript to run an AppleScript-based keystroke, but there may be other ways, too.
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  • My left shift key on Macbook Pro Retina (15") is behaving like the F11 key (show/hide open windows).  The key behaves the same for the laptop keyboard and for an external Apple keyboard?  This just started in last week after 6 months of use

    My left shift key on Macbook Pro Retina (15") is behaving like the F11 key (show/hide open windows). 
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    I have a solution to this issue now after a discussion with Apple Support.  Some where in the last few weeks, there was a change in the key that would do a Show Desktop under the Mission Control settings in the System Preferences.  Even though the key sequence that was shown for the Show Desktop setting did not include the Left SHift key, by changing this first to having no key sequence and applying that and then changing it back to the F11 key, the Left SHift key issue that I was having has cleared up.
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  • Lots of issues since installing a new apple keyboard

    Since I purchased a new a apple keyboard (the new wired flat ones) I have had nothing but issues with any USB devices plugged in.
    Specifically my Belkin hub which prior was perfect now has all sorts of issues.
    Trying to import images on a card reader often results in the 'device being removed' even though it was not.
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    When launching windows it will often not launch until the keyboard is removed.
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    Sometimes when starting up clicking an application in the dock just opens its location in a finder window.
    All this started when putting this keyboard on, and all stops when I take it out and go back to my apple wireless one.
    Do I have a duff one, or does anyone experience this?

    First contact your ISP.  You need to confirm that the issue is not on their end.
    Change your router channel.  Sometimes this is all you will have to do.
    Power cycling the router.  Read the router's user manual or contact their tech support for instructions.
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    Unlock the padlock
    Locations:  Automatic
    Highlight Airport
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    In the popup window click the Diagnostic button.
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    Place a check mark next to "Remember networks this computer has joined."  Click the OK button and lock the padlock.  Restart your computer.
    http://support.apple.com/kb/TS1920 Mac OS: How to release and renew a DHCP lease
    No internet connection (wireless)
    Check to see if an extra entry is present in the DNS Tab for your wireless connection (System Preferences/Network/Airport/Advanced/DNS).
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    Place a check mark next to "Remember networks this computer has joined."
    Other resources to check into:
    Configuring 802.1X in Mac OS X Lion and Later
    Non-responsive DNS server or invalid DNS configuration can cause long delay before webpages load
    Netspot
    How to diagnose and resolve Wi-Fi slow-downs
    Pv6 troubleshooting
    OS X Mountain Lion: Check the status of your network connections
    OS X Mountain Lion: Requirements for wireless Internet access
    What Affects Wireless Internet?
    Solutions for connecting to the Internet, setting up a small network, and troubleshooting
    If using one of Apple's Airport routers, read its user manual or post in its forum area. If using a 3rd party router, read its user manual, contact their tech support department/website or post in its forum area.

  • How can I change the alternative apple ID in iCloud?

    How can I change the alternative apple ID in iCloud?

    Hello,
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  • OS 10.4, non-Apple keyboard, How to open the CD tray?

    How do you open the CD tray with OS 10.4 and a non-Apple keyboard?
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    Plee help! Thi i very rutrtin. I on't wnt to ue cut n pte or ome letter.
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    Make a Service appointment for the keyboard at your local AASP.
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    I'm not sure how old it is, but it is covered for 1 full year as long as it didn't take that 19 story dive.

  • HT4060 Cannot get iPad 2 charged beyond 1%.  All charging ports tried: AC adapter(s), USB 2 port on MacBook Pro. ITunes shows iPad only for a few seconds. iPad displays alternately: Apple logo, battery w/slim red band, then battery w/1% charged informatio

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  • Can I use my Apple Keyboard in a non-bootcamp Windows 7 OS?

    Hello,
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  • USB Apple Keyboard no longer working on MacBookPro

    Hi,  I have a 15" MBP 2013 retina w/ lion 10.8.4
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    To my knowledge nothing really changed.  I brought the laptop to my desk like normal, plugged everything in, but the keybord just won't type.
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