Mac Mechanical keyboards - HOW MUCH?!
Discussion
Recently bought a new 27" imac from apple and it came with the 'mini' magic keyboard - these retail at £99 which seems a bit steep before we even start!
After a few months with it i have decided it is too shallow/thin for me, i need a thicker keyboard, and some decent clunky keys and the numerical pad (108 keys i think)
It's also important that it has specific Mac keys like the F keys being for media, screen brightness etc - most of the generic "windows and mac compatible" keyboards are missing the control option and command buttons, as well as correctly labeled (and mapped) media keys (F7 previous track, F8 play pause etc)
Been looking around and can't seem to find anything quite right, and the ones that are are over £200!!?
Wireless would be a bonus but fine if its USB
anyone offer any advice/recommendations please?
After a few months with it i have decided it is too shallow/thin for me, i need a thicker keyboard, and some decent clunky keys and the numerical pad (108 keys i think)
It's also important that it has specific Mac keys like the F keys being for media, screen brightness etc - most of the generic "windows and mac compatible" keyboards are missing the control option and command buttons, as well as correctly labeled (and mapped) media keys (F7 previous track, F8 play pause etc)
Been looking around and can't seem to find anything quite right, and the ones that are are over £200!!?
Wireless would be a bonus but fine if its USB
anyone offer any advice/recommendations please?
I you want something specifically for a niche manufacturer (i.e. Mac-specific keyboards are only about 10% of the market, then you also want mechanical), then you either pay a premium or get something cheaper & generic.
There is a Logitech/Logi one that has labels for both Mac & Windows keys (Craft keyboard) - but it's also one of the slimmer types - and it's not particularly cheap at £180.
I can't stand the stubby keyboard, but that's probably because I use the number pad regularly for Excel.
I use a wired Mac extended keyboard on my home machine (and bought 6 @ £35/each when Apple discontinued them in 2017), and specified a Magic Keyboard with Numeric Keypad when I ordered my last iMac. But I use the Apple keyboards on both Mac and Windows (bootcamp) without difficulty.
There is the Das Model S Professional for Mac at about £120.
There is a Logitech/Logi one that has labels for both Mac & Windows keys (Craft keyboard) - but it's also one of the slimmer types - and it's not particularly cheap at £180.
I can't stand the stubby keyboard, but that's probably because I use the number pad regularly for Excel.
I use a wired Mac extended keyboard on my home machine (and bought 6 @ £35/each when Apple discontinued them in 2017), and specified a Magic Keyboard with Numeric Keypad when I ordered my last iMac. But I use the Apple keyboards on both Mac and Windows (bootcamp) without difficulty.
There is the Das Model S Professional for Mac at about £120.
Sounds like you're after something like the original Apple extended keyboard, like this:
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/APPLE-EXTENDED-USB-KEYB...
?
Be warned that the keys need a good bit of pressure.
I think I may have a wired and a wireless one here.
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/APPLE-EXTENDED-USB-KEYB...
?
Be warned that the keys need a good bit of pressure.
I think I may have a wired and a wireless one here.
I've never been in the market for any Apple products, but I was asked to demonstrate how much more expensive they were.
My laptop plus a wireless keyboard and mouse cost less than an Apple wireless keyboard and mouse plus an HDMI adapter that I would need, and I'd still have to spend over a grand extra on the actual laptop!
Each to their own, some people would think I was mad for spending four figures on a push bike.
My laptop plus a wireless keyboard and mouse cost less than an Apple wireless keyboard and mouse plus an HDMI adapter that I would need, and I'd still have to spend over a grand extra on the actual laptop!
Each to their own, some people would think I was mad for spending four figures on a push bike.
Bacon Is Proof said:
I've never been in the market for any Apple products, but I was asked to demonstrate how much more expensive they were.
My laptop plus a wireless keyboard and mouse cost less than an Apple wireless keyboard and mouse plus an HDMI adapter that I would need, and I'd still have to spend over a grand extra on the actual laptop!
Each to their own, some people would think I was mad for spending four figures on a push bike.
You could also decide to buy a 24-carat gold ring from Argos for a 10th of the price you'd pay in Liberty or Bulgari - style might be different, but 24c gold is 24c gold.My laptop plus a wireless keyboard and mouse cost less than an Apple wireless keyboard and mouse plus an HDMI adapter that I would need, and I'd still have to spend over a grand extra on the actual laptop!
Each to their own, some people would think I was mad for spending four figures on a push bike.
I suppose your £150 laptop is equivalent spec to the MacBook you viewed?
What I can't believe (and this is coming from a Mac fan - who uses Macs day in, day out for both Mac and Windows work which I can't easily do solely on a Windows PC or Chromebook), is that people look at Macs, buy one and then complain how expensive things are when made specifically for them!!!
If they can't see this BEFORE they buy the frigging thing, then they deserve the stupidity tax.
It's like people moving up from a BMW 330 to a BMW M3 and then wondering why the oil service has gone up from £150 to £300 for the same job...it's because your POOR...or STUPID (joke, obviously)...it's a 'tax' on a premium product - perceived or actual I'll leave for others to decide.
Edited by mmm-five on Saturday 30th May 10:31
Keychron K2 is what you need. One of the best products I have ever bought and it has transformed the way I use my Mac.
Choice of red blue or brown switches, USB C recharge, connects to multiple machines and wireless with RGB backlighting. It is pretty much perfect apart from having to get used to hitting any key to reconnect if you walk away for 5 minutes or so.
The build quality is also way above what you would expect for the price. Way cheaper than the magic keyboard and far better quality in every way.
Choice of red blue or brown switches, USB C recharge, connects to multiple machines and wireless with RGB backlighting. It is pretty much perfect apart from having to get used to hitting any key to reconnect if you walk away for 5 minutes or so.
The build quality is also way above what you would expect for the price. Way cheaper than the magic keyboard and far better quality in every way.
mmm-five said:
Bacon Is Proof said:
I've never been in the market for any Apple products, but I was asked to demonstrate how much more expensive they were.
My laptop plus a wireless keyboard and mouse cost less than an Apple wireless keyboard and mouse plus an HDMI adapter that I would need, and I'd still have to spend over a grand extra on the actual laptop!
Each to their own, some people would think I was mad for spending four figures on a push bike.
You could also decide to buy a 24-carat gold ring from Argos for a 10th of the price you'd pay in Liberty or Bulgari - style might be different, but 24c gold is 24c gold.My laptop plus a wireless keyboard and mouse cost less than an Apple wireless keyboard and mouse plus an HDMI adapter that I would need, and I'd still have to spend over a grand extra on the actual laptop!
Each to their own, some people would think I was mad for spending four figures on a push bike.
I suppose your £150 laptop is equivalent spec to the MacBook you viewed?
Oh, and your figures are off, at the time of checking it was roughly double what you posted. My laptop was £280, with the wireless keyboard and mouse. With regards to spec, I don't think Apple make a laptop that fits my requirements.
It does appear that Apple have lowered their prices since though, it's now only £257 for the wireless keyboard, mouse and HDMI adapter.
Bacon Is Proof said:
Calm down ya mentalist, I've emboldened the bit of my post you obviously missed.
Oh, and your figures are off, at the time of checking it was roughly double what you posted. My laptop was £280, with the wireless keyboard and mouse. With regards to spec, I don't think Apple make a laptop that fits my requirements.
It does appear that Apple have lowered their prices since though, it's now only £257 for the wireless keyboard, mouse and HDMI adapter.
I think I was trying to agree that some people are mad to spend the hugely differing amounts on essentially the same things, but my rant went slightly awry Oh, and your figures are off, at the time of checking it was roughly double what you posted. My laptop was £280, with the wireless keyboard and mouse. With regards to spec, I don't think Apple make a laptop that fits my requirements.
It does appear that Apple have lowered their prices since though, it's now only £257 for the wireless keyboard, mouse and HDMI adapter.
Macs don't come with full keyboards. They're alright as toys* but I needed a laptop for work which meant a full keyboard with a numeric pad was essential as I didn't want the hassle of carrying around a keyboard when working away from my desk.
As it happens, the keyboard on my laptop suits me so well (much greater keystroke depth than most laptops, including the latest Apple) and the trackpad is the only one I've ever gotten on with, that I rarely use the wireless keyboard and mouse except for gaming!
* Obvious troll aspect of post is obvious, please don't.
As it happens, the keyboard on my laptop suits me so well (much greater keystroke depth than most laptops, including the latest Apple) and the trackpad is the only one I've ever gotten on with, that I rarely use the wireless keyboard and mouse except for gaming!
* Obvious troll aspect of post is obvious, please don't.
I only use the laptop provided by the office (a fairly nice, but heavy HP Z-Book G6 workstation) - but I tend to use it plugged in to a hub with 2-3 monitors, external keyboard & mouse (the Logi ones I bought myself). At least it has an 'almost' full-size keyboard with separate number keypad, unlike some of my colleagues who've gone the 'ultralight' route with 12" screens and tiny keyboards.
The rest are either MacPro, iMac or Mac Mini (no Mac laptops, had enough neck issues working 16-20 hour days in the late 90s & early 00s on Apple Powerbooks thanks) - and they just get passed down to family after I've upgraded one of them (about every 5 years I guess).
The rest are either MacPro, iMac or Mac Mini (no Mac laptops, had enough neck issues working 16-20 hour days in the late 90s & early 00s on Apple Powerbooks thanks) - and they just get passed down to family after I've upgraded one of them (about every 5 years I guess).
Edited by mmm-five on Saturday 30th May 12:23
mmm-five said:
Never a huge fan of Apple but credit where it's due I loved this keyboardGassing Station | Computers, Gadgets & Stuff | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff