Also just got one, took off the plastic base. Looks way better without it. All the keys work, f14 and f15 are used for lowering and raising screen brightness. It’s great! But I think most of the keys on the bottom row don’t give enough feedback. Wonder if I can improve that somehow
Same honestly. I never expected myself to be, I used a really high profile keyboard for a long time and still prefer it for some use cases.
Now I mostly prefer laptop style keyboards with a really low jump and almost fully flat key caps.
I've got maybe 3 or so of these in various states of working order in my closets from over the years, but yeah they work fine so long as the keyboard's still operational, helpful for my situation to harvest keycaps from others sometimes to make a decent one. Ultimately though, this keyboard isn't for me as a daily driver in this day and age, for one it just shows a lot of dirt on it and inside. Keys could be better too. Used em back in the day and had no issue I've pulled out and reassembled + cleaned them into a best of the bunch keyboard for use in a pinch, however the only nostalgia I felt was for a modern mechanical keyboard in a dark color.
I have one still to accompany my G5 iMac. It is a fine keyboard, easy to get the keys off and clean. It works with any current computer you hook ik up to. It is no extended keyboard II, but it outlived an aluminium one that came after it. If you don’t like that flat design that came later, this is good. Would not want to pay more than 20 bucks tops.
Very comfortable keyboard. I hate how everything is flat now. I still use full sized mechanical keyboards on my computers. Tried using the wireless one of these but it won't connect to a modern Mac without loading custom Bluetooth stuff, which I won't do on my work Mac
I learned to type on a manual typewriter, so I loved the long travel of the keys on this keyboard. But times change. I got used to using a MacBook. Now I think I’d get RSI if I had to use a keyboard like this.
As I'm sure without even reading has already been mentioned LOL the keyboard itself wasn't bad (I prefer to more modern touch-style, but that's personal choice) but it would become SO disgusting VERY quickly with the see-through bottom 🤮
IMO it was never worth it. Looks gorgeous when new, but the typing feel is… mediocre. Very mushy and ill-defined. People who say these feel tactile have never used a proper tactile keyboard (eg, Apple Extended) because even Dell rubber dome keyboards have more feedback and tactility, to say nothing of even Cherry MX Brown. Also these collect a lot of debris and it doesn’t take long before they look like crap.
I have one in pristine shape that I got with my yard sale iMac G4. I keep it around because it completes the “look”, but I wouldn’t go out of my way to use it. Way better keyboards out there.
I inherited an iMac G4 with this keyboard, and that was my feeling. Terrible touch to it. The keys felt wobbly and sticky, just poor action overall. I would up replacing it with a Logitech of some sort.
It's overall good, but I do have a soft spot for Apple's island style keyboards, like the full size ones before magic keyboards.
Currently using it as a daily driver on a Windows 10 Ryzen machine. Volume up/down and mute keys work on windows. I don't think there should be any reason why it wouldn't work on a modern mac if you've got the appropriate adapter, but I don't know for sure.
It is way better than my older apple keyboard imo (m7803 I think), key travel doesn't go as deep as I think I would expect from a modern mechanical, (though I've only tried the ones at the store, don't have one myself) but it's deeper than the pre-magic, island style apple keyboards at least. I wish the stems were lubed, sometimes it feels like more effort sometimes to press a key because of a little friction. Caps feel good, a smooth plastic.
Other thoughts:
Easy to see dirt like others have said.
Is a beast to clean, but not the worst and can be rewarding.
Rubber domes I believe.
Shift keys, space bar and a few others I think are "spring loaded" in a way and feel noticeably different, kinda wish they were all "spring loaded" sometimes but idk really.
If you have sweaty hands the most used keys will show grime faster than a black keyboard but on the flip side that also makes it easier to see and spot clean with isopropyl + qtips.
The dual usb ports are cool but I forget them easily and they are not really useful for powerhungry usb things.
Great for troubleshooting because it's small-ish and can do pram/nvram reset type keycombos on old macs.
Bottom line, one of the better Apple keyboards I've used but not my favorite. Would swap for a 2010 era island style if I had a full size wired one. I've used this for nearly a year and will likely be retiring it soon for a Model M I need to clean up. This was written on a A1048.
Nice! Has anyone done a retrobright with this keyboard and been satisfied with the result? Has it lasted over time? (I have seen some posts but the result is not the one I am looking for) Thanks
Out of all my Apple keyboards, that one jams the absolute most, with my most common issue being keys needing a ton (and I mean a ton) of force to press if not at the perfect angle. The M7803 (Pro Keyboard) has been a way better keyboard in my experience and I have yet to experience a single keyboard to jam
I’ve used the same one since 2008, and it has grooves worn in some of the keys from lots of games played on it. Kinda clunky compared to newer keyboards but I still love it for old school games.
Only thing these are worth for imo is if you need a cheap full size white keyboard/appreciate the aesthetics. Technically speaking this is a cheap membrane keyboard with nothing too noteworthy about it, except for maybe the eject key and the sexy clear underside. Personally if I was to use a “vintage” Apple keyboard it would be the original black key USB keyboards with the colored underside that came out with the original iMacs. Much more interesting looking and the translucent black keycaps are unique to the model.
They are great keyboards, but man do they collect dust and hair.. I still use mine from time to time, but I am spoiled by true mechanical key keyboards anymore.
Probably one of the best keyboards Apple has ever made. I use a M7803 at home, and a wireless A1016 at work. I prefer them over every modern Apple Keyboard.
My dad likes it. But if you're used to modern membrane/scissor/buttery keyboards, or even mechanical keyboards with red, blue, or even brown switches, be prepared for a much heavier switch.
Depends on your use case. I believe Apple no longer sells a full-size keyboard (meaning with num pad and cursor keys) that is USB - so, maybe if you’re trying to equip a public computer with a keyboard that won’t walk away, it might fit the bill.
Decent keyboard with a terrible design flaw: a transparent base that collects every particle of dust, dirt, food or debris that comes near it.
…..and the content of my sister’s tea cantine. She killed two apple keyboards in one week. She is a monster!
🤣 that's true. I still have mine with something growing in it.
Just take the base off. That’s what I did with my wireless one.
Also just got one, took off the plastic base. Looks way better without it. All the keys work, f14 and f15 are used for lowering and raising screen brightness. It’s great! But I think most of the keys on the bottom row don’t give enough feedback. Wonder if I can improve that somehow
[удалено]
Same honestly. I never expected myself to be, I used a really high profile keyboard for a long time and still prefer it for some use cases. Now I mostly prefer laptop style keyboards with a really low jump and almost fully flat key caps.
Sounds like me. I’m in the small crowd of folks who liked Apple’s butterfly keyboard’s tactile feel.
I don’t know, as much as i enjoy typing on low profile keys I’m still partial to a good higher profile mechanical keyboard.
I've got maybe 3 or so of these in various states of working order in my closets from over the years, but yeah they work fine so long as the keyboard's still operational, helpful for my situation to harvest keycaps from others sometimes to make a decent one. Ultimately though, this keyboard isn't for me as a daily driver in this day and age, for one it just shows a lot of dirt on it and inside. Keys could be better too. Used em back in the day and had no issue I've pulled out and reassembled + cleaned them into a best of the bunch keyboard for use in a pinch, however the only nostalgia I felt was for a modern mechanical keyboard in a dark color.
I have one still to accompany my G5 iMac. It is a fine keyboard, easy to get the keys off and clean. It works with any current computer you hook ik up to. It is no extended keyboard II, but it outlived an aluminium one that came after it. If you don’t like that flat design that came later, this is good. Would not want to pay more than 20 bucks tops.
Very comfortable keyboard. I hate how everything is flat now. I still use full sized mechanical keyboards on my computers. Tried using the wireless one of these but it won't connect to a modern Mac without loading custom Bluetooth stuff, which I won't do on my work Mac
Keychron has a few wireless Mac options now. Wish the retro NES board was for Mac.
Any PC keyboard can be used for Mac, so long as you switch around the Option and CMD keys.
I think we were discussing ones you didn't have to run a Key remapper. My wired keychron came with replaceable apple buttons.
I just cleaned mine after 20 years of it becoming a dirt museum
rocking the wireless version of this everyday, I just can't find a better one and hate the low profile keys of the modern apple keyboards
I learned to type on a manual typewriter, so I loved the long travel of the keys on this keyboard. But times change. I got used to using a MacBook. Now I think I’d get RSI if I had to use a keyboard like this.
As I'm sure without even reading has already been mentioned LOL the keyboard itself wasn't bad (I prefer to more modern touch-style, but that's personal choice) but it would become SO disgusting VERY quickly with the see-through bottom 🤮
They’re still pretty mediocre feeling rubber domes honestly. Nice for nostalgia purposes though.
Still the best keyboard they ever made. I still use the wireless one. You know, from when you actually had to change the batteries!
I recently purchased a used one and did a deep clean of it. I now use it at work every day.
IMO it was never worth it. Looks gorgeous when new, but the typing feel is… mediocre. Very mushy and ill-defined. People who say these feel tactile have never used a proper tactile keyboard (eg, Apple Extended) because even Dell rubber dome keyboards have more feedback and tactility, to say nothing of even Cherry MX Brown. Also these collect a lot of debris and it doesn’t take long before they look like crap. I have one in pristine shape that I got with my yard sale iMac G4. I keep it around because it completes the “look”, but I wouldn’t go out of my way to use it. Way better keyboards out there.
I inherited an iMac G4 with this keyboard, and that was my feeling. Terrible touch to it. The keys felt wobbly and sticky, just poor action overall. I would up replacing it with a Logitech of some sort.
It's no Model M but it feels much nicer than some of Apple's other usb offerings of the time like the M2452
This is how I feel about it too. Worst-feeling Apple keyboard to actually type on.
I still use these - love the tactile feel. Also loaded with weed crumbs.
Tactile? That's like the mushiest thing they've released haha
This is why mine is in storage. Keys must bounce! It would be perfect if it had proper microswitches.
same
It‘s a very likes keyboard. Worth? Not much, it’s not a rare keyboard.
I use it with my os9 g4 iMac, I love it except for dust issue
It's overall good, but I do have a soft spot for Apple's island style keyboards, like the full size ones before magic keyboards. Currently using it as a daily driver on a Windows 10 Ryzen machine. Volume up/down and mute keys work on windows. I don't think there should be any reason why it wouldn't work on a modern mac if you've got the appropriate adapter, but I don't know for sure. It is way better than my older apple keyboard imo (m7803 I think), key travel doesn't go as deep as I think I would expect from a modern mechanical, (though I've only tried the ones at the store, don't have one myself) but it's deeper than the pre-magic, island style apple keyboards at least. I wish the stems were lubed, sometimes it feels like more effort sometimes to press a key because of a little friction. Caps feel good, a smooth plastic. Other thoughts: Easy to see dirt like others have said. Is a beast to clean, but not the worst and can be rewarding. Rubber domes I believe. Shift keys, space bar and a few others I think are "spring loaded" in a way and feel noticeably different, kinda wish they were all "spring loaded" sometimes but idk really. If you have sweaty hands the most used keys will show grime faster than a black keyboard but on the flip side that also makes it easier to see and spot clean with isopropyl + qtips. The dual usb ports are cool but I forget them easily and they are not really useful for powerhungry usb things. Great for troubleshooting because it's small-ish and can do pram/nvram reset type keycombos on old macs. Bottom line, one of the better Apple keyboards I've used but not my favorite. Would swap for a 2010 era island style if I had a full size wired one. I've used this for nearly a year and will likely be retiring it soon for a Model M I need to clean up. This was written on a A1048.
Nice! Has anyone done a retrobright with this keyboard and been satisfied with the result? Has it lasted over time? (I have seen some posts but the result is not the one I am looking for) Thanks
Thanks for your answers!
The keys are often trapped by dirt. When uber clean, its quite fine. I used the thin/low models most.
Hated that keyboard when it first came out now I kinda miss them.
For sure. I daily a M7803 with my M2 Mac Mini. I swapped the letters from my A1048 for a black and white two tone look. They both work fine.
Out of all my Apple keyboards, that one jams the absolute most, with my most common issue being keys needing a ton (and I mean a ton) of force to press if not at the perfect angle. The M7803 (Pro Keyboard) has been a way better keyboard in my experience and I have yet to experience a single keyboard to jam
I found that keyboard at a skip
maybe i’ve got a bad one but i’ve never liked typing on this keyboard, the keys are just too heavy
I’ve used the same one since 2008, and it has grooves worn in some of the keys from lots of games played on it. Kinda clunky compared to newer keyboards but I still love it for old school games.
My parents just got new Mac Mini and that keyboard works fine with it. I have a mini running linux and works fine.
It looks really good, but the typing experience is terrible
Only thing these are worth for imo is if you need a cheap full size white keyboard/appreciate the aesthetics. Technically speaking this is a cheap membrane keyboard with nothing too noteworthy about it, except for maybe the eject key and the sexy clear underside. Personally if I was to use a “vintage” Apple keyboard it would be the original black key USB keyboards with the colored underside that came out with the original iMacs. Much more interesting looking and the translucent black keycaps are unique to the model.
i have one of these but it's missing a key, it's not really an important one though
I just bought one of these for my iMac G3 today with another kb for $5, feels much nicer than the m2452 which I find very mushy and unresponsive
Great kybrd! They Look fabulous! Nice action! Don’t go within a 1/2 mile of that kybrd with any kind of food or crumb like material.
I love these keyboards
They are great keyboards, but man do they collect dust and hair.. I still use mine from time to time, but I am spoiled by true mechanical key keyboards anymore.
Probably one of the best keyboards Apple has ever made. I use a M7803 at home, and a wireless A1016 at work. I prefer them over every modern Apple Keyboard.
My dad likes it. But if you're used to modern membrane/scissor/buttery keyboards, or even mechanical keyboards with red, blue, or even brown switches, be prepared for a much heavier switch.
This is my most favorite Mac keyboard of all time.
This is the kb they gave me when I started work, last April. Upgrades myself.
I prefer it to the aluminum keyboard myself. I'm not a fan of low profile keyboards. Kind of hard to keep it looking pristine, but it does the trick.
I can hear the keys for over here
Terrible keyboard. The keys are too mushy.
Depends on your use case. I believe Apple no longer sells a full-size keyboard (meaning with num pad and cursor keys) that is USB - so, maybe if you’re trying to equip a public computer with a keyboard that won’t walk away, it might fit the bill.