Engadget has photos of a “‘super slim,’ brushed aluminum [MacBook-like] keyboard said to be accompanying Apple’s new iMac computer. It certainly appears to share the key design of the MacBook… A forum jockey over at the Rhapsody Apple forum in Hong Kong will sell you the keyboard (s/he has more than one) for 1,200 of the local stuff or about $153.40. Word to the wise, the consensus amongst rumor sites shows the new iMac coming as early as August 7th so you might want to hold onto that wad for a few more days to see what happens,” Thomas Ricker reports.
Ricker reports that the images look quite geniune, “but did they really remove the Apple logo from the command key?”
Full article with the photos here.
These look like the real thing to us, too. Removing the Apple from the Command key makes sense from Apple’s perspective, as it would only help further ease the minds of nervous potential switchers – “uhh, what’s that ‘weird” key?” You can bet they hear that in the Apple Retails Stores pretty often. Still, Apple ought to give us Mac users an optional key with the Apple on it! We like Open-Apple the way it is! (Yes, we do still miss good ol’ Closed-Apple. R.I.P., buddy, R.I.P.)!
It’s a fake. as much as I think it looks cool the function keys are all wrong. f1-f12 and a close up of f16-f18? the audio keys double as F6-f9 but no function key to toggle them.
I’d love them to get rid of the Apple logo on the Command key. It just adds confusion, why they put it on their when it had it’s own Command Key symbol I don’t know. (perhaps because people might call it the squiggle?)
Either way, one or the other, I’d go with the Command symbol and call it the Command key as that’s what it always was.
When I saw the demise of the Original White and Graphite Apple Pro keyboards (Considered by keyboard snobs to be the greatest keyboard of all time) coming, I snapped up a bunch of them to ride out the current disaster of a keyboard. If this is the replacement for the current plastic bucket keyboard, then things are not well. Out of the frying pan and into the freakin’ fire! Looks cool, but that one is gonna kill my wrists. Hopefully this report is BS. Long live the Apple Pro Keyboard!
MDN word = great (as in the Apple Pro keyboard was great!)
HOAX
Apple would never get rid of the Apple key. Come on. Get serious.
I think this is the real thing.
Looks fabulous to me, can’t wait to see the new iMac (and mouse) it accompanies. Some rumours have hinted at coloured/anodised iMacs similar to iPod nano’s, maybe this keyboard will be available in matching colours like the original iMac had?
It is slim-line and I don’t this this will be the only keyboard available for other lines, though knowing Apple – you never know!
the movement of the volume buttons is wierd, now they are exactly where the keys are for expose. i DONT want to hit a modifyer key to change the volume / use expose!
I also vote to keep the Apple key.
MW: “approach”, As in approach with caution, Apple key on-board.
@tz
F4 is not power, it’s Dashboard
F3 is Expose
This keyboard snap shot is fake.
First of all, there’s no USB port to attach a MOUSE.
Having the keyboard significantly thinner than usual would indeed relieve some of the usual typing stress where you have to lift your hands at an angle when they are resting on the desk…
I know the MacBook keyboard does look strange, but it appears to be much more ergonomical than it looks.
It’d be hard to make that wireless…
@IT guy
it appears in the photo that the usb port is on the end of the keyboard
This keyboard snap shot is fake.
First of all, there’s no USB port to attach a MOUSE.
Yes, there is. It’s on either side at each end of the “bulge” that props it up at an angle.
Let’s just hope that it will finally support USB2 devices such as iPods!
I too am calling fake on account of ugly and a power button on the F4 key.
I too am calling fake on account of ugly and a power button on the F4 key.
I too am calling fake on account of ugly and a power button on the F4 key.
I too am calling fake on account of ugly and a power button on the F4 key.
Fake.
White on metalic looks ugly.
@IT Guy – If you look thru all the pics, there is a USB port for a mouse. Look at the photo where it shows the keyboard from the side. I think this is the real deal, and if the keyboard looks this good, I can’t wait to see what the iMac that accompanies it will look like! The loss of the Apple key is very disappointing, though.
Wow…that is minimalist! Nice details. Thinner than an American sandwich for sure. Salad sandwich. No meat….
I absolutely love the direction in which Apple’s design is heading. I can’t wait to see the new iMac!
I have heard through some contacts that this Apple keyboard version may contain some form of backlit tech as well….unclear if it is similar to the ambient sensors or if it is more for special keys….ie when using mac, the apple logo is displayed. When dual-booted to PC, the key turns blue and locks up your computer.
Uuumm I would like it to be all white with illuminated keyboard, separated media-keys (volume, eject, front-row
etc.) Common icons including the ⇪ plus I thought they might of made a multi-touch zone (arrows/mouse) to replace the conventional arrow-keys! Also I would have preferred a better way of incorporating USB i/o & the keys follow the portable (laptop) to much of-course for English & European keyboards including the International would have to change.
I forgot to mention that most or some programmes that use the F-keys may now launch or mute even eject your CD, DVD! These could mostly be games in the list remember under Panther when this used to happen on some programmes when the F-keys were used to launch some App’s Exposé etc.
I would rather the new keyboard magically makes MDN’s servers work better.