“In addition to the ultra-thin aluminum keyboard Apple unveiled for the iMac last month, a similarly proportioned Bluetooth wireless version was also introduced,” Daniel Eran Dilger reports for AppleInsider.
“The entire keyboard is ultra thin apart from the cylindrical battery compartment, which also serves to raise the top end of the keyboard so that it lays at a comfortable typing angle. A metal plug unscrews from the left end of the battery compartment with a coin or the edge of a key. Drop in the batteries as indicated and it screws back into place and locks into position,” Dilger reports. “There’s a power button on the opposite end of the battery compartment for turning the keyboard off in order to save your batteries while it’s not in use.”
“Like the previous version of Apple’s Bluetooth keyboard (and every other Bluetooth keyboard), the new version doesn’t have any USB ports for attaching other peripherals. The new version also drops the numeric keypad, inverted T arrow keys and other extra keys on Apple’s previous wireless model to deliver a smaller profile device that is nearly two thirds the width, and ultra-light,” Dilger reports.
Dilger takes readers on a photo-illustrated setup and unpacking tour, plus a look at the Apple keyboard’s features, an operational mystery, and a tantalizing future potential in the full article here.
Going to the store right now to get one…
iYann
Make that two. I’ll catcha next Friday….
I have the new wired version and it instantly added 5 words per minute to my speed. It’s like I’m tying in the future!
I can see getting both, for sure.
I’ve got one of these keyboards, does anyone else have a problem with the caps lock key ‘sticking’ on or off?
I’ve had 2 of them, I returned one because I thought it was faulty, but the second one is just the same… I type quite fast, but certainly not touch type speed.
Thoughts/comments?
I just want to know what Tom is tying in the future.
Is it knotty?
I was going to get one, but can’t justify $80 for a keyboard. Looks pretty, but too much coin. If it were $60, I’d snap it up.
I’m guessing you are referring to the delay with the caps lock. This is a new design feature with the new keyboards (I like it myself)
Caps Lock Feature
@ Tom Strong: Wow, it really did make your Mac snappier!
Got one a week back – sweet!
My mac is happier AND snappier now! The pop tart crumbs are no longer visible like on my white keyboard
I bought the wired one. It’s great! Much better than any keyboard I’ve typed one. And I hate typing.
It think my fingers are snappier.
FINALLY someone has made a keyboard without that stupid numeric keypad!!! You’d think the whole world was made up of nothing but accountants!
@ Gorgalor
you can find it on pricegrabber.com today for $59 including tax and shipping !
oops, my bad … that’s for the old wireless keyboard …
Well I’ll be damned… it makes sense now!
I have actually started to just hold shift when I need a capital letter, and I must say I am actually finding it a lot more productive, because instead of pressing Caps Lock, typing the letter and pressing Caps Lock again, I just hold the shift key for the brief second I need it then release again.
I do wish would document these features, I was actually going to return it for another keyboard, but it would have had the same problem/feature..
Thank you anonymous poster!
Keyboard?
I thought Apple was “innovative.”
Hmm… I wish they had kept the integrated keypad like they have on the laptops, where you can put it in NUM LOCK mode and still have a keypad.
Did anyone else notice that the article said:
“The new version also drops the numeric keypad, inverted T arrow keys and other extra keys on Apple’s previous wireless model to deliver a smaller profile device that is nearly two thirds the width (below), and ultra light.”
Yet it *has* the inverted T arrow keys…
Did this guy really look at the keyboard?
I haven’t bought one specifically because it does NOT have the numerical keypad. Hey, some of us work with numbers. If you are ten-key proficient, the string of numbers on the top row are a real efficiency killer.
Love mine! Received it two weeks ago via Fed Ex……
I ordered one Sept. 21 but it’s taking 4 to 6 weeks to ship these things.
Does anyone know why there is such a long wait for a wireless keyboard?
islandgirl, i ordered from the online store (UK) and it said the same thing to me – 4-6 weeks. Then I went to the Store Trafford Centre and they had about 20 on the shelf. I bought one and then cancelled my online order.
If you can, it might be worth going to an Store, believe me, they’re a joy to use!
So, just got mine from the store… and loving it !
Fav feature is the iTunes controls and the dedicated dashboard and expose keys.
I’ll have to get used to the “fn” key (which I always found a little useless) and the numeric keys on top, but its a small price to pay for the gain in size… AND weight ! It is so incredibly lightweight, you can effortlessly hold it with your left hand and type with the right hand…
Well, I guess I’m not the typical user then, but sometimes I find myself using my mac in crazy ways… I use my mac mini on the couch in the living room, keyboard on the lap, with a cool projector.
The Apple stores in French Canada just got them in stock this week (they got the English QWERTY ones 2-3 weeks ago). I guess the timing was short and they produced them massively, so they put a rush on the English keyboards for a first (and largest) batch.
This keyboard needs a touchpad, so that I can do mouse and keyboard functions on one wireless device.