That model, but without the numpad, is still my favorite keyboard (the A1242). I've tried mechanical keyboards for fun, but I keep coming back to this one for the low profile.<p>It was only sold for a year or so before the wireless model replaced it, and it's hard to find them now. What I did was to look for used iMacs from 2010, see which ones have the A1242, then ask the seller to only sell me the keyboard.<p>Based on the replies I wasn't the first one to ask! Seems like there are still some fans around.
I've been using this model keyboard for probably around 10 years now. I even have a couple spares sitting in a drawer since they don't make them anymore.<p>* they're very durable (talking normal usage + spilling drinks a few times a year — no stuck or broken keys)<p>* the key labels never fade<p>* there's 2 low-power USB ports (I think USB 2.0?) which aren't good for much, but good enough to plug a mouse into<p>* it's not the easiest thing to take apart but if you get crumbs under a key, it's pretty easy to pry it up and then click it back in
This is the exact same keyboard I'm typing this on (I actually didn't know the model number, I had to check).<p>It's a good one! The keys definitely have more travel than modern MacBook keyboard keys. I like its size, incline, and weight too. I'm split on the size, on the one hand it's kind of long, so it fits awkwardly in my backpack and I find myself pushing it left and right often.<p>On the other hand, I like having a dedicated delete key and full-size arrow keys. A version of it with the separate arrow keys but no num-pad would be perfect for me.<p>The USB ports aren't very good for data, but they're great to plug a mouse into. I have a wireless Logitech mouse with the USB receiver, not Bluetooth. It's easy forget it's not Bluetooth though because the receiver has just been tucked in under the keyboard the whole time.
I forgot about these until this post. I used to have one when they came out, and I worked at a retail store where all of our kiosks had these.<p>Does anyone else get electric shocks often from them? I would get them anytime I touched the metal case of it. I never thought to google it or anything.
I think keyboards could be more powerful. I remember apple had a keyboard with usb ports[1] and sun had keyboards with speakers[2]. I don't why keyboards can't have some inexpensive useful features.<p>[1] <a href="https://everymac.com/systems/apple/imac/imac-aluminum-faq/imac-aluminum-keyboard-differences-feel-usability.html" rel="nofollow">https://everymac.com/systems/apple/imac/imac-aluminum-faq/im...</a><p>[2] <a href="https://archive.org/stream/bitsavers_sunsparcSPationVer11999_166667/SPARC_Keyboard_Specification_Ver_1_1999_djvu.txt" rel="nofollow">https://archive.org/stream/bitsavers_sunsparcSPationVer11999...</a>
my fav apple keyboard is the from the green PowerMac G4 generation, with the clear plastic casing, and hefty mass.<p>Just don't look at the underside, where food crumbs, hairs that fall into the key holes are forever trapped.<p><a href="https://www.reddit.com/r/VintageApple/comments/ax9hqm/got_an_old_m7803_apple_pro_keyboard_cleaned_it_up/" rel="nofollow">https://www.reddit.com/r/VintageApple/comments/ax9hqm/got_an...</a>
Used them for past ten years, on Windows. So quiet. I used Apple’s drivers to have the nice osd for media keys.<p>I love how the AAK feels sturdy. It’s one large slab, it doesnt slide easily on the table thanks to the rubber pads. It gives a nice low vibration thud when you type on it, it doesn’t feel cheap.<p>However i got myself a mechanical keyboard lately. The only issue i have with the AAK is that the function keys have no separation, always need to double check if I’m pressing the right key. For gaming this can be annoying. On many other pc kkeyboards you get f1-f4 grouped, then some space, then f5-f8 etc. so it’s much easier to find them if you eg. need to pres f5 quickly.<p>Now I’m on a Ducky One 2 TKL with "cherry mx silent red" and what a joke. It?s WAY more noisy than the AAK. The transition was rough... but i start to like it... i guess you can get used to either, the AAK now feels a bit weird.<p>Anyways, long story to say only after switching away i realized just how nice these "scissor" switches feel. I genuinely never even paid attention to the small resistance of the keys, before they activate.
I was using a Microsoft ergo keyboard, among others, for years and suffered from what I thought was going to be lifelong tendonitis, making life rather difficult as a programmer.<p>Then I started using this keyboard and my tendonitis went away in a few weeks and never came back. Thank you Apple.
After going through the entire thread, it seems that since ZX Spectrum everything is more or less the same only thing that has improved were materials and the fact we are buying our computers each 1 - 2 years. Concepts I saw were very much the same as back then.
I love and loathe Apple keyboards. On the love side, the original 1984 Mac, and the Apple ][. On the loathe side, most anything in this century.<p>I like the IBM model M's, too, so there's that.<p>My daily drivers now are Cherry Blues or Browns.
For those that love this keyboard: the new MacBook magic keyboard feels similar and is great, but be warned that the current standalone magic keyboard hasn’t been updated from butterfly keys yet.
Anyone looking for a wireless mechanical keyboard - I can't recommend Logitech G913 more. Especially if it's employer sponsored. Low profile, compact and great switches. Love it :)