I received the new iMac keyboard yesterday (08-17-07). I was amazed at how thin it is, but operation is flawless - must be an Apple product . I didn’t opt for the wireless version as I like having the numeric keypad for those, rare in my case, number crunching sessions, like entering numerous DVD movies into DVDpedia using bar codes. I can also use iSight for entering the movies as well, but finding the correct angle to hold the box can be frustrating and time consuming . From the keyboard, I can now adjust my screen brightness, activate expose, dashboard widgets, control iTunes, and of course adjust volume. Although I can live with it, I do miss the Apple logo on th command key, not sure why it was eliminated? My 24” iMac still dwarfs the keyboard something fierce, but I can live with that as well . Bottom line, it’s a winner and I Like It!
I checked out the keyboard at the Apple Store. Awesome. So I ordered one from the online store. It’ll get here early next week and we’ll do a full review. Not only is the keyboard “different” but it actually feels better to use-- much like the highly touted MacBook keyboard.
Boy, I’m glad to see somebody say something--anything--positive about the new iMac or the new keyboard! Have you checked out some of the other forums, like on MacWorld? It’s nothing but a foaming-mouthed frenzy of vituperation about everything connected with the new products. “I like cheap white plastic!” “Aluminum is ugly!” “I want to view my screen through onion-skin!” “The new keyboard’s not like my old Smith-Corona!” And these are the Mac guys!
I got flamed unmercifully for saying I thought the new iMac was beautiful, and that I didn’t get the whole glossy-screen argument. To stick to the discussion here, I can be kind of curmudgeonly about some new technology (I have a couple of tube-type amplifiers I wouldn’t take any amount of money for) but there are a few obsolete technologies for which I have no residual fondness or affection, and one of them is mechanical (or servo-assisted mechanical) typewriters. (That and silver-salt photography, but that’s another discussion.) I think it’s way past time to stop duplicating the experience of typing on a 1959 IBM Selectric. I can’t afford a new iMac right now, but I’m going to do the next best thing and buy a new keyboard. I can’t wait to give up the half-inch keystrokes, the sticking halfway down, the uncleanable gaps in between, etc., etc. Plus, it just plain looks fantastic!
Boy, I’m glad to see somebody say something--anything--positive about the new iMac or the new keyboard! Have you checked out some of the other forums, like on MacWorld? It’s nothing but a foaming-mouthed frenzy of vituperation about everything connected with the new products. “I like cheap white plastic!” “Aluminum is ugly!” “I want to view my screen through onion-skin!” “The new keyboard’s not like my old Smith-Corona!” And these are the Mac guys!
I got flamed unmercifully for saying I thought the new iMac was beautiful, and that I didn’t get the whole glossy-screen argument. To stick to the discussion here, I can be kind of curmudgeonly about some new technology (I have a couple of tube-type amplifiers I wouldn’t take any amount of money for) but there are a few obsolete technologies for which I have no residual fondness or affection, and one of them is mechanical (or servo-assisted mechanical) typewriters. (That and silver-salt photography, but that’s another discussion.) I think it’s way past time to stop duplicating the experience of typing on a 1959 IBM Selectric. I can’t afford a new iMac right now, but I’m going to do the next best thing and buy a new keyboard. I can’t wait to give up the half-inch keystrokes, the sticking halfway down, the uncleanable gaps in between, etc., etc. Plus, it just plain looks fantastic!
I’m surprised at how much backlash there is against aluminum in the Macs-- even the brushed aluminum look in OS X Tiger, which Apple will do away with in Leopard.
Different strokes for different folks. Apple’s playing the mainstream, so it’s only the fringe elements that display their hatred of all things aluminum. If sales took a dive because of it, you’d see a change.
Its one of those things whenever something changes there are those that like it, and those that don’t. I think too many people criticize without seeing the things in person so they can really look at them, and play on them. I can look at a keyboard for instance and think what a great keyboard...then I type on it and think it is the worst thing ever. I just want people to try things before judging them.
Boy, I’m glad to see somebody say something--anything--positive about the new iMac or the new keyboard! Have you checked out some of the other forums, like on MacWorld? It’s nothing but a foaming-mouthed frenzy of vituperation about everything connected with the new products. “I like cheap white plastic!” “Aluminum is ugly!” “I want to view my screen through onion-skin!” “The new keyboard’s not like my old Smith-Corona!” And these are the Mac guys!
We now have a new group of Mac users and all of them aren’t “house-broken” like the rest of us. The complaints about Leopard are interesting and I have followed the various discussions for as much info as possible. Don’t get much other than “this is junk and doesn’t work”! I have a Macbook Pro, a Mac Pro and a Macbook that my wife uses. All were upgraded to Leopard with out problem. I have the new “wired” keyboard that the wife uses with her Macbook and two wireless keyboards for my use with the Mac Pro (old wireless) and with the Macbook Pro (new wireless). All of these are working fine also. And I have two of the wireless “Mighty Mice” that all condemn and they work wonderful. I find I really like them!
This new group really beefs loud and long. On top of that all of the newbies will “click” on the wrong e-mail message or visit the wrong web site and collect spam, virus, key loggers and god knows what else and then pass all of this along to the rest of us. There will be enough of these new users of the Mac that virus writers will start to pay attention to the Mac base and then we will all suffer.
Don’t talk up your Mac experience! Let all of the newbies complain and chase off newer people who might take up the Mac! I know this is tough but we will all have to do this if we want to save the system for our own use without difficulties.
Don’t talk up your Mac experience! Let all of the newbies complain and chase off newer people who might take up the Mac! I know this is tough but we will all have to do this if we want to save the system for our own use without difficulties.
You mean like the propaganda we in Seattle spread about how it rains all the time, to keep the tourists away? I’m not sure you can turn the tide of history, and it’s turning. They said IBM would own the office forever, too, but you see what happened. I think the same kind of turning point is coming up for Microsoft, and it could come more suddenly than we realize.
As far as all the bitching in the Macworld forums and such, most of it seems to be coming from old-timers, you know: they bought their first Mac in 1793--that was when you had to toggle in the whole OS from the front panel every time you turned it on. In Octal. By candlelight. They’re fanatical Apple supporters except...they seem to hate everything about Apple and the way they do business, and they think Steve Jobs is the devil, but other than that.... If they’d just bring back System Three everything would be all right!
As far as all the bitching in the Macworld forums and such, most of it seems to be coming from old-timers, you know: they bought their first Mac in 1793--that was when you had to toggle in the whole OS from the front panel every time you turned it on. In Octal. By candlelight. They’re fanatical Apple supporters except...they seem to hate everything about Apple and the way they do business, and they think Steve Jobs is the devil, but other than that.... If they’d just bring back System Three everything would be all right!
I’ve noticed a few things about Mac users and forums in general. It’s a place to grumble, so it attracts those with negative opinions and perspectives. In general. Mac 360 seems somewhat immune to that but I notice the moderators police the place pretty well.
It may have more to do with having an outlet to grumle and complain vs. an outlet to assist and build up.
. I didn’t opt for the wireless version as I like having the numeric keypad for those, rare in my case, number crunching sessions, like entering numerous DVD movies into DVDpedia using bar codes. I can also use iSight for entering the movies as well, but finding the correct angle to hold the box can be frustrating and time consuming 
. From the keyboard, I can now adjust my screen brightness, activate expose, dashboard widgets, control iTunes, and of course adjust volume. Although I can live with it, I do miss the Apple logo on th command key, not sure why it was eliminated? My 24” iMac still dwarfs the keyboard something fierce, but I can live with that as well 
