The Apple Keyboard Saga

My New Keyboard

Having used Jason's wireless bluetooth Apple keyboard for a few days, I found it impossible to resist getting one for myself. Unusually, for Apple gear, the price is now very reasonable, and so it was a luxury that is affordable.

The thing about Apple products is that they are always highly functional, whilst at the same time managing to be beautiful. In addition, I remembered unpacking my iPOD and and my Powerbook - both wonderful experiences in their own right. And so it is that I want to share with you, the opening of my new Apple keyboard, bought from some unsuspecting seller on eBay, for 3 farthings.

The conscientious students among you may wish to click on the following pictures, in order to study them in more depth.

Figure 1 - Scalpel Insertion

A surgical scalpel is inserted into the the plastic adhesive  closures, rendering them submissive and open.

Figure 2 - Open Box

The, now open, box reveals the beautifully packed keyboard, and its attendant documentation. Already, this is a better level of packing and presentation than I have ever seen before on a keyboard.

Figure 3 - Initial Separation

The elements have now been initially unpacked and separated. The batteries (which were included) have been retrieved from the base of the packaging and placed at a jaunty and alluring angle on top of the keyboard.

Figure 4 - Plastic Peeling

Ah, the joy of peeling the lightly adhesive plastic sheet from the base of the keyboard. The protective sheet ensures the entirely dust-free start that each keyboard enjoys. It's all down hill from here.

Figure 5 - Battery Insertion

Finally. the dry cells are carefully placed into the power cavity in the base of the keyboard.

Figure 6 - Cavity Closure

The power cavity is covered by a simple white cavity panel, held in place with sprung plastic cavity fasteners.

Figure 7 - Completion

At last the initial set-up is complete. All I must now do is run the software installation and connect the keyboard with my computer.

Figure 8 - Context

Here you see the new keyboard in context. Even as I write these explanatory notes, already I am using the new unit, much to my delight.

I do hope that you have enjoyed our little pictorial walk-through. It has helped me, to share with all of you.

Comments

[Tim the Enchanter]

Simply...superb! I literally gasped when I saw the final shot. That is ONE tidy desk Andy.

[Dr. Hugh Jass]

I'm sorry, Tim, you appear to have miss-spelled "untidy".

[Liz]

Hmmm .... nice. If I ever go for that G5 I think I might want one!

[Jason Thompson]

I am glad that you take such delight in these work-of-art keyboards. I certainly enjoy mine, and hope that it brings the same level of satisfaction and meaning to your own life as mine has. I have yet to discover the hushed wonder of unwrapping an iPod, but hope to one day, and can only weep in anticipation until then. May the words that you type on your perfect white-and-transparent tablet be inspired and inspiring. Perhaps a poem that uses every key?

[Liz]

May I also compliment you on the ambidextrosity of the photos. Truly magnificent.

[AndyC]

Thank you, Liz. Much appreciated. No, really.

[cruss]

Are those HUGE speakers hooked into the Mac. If so the startup chime could kill someone. I want speakers that big to plug into my powerbook.

[Todd HJ]

I hooked my iMac G5 into my pair of JBL Eon Powered Monitors, The start-up chime could be heard from a block away (much to my roommate's annoyance :) I had to disconnected them after the Adium squawks gave me nightmares of a nuclear duck invasion...

[AndyC]

Yes, the JBLs are hooked up tot he MAC, but in practice, the startup chime never comes through them. I actually never hear the startup chime at all, because the Soundsticks are USB and don't become active till some drivers have gone in.

To be boring...

The JBLs are hooked up, by means of Delta1010 which patches them to the desk, and the monitors are driven by a dainty little 1 Kilowatt per channel SAMSON amplifier.

Were I to turn the wick up to 11 and fire the startup chime through the system...

...well, I guess most people round here would know about it.

Thanks to you both for commenting.

[Jonathon Ive]

I must thank for this loquatious and captivating muse on what is perhaps my most functional yet elegant design. I really must thank Our Illustrious Leader for given me the artistic freedom to explore this minimalist statement of QWERTY, white and lucite.

P.S. The box was just an afterthought.

[AndyC]

Wow! That's amazing! The actual designer of the Apple Bluetooth keyboard on MY blog.

I'm just totally awed out here.

Unbelievable.

[Adrian]

Oh nooooo! Where are your white gloves??!!

[Mack]

How is the keyboard "feel & key action" relative to the PB "scissor" keys? I love the look, and the idea of a bluetooth keyboard, but as a touch typist I find when I switch from a PB keyboard to a desktop keyboard I make a ton of typos. Thanks

[AndyC]

Hi Mack - I would have to say that the key touch is completely different to the scissor approach.

That said, there is a positivity of respons eon this keyboard that I did not see in earlier G4 keyboards. I found them too slushy and indistict.

So, whilst your love for your PB is obvious, I do believe you could learn to love this keyboard. The touch is positive and slightly, just very slightly, springy.

I am currently learning to touch-type and I am finding it a lot easier on this keyboard than I did on my old Logitech one - upon which I struggle to type now. I have reconciled it to one of my PCs - it's happier there.

My one great sadness is that Apple do not make a functional mouse. Their dogged insistance on a single button and no scroll wheel continues to puzzle me. Thousands of lost sales there.

My next project will be a piece about iPOD, iTalk and Podzilla. Watch this space, or one near it.

[AndyC]

Adrian - they were at the cleaners. Obviously.

I can assure you that all testing and assembly was performed in an airtight room, and that I was completely naked.

I hope this information helps.

[James Katt]

After having owned 17 Macs since 1984, after having tried all of the Mac keyboards, the best keyboard I have yet found is Microsoft's Wireless Natural Keyboard Pro. I prefer a wireless ergonomic keyboard. The Microsoft Keyboard still needed modifications - such as wrist pads on top of it's own wrist pad to keep the hand and forearm straight while typing. But once done, I get no Carpal Tunnel Syndrome pain, while typing 120 words per minute. This I cannot say for any regular straight keyboard.

[AndyC]

James -

OK, you win. You typinf skilk exceeds mine so totalky thay I must respect your views.

I predict that you touch trype, as the smoke cominf from the keyhboard would make it invisible to the human eyes.

I am also relieved and filled wiht joy that your CTS threat has been successfully averted.

Pleas don;t be offended, though when I say...

The Bluetooth keyboard will always be cuter than the keybioard enitiy you have created.

I know it's a shallow comment, but there you have it.

Sincerely,

Andy Curtis
(typing speed...13 words an hour. with some mistakes.)

[Dave Balogh]

I just purchased one of these off ebay for a decent price. Looks like it has had 1 days use, maybe 2. It's a beautiful keyboard, feels amazing typing on it, and it works very well with limited desk space. Also works with absolutely NO install in Windows XP, (must have service pack 2).

-dave

[Mace]

Could you help me. Everything of importance has been said before by somebody who did not discover it. Help me! Need information about: addiction centers. I found only this - long term drug treatment. Developmental disabilities services. Alcohol rehab treatment programs alcohol rehab treatment programs. THX :rolleyes:, Mace from Ukraine.