Apple Wireless Keyboard

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Product Info

Introduction

No one does design quite like Apple. Their products are quite simply some of the most outstanding examples of industrial design in the technology world. The Apple Wireless keyboard is certainly no exception to this. The gorgeous seamless aluminium construction matches the rest of Apple’s hardware line up perfectly,with the keys themselves also tying in flawlessly with the other products. The layout of the keys will be very familiar to anyone who has used a recent MacBook Pro or MacBook, having been virtually lifted from their body. Like all keyboards, the actual typing comes down to personal taste, but if you are used to typing on a MacBook then you will not have a probably shifting to Apple’s wireless version.

Design

As mentioned above, the design is near flawless. Certainly, I have never used, or even seen, a more hardily constructed keyboard than this. The keys are set fairly close to the aluminium surface of the main body, though easily high enough to receive good amounts of tactile feedback and the satisfactory click and springiness of the keys. The power button is set into the side of the cylindrical tube that holds the keyboard up at a very comfortable and ergonomic angle, the same tube also houses the batteries. Probably the most obvious thing to note about the keyboards design is the size. It's exactly the same size as the keyboard sink in the MacBook, but the thing that will hit you the most is the thickness of the device. It's thin, almost paper thin. Overall, I honestly can't fault Apple on the design of the keyboard.

Typing

The key construction is very different from most keyboards, with the keys being streamlined and flat rather than fat curvy and tough. Rather than pressing down the usually colossal distance on most keyboards, this keyboard provides a satisfactory relief, with only small pressure needed to lower the keys to their full extent. However, typing is really quite a personal thing. Keyboard taste varies from person to person but for me, the Apple keyboard (on all their laptops and standalone keyboards) is without doubt my favourite to use. It is however a very personal thing, and if you are used to, or need to use a specific ergonomic keyboard then this is probably not the device for you.

Battery Life

Having used the product for several weeks, the need to change the battery has not yet arisen, and by the looks of the battery monitor (still nearly full) it won't for quite some time. In short, the battery life is great.

Final Thoughts

Overall, the Apple Wireless Keyboard is great. As it works over bluetooth, no adapters are needed (at least not for most of the latest macs) and response time is great. The design is flawless, but at $69US, you will be paying a slight premium over other bluetooth keyboards. The most important thing on a keyboard though is the typing, so what it comes down to is whether or not you like typing on it.