Member
Join Date: May 2006
Location: Iowa
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Hi all,
I am having a BLAST with my new 15" 2.16GHz MacBook Pro!!! The upgrade from my aging Wall Street is UNBELIEVABLE. (more photos) Now that I have a modern computer to travel with, I'd like to get a modern keyboard and mouse while I'm at my desk. It's easy enough to connect a wired keyboard but because of the small size of my desk, a wired mouse has always been a pain in the rear. I like the feel of my laptop keyboard and I hear some of the Macally and Kensington boards are similar. Does anyone have experience with either of these brands, or something similar. I'd also prefer a keyboard/mouse combo that sucks up only one USB port. If I get a wireless mouse, could it connect to the keyboard's USB port? At first I was thinking of Microsoft's wireless laser notebook mouse, but if I'm reading my reviews correctly, it doesn't play well with CRT monitors, which is problem. I've read some good things about the Logitech v400. Has anyone tried it? Sorry Apple purists, there's no scroll wheel on their wireless mouse.... Does anyone else have any other suggestions? I'd like to stick to $100 or less for the pair if possible. Stephanie Bargenquast, MacBook Pro 15.4" (matte), 2.16 GHz Core Duo, 2 Gb RAM, 100 Gb HD, OSX 10.6.2 12" PowerBook G3 (WallStreet), 233 GHz, 96 Mb RAM, 2 Gb HD, MacOS 8.6 |
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Lord of the Rant.
Formerly turtle2472 Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: Upstate South Carolina
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I've only heard the Kensington's were good, never used one. I'm using a Logitech set now and love it. It needs to be retired, but it is still going strong.
Louis L'Amour, “To make democracy work, we must be a nation of participants, not simply observers. One who does not vote has no right to complain.” Visit our archived Minecraft world! | Maybe someday I'll proof read, until then deal with it. |
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ಠ_ರೃ
Join Date: May 2004
Location: Minnesota
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My keyboard is a MacAlly iceKey, which I consider to be the best-feeling keyboard I've ever used. The keys are very much like the ones on a notebook computer, except they're just a bit larger and they have just a bit more travel. It's a full-sized keyboard designed for use with Macs and it has a built-in two port USB hub as well.
My mouse is a Logitech MX1000 laser mouse. Logitech has since added more laser mice to their lineup, but the MX1000 is still an excellent choice. It's about the best mouse I've ever used. Battery life is incredible, there's no wireless lag at all, it's comfortable and it has a huge number of buttons (all of which are designed to be easily accessible without making them too easy to accidentally click). And unlike MS's mice, it's solidly constructed and doesn't feel like it'll shatter into a million pieces if you squeeze it too hard. This combo has worked out surprisingly well for me, and I think it will for you too. A few suggestions: - Microsoft's mice feel really cheaply made. They're not as bad as many, but Logitech's quality is top-notch. Their drivers suck though, but I'm willing to put up with that. You can also use USB Overdrive instead. - Skip Bluetooth. There's no real benefit and a lot of problems, such as lag, high cost, and a poor selection of BT mice to choose from. Standard radio frequency wireless is the way to go, very fast and reliable. - I'd avoid Apple's keyboard. It sucks. |
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Selfish Heathen
Join Date: May 2004
Location: Zone of Pain
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The last decent keyboard to come from Apple was the "Pro" keyboard that stopped shipping some three years ago, as I recall. The current crop is pretty bad. The quality of this board depends on the quality of the posts. The only way to guarantee thoughtful, informative discussion is to write thoughtful, informative posts. AppleNova is not a real-time chat forum. You have time to compose messages and edit them before and after posting. |
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Where's my external backlit aluminum Apple keyboard
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Member
Join Date: May 2006
Location: Iowa
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I've about had it with old fashioned ball mice. Again, this borrowed one is one of the worst I've used. I was looking at the Logitech MX1000 when I found the V400. It has gotten some good reviews though it doesn't have the charging stand like the more expensive MX1000. But it would be more portable. Luca, can you plug the mouse's USB receiver into the keyboard or does it have to go directly into the computer? Looks like I'm on the right track--thanks all!!! Stephanie Bargenquast, MacBook Pro 15.4" (matte), 2.16 GHz Core Duo, 2 Gb RAM, 100 Gb HD, OSX 10.6.2 12" PowerBook G3 (WallStreet), 233 GHz, 96 Mb RAM, 2 Gb HD, MacOS 8.6 |
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ಠ_ರೃ
Join Date: May 2004
Location: Minnesota
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Veteran Member
Join Date: May 2004
Location: Promise Land of Trustafarians
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I also have a Macally iceKey, and I love it. It's very similar to the PowerBook's keyboard, so it's comfortable to move from one to the other when I take my PowerBook away from the desk. About the USB ports on it, I can use them to read the flash card in my camera, but I can't use my CompactFlash reader with it, it doesn't have enough power.
I also have a Kensington PilotMouse Optical Pro, which is pretty good. In fact, the cable on it is so long you wouldn't have any problem reaching it around your MacBook Pro to plug it in. But, I wouldn't buy this mouse again. It's great, especially for $20, but I would rather have spent more, since this one doesn't glide well on a wood veneer and one of the extra buttons is difficult to press. So, get the iceKey, but don't get the PilotMouse. |
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Sneaky Punk
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I also have the icekey, had it for almost a year and love it, way better than any keyboard I've ever used before.
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Member
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: Sea of Tranquility
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how about the IBM M Keyboard?
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reticulating your mom
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Another great keyboard is this Roll-Up Keyboard from ThinkGeek; it's silent, portable, and damn cool. You ask me for a hamburger. |
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ಠ_ರೃ
Join Date: May 2004
Location: Minnesota
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Stallion
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: Milwaukee
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Veteran Member
Join Date: Jun 2004
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I have and recommend the Happy Hacking Lite2 keyboard. I can't see myself switching to a different keyboard anytime soon... unless HH comes out with a further improved model, that is. The $70 US price is a great deal. Since HH kb's are not sold here, I paid about double that price plus shipping costs from Germany, and it was still worth it.
Even better since you have a small desk. |
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reticulating your mom
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How would you use the command key with that?
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2006
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I use the Logitech S530 Cordless Desktop for Mac and while it's not Bluetooth it is a great set.
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Veteran Member
Join Date: Jun 2004
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PFU (the manufacturer) uses a diamond symbol because the keyboard is not for a particular OS but a standard USB peripheral. This is another thing that I think the average keyboard fails at. It's not very stylish to have Windows keys hanging on your keyboard when you're in Linux, nor is it stylish to have Command keys when you are in Windows. |
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Member
Join Date: May 2006
Location: Iowa
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Just an update for anyone else who might be following this thread...
I got the McAlly Icekey keyboard, the Logitech v400 wireless laser mouse and, just for grins, a Griffin PowerMate. I'm quite happy with the combination! The keyboard is the best I've ever used, the mouse is perfect and the PowerMate is just plain fun!!! It should be noted, that I needed to download new MacIntel drivers for all three devices since the CDs they ship with hadn't been updated. But that wasn't hard to do at all. For the curious, my mouse setup is... left mouse button - single click right mouse button - command-click scroll wheel - up/down/left/right scroll wheel click - cruise down (this one might get changed, I don't use it often) additional button 1 - expose' all windows additional button 2 - dashboard The last two were a bit tricky. I had to change the default settings for dashboard and expose', program the mouse with the F9 and F12 keystrokes, and then reset the expose' and dashboard defaults. But the settings work really well for me so it was worth the extra effort. The PowerMate has been more useful than I thought it would be. Unlike the mouse, it can have different settings for different apps or use a global setting. I use both depending on whether I'm using an external monitor or the MBP's own 15.4" LCD. You can program just about any keystroke to the rotate left, rotate right, click, long click, click and rotate left, and click and rotate right. The default individual application settings work great, but when I'm using the laptop display, I set the PowerMate to Global and program the Zoom In and Zoom Out (and Zoom on/off) to activate on rotate left/right and click. It works great if you've got bad eyesight like me! I will definitely be buying more stuff from Griffin Technology, especially their iCurve and Garageband Guitar Cable. Anyway, thanks to everyone for your advice! Stephanie Bargenquast, MacBook Pro 15.4" (matte), 2.16 GHz Core Duo, 2 Gb RAM, 100 Gb HD, OSX 10.6.2 12" PowerBook G3 (WallStreet), 233 GHz, 96 Mb RAM, 2 Gb HD, MacOS 8.6 |
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New Member
Join Date: Jul 2006
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Best Keyboard Ever: Das Keyboard II
http://www.daskeyboard.com/ |
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Formerly Roboman, still
awesome Join Date: Jul 2004
Location: Portland, OR
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New Member
Join Date: Jul 2006
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I prefer the Das Keyboard; it has weighted keys designed so the least effort is required to press down each key. I don't know much about the HH Lite 2 but they seem like similar keyboards. Except mine makes the audible clicks of mechanical keys.
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Member
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: Sydney, Australia
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isn't 90 bucks for a wired keyboard a bit too expensive? :S :S :S
I wouldn't buy that I reckon, that's just me though |
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Selfish Heathen
Join Date: May 2004
Location: Zone of Pain
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The MacAlly IceKey, for example, is US$59 and it gets rave reviews. The quality of this board depends on the quality of the posts. The only way to guarantee thoughtful, informative discussion is to write thoughtful, informative posts. AppleNova is not a real-time chat forum. You have time to compose messages and edit them before and after posting. |
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Formerly Roboman, still
awesome Join Date: Jul 2004
Location: Portland, OR
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I'm with Brad. You're going to use the keyboard a lot. It's worth it to get one that feels right.
I haven't used the IceKey, but everybody seems to love it. I have a small room and a miniscule desk, so I like the HH Lite 2. If I had a full-size keyboard, I wouldn't be able to fit my mouse on my keyboard shelf, and I think it would be awkward to have the mouse higher than my keyboard (on the main desk surface). and i guess i've known it all along / the truth is, you have to be soft to be strong |
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