User Name
Password
AppleNova Forums » Purchasing Advice »

Keyboard and Mouse


Register Members List Calendar Search FAQ Posting Guidelines
Keyboard and Mouse
Thread Tools
Meltedbutter421
Member
 
Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: New York
Send a message via AIM to Meltedbutter421  
2005-10-18, 14:27

Ok... Im in the market for a keyboard and mouse for my powerbook when i use it on a desk... i really like the idea of getting the wired apple keyboard and mighty mouse... i would go for a wireless, but i dont like all the bad stories i hear about them. i know about the mighty mouse jumping to the top left or whatever of the screen, so is there any chance that they might update that say by christmas time? any chance updating the wireless keyboards? also what do you think they could do to help the wirless keyboards besides making it more battery efficient and better connectivity (ive heard how the connection just jumps out at times)... im kinna set on buying an apple keyboard and mouse... any ideas?
  quote
RowdyScot
Ice Arrow Sniper
 
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: Great Bay Temple
Send a message via AIM to RowdyScot Send a message via Skype™ to RowdyScot 
2005-10-18, 14:47

I've personally never had such a huge problem with the Mighty Mouse. It does jump every once in awhile, but really only like once a week if that.
  quote
Luca
ಠ_ರೃ
 
Join Date: May 2004
Location: Minnesota
 
2005-10-18, 15:02

Don't bother waiting for a Mighty Mouse update. It won't happen. And I wouldn't recommend the Mighty Mouse anyway, since it behaves really strangely when right-clicking. You have to lift your left finger off the mouse before it'll register a right-click.

Personally, I think you should avoid Apple keyboards and mice. They're not really bad, but they're not very good either, and they're way overpriced. I can understand you wanting something that matches the look of an Apple keyboard, though, especially with the placement of the keys. You don't want to have to stare at an ugly Windows key on your Mac, right?

The good news is that you still have plenty of options for input devices that look great and have the Mac layout. I'm using a MacAlly iceKey, which feels far better than the Apple keyboard and only costs a little more. My mouse is a Logitech MX1000... admittedly it is gray and dark turquoise, not exactly a Mac-like look, but it's an amazing mouse. If you really want a white mouse, you can get a good looking one from MacAlly.

I'd recommend non-Bluetooth wireless peripherals. They track better than Bluetooth ones, cost less, and are more compatible.
  quote
Bryson
Rocket Surgeon
 
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: The Canadark
 
2005-10-18, 15:14

I have a Mighty Mouse, and although I wasn't sure to start with, to be honest, I quite like it now. I've never had it jump across the screen, not ever. The scroll ball takes a little getting used to, but once you do, it's fine. I can't reach the side buttons very well, but to be honest, I don't use them! It's not as bad as people say.
  quote
Yontsey
*AD SPACE FOR SALE*
 
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: Cleveland-ish, OH
 
2005-10-18, 15:15

ill be honest with ya...i have a bluetooth keyboard for my PB and i love it. i bought it in july and the batteries are running strong so you dont have to worry about that, at least from my experience. and there is no lag time and it just takes a second or two once you turn it on for it to get picked up by the computer itself...i love it compared to a wired keybaord plus it frees up a usb slot for ya...id say give it a chance, even try ebay, thats where i got mine
  quote
judeobscure
Member
 
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: Western MA
 
2005-10-18, 15:25

Avoid Mighty Mouse. I bought one when they first came out and it stopped scrolling downward after a few weeks use. Apple told me to exchange it for another one and that one developed the same issue yesterday. It seems to be a rather common problem according to the message boards.
  quote
Koodari
Veteran Member
 
Join Date: Jun 2004
 
2005-10-18, 15:51

Apple stuff isn't bad, but I have been really happy with this and wanted to mention it. Details here. It's the best keyboard I have used. I paid twice the going price in the US, and if a freak accident destroyed it, I'd buy a second one in a heartbeat. (Would be a hell of an accident though.. this thing weighs as much as a fullsize keyboard, and is totally rigid.) Like the keyboards purpose built for Apple, this one has an USB hub and two downstream ports.

I can see the appeal of wireless if you have a screen on the big side, and a comfy chair you could sit back in and use keyboard in your lap... or a really big (second?) screen that you can use at couch distance. In that case the options are more limited. Apple apparently makes one of the best wireless keyboards. There is a decent one in Logitech DiNovo mouse+keyboard set, which is pretty expensive though, and when I tried a friend's used one it had a relatively cheap feel to it. I'd love to hear about other good wireless keyboards or sets.

For mouse I have Logitech MX310, which is excellent. If I went to buy a new one, I'd probably go for a more "ergo" Logitech model such as the MX510, but really even the basic Optical Wheel Mouse works well and I could live with it. I haven't tried Microsoft mice in a while (after their first couple opticals), but never liked them over Logitech.
  quote
Luca
ಠ_ರೃ
 
Join Date: May 2004
Location: Minnesota
 
2005-10-18, 16:06

The old beige MS mice that you see on every Win95 PC were pretty dang good. Sturdy and excellent tracking for a ball mouse. Their recent ones are really bad though. They're cheap and super lightweight, in a bad way. When I use one I'm always afraid I'm going to crush the thing with my hand. I probably could crush one if I really tried. The same can't be said for the Logitech mice I've used.

Logitech mice, especially their wireless ones, tend to be very heavy. But they're extremely sturdy and well made. They are comfortable and track well. I really can't ask for anything more from them other than good software. Logitech's software is pretty bad, but at least it works.

The Happy Hacking Keyboard Lite 2 looks really cool. It has exactly as many keys as you need, no more. And since it's meant for people who are constantly switching platforms, they've made it Mac compatible as well. If I didn't already have an excellent keyboard that I love (albeit a HUGE one), I'd be all over it.
  quote
PB PM
Sneaky Punk
 
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: Vancouver, BC
Send a message via Skype™ to PB PM 
2005-10-18, 16:26

Quote:
Originally Posted by Luca
The good news is that you still have plenty of options for input devices that look great and have the Mac layout. I'm using a MacAlly iceKey, which feels far better than the Apple keyboard and only costs a little more. My mouse is a Logitech MX1000... admittedly it is gray and dark turquoise, not exactly a Mac-like look, but it's an amazing mouse. If you really want a white mouse, you can get a good looking one from MacAlly.
Yup, I like MacAlly stuff as well. I have the iceKey board and the Dotmouse, which other than the bright blue light (what a pain) is great, for such a low price too.
  quote
Meltedbutter421
Member
 
Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: New York
Send a message via AIM to Meltedbutter421  
2005-10-18, 17:43

ok... i dont seem to like any of the keyboards that you have all sugested so far... i do although seem to like the logitech mx518 (even though i really want that wireless g7... cant seem to spring $100 for a mouse, or even 70 for the g5) the only thing i dont like about the mx518 is that theres no side scrolling... thats one thing that i really do like about the mighty mouse... maybe i should just spring for the 30 inch cinema display and i wont ever have to worry about side scrollling :P
  quote
Koodari
Veteran Member
 
Join Date: Jun 2004
 
2005-10-18, 19:08

Quote:
Originally Posted by Meltedbutter421
ok... i dont seem to like any of the keyboards that you have all sugested so far...
Can you be a little more specific? What features or characteristics do you want or not want?
  quote
Meltedbutter421
Member
 
Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: New York
Send a message via AIM to Meltedbutter421  
2005-10-19, 14:42

i want a full sized keyboard that looks good... the apple keyboard just looks amazing... not too expensive, i find $30 for the apple a pretty good price... i wouldnt mind paying like 40 tho
  quote
Luca
ಠ_ರೃ
 
Join Date: May 2004
Location: Minnesota
 
2005-10-19, 15:12

The Apple keyboard is not good! I realize it's not very expensive and it looks good, and it's an Apple, but looks aren't everything! Really, you should open your mind a bit. I was not happy with my Apple keyboard and I ended up spending another $45 on a MacAlly iceKey (which I love). I'm glad I bought my iceKey. It's an awesome keyboard. You should get one of those instead of an Apple one.

I'm serious. It's up to you which one you buy, but the Apple Keyboard is simply a poor-quality keyboard. You want something good, which is why I recommend the iceKey. It's so much better than the Apple.
  quote
Meltedbutter421
Member
 
Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: New York
Send a message via AIM to Meltedbutter421  
2005-10-19, 15:15

on macally.com they only have a blue tooth key up... it only says btkeyboard... thats not the iceKey is it?
  quote
PB PM
Sneaky Punk
 
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: Vancouver, BC
Send a message via Skype™ to PB PM 
2005-10-19, 15:48

No, the iceKey is USB.
  quote
jer2eydevil88
Member
 
Join Date: Oct 2005
 
2005-10-19, 16:13

I use the mac keyboard with my windows pc and its actually an amazing keyboard... having gotten it for free and all...

Buy an MX510 for a mouse and never look back..... it may not match in look but its the best quality mouse/price on the market..
  quote
Brad
Selfish Heathen
 
Join Date: May 2004
Location: Zone of Pain
 
2005-10-19, 18:00

Quote:
Originally Posted by Luca
The Apple keyboard is not good! I realize it's not very expensive and it looks good, and it's an Apple, but looks aren't everything! Really, you should open your mind a bit. I was not happy with my Apple keyboard and I ended up spending another $45 on a MacAlly iceKey (which I love). I'm glad I bought my iceKey. It's an awesome keyboard. You should get one of those instead of an Apple one.

I'm serious. It's up to you which one you buy, but the Apple Keyboard is simply a poor-quality keyboard. You want something good, which is why I recommend the iceKey. It's so much better than the Apple.
I have to second this.

While the Apple keyboard may be better than most cheap-o generic PC keyboards, it's certainly not the best option available. Heck, it's not even the best among Apple's past keyboards. The iceKey that Luca mentions is much better.

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.
  quote
Posting Rules Navigation
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

vB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off

Post Reply

Forum Jump
Thread Tools
Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
sharing an ext. HD, Mouse, Keyboard and Monitor Roland Genius Bar 25 2005-10-05 12:46
Help with Wireless keyboard and mouse zman2005 Genius Bar 5 2005-05-25 18:06
Expose: Keyboard, mouse, or corners frizz Apple Products 35 2005-04-27 13:14
Apple Keyboard and Mouse Alcibiades Apple Products 17 2005-02-15 08:30
are the wireless keyboard and mouse worth it? matt Apple Products 48 2004-09-07 10:53


« Previous Thread | Next Thread »

All times are GMT -5. The time now is 04:06.


Powered by vBulletin®
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd.
Copyright ©2004 - 2024, AppleNova