A rundown of Apple keyboards
Previously Apple offered just two keyboards: the wired version known as the Apple Keyboard and the Bluetooth-connected Apple Wireless Keyboard. Today's new compact keyboard adopts an appearance similar to its wireless counterpart as both lack a numeric keypad. Both wired keyboards are flanked by USB 2.0 ports on each side.
The move gives Apple customers three keyboards to choose from: a wireless model, a wired keyboard with numeric keypad or a wired "compact" keyboard sans numeric keypad.
The new iMac ships with the compact wired keyboard by default, but customers can still build to order with the numeric keypad version included for no extra charge. Meanwhile, Mac mini customers can also choose any of the three keyboards in a bundle with a Mighty Mouse. Both wired keyboards come with a Mighty Mouse for $98 while the wireless keyboard is joined by the Wireless Mighty Mouse for $129.
The full-size Apple Keyboard with Numeric Keypad comes standard with each new Mac Pro order, but the Cupertino-based Mac maker also offers the compact and wireless versions as swappable build-to-order options.
Owners of existing Macs can spring for any of the three available keyboards at the Apple Store, where the Apple Keyboard is $49, Apple Keyboard with Numeric Keypad is also $49, and the Apple Wireless Keyboard costs $79.
Apple Keyboard with Numeric Keypad ($49)
Apple Keyboard ($49)
Apple Wireless Keyboard ($79)
163 Comments
If they had black keys, I'd buy one. None of their hardware is white anymore (except the top of the mini), not sure why they think white and silver go together. Blech.
no wireless with a 10 key
I think this move to get rid of the num. pad and decrease the width of the keyboard is a good sign that Apple might be prepping a multi-touch glass trackpad for their desktop line. By have it be smaller, one could attach (via usb) a trackpad to either end of the keyboard (lefty or righty).
Don't blow this off, I think its gonna happen in some manner. Multi-touch is still non-existent on their desktop line, a glaring signal to me.
Thoughts?
Still no wireless with numberpad. New short keyboard exactly the same price as the longer one... huh?!
More utter randomness from the new line-up of Apple products.
Who honestly asked for this keyboard option?
No one.
While a lot of us have been asking for a wireless keyboard with full extended functions.
sheesh