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Tue, 03 Mar 2009 New wired keyboard - sans numeric keypad - ships with iMac

Apple is sure that this one is better

Aayush Arya Macworld.com

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It may not be as exciting as the new Mac Pros, Mac minis, or iMacs, but Apple also quietly added a new version of its wired USB keyboard on Tuesday, this one without the numeric keypad.

Apple is so sure that this one is better, in fact, that it’s now the default keyboard that ships with the latest iMac models.

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The new keyboard combines the ultra-compact design of the existing Bluetooth Apple Wireless Keyboard with the two USB 2.0 ports of Apple's standard keyboard.

Although standard with the new iMac, you can opt to replace the new keyboard with the Apple Keyboard With Numeric Keypad for no cost when configuring your purchase (similarly, Mac Pro users can choose the smaller wired keyboard instead).

For both the Mac Pro and the iMac, the wireless keyboard is a $30 option.

If you already have a standard Apple keyboard and wish you could get rid of the numeric keypad, Apple will gladly sell you one of the new keyboards for $49, £28 to UK customers.

Alternatively, you could take a hack saw to the one you already have, but I wouldn’t recommend that.

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Comments received


Nom said on Tue, 03 Mar 2009

Not exactly sold on the idea, but I can see the advantages – the numeric keypad may be more superfluous to most people, I guess.
Then again, I expect it makes fast typing a hell of a lot easier – the old, white iMac keyboards are a pain in the arse to write on and I envy any owner of an aluminium one that isn't torture to type on.

Paul said on Tue, 03 Mar 2009

Really? I love my old white keyboard! Mind you, I also love the new keyboard on my MacBook. They're all a great deal better than anything else I've seen around for some time now! Can't stand stiff and unresponsive keys.

MacWorld Reader said on Tue, 03 Mar 2009

A bit like the old matte screen/glossy screen debacle. Starts off as a free option to go either way then becomes a paid option later on. Oh well guess they're not looking to attract accountants or mathematicians to the iMac flock.
Being neither of these the numeric pad I have to admit is a bit of a superfluous extension taking up precious space on my cluttered desk.

Mark said on Tue, 03 Mar 2009

I really like the "clicky" keyboard but am not sold on removing the numerical keypad. I use it whenever I do calulations, so I'd miss it - seems a bit odd to remove it from a desktop where space isn't as important as on a laptop.

Greendave said on Tue, 03 Mar 2009

Good. We can now have a standardised key layout - the numeric had 3 keys to the left of the space bar and the wireless has 4. I like to know where the ctrl key is and not have it move between being the furthest left and one in from that!

iggie said on Tue, 03 Mar 2009

Waste of money... Wired keyboard without the numeric keypad. Anyone who knows how to type thus being more productive knows the productivity advantages of a full sized keyboard. I would buy the Apple wireless keyboard except for the fact that it does NOT have a numeric keypad. It's a waste not even to give Apple supporters a wireless choice in this matter... now they are taking away a function and calling it an option! This is contradictory and really attempting to redefine semantics and language in a 1984 type way. I don't see the benefits. On a similar point there is so much wasted space on the surface of 17" MacBook Pro that Apple should consider putting a keypad on the open space there!

Roland Butta said on Thu, 05 Mar 2009

Hm. You appear to loose 3 function keys as well.

MORe said on Fri, 06 Mar 2009

Am not too bothered about numerical bits,
BUT HOME, END, DELETE, PAGE up and PAGE down are also absent and that is a real non-starter for me.

Wes said on Tue, 10 Mar 2009

I use numeric keypad all the time. Apple seems to enjoy removing facilities to annoy their long time customers

Help!!! said on Mon, 30 Mar 2009

I am upset to discover no numeric pad upon opening the pakcage of iMAC this evening. Help! Where can I use French and Spanish character marks (accents)? I should have purchased a PC instead of an
iMAC today!

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