Keyboard Tradeoffs
For the past four and a half years, I’ve been using Apple’s Bluetooth keyboard and mouse. I love the flexibility provided by the cordless devices. When I ordered my new Mac Pro, I went ahead and upgraded to the new wireless keyboard and cordless Mighty Mouse.
This was a bit of a gamble. The previous wireless keyboard was full-size. It had a number keypad, full-size cursor keys, 16 function keys, volume control keys, and the additional help, home, page up/down, end, and delete keys. I use the keypad to enter numbers in Quicken a good bit. The delete key deletes characters in front of the cursor.
The new keyboard is much smaller in every dimension. It’s wafer thin and sexy as all get-out, constructed of the same aluminum as the Mac Pro itself. I love the feel of the keys. It’s a pleasure to type on. These benefits come at a steep price, however.
I miss the number keypad and delete button. The cursor keys are included, but they are half size. There are only 12 function keys, which is enough for me, but most of them play double-duty, requiring that the “fn” key at the lower left be depressed to use them as function keys, as opposed to the special functions, just like on Apple’s laptop keyboards.
I’m glad I got it—it is exquisitely designed—but I wish they had an extended version.