Apple Keyboard (MB110B/B)

This is a great keyboard, it looks good and is great to type with. Another benefit is that this keyboard doesn't take up much desk space.

Does it work with Windows? Yes, it's USB and is automatically detected by Windows. There are a few very minor issues as follows:

1. For the function keys, press the fn key with the function key (eg fn + F1 is the default key for help in Windows).

2. " and @ are swapped on my UK layout, I rarely notice this but people without keyboard experience might struggle.

3. | and \ are in their usual place but the key is marked with ~ and `, again I rarely notice this.

4. For print screen, you can press fn + shift + F11.

5. Some keys with functions on a Mac have no function in Windows. I don't use those keys.

6. The Num Lock is labelled with a special function (CLEAR). It still works as a Num Lock key.

7. When I plug in the keyboard or plug in a USB device, I get a message about how it will run faster in a USB 2.0 port. That means that this keybaord and the built-in USB ports only run at USB 1.1 speed. For me this isn't a problem, if you need USB 2.0 then use other USB ports on your PC.

There is a page on the Apple website that gives some more information. You don't to worry about specific drivers for the keyboard, there is one on the Apple Bootcamp disk but I haven't used this and see no need for it.

Foolishly, I bought the very similar 'flat key' keyboard made my Cherry. Now, Cherry make excellent keyboards, I have been using Cherry for years, very good indeed, but, when I saw the (copy??) flat key version from Cherry, I bought it, and, was pretty happy, until I saw, and read the reviews about the Apple 'flat key' metal version. Well, I just had to buy it, and I did! The Apple version is far superior in every way, it's actually a fair bit cheaper than the Cherry and, it's made from proper metal, not a painted, pretend metal like the Cherry. Looking, you can tell the Apple is just sheer quality, the feel, looks and appearance, all confirm this, There are also, 2 (one each side) very useful USB sockets on the Apple keyboard, something the Cherry sadly lacked. The only gripe with the Apple was, the key layout and certain keys were not suited for Windows, it, primarly being a 'Mac' keyboard, in particualr, all the top row audio player keys were not reconised under Windows. However, there are several (I found out) key re-mapping programmes out there, that will remap your keys, it's will correct the ' and '' keys, also, the 2 and @ can be assigned correctly. It is also possible, as I have done it, to re-map the upper row of audioplayer keys, so, you can now, play, pause, rewind, fast forward, volume up & down etc., using Windows, extremely useful. If you want to know more, please email me. A really good, high quality keyboard, built to last and cheaper than a copy!! ........... in a word 'Excellent'!

I reviewed the previous Apple keyboard about a year ago, and found 4 significant problems with it. The good news is, it seems like Apple really do listen to their customers, since this new keyboard solves all of them. Well, almost.

The previous Apple keyboard had 2 USB 1.0 ports. This new keyboard finally has 2 fully working USB 2.0 ports. The only catch is, they don't work properly if you connect the keyboard to a white iMac. You can't plug things like USB Flash Drives or Digital Cameras into either of the USB sockets without getting a "USB Low Power Notice" warning. However, connect the keyboard to an aluminium iMac, and both sockets work as intended.

The previous Apple keyboard didn't have any dedicated buttons for controlling iTunes. While this new keyboard doesn't actually add any keys, it makes good use of the F1 to F12 keys with appropriate labels. The F7 key skips to the previous track and rewinds. The F8 key toggles between play and pause. The F9 key skips to the next track and fast forwards. The F10 key mutes the volume. The F11 key decreases the volume. The F12 key increases the volume. But wait, there's more. The F1 decreases the display brightness. The F2 increases the display brightness. The F3 key shows all windows using Expose. And the F4 calls up the Dashboard. There's also a dedicated key for ejecting CDs and DVDs; just make sure you hold it down, instead of tapping it.

The previous Apple keyboard didn't have a wrist rest. Wrist rests are typically used to bring your wrists up to the height of the keyboard, because keyboards are so thick. Well, this new keyboard is SO thin that it doesn't actually need one. The top surface of the keyboard is elevated just 6mm off your desk at the front! So that's one less piece of junk cluttering up your desk.

The previous Apple keyboard scratched very easily, because it was made partially from clear plastic. Well, this new keyboard is infinitely more durable, being made from a single sheet of aluminium. The previous keyboard also scratched your desk very easily, as it had metal studs as feet. This new keyboard has 4 rubber studs as feet, which will definitely NOT scratch your desk.

Overall, I really think this keyboard is almost perfect. The design is excellent. It has such a clean, simple, elegant shape. It feels very solid and well engineered, yet is very easy to pick up and move around. Some people don't like the flat keys, but they make the keyboard very fast and effortless to type on, plus they make very little noise. In short, if you like and appreciate the keyboards on the MacBook and MacBook Air, you'll love this.

The only thing I don't like about this new Apple keyboard is that it doesn't have Multi-Touch... yet. I really wish it had an integrated Multi-Touch trackpad, possibly replacing the numerical keypad, so that I could put my Microsoft mouse in the bin. Multi-Touch trackpads are such a joy to use. Having to move your hand over to a big plastic lump, that needs a special mat to run on, seems very old-fashioned and unnecessary. I want to move the pointer with my fingers, and control my computer using gestures. Hopefully, Apple will make this a reality some time within the next year.