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Favorite Keyboards!

. . . my Paladin Keyboard! 8-)

I just love it every I take it out to play with for a while, spherically correct pointing devices RULE!

jt =8-D

 
The Apple Keyboard II (short keyboard that shipped with Classics, LCs, etc) was also made in various parts of the world. The Mexican-built keyboard was again mushier than any keyboard assembled in Asian countries. I get a feeling the factory in Mexico used different parts (similar to the Taiwan vs. Malaysia vs. USA mouse discrepancies in the original ADB model).
It makes me curious as to why Apple cannot control something like this. All of the factories are owned by the same corporation; one would think the products would be the same.
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Apple only made products themselves in the following factories:

- Cork, Ireland

- Singapore

- Fremont, CA

- Elk Grove, CA

- Colorado

Anything made in another location is an outsourced product. Apple has never had a Mexican factory. Most, if not all keyboard production was and is outsourced.

Each factory was likely given considerable leeway in how to manufacture the cheaper Apple keyboards (Keyboard II and Design Keyboard). Cost was probably a significant factor. Apple may have specified the appearance and electrical interface, but everything else was left up to the manufacturer.

 
Apple IIgs keyboard

Aluminum USB keyboard (full-size wired version, with numeric keypad)

Apple Extended keyboard II

 
MacAirKey

Apple Extended Keyboard II

ADB Keyboard

Apple Keyboard II

(Amstrad PC1640 keyboard)

I know everyone hates the MacAirKey's "thumbpad" pointing device, but it's my favorite. It feels like a blend of the IIGS and the Keyboard II, and in spite of its 30 ft. range it is used at a desk with a trackball.

 
I liked the old IBM PS/2 keyboards with magnetic plastic.

I own a Apple Pro keyboard and the older bondi blue one and a design keyboard.

I had a broken looking 1640,that keyboard was really different.

 
Well, they are used to some extent as the Super key in GNOME and KDE (and possibly in other X11 GUI environments). It's used for other functionality, although I've only seen it myself in terms of Compiz effects. I only wish I could take out the Microsoft Windows trademarked logo from those keys...
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Yeah, I've really only seen the "super" key show up as key commands to invoke Compiz effects, so I just reroute those to a combination of Control/Alt/Shift/etc. Having a keyboard with a "super" key labeled with something other than a Windows logo might be nice, but the 101-key layout fits perfectly well for my PC.

 
Chalk another one up for the ol' Model M, but I reckon it needs some improvements in this modern era.
I would pay $100 for a Model M clone with:

-USB 2 connection, plus inbuilt hub

-Windows keys

-Volume knob/keys

-Media control keys
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I specifically get my PS/2 keyboards without Windows keys because they look somewhat out of place in the absence of Windows :p
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On a Mac though you need the Windows key so you have enough keys to cover Command, Control and Option!

There's also Unicomp, which still sells the Model M design.
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I'm not sure if this fits all of the bill, but take a look if you have not seen it:

http://matias.ca/tactilepro2/index.php
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Yeah, unfortunately neither of those fills all the criteria. I'm guessing that most people who like clicky keyboards prefer that they do not have iTunes/shortcut keys. Maybe the TactiloPro3 will have them.

 
Fav Keyboard:

ADB II Extended or whatever it is

Aluminum Keyboard

Fav Mice

ADB Mouse (teardrop)

Logitech Trackman Marble

Microsoft Blue Intellipoint

 
I absolutely love the keyboard on my Lenovo Thinkpad T61 laptop. It's like butter. I remember the T40 keyboards were great, too. I can't type on other laptops now, especially MacBooks.

Also, I thought that the Apple keyboard that shipped with the G5 iMacs (it is white) is dreadful. But the lenovo keyboard is my best friend. Also I find the new silver keyboard that comes with the intel iMacs to be a pleasure.

 
I have to admit IBM (and Lenovo, by extension) have always made terrific keyboards. I guess it comes from selling electric typewriters for so many years. I prefer typing on my 10 year old ThinkPad 600 to just about any modern notebook I've used (haven't tried a T61). In addition to excellent keyboard layout and feel, the TrackPoint has the advantage of allowing mouse movement without taking my hands off the home keys. The one niggly thing is that IBM had an almost religious aversion to adding the "Windows" key to their machines - it's a bit of a pain at times.

Mind you, my Mac Portable with its "proper" keyboard takes some beating. It's just that compared to a modern notebook, it's not that portable!

 
I am in love with my IBM model M

and if any guest get unruly I can just unclick the cable and beat them with it

 
Lately I've come to the conclusion that the aluminum Apple keyboard is the be-all and end-all... I've seen a noticeable increase in speed and accuracy. Just wish I could get one with black keys so it didn't look so grubby all the time ;-)

 
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