Efficiently Elegant
Written: Feb 26 '05
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Product Rating:
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Pros: Exceptional design while retaining functionality.
Cons: Requires batteries. Almost too pretty to use.
The Bottom Line: I just know this will be in an art museum one day.
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| opinionmaker's Full Review: Apple (M9270LL/A) (M9270LL/A 1002500) |
I desperately needed a new keyboard. Mine was a hand-me down, with crusted debris and other general nastiness. Since I was buying a new Mac Mini with bluetooth, this was a no brainer. The biggest draw for me? No cord. I hate cords. I hate the pile behind my desk that my feet constantly get stuck in and one less cord (even if the pile behind my desk remains) puts a calm in me. (Now why can't everything else be wireless?)
The battery part stinks. It takes 4 AA batteries and comes with a pack of the fancy Energizer e2 Lithium batteries that are meant for digital devices. Which of course cost more. I'll make the sacrifice of relying on batteries any day of the week, if it means I don't need a cord. However, that doesn't mean I think it's ideal. It'll certainly admit it's a tradeoff.
Other than that, the keyboard is fantastic. It's clean design looks like it could be found in a high-tech medical lab. But a cool medical lab, maybe like the show CSI.
I really like that the the keyboard is only as long as wide as there are keys. There's no extra inch (or more in the case of some keyboards) of plastic around it. Where the keys end, the keyboard ends. However, between each set of keys (including the main set of keys, the middle section with arrow keys, home, end, etc, and the numeric keypad is about 1/2" of space. That's it. The only wasted space, if you will. But that's pretty standard. Also, there is no space between the top row of standard number keys including the backspace button and the row of Function keys. It's all so tidy and nice.
The translucent sides and bottom ties in so very nicely with the whiteness. Taking it from a simply clean look, to a high tech, and ultra modern look. If you peer in the sides of the keyboard, you can actually see the inside guts of the keyboard and keys. On the bottom, the insides are blocked from view from a white plastic backing.
Typing with the keyboard isn't silent. Just touching the keys makes slight little clicks, but pressing the keys down is nearly silent compared to other keyboards. Pressing the keys has a gentle, welcoming feel--a little mushy but not overly sensitive.
Another nice feature is the row of media buttons above the numeric keypad. There is an Eject button for ejecting CD and DVD disks from the computer, a volume up key and a volume down key, and a mute button.
The small manual included with the keyboard suggests that you turn the keyboard off while not using it, to save on battery power. And if you plan to be away from your computer for an extended amount of time, such as a vacation, it is recommended to remove the batteries altogether. Also, it's possible to check the battery charge level of the keyboard by going to System Preferences and checking the Bluetooth option under Keyboard and Mouse. I just checked mine and all five indicators are still bright green. I've only been using it for a couple days, but I never turned it off, either. (I really should start doing that, but it's a little inconvenient.)
The backside of the keyboard contains the battery slot (along the top, the slot is nearly the length of the keyboard. There is a small switch that shows green when you have the keyboard turned on. A simple flick and it's turned off. To open the battery slot, however, requires a bit more work. I used a penny to open the two plastic screws - almost in fear of the metal being too rough and marring/roughing up the screw (again, it's so pretty that you can't help being overprotective). But using the penny was fine and didn't rough it up at all.
I did a little googling and found there are plastic covers which can be used to protect the keyboard. The plastic covers are meant to be used while you're typing. I'm undecided on whether I want one or not. They come in cool colors (blue is my favorite) and look neat, at least from what I could tell from the picture. Somehow I feel it might ruin the feel of the keyboard. Why mess with a good thing?
Overall, this is the best keyboard I've ever used. The wireless feature is tops and I get lots of oohs and ahhs from friends. I give this two thumbs up!
Recommended:
Yes
Amount Paid (US$): 70
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Epinions.com ID:
opinionmaker
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Location: Somewhere cold. Very, very cold.
Reviews written: 18
Trusted by: 6 members
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A little bit of this and a little bit of that.
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