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Guide to USB Keyboards
Updated December 7, 1999
This is as complete listing of USB keyboards as possible. Every known USB keyboard is listed.
All USB keyboards are not created equal. Some are beige, while others come in one or more colors to complement current Macs. Some have a lot of extra programmable buttons. One even has a volume knob. I was unable to find pricing on many of these. In some cases, these keyboards may not be available in your market.
They should all work with the Mac or USB-equipped PCs, but you'll want to verify that before buying.
Note that many of these have PC layouts which do not match the standard Macintosh Extended Keyboard layout. The biggest issues: the Alt and Cmd (or Windows) keys are reversed, and there may not be a power key. Keyboards with Mac layout are marked with bold type.
- If you know of a utility that can remap the Alt/Option and Cmd/Windows keys, please email Dan Knight . I'm testing some Windows keyboards on the Mac, and such a utility would be a life saver.
- USB: Using a Windows USB keyboard on a Mac, ResExcellence, 12/27 [No Beige]. Swaps Opt and Windows keys for Cmd and Opt. Warning: this involves manually modifying your System file.
Note that not all keyboards have additional USB ports. Specifications subject to change, so be sure to visit the manufacturer's site for more details before buying.
- The world's worst keyboard, ZDNet, 12/17. No, it's not Apple's; it's Microsoft's line of "natural" keyboards.
|
Brand: Product Name |
Comments |
US Price |
Outpost.com |
|
two ports, beige, PC layout (but looks close to Mac layout), volume control, review |
$19 |
no |
|
|
Adesso: NuForm USB |
ergonomic, four ports, bondi, PC layout, wrist rest, review |
no |
|
|
Ariston: USB Keyboard |
two ports, beige, PC layout |
$30 |
|
|
two ports, beige, PC layout, extra buttons, quiet, wrist rest |
$50 |
yes |
|
|
two ports, beige, PC layout, quiet |
$20 |
yes |
|
|
two ports, beige, PC layout, wrist rest, quiet |
$40 |
no |
|
|
two ports, beige, PC layout |
no |
||
|
no USB ports, one PS/2 mouse port, beige, PC layout |
no |
||
|
ergonomic, two ports, beige, unique layout |
no |
||
|
no USB ports, one PS/2 mouse port, beige, unique layout |
no |
||
|
three ports, beige, PC layout |
$80 |
no |
|
|
two ports, ice, Mac layout, review |
$69 |
yes |
|
|
two ports, ice, wrist rest, Mac layout, extra buttons |
$89 |
no |
|
|
two ports, beige, wrist rest, PC layout, extra buttons |
$35 |
no |
|
|
Micro Connectors: USB Keyboard |
two ports, all iMac colors plus graphite, Mac layout, compact |
$60 |
blueberry, graphite, grape, strawberry, lime, tangerine |
|
Microsoft: Natural Keyboard Elite |
ergonomic, two ports, beige, wrist rest, PC layout |
no |
|
|
Microsoft: Natural Keyboard Pro |
ergonomic, two ports, beige, wrist rest, PC layout, extra buttons |
$80 |
yes |
|
PS/2 mouse port, beige and all iMac colors plus ice, PC layout (but appears very close to Mac layout), wrist rest, extra buttons |
no |
||
|
two ports, beige, PC layout (but appears very close to Mac layout), wrist rest, extra buttons |
no |
||
|
beige and all iMac colors plus ice, PC layout (but appears very close to Mac layout) |
no |
||
|
two ports, beige, PC layout (but appears very close to Mac layout) |
no |
||
|
beige, PC layout, no numeric keypad, trackball, compact, extra buttons |
no |
||
|
two ports, all iMac colors plus ice, PC layout |
no |
||
|
Samsung: USB Keyboard |
four ports, beige, PC layout, wrist rest |
no |
|
|
ergonomic, two ports, ice, PC layout, wrist rest |
$80 |
no |
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