Apple Keyboard MB869LL/A

I was looking for an external keyboard to compliment my '06 15" MBP I have setup with an external display. The external display was so large typing on the laptop keyboard put me way too close to the screen and in an uncomfortable position. This keyboard and separate mouse allowed me to sit back comfortably and use my laptop more as a desktop computer when not on the road.

Build quality, design and all the rest is on par with what you would expect from an apple product. It's definitely the best external keyboard I've ever used and its small size allows me to really maximize desk space and work more efficiently. But all is not perfect. My main gripe comes from the lack of support for the basic functions that are built into my laptop keyboard. Functions such as volume, brightness and the number pad that can be activated with numlock or by holding the 'fn' (function) key. Considering this is an apple keyboard made for apple computers I find it ridiculous that I have to rely on a 3rd party application to provide some but not all of the basic functionality found on the built in keyboard. The media keys are hopeless using Tiger but KeyRemap4MacBook allowed me to set my F1-F5 keys to their original functions as found on the laptop keyboard. I was also able to get the number pad working again which I was quite pleased with.

I expected better from apple and I'm disappointed I had to rely on an outside source for basic usability. I still can't imagine why they removed the 'fn' numpad option. It's a great feature and allows users like me to have full numpad control when I occasionally need it without having to buy the larger keyboard or an external device. I've noticed the new laptops are also missing this basic function that you can find on just about any garbage laptop. Really makes you wonder what's going on over at 1 Infinite Loop. The keyboard is so good, to fail on the software level in a closed system designed entirely by one company is mind boggling.

Anyway, the build quality and mechanics are very good but the support sucks. I would have written a more negative review had Takayama Fumihiko not built KeyRemap4MacBook. His software has turned one of my biggest disappointments with apple hardware into a minor inconvenience.

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Apple Keyboard = 3/5 stars
Apple Keyboard + KeyRemap4MacBook = 4/5
Buy Apple Keyboard MB869LL/A!