Keyboard for iMac?

Brightonfan1983 · Jun 5, 2014

I'm trying to make my mum's move from Windows to Apple as smooth as poss. The computer itself is loved, but the wireless keyboard isn't. One iota.

Does anyone have experience of the 'perfect' Mac keyboard, or at least one that isn't as alien as she is finding it to be? I've looked at the alpha-numeric ones in the store, but until I try them out for size, I don't know what to suggest. I'm assuming Apple are not really bothered about emulating a PC keyboard too much, but is there a good way to get as close to one as possible?

Ta...

Bozza · Jun 5, 2014

What's her issue with the keyboard?

Bold Seagull · Jun 5, 2014

I've got an apple keyboard like this one: Apple Keyboard

You need the Apple layout really for things like the cmd key which you don't get on a PC keyboard (or it is differently marked). Other than that, I honestly don't know if there is a huge difference.

The above keyboard is expensive but nice to use, it's like tapping good quality scrabble tiles.

emphyrian · Jun 5, 2014

I bought an iMac for uni stuff and i took me about two days to get over the fact that the @ key was in a different place. Other than that it is actually a really nice keyboard to use and i know find it so much easier to type quicker. Hope she grows to love it as much as i now do.

SouthCoastOwl · Jun 5, 2014

Took me a while to get used to it, no delete key for Christ sake, but now I love it.

Your mum could get free navigation lessons from the Apple store in Churchill Sq to help her over any initial difficulties.

carteater · Jun 5, 2014

just use a pc keyboard, the windows button works as a cmd button on a mac

carteater · Jun 5, 2014

SouthCoastOwl said:
no delete key for Christ sake,

the most annoying thing, but i now find it more convenient to use the backspace key for deleting.

Brightonfan1983 · Jun 5, 2014

Bozza said:
What's her issue with the keyboard?

Well, coming as she does from a PC background, with its solid, chunky keyboards, and aside from the remapping of shortcuts to be done, the wireless one's keys are apparently too close together, don't 'give' in the same way and overall it feels flimsy.

I've had a Macbook for years and have no issues, but I do see where she's coming from. The iMac of course recognises the PC keyboard but there's such a loss of functionality that it's worth her while in getting something built for use by a Mac. Not even necessarily by Apple themselves, perhaps a 3rd party effort?

8ace · Jun 5, 2014

I don't like the lack of numpad on the imac keyboard.
You can use most PC USB keyboards but you'd want one with a US layout instead of GB.
The windows key is the cmd key.

Brightonfan1983 · Jun 5, 2014

carteater said:
just use a pc keyboard

We tried that but there's no remapping that works for the Home/End/Delete buttons. I notice that @BoldSeagull 's suggestion has a delete key, and the rest, and I'm hoping that it will be a cure all?

Raphael Meade · Jun 5, 2014

There is an imac keyboard with a numerical keypad + delete, home, end, page up/down keys, etc FYI, i'm typing on it right now

Brightonfan1983 · Jun 5, 2014

emphyrian said:
I bought an iMac for uni stuff and i took me about two days to get over the fact that the @ key was in a different place. Other than that it is actually a really nice keyboard to use and i know find it so much easier to type quicker. Hope she grows to love it as much as i now do.

SouthCoastOwl said:
Took me a while to get used to it, no delete key for Christ sake, but now I love it.

Your mum could get free navigation lessons from the Apple store in Churchill Sq to help her over any initial difficulties.

8ace said:
I don't like the lack of numpad on the imac keyboard.
You can use most PC USB keyboards but you'd want one with a US layout instead of GB.
The windows key is the cmd key.

Yes, there is the 'get used to it' school of thought, which you and I have done, but she's not really that way inclined, and at 70+, I kind of sympathise with her! There's the "I know how I want it to work" attitude, and I just want to get something that gets as close to that as poss. I feel a trip to the store may well be imminent.... Thanks for the replies - I'm on a clearer road now, I have to say. :thumbsup:

Brightonfan1983 · Jun 5, 2014

Raphael Meade said:
There is an imac keyboard with a numerical keypad + delete, home, end, page up/down keys, etc FYI, i'm typing on it right now

It works the way you remember a PC one working? ie. for the purposes of this thread, you recommend it?

Raphael Meade · Jun 5, 2014

Brightonfan1983 said:
It works the way you remember a PC one working? ie. for the purposes of this thread, you recommend it?

Haven't used a PC for a few years, but pretty sure yes... definitely more traditional with a delete + backspace key and all the extras, etc...

Here you go, found it on the store (i'm in the US but assume avail everywhere)

Brightonfan1983 · Jun 5, 2014

Raphael Meade said:
Haven't used a PC for a few years, but pretty sure yes... definitely more traditional with a delete + backspace key and all the extras, etc...

Here you go, found it on the store (i'm in the US but assume avail everywhere)

Yep, they're here as well. Excellent. Thanks!

Bozza · Jun 5, 2014

Brightonfan1983 said:
Yep, they're here as well. Excellent. Thanks!

I'm feeling for [MENTION=16159]Bold Seagull[/MENTION] right now, poor bloke.

Superphil · Jun 5, 2014

I bought a Microsoft keyboard and mouse set to,use with my imac, I do find them easier to use than the imac keyboard, especially when typing a lot of text, and of course, the backspace key! Tbh I also find the imac mouse a pain to use for graphics work, again, I find the MS Mouse easier to use.

Bold Seagull · Jun 5, 2014

Bozza said:
I'm feeling for [MENTION=16159]Bold Seagull[/MENTION] right now, poor bloke.

I'm going to put on Queen's 'I'm the Invisible Man'....

beorhthelm · Jun 5, 2014

not surprised, before the ipad i dont think i ever used a nice Apple input device. all about aesthetic over ergonomics or practical use. always found this odd given the focus on usability within the software UI.

Bozza · Jun 5, 2014

beorhthelm said:
not surprised, before the ipad i dont think i ever used a nice Apple input device. all about aesthetic over ergonomics or practical use. always found this odd given the focus on usability within the software UI.

I'm typing this on my MacBook Air. The keyboard is extraordinarily good. Next to me if my work HP laptop which has a dreadful keyboard. I use it far more and it still feels poor when compared to the MacBook Air.

(I couldn't tell you when I last used a desktop keyboard)

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