New iMacs to get MacBook-like keyboards?

It looks like Apple may have one more upgrade in store for its next-gen iMacs than previously expected, as AppleInsider is now reporting that the systems will come bundled with a newly-designed keyboard to match their supposed slim new look. Citing "people familiar with the project," AppleInsider says that the new "super-slim" keyboard will take its inspiration from those used on the latest MacBooks (seen above), which should please some more than others. Nothing more specific than that, unfortunately, although if the rumored August launch date is true, we shouldn't have to wait too much longer to check 'em out first hand.

[TVGenius @ Jul 9th 2007 3:32PM]

I haven't had a chance to try one of those yet, but it has to be better than a keyboard in a clear case so that everyone can see the detritus that accumulates down there over four years (sesame seeds and all).

[Stefan @ Jul 9th 2007 3:43PM]

Those aren't sesame seeds... they're skin flakes, flea eggs, acarians and hair parts. You really don't want to feed this little zoo with sesame seeds too. Or bread crumbs for that matter.

Read this study recently about the average keyboard being less sanitary than your typical subway station toilet....

[Paul @ Jul 9th 2007 3:33PM]

The MacBook keyboard is awesome, but I can't imagine using it on my desktop. I quite like the current keyboard.

[CapWKidd @ Jul 9th 2007 6:10PM]

I must say I like the KB on my MacBook as well... kinda retro also.... now if they could just make the MacBook KB backlit, and autodimming like the pro's...

[gork @ Jul 9th 2007 3:42PM]

Hmm....how about the keyboard is integrated into the iMac!! That would be cool.

[derek @ Jul 9th 2007 4:34PM]

how the hell do you expect to do that???

[gork @ Jul 9th 2007 4:46PM]

Ever see those Sony PCs?? They had one a year or two back where they keyboard could sit on and fold up over the bottom half of the LCD with only the top half showing. The top half would covert to a clock/media display showing you what was currently playing in Windows Media Player. That's what I think they are doing.

[Miles @ Jul 9th 2007 3:43PM]

Well, I guess I'll just get a USB -> PS/2 Adaptor and hook up my Model M.

Laptop keyboards will never work right as a Desktop keyboard.

Why apple why!?

[Miker @ Jul 10th 2007 2:36AM]

Because Apple are all about making it look cool first, then worrying about making it work properly or being ergonomic...normally they can accomplish both...but not always.

[Ray-- @ Jul 9th 2007 3:49PM]

why does that keyboard have 2 "enter" keys? seems like a waste of space.... unless in mac-wordl enter-return is different than enter.

[Matt @ Jul 9th 2007 4:32PM]

Hey wait I know the answer...... The second enter key (the small one) is for when you have num lock on, of corse I can't remember when I used it last. (num lock or the enter key)

[Andy S. @ Jul 10th 2007 2:12AM]

Matt is correct, it's the equivalent of the enter key on the numeric keypad. I'll admit that it looks redundant at first glance, but if you ever have to do 10-key data entry for any significant period of time, you'll learn that having the enter key easy to reach from the keypad is not a luxury, it's a necessity.

However, I also don't see how anyone can do 10-key on a keyboard without a dedicated numeric keypad.

[rboyce @ Jul 9th 2007 5:09PM]

Actually, yes, Return (on the main keyboard) and "Enter" (on the numpad) are two distinct keys on the Mac. They are generally treated the same way though.

[Karan @ Jul 9th 2007 8:00PM]

Ray: Double Command to your rescue - http://doublecommand.sourceforge.net/

[fortunado @ Jul 9th 2007 3:52PM]

all i know is I have a macbook pro and I don't like its keyboard while I like the macbook keyboard. I'm sure that has a lot to do with every other keybaord being made of plastic.

But regardless, I can't do without the natural resistance of your standard desktop keyboard.

[Fraser Drew @ Jul 9th 2007 3:57PM]

I like my macbook Keyboard, but ONLY as a laptop keyboard. For a desktop keyboard to be good, it is better at an angle and '3D' if you see what i mean.
KB layout-YES, KB flateness- Please NO!

[Jerad @ Jul 9th 2007 3:58PM]

OOH! A laptop keyboard on a desktop? Just what I've always wanted!

C'mon apple.

[mark @ Jul 27th 2007 8:48AM]

Actually I am looking forward to this kbrd because I have grown accustomed to a powerbook kbrd and now my desktop kbrd feels clunky and slow. I like the tap method of the laptop verses the push method of the desktop. The laptop kbrd is also a little quieter.

I want a compact kbrd not like the msoft and recent logitech 'wave' designs. Wave? Don't they mean surfboard? Luckily a gust of wind doesn't catch those design monstrosities.....

As for Return & Enter keys, aside from the invaluable use of Enter with numeric kpad, they are used extensively by pro applications as shortcuts - each with a different function. Some kbrd keys may be redundant but lets kill of the real stinkers first. Caps Lock - now there's a pig!. Luckily I can disable it in the system prefs. Now its just a pretty light. Mmm Num Lock, I have used that about once in the last 10 years- another not so favourite key.

:-)

Mark

[indiepenguins @ Jul 9th 2007 4:12PM]

I can confirm this, because I just happened to buy an iMac. :(

[motorer @ Jul 9th 2007 4:13PM]

I absolutely LOVE my MacBook Pro's keyboard. The regular MacBook keyboard looks different but feels practically the same to me. I also have a full-size Apple keyboard, which I'm really not a big fan of. I can understand how a lot of people wouldn't like this move.

[DutchGuy @ Jul 9th 2007 4:14PM]

I'm still hoping for an onscreen keyboard, just liek on teh iPhone!!!!!111

[derek @ Jul 9th 2007 5:21PM]

The iMac already supports an on-screen keyboard with Inkwell

[LoneWolf367 @ Jul 9th 2007 4:16PM]

I have a Powerbook and I absolutely love the powerbook keyboard. It's fantastic. However, I do not like the macbook keyboards at all. The spacing on it drives me crazy.

Every keyboard that tries to be a laptop keyboard for your desktop that I've ever used has sucked. Why does the iMac need a smaller keyboard?

[fred @ Jul 9th 2007 4:17PM]

I doubt they're gonna do this, just another in the long line of rumors. "I heard that Apple is bringing back CRTs for the new iMacs, and the only color option will be Flower Power."

As far as the keyboard thing, I ordered a silicone cover from onlycooltoys.com but they're site is down for maintenance until later on today. I got the black keyboard cover but they have clear as well.

[William @ Jul 9th 2007 4:18PM]

I like how that style of keyboard is refered to as a "MacBook-like keyboard". That style of keyboard was actually first introduced by SONY in the VAIO X505 (Extreme Note).

[J. Chung @ Jul 9th 2007 4:41PM]

Maybe because the article is about a Mac?
Maybe people using or familiar with a Mac (i.e. people who read this article) would find "Macbook-style" more familiar description than "Sony Vaio X505 Extreme Note-style"?
If Engadget refers those types of keyboard as "Macbook-style" on a Sony-related article, then I'll agree with you.

I mean, really, could that kind of information change peoples' lives?

[William @ Jul 9th 2007 5:25PM]

Normally I would agree with you, except in the case of Apple, they always get credited for things they didn't invent. Best example, Multi-Touch. Don't get me wrong, I love my iPhone.

[tr @ Jul 10th 2007 11:33AM]

@ William:

sony wasn't the first to introduce this type of keyboard. obviously, you may be too young to remember the good ol' IBM PC jr:

http://old-computers.com/museum/photos/IBM_PCjr_KeyboardBox_1.jpg

[Constable Odo @ Jul 9th 2007 4:25PM]

I never cared much for flat keys. I learned typing on IBM ball Selectrics (100+ WPM) and I prefer keys with depressions in them. I'm finally getting used to my MacBook Pro. It really felt weird when I first started since the whole board is so flat and the keys themselves are nearly flat. It really takes getting used to. Definitely not impossible, but it does require practice. I can understand the reason for having flat keys on a laptop, but other than for style on a full desktop keyboard, I don't see the purpose.

[Constable Odo @ Jul 9th 2007 10:32PM]

Yeh, keyboarding class. I think they've merged them with billing classes or something. It used to be part of IBM keypunching long ago. I learned to touch-type in my late 20's and I felt a little out of place in typing class. I was learning Wang word-processing at the time to make some quick cash. I busted my ass in class and at home doing typing drills. I prefer keyboards that click (good feedback) and have longer key travel, but nowadays keyboards are different (sort of mushy). I think niche companies still manufacture high-grade keyboards that mimic keyboards of old, but I don't need to go that far.

Hey, you just have to learn to adapt or the world will pass you by. I think Wangs are long gone with all the dedicated word processing systems. I adapted. DOS, Windows 3.1, Mac OS6/7/9, Windows 95, ME, 98, OSX.2/3/4, WinXP, Vista. I've done them all. I'll be ready for what's next. That's why it's so amusing when forum members get all worked up about what's best/worst/useful/useless. It's not only the device. It's also the man/woman behind the machine.

Maybe every type of keyboard is on the way out. I'm not gonna bitch and moan. I'll just learn to speak clearly when voice input takes over. Whatever it takes. However, I'm confident that keyboards will be around for many more years to come.

[Frank @ Jul 9th 2007 4:29PM]

what's the point of an imac? If you want a small Mac, just buy the Mac Book!!!!! What they need to do is make the MacPro smaller and lighter. I had to carry that friggin new G5 a few years ago, and I still feel the pain in my arm.

[JT @ Jul 9th 2007 5:03PM]

You could ask that about any average spec'd desktop, pc or mac. For some uses, people still want desktops.

Personally, I don't want a 13-inch screen on my primary computer. ymmv

[Jake @ Jul 9th 2007 5:12PM]

I had pain in my arms for a week while carrying an empty chieftec case , stop whining.

[Gordon R. Vaughan @ Jul 9th 2007 4:47PM]

Well, Steve Jobs has always like Macs to be portable, and Apple designed the original Mac 128K with the idea that students could carry them to class. I don't know if many did, but there were padded cases for it, etc.

I suppose a keyboard like the MacBook Pro's would be more portable. A year or so ago Jobs announced that the era of the CRT was over. I wonder if he's soon going to announce that the era of the desktop is over, too, and make iMacs at least semi-portable, which shouldn't be too hard with the new screens.

I guess they would then re-brand Mac Pros as "workstations", which they should have done a long time ago to emphasize their computing power.

[JJ @ Jul 9th 2007 4:54PM]

That keyboard kind of looks sexy and clean compared to my beat up PS2/AT keyboard that I've been using for 5 years now. ^^;

[Archietype @ Jul 9th 2007 4:59PM]

I bought one of those flat laptop style keyboards for my computer way back in 2001 and even though it had the full number of keys, the feel of it just doesn't compare to typing on a proper keyboard. They still sell them in Maplin (UK) and PC World.

[Simba @ Jul 9th 2007 5:14PM]

That keyboard looks like something Fisher Price or Hasbro would concieve off.

[abrask @ Jul 9th 2007 5:22PM]

Perhaps what is really happening is that the mouse is being replaced with a keypad, which would allow for an implementation of the iPhone's "multi touch" technology. Maybe Apple is about ready to declare the mouse "dead" for consumer-level machines? Imagine the impact that move might have on the Windows world... something they wouldn't be able to match for years (if ever). Just a thought.

[Simba @ Jul 9th 2007 5:54PM]

Are you 'effin serious. God you Apple tards and illusions of grandeur.

[Miles @ Jul 9th 2007 8:00PM]

Simba, just wait, you and your windows/linux RETARDS will be forced to switch to Apple when Macs are the standard.

[I.M. Yerpappy @ Jul 9th 2007 10:58PM]

Yo! Simba. You're just grumpy because the only effin thing you got that's multi-touch on you is your prick. It matches your teeny brain. You don't have a clue. Just another flat-earther. The future is coming, so you'd better get the eff out of the way or get knocked on your frickin' butt.

Show me this supposed mechanical keyboard that that's going to allow a larger screen on your Palm/Treo/BlackBerry and yet not increase the overall dimensions of the device. You think a frickin mechanical keyboard is just going to pop up like magic from somewhere on the screen. What an effin iTard. In six months or so you're gonna see more touch-screen keyboards from all the makers and then you'll say. Duh, I think I'd betta get some touch-screen learnin'.

Okay. I'll give you a chance to work the problem out with your peabrain. And don't try to stick the keyboard on the reverse side either. That'd really be a bitch to work with.

[h8rain @ Jul 9th 2007 5:29PM]

Let me get this straight. The first rumor is the iMac is being molded after the "Pro" by getting a brushed aluminum look. AND now it is getting the keyboard from the cheap laptop. GEEZ people if you are going to make sh!t up, at least make it somewhat make sense.

[Neptune5 @ Jul 9th 2007 5:58PM]

I have the keyboard right here but the keys have been falling off after long periods of use ,I told Apple about and they plan to scrap the project, but it seems to work extremely well for my 5 month old Kitten.

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/201/498936375_02eb11de35_o.jpg
http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1294/741983164_b3e6f36a0a_b.jpg
http://farm1.static.flickr.com/196/504527858_73d2e2ec71_b.jpg

[Patrik @ Jul 9th 2007 5:58PM]

Comments like this makes me feel soo special - cause it's a proof of that people really are more stupid than me :D

"AppleInsider says that the new "super-slim" keyboard will take its inspiration from those used on the latest MacBooks (seen above), which should please some more than others."

Seriously, the keyboard will _NOT_ be a macbook keyboard, but I'm sure while you see it you will think of the macbook's keyboard. Apple would never build a _laptop_ keyboard for a desktop. - It will take inspiration from the macbook keyboard, not be a macbook keyboard ...

[pyro @ Jul 9th 2007 6:47PM]

I don't get how people can stand using apple keyboards and mouses. The old imac keyboards are terrible, They're curved and the keys are impossible to press. The mice a just a poorly designed, they feet (or foot in this case) is a giant hard plastic circle around the bottom of the mouse which makes it harder to move and noisy. The mouse lacks ergonomics to support the palm of your hand that every other mouse does. Most of all, one button on a mouse is the worst idea ever.

[Dinraj @ Jul 9th 2007 7:07PM]

Sony did that with the L series over a YEAR ago. http://www.engadget.com/2006/04/12/sonys-new-vaio-l-series-all-in-one-desktop/

[matthew House @ Jul 9th 2007 9:19PM]

I love my MacBook keyboard so I hope this is true.

[starwxrwx @ Jul 9th 2007 9:48PM]

bring back the keyboard from the old beige macs! they are the most beautiful to type on. I have one, just can't bring myself to spend $100 on an ADB-USB convertor...

[Miker @ Jul 10th 2007 4:04AM]

Why don't Apple go the whole retro hog and have a membrane keyboard like the Sinclair ZX81 http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sinclair_ZX81 with an Atari joystick instead of a mouse?

[Alex @ Jul 10th 2007 4:19PM]

The current Apple keyboard is somehow very hard to use. I find myself constantly mistype on it. It's never happened to me when I used any PC's keyboard (not just my own). I wonder why.