For those who are complaining about the lack of a power button on the pro keyboard...a controll+eject button combo does the trick. if you want to shut down, sleep, or restart. Don't know if it works for powering up, havn't tried.
Maybe not enough people are "aware" of bluetooth and Apple is trying to emphasize the fact that their computers have built in bluetooth by bundling your first bluetooth product with the computer itself, just to get you in the mood i.e. "Bluetooth is not just some newfangled technology, it really works, its the way of the future, and its built into Apple computers!".
Let's hope Apple does a little better than those AA batteries. I could see the AA batteries being used in a low-quality keyboard, but really there is nothing exciting about AA.
Apple will only run that wireless technology if there is something else that moves the technology forward, making it better.
For those who are complaining about the lack of a power button on the pro keyboard...a controll+eject button combo does the trick. if you want to shut down, sleep, or restart. Don't know if it works for powering up, havn't tried.
Hmm? well, that solves that.
And maybe a detatchable cord for the keyboard could work? but if Logitech is just going to drop out because Apple makes the best accessory, then who needs them? Can't stand any competition? Whiners. It's been too long. A second button would only be benificial.
I'll never understand why the current wireless keyboard fad exists.
It's like ADC, trying to solve a problem that doesn't exist, but creating more problems in doing so.
Do the cords on the desk really bother people? How often do you even notice them?
Just to be rid of them, you'll have to:
? Worry about replacing batteries (costs time & money)
? Lose the extra USB port on the keyboard
? Spend time looking for your mouse (I guarantee if it's not attached, it'll sprout feet and be all over the desk.)
Powerbook users aside, this is insanity. I'd much rather have Apple working on more revolutionary aspects of computing and leave this segment to Logitech and others.
I have some opinions about wireless mice/keyboards:
a. Wireless is the way of the future. Right now, most wireless things have been a bit of a pain because you still have to attach a connector to the computer. However, eventually most computers will come with Bluetooth or something built-in, making connecting incredibly easy.
b. Wireless is better for desktops then laptops. On laptops, carrying around a connector and a mouse/keyboard is a pain (until Bluetooth gets built-in more).
c. Wireless keyboards are, in general, silly (at least until Bluetooth gets built-in more). However, you could have a USB port on wireless, it could be: saved because Bluetooth is built-in, on the connector, or on the keyboard, if you use Wi-Fi instead of Bluetooth.
d. However, wireless mice are nice. I remember always tripping on my mice's cords.
Am I alone in actually liking the one button mouse?
I was a two button advocate, but I'm becoming something of a stickler for ergonomics and find that I do better using the keyboard to scroll, and with the ctrl-click, than having everything on the mouse. Scroll wheels really are awful, they put a LOT of strain on the index/middle fingers. It's a totally unnatural motion that tends to make the bones in the top of my hand right hand numb. Awful. Doubly so because it's so damned convenient in a mental hiccup sorta way. Hand's already there, might aswell scroll with it!
iPod type scrolling might be a cool solution, and ambidexterous too, very Apple. Such a scroll mechanism would put far less strain on your fingers because you could initiate a scroll on any point on the wheel and excercise finer control with it.
On a laptop especially I find little need for more than one button, but then again, on a laptop everything falls to hand without lifting off the keyboard
I can get a Microsoft Bluetooth mouse which I really like for $50. I really do like how they feel and I have a 12" PowerBook so I am very tempted..... I am not sure what to do though because the whole batterie issue concerns me.... Anyone have some suggestions.
Am I alone in actually liking the one button mouse?
No, and the reasons you cite are among the reasons I'm glad that Apple has stayed the course with their more elegant and ergonomic design.
In response to another post, I can see how a bluetooth keyboard and mouse would be more useful to notebook users than to desktop users: The desktop's not going anywhere, so you might as well plug in your input devices (you've plugged in everything else!). On the other hand, it would be great to just set your iBook down on your iCurve and start typing on the nearby keyboard - and when you want to take the 'Book somewhere, just pick it up.
No, and the reasons you cite are among the reasons I'm glad that Apple has stayed the course with their more elegant and ergonomic design.
In response to another post, I can see how a bluetooth keyboard and mouse would be more useful to notebook users than to desktop users: The desktop's not going anywhere, so you might as well plug in your input devices (you've plugged in everything else!). On the other hand, it would be great to just set your iBook down on your iCurve and start typing on the nearby keyboard - and when you want to take the 'Book somewhere, just pick it up.
I agree I'm in this exact situation. 12"er, iCurve, Macally Keyboard and Mouse, Wacom Tablet. Blue tooth would make leaving with my Lap Top a lot smoother. I wonder however if attaching to an external monitor will ever be that easy? I'm still tethered to a 17" Apple CRT.
Teddy, the thing about iBooks and wireless devices is this:
If you are right handed, you will keep the mouse on the right side of the iBook, naturally. (If you are left handed there is no problem).
The transmitter is plugged into a USB port on the left side of the iBook.
Wireless mice tend to have a 3 foot range. (Not sure about BLuetooth proper). But that's an unobstructed 3 foot range.
I find that the iBooks thickness itself interferes with the signal, enough to routinely miss clicks and mouse movements. It might drive you insane. The mouse does the cha-cha while you try to work.
The otherwise wonderful Kensington Wireless Optical Pro is my only test case however.
15" Powerbooks and Mac keyboards shouldn't have this problem. 15" Powerbook USB plugs are in the back, a bit more symetrically aligned. 17" Powerbook USB is on the right (so bad if you are a lefty and using wireless). 12" Powerbook should have the same problem as iBooks, since they have USB on the left too. If you use a desktop keyboard's right USB port, it works great.
Just be aware that "3 foot range" is not much, especially if it is obstructed. But then this is not a Bluetooth mouse, so maybe Bluetooth is better? I'll have to defer to others for advice.
A riser, like the Contour PodiumPad, does help this with the iBook however, since you can angle the transmitter to poke below the iBook's profile, if it's on a riser.
Not sure if the aluminum makes matters worse on the 12" powerbook?
Can anyone else offer experience with wireless and portables? Is transmitter location an issue in other combinations?
Am I alone in actually liking the one button mouse?
*snip*
On a laptop especially I find little need for more than one button, but then again, on a laptop everything falls to hand without lifting off the keyboard
I too was a multi-button advocate, but after using my Ti for so long and an Apple single-button mouse for a while, I tend to prefer ctrl-clicking most of the time.
However if I'm playing games, a multi-button mouse is required.
I can get a Microsoft Bluetooth mouse which I really like for $50. I really do like how they feel and I have a 12" PowerBook so I am very tempted..... I am not sure what to do though because the whole batterie issue concerns me.... Anyone have some suggestions.
Thanks,
Teddy
I don't know about Bluetooth, but I have a Logitech Cordless Optical and the batteries are generally fine. P.S. Don't forget the mice that can recharge on a dock (a la Logitech MX 700)... that shoul help.
Comments
I got the thing on the coffee table and sit on the coach
On the coach huh? You must have pretty good eyesight, I usually can't see the screen of my imac much past the end of my road.
Socrates
Or something like that.
Apple will only run that wireless technology if there is something else that moves the technology forward, making it better.
-walloo
They wouldn't throw any old technology in there.
I hope that Apple adds some new "twist" to
the world of wireless keyboards/mice.
Originally posted by DMBand0026
For those who are complaining about the lack of a power button on the pro keyboard...a controll+eject button combo does the trick. if you want to shut down, sleep, or restart. Don't know if it works for powering up, havn't tried.
Hmm? well, that solves that.
And maybe a detatchable cord for the keyboard could work? but if Logitech is just going to drop out because Apple makes the best accessory, then who needs them? Can't stand any competition? Whiners.
Originally posted by Frank777
I'll never understand why the current wireless keyboard fad exists.
It's like ADC, trying to solve a problem that doesn't exist, but creating more problems in doing so.
Do the cords on the desk really bother people? How often do you even notice them?
Just to be rid of them, you'll have to:
? Worry about replacing batteries (costs time & money)
? Lose the extra USB port on the keyboard
? Spend time looking for your mouse (I guarantee if it's not attached, it'll sprout feet and be all over the desk.)
Powerbook users aside, this is insanity. I'd much rather have Apple working on more revolutionary aspects of computing and leave this segment to Logitech and others.
I have some opinions about wireless mice/keyboards:
a. Wireless is the way of the future. Right now, most wireless things have been a bit of a pain because you still have to attach a connector to the computer. However, eventually most computers will come with Bluetooth or something built-in, making connecting incredibly easy.
b. Wireless is better for desktops then laptops. On laptops, carrying around a connector and a mouse/keyboard is a pain (until Bluetooth gets built-in more).
c. Wireless keyboards are, in general, silly (at least until Bluetooth gets built-in more). However, you could have a USB port on wireless, it could be: saved because Bluetooth is built-in, on the connector, or on the keyboard, if you use Wi-Fi instead of Bluetooth.
d. However, wireless mice are nice. I remember always tripping on my mice's cords.
I was a two button advocate, but I'm becoming something of a stickler for ergonomics and find that I do better using the keyboard to scroll, and with the ctrl-click, than having everything on the mouse. Scroll wheels really are awful, they put a LOT of strain on the index/middle fingers. It's a totally unnatural motion that tends to make the bones in the top of my hand right hand numb. Awful. Doubly so because it's so damned convenient in a mental hiccup sorta way. Hand's already there, might aswell scroll with it!
iPod type scrolling might be a cool solution, and ambidexterous too, very Apple. Such a scroll mechanism would put far less strain on your fingers because you could initiate a scroll on any point on the wheel and excercise finer control with it.
On a laptop especially I find little need for more than one button, but then again, on a laptop everything falls to hand without lifting off the keyboard
Originally posted by Paul
have you seen the ucontrol hack? http://gnufoo.org/ucontrol/
lets you scroll by using the trackpad on powerbooks like a scroll wheel...
I found that what you said about laptops in-conjunction with this utility make only having one button not that big of a deal on the go...
If a wireless keyboard still has a USB hub in it... then we instantly have a way to make any USB peripheral wireless over bluetooth!
Amorya
Thanks,
Teddy
Originally posted by Matsu
Am I alone in actually liking the one button mouse?
No, and the reasons you cite are among the reasons I'm glad that Apple has stayed the course with their more elegant and ergonomic design.
In response to another post, I can see how a bluetooth keyboard and mouse would be more useful to notebook users than to desktop users: The desktop's not going anywhere, so you might as well plug in your input devices (you've plugged in everything else!). On the other hand, it would be great to just set your iBook down on your iCurve and start typing on the nearby keyboard - and when you want to take the 'Book somewhere, just pick it up.
Originally posted by Amorph
No, and the reasons you cite are among the reasons I'm glad that Apple has stayed the course with their more elegant and ergonomic design.
In response to another post, I can see how a bluetooth keyboard and mouse would be more useful to notebook users than to desktop users: The desktop's not going anywhere, so you might as well plug in your input devices (you've plugged in everything else!). On the other hand, it would be great to just set your iBook down on your iCurve and start typing on the nearby keyboard - and when you want to take the 'Book somewhere, just pick it up.
I agree I'm in this exact situation. 12"er, iCurve, Macally Keyboard and Mouse, Wacom Tablet. Blue tooth would make leaving with my Lap Top a lot smoother. I wonder however if attaching to an external monitor will ever be that easy? I'm still tethered to a 17" Apple CRT.
flick.
If you are right handed, you will keep the mouse on the right side of the iBook, naturally. (If you are left handed there is no problem).
The transmitter is plugged into a USB port on the left side of the iBook.
Wireless mice tend to have a 3 foot range. (Not sure about BLuetooth proper). But that's an unobstructed 3 foot range.
I find that the iBooks thickness itself interferes with the signal, enough to routinely miss clicks and mouse movements. It might drive you insane. The mouse does the cha-cha while you try to work.
The otherwise wonderful Kensington Wireless Optical Pro is my only test case however.
15" Powerbooks and Mac keyboards shouldn't have this problem. 15" Powerbook USB plugs are in the back, a bit more symetrically aligned. 17" Powerbook USB is on the right (so bad if you are a lefty and using wireless). 12" Powerbook should have the same problem as iBooks, since they have USB on the left too. If you use a desktop keyboard's right USB port, it works great.
Just be aware that "3 foot range" is not much, especially if it is obstructed. But then this is not a Bluetooth mouse, so maybe Bluetooth is better? I'll have to defer to others for advice.
A riser, like the Contour PodiumPad, does help this with the iBook however, since you can angle the transmitter to poke below the iBook's profile, if it's on a riser.
Not sure if the aluminum makes matters worse on the 12" powerbook?
Can anyone else offer experience with wireless and portables? Is transmitter location an issue in other combinations?
Originally posted by Matsu
Am I alone in actually liking the one button mouse?
*snip*
On a laptop especially I find little need for more than one button, but then again, on a laptop everything falls to hand without lifting off the keyboard
I too was a multi-button advocate, but after using my Ti for so long and an Apple single-button mouse for a while, I tend to prefer ctrl-clicking most of the time.
However if I'm playing games, a multi-button mouse is required.
Originally posted by Teddy
I can get a Microsoft Bluetooth mouse which I really like for $50. I really do like how they feel and I have a 12" PowerBook so I am very tempted..... I am not sure what to do though because the whole batterie issue concerns me.... Anyone have some suggestions.
Thanks,
Teddy
I don't know about Bluetooth, but I have a Logitech Cordless Optical and the batteries are generally fine. P.S. Don't forget the mice that can recharge on a dock (a la Logitech MX 700)... that shoul help.