My Idea For A Laptop Add-On

graeme d warrengraeme d warren
Posted:
in Future Apple Hardware edited January 2014
After some-one brought up the idea of a new Duo earlier, it occurred to me that the one thing which loads of laptop users buy is a full sized keyboard for use at home.



How about if Apple made an external keyboard? Sony do one which plugs in where the CD drive goes (I think), but a USB one would be better. What do you think? I have very quickly chucked one together to show you how. I know it is poor quality, but hey, it only took me two minutes!



Comments

  • Reply 1 of 12
    paulpaul Posts: 5,278member
    they already make an external keyboard... it is called the Apple USB Pro Keyboard... in fact, you have a picture of part of it right there <img src="graemlins/oyvey.gif" border="0" alt="[No]" />



    Laptop users would rather (imho) have a fullsize keyboard then just part of one... I think it just makes more sence...



    and even if they didnt, the need would be so small it wouldnt make sence for apple to make a solution.... <img src="graemlins/bugeye.gif" border="0" alt="[Skeptical]" />
  • Reply 1 of 12
    othelloothello Posts: 1,054member
    or you could buy a 'proper' full size keyboard and plug it into one of the USB ports...



    <img src="graemlins/bugeye.gif" border="0" alt="[Skeptical]" />
  • Reply 3 of 12
    othelloothello Posts: 1,054member
    [quote]Originally posted by othello:

    <strong>or you could buy a 'proper' full size keyboard and plug it into one of the USB ports...



    <img src="graemlins/bugeye.gif" border="0" alt="[Skeptical]" /> </strong><hr></blockquote>



    damn you beat me to it!



    [ 05-28-2002: Message edited by: othello ]</p>
  • Reply 4 of 12
    paulpaul Posts: 5,278member
    [quote]Originally posted by othello:

    <strong>



    damn you beat me to it!



    [ 05-28-2002: Message edited by: othello ]</strong><hr></blockquote>



    wow, beating yourself is pretty tough...
  • Reply 5 of 12
    graeme d warrengraeme d warren Posts: 84member
    My idea is that a full sized Apple Pro keyboard costs about $100 or whatever, but this would cost about $50 and is much smaller. It would of course be restyled to actually match an iBook or PowerBook of course.



    Maybe I shouldn't start marketing this then after your comments <img src="graemlins/embarrassed.gif" border="0" alt="[Embarrassed]" />
  • Reply 6 of 12
    davegeedavegee Posts: 2,765member
    [quote]Originally posted by Graeme D Warren:

    <strong>My idea is that a full sized Apple Pro keyboard costs about $100 or whatever, but this would cost about $50 and is much smaller. It would of course be restyled to actually match an iBook or PowerBook of course.



    Maybe I shouldn't start marketing this then after your comments <img src="graemlins/embarrassed.gif" border="0" alt="[Embarrassed]" /> </strong><hr></blockquote>



    From the Apple store



    Apple Pro Keyboard (Black keys)

    $59.00

    The Apple Pro Keyboard (black keys) is the perfect complement to your Power Mac desktop or PowerBook. Click the Learn More for important information.
  • Reply 7 of 12
    cdhostagecdhostage Posts: 1,038member
    I'd say...



    buy an Apple Pro keyboard. hey it works for us iMac peons.
  • Reply 8 of 12
    naepstnnaepstn Posts: 78member
    I have an external USB number pad for my iBook. It's made by Adesso. It lacks the media eject key, volume adjust, etc. but since these already exist on the iBook keyboard, it doesn't matter. The only thing that would be nice on it would be the Page_Up/Down, Home and End keys, which you need to hold down the Function key to make use of on the iBook. It doens't quite match the iBook, since it has semi-transparent clear keys and graphite housing, but it works.



    For the work I do, I really need a number pad, so this is perfect. Not sure the market is big enough for Apple to make one though. It cost about $50 Canadian (~US$30-35).
  • Reply 9 of 12
    lucaluca Posts: 3,833member
    Macally makes a keypad also. If I got a new laptop (which I may do, otherwise I'd get a new iMac) I would probably get one. It's not necessary for what I do but I use the calculator often and I just can't use the "embedded" keypad in my Wallstreet PB.
  • Reply 10 of 12
    gizwaldgizwald Posts: 39member
    [quote]Originally posted by Paul:

    <strong>



    wow, beating yourself is pretty tough... </strong><hr></blockquote>



    Not really, I do it all the time.
  • Reply 11 of 12
    agent302agent302 Posts: 974member
    <a href="http://www.kensington.com/products/pro_mob_d1470.html"; target="_blank">Kensington Pocket Keypad</a>
  • Reply 12 of 12
    graeme d warrengraeme d warren Posts: 84member
    Ii still need proper arrow keys though!
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