Need a non-Mac keyboard alternative for Mac users

Question

I'm a Macbook Pro user. I like Apple products in general, but I hate their keyboards.

I work on my computer/laptop 10+ hours a day, so I would like to have a keyboard that is Mac-compatible and ergonomic.

I found this one on Amazon. It is specifically made for Mac. However, I would like to get some suggestions from people who found good keyboards for Mac.

Solution 1

I've not seen any USB keyboard not work with OS X..

The only "problem" is the Windows(/Command) and Alt(/Option) key are swapped in location from the regular Apple keyboards... but you can easily fix this by going to System Preferences > Keyboard & Mouse > Keyboard > Modifier Keys:

..then swapping Option and Command keys

Solution 2

I've got a bunch of Kinesis ergonomic keyboards and am currently typing this (on my iMac) on a Kinesis Advantage. Great keyboard, especially if you're suffering from RSI or similar, works fine with my Mac and even comes with Mac key caps.

Solution 3

Nobody's recommended the Microsoft Natural line yet? The MS Natural 4000 is truly the Cadillac of keyboards... pleather palmrests, good key action, extremely sturdy and well-built. There is also a native Mac driver for mapping command/ctrl/alt, hotkeys, etc., but the keyboard will still work as a standard USB device without it.

If you are a serious typist, it's well worth the investment.

Solution 4

I've used a PC keyboard on a mac for years. At first, I used DoubleCommand to swap the windows and alt keys to be in the same position as mac keyboards. Now I just use the keyboard preferences. Recently they updated it to remember devices. Before, I'd have to go to Prefs->Keyboard & Mouse -> Modifier Keys each time I wanted to change from using my pc keyboard to the laptop keyboard. Now, the preferences remembers devices I plug in and lets me set up my modifier keys.

The main difference is going to be the lack of an eject key, but you can press and hold F12. For power off, press ctrl-F12. You might miss the media keys (volume up, pause itunes etc) but I live without them.

The keyboard I use all the time isn't ergonomic, but has a very nice key action. It uses brown cherry switches to make a less mushy response than the apple pro keyboard. It's called a Filco Majestouch Linear.

Solution 5

Try the Matias Tactile Pro series of keyboards. Available in Windows and Mac flavors. Wonderful old-school mechanical actions.

I've got a Tactile Pro 2 which is an absolute delight - apart from some key ghosting. Hopefully the Pro 3.0 will resolve those issues.

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Comments

[codingbear]

That's what I mean when I say Mac compatible. Many keyboards don't work with Option/Apple keys. I bought a logitech keyboard in the past and did not work.

[codingbear]

Did not work, meaning no apple key support at all. Windows key wasn't doing anything.

[Daniel A. White]

"Compatible" usually means works.

[Daniel A. White]

That one is listed as mac compatible.

[codingbear]

@Daniel A. White: If apple key doesn't work, I take it as "not Mac-compatible". I use that key all the time and can't live without it on my Mac.

[John]

voting up - I'm currently typing (in Dvorak, fwiw) on mac with my old-school IBM super-clicky keyboard. Alt is Apple-key, ctrl is ctrl, I never use capslock, so that's option. @dbr's entry about remapping is exactly right.

[codingbear]

looks great, but.. damn too expensive for me! :)

[Timo Geusch]

Heh. They aren't cheap but they do seem to last a long time. I've got two of them dating back from about 2001 and they're still working fine. I expect a few more years of use out of them!

[Taptronic]

I just got a notice that the Matias Tactile Pro 3 is coming out and the price?? $160!!! This is a big giant absolutely NO. I wish I could - it looks great, but man...... hasnt anyone heard of the "mild" recession we're having? Oh well.

[adolf garlic]

Personal annoyances with that particular keyboard are - No USB ports - No right hand Windows key (astonishing considering this is an MS product) - The zoom control is pointless unless you reconfigure it as a scroller - The space bar is awful, the curved design makes it really hard to press - It is not wireless - I would prefer a volume knob like you get on the freebie Dell keyboards

[John Gallagher]

The main annoyance I have with this keyboard is it causes OS X to crash like, er... something that crashes. A lot. I've had two hangs inside of an hour now. I've just updated the drivers to Intellipoint 7.1 too, which seems to make the problem worse. If you actually want to do some work, avoid the MS Natural 4000 like the plague.