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Initially I was just looking for something that was cordless and would work with Macs, so when I found this Macally USB Wireless Rf Programmable Keyboard With Multimedia Keys on sale for $29 at MacAllys site, I grabbed 2 of them. I gave one to my sister (a new mac-user), then popped the batteries in the other and plugged in the little USB RF unit to my iBook. It was just about everything I had hoped for ... nice responsiveness to the keys, the unusual shape provided a comfortable typing position with the keyboard propped against my knees while lying on my back, and the semi hollowed-out back helprd form a functional "fast-grab" one-handed grip on either side of the keyboard. Between keyboard commands, the arrow keys, and the scrolling-rolling wheel, there wasn't much need for a mouse at all.
I didn't even bother installing the included software for a month or so, and the only thing that really drove me to it was that the volume keys didn't work. Actually, I should have known better, and just gone directly to MacAlly's site looking for new drivers ... and finally did after having a heck of a time trying to get the multimedia keys to respond to the newly installed programming software. The drivers on the installation CD were at least 2 years old. But the new drivers fixed everything, and although I should, I can't bring myself to deduct a star for that, especially considering I got the boards for half the retail price, and I'd think the kewboards would be shipping with the new drivers by now.
After that, it was fun experimenting, and assigning all kinds of strange functions to all those extra keys. My favorite one starts up VoiceOver and immedistely starts reading what I've typed, or what I've selected from a page of type anywhere. Another brings up my Snapz program, and I can start taking pictures or movies of anything on my desktop. I think that's the best part about the programming, you can make it do just about anything. There's a couple set up with my Credit card numbers, so I don't have to be squinting and typing in all those numbers, and my favorite web links are attached to others.
It's 10 months later now. I haven't changed the batteries yet, and that's in spite of the fact that there;s no off switch and I use it 4-5 hours easily every day. I've dropped it at least 30 times, and aside from some small chips or something rattling around inside, it still works as good as day-1. I've even used it up to 20 feet from the computer, with no loss of function. I stole the one back from my sister too. Since she lives upstairs, only 4-5 feet over my head really, I was a little worried that her Mac would be responding to commands I typed in on mine (that's what I told her anyway lol), it does btw have 2 channels you can switch between, so using two keyboards within range shouldn't be a problem. This is one great keyboard for my purposes and I absolutely love it and recommend it highly.
A nice companion to this keyboard, and another good investment is the MacAlly RF Mouse Jr. It has a comfortable sculpted feel with two programmable buttons and a scroll wheel which actually acts as a third button too. It has the same kind of set-up ... a USB plug-in RF receiver on a 3 foot cord, and it has another rather unique feature. The mouse comes with 4 rechargable batteries. Two go in the mouse, and two go in the receiver which is also a charger ... so you always have 2 fresh batteries waiting for you. The mouse does have an OFF button on the bottom, but if you forget it use it like I do, you'll be swapping the batteries out about every 3-4 weeks. If you're a Mac user, these are both good solid precise input devices you'll come to really appreciate, and the only thing that could make them better would be if they were bluetooth, and didn't tie up the USB ports.
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Stylish & Clean white wireless multimedia keyboard. User can scroll, move between programs, go back, forward, home and refresh on a browser with one touch of a button.
System Requirements:
Mac OS 9.2 or Mac OS X v10.1 and v10.2.
Available USB port.
Specifications:
Keyboard Dimensions: W 19.5" x L 10" x H 1.3"
Receiver Dimensions: W 2.3" x L 3.2" x H 1.1"
Keyboard Weight: 2lbs
Receiver Weight: 3.3oz
3 year manufacturer warranty.
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