Macally USB Slim Keyboard - ICEKEY
by Macally
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Digital Cameras Photo Reviews of Macally USB Slim Keyboard - ICEKEY
Customer Review: Letting my fingers do the talking!
Summary: 5 Stars
I'm going to join the chorus of praise singers for this keyboard. I'm loving it! I first found out about it when I saw one up for auction on, you know, the big auction website. I went and checked the reviews here at Amazon first and after reading all the glowing reviews, decided I'd try it out. I went back to the auction to place a bid, but stopped myself and added the numbers in my head and thought, with the cost of shipping after the auction and all that, why not just buy a brand new one off of Amazon--it'll only cost me a little more. So that's what I did. I had picked up a used Digital Audio G4 recently and needed a USB keyboard. Well, after placing my order, I was impatient to try out the G4, so I succumbed to impulse and went down to the CompUknowWho store and bought a USB Apple Pro keyboard, thinking I'd take really good care of it so I could return it if I thought the IceKey turned out to be a much better keyboard. The IceKey arrived a few days later, and yes--very much yes!--the IceKey is a wonderful gem. The other glowing reviews here say everything I would say about it. And instead of returning the Apple Pro keyboard, I'm giving it to my wife for Christmas, along with the G4 tower, and am keeping the IceKey for myself as I get back to work on my upgraded B&W G3. No more ADB keyboard for me. You're supposed to give something to yourself for the holidays too, right? Wow, what a pleasure, and it looks so nice. Maybe I'll get another one for the wife--for Valentine's Day--and then put the Apple Pro up for auction. That'll make a happy home, right? You got a Mac? You ought to try this keyboard.Customer Review: Brilliant!
Summary: 5 Stars
I have to say, after purchasing and returning 2 other keyboards in the past week, I've finally found an excellent piece of hardware to go with my iMac.
Here is a quick summary for those looking feverishly for a fantastic keyboard:
[PROS]
1. Fantastic style (especially for those looking to compliment their Apple computer - iMac et al)
2. Slim design that's very ergonomic - typing is comfortable and "snappy"
3. The scissor-key switch design is brilliant - typing is swift, and little pressure is needed. Tactile feel is also excellent, and I'm rather picky.
4. 2 additional USB ports.
5. Mac-oriented layout of the keys.
[CONS]
1. Although pretty negligible, the USB ports would be better oriented if they were located at the back of the keyboard, rather than the ends - if you happen to use your mouse close to the keyboard on either side, you may have some interference with anything that happens to be plugged in.
2. It's nice and white, so you'll notice dirt collecting more so than on a dark keyboard. One little trick to keep this to a minimum: keep a bottle of Purell (the hand wash that evaporates) next to your machine, and use it before you sit down for a session - works great for me!
Overall, I love the keyboard, although it took me three attempts to find the "perfect" one, I'm completely satisfied with it and would highly recommend it (especially to anyone who happens to own an iMac G5).
Enjoy!
Customer Review: Scissor-key workhorse
Summary: 5 Stars
I have been using the MacAlly Icekey since 2005, for work and for play. So it gets a hard workout every day. And I do mean EVERY day, 8+ hrs on Mon thru Fri.
I chose this keyboard because I wanted to use scissor keys, like my laptop keyboard has. I like that special feel of the scissor keys, and for me they depress more easily.
This keyboard has not disappointed me.
I like the volume up/down/mute feature because I play internet radio a lot, but when my phone rings, I need to shut the sound off fast.
I also am using this keyboard and my monitor on a KVM switch between my Mac Mini and a Dell Laptop running Win XP. The keyboard works fine for both computers.
Over time, part of the letters on two keys have worn off, however after 4 years I don't see that as excessive wear. None of the key caps have popped off.
All in all, I'd buy this keyboard again, for sure. It has held up better than most others I have had, and I like the tactile feel of the scissor keys.
I use one of the two USB ports for my trackball.
Update: I bought a new Mac Mini Intel Core duo 2 running Snow Leopard and found that MacAlly had new software for the keyboard. (users note that you do have to install software for the Mac to use the 3 sound keys and the eject key). MacAlly does have intel mac OS x software on their website. I installed it with no difficulty and my keyboard works perfectly. The driver is found on this page, it's the first link under the Icekey:
[...]
Customer Review: Awesome keyboard at a great price
Summary: 5 Stars
This is a fantastic keyboard. It has a great feel. I type very quickly (~75 words/minute), and the low-profile keys never trip me up. (On the stock KB w/ my gigabit Power Mac, I sometimes caught the corners on the high-profile keys.)
The keys are very easy to push without being "too" easy. It's also pretty quiet. The key action is very similar to that on my MacBook, but the shape of the keys is much better. Expect smooth, responsive touch typing without finger fatigue. Key placement is very good; expect little pinky finger contortion.
Volume and eject buttons work well--can't remember if this required drivers.
I've had this keyboard for about 9 months, and I'm back on the product page b/c I'm about to buy a second one for the office.
I just finished writing my dissertation, and including all the drafts plus all the other typing I've done, I've typed hundreds and hundreds (maybe thousands) of pages' worth of text on this keyboard. I eat and drink around it (no direct spills but plenty of crums and peanut butter) all the time. I unplug and reconnect stuff to the USB ports like crazy. It's held up splendidly through it all. I almost never even wipe it down, and it still looks great.
Like all of my Mac keyboards, I successfully pried off the "Help" key. (Do it! You know you're sick of bumping into it. Having it next to the forward delete button always gets too annoying.)
Customer Review: Excellent replacement for Mac keyboard
Summary: 5 Stars
It was inevitable that the kids would spill something on the 3 y/o original Mac keyboard. I tried a Logitech keyboard from WalMart but the lack of a command key, no volume keys, and squishy keys were deal-killers. I bought this Macally based on other reviews, and I am thrilled with it.
The keys don't have a long down stroke, and they provide an excellent tactile feel when the key is depressed. It's not a loud clackity-clack by any means, like the old IBM keyboards that Gary North likes. I sense that I am typing faster that I used to, probably because of the key response and the shorter stroke.
This keyboard does have volume increase, decrease, and mute buttons and DVD eject buttons like a Mac original keyboard. The help-home-page up-del-end-page down keys are also arranged like the Mac original. There is a little extra key at the bottom right. It did throw off my fingers for a few days when trying to hit 'control' but my fingers learn quickly. This keyboard is an excellent replacement for the Mac original.
If I could make a design change, it would be the direction of the USB ports. Instead of sticking out from the left and right ends of the keyboard, I'd put them on the top end nearest the computer. Sticking out from the sides, they take up an inch of desk space. Not terrible, but worth a look. (Maybe it's an IP idiocy issue.)
Regards,
Brian & Amy