i have, several times. there's nothing innovative about it, it's a standard membrane keyboard. they're cheaper, and if apple hadn't needed the steel strength plate it would be lighter. it's pure cheapness, nothing more or less and far less durable than other keyboard technologies. everyone is going to cheaper keyboard design, sadly. now i've got a really old keyboard, that's rather thick because it has a reed switch for each key, now that is extremely durable and fairly immune to contamination, but was doubtless very expensive (i got it surplus, a long, long time ago before i even had a sinclair computer which i later modified it for...). it's very much the same technology as many keypads that are just printed on a flat or domed plastic sheet, except that apple has added large plastic keys, it will not last forever though it's durable enough for most users and could always be repaired if needed. it's extremely, nearly identical in fact, to the design of the keyboards in the early apple laptops, which i've also disassembled and repaired, so it's definitely no something new (those keyboards were made by honeywell according to the markings). i'm not saying it's a bad technology, but it is on the cheap end of the spectrum, other than the nice case apple has put it in. the optical mouse isn't entirely new either, but the parts for such a device have become more economical and that is a robust technology. in the usb keyboards, there is indeed still a small keyboard, but mostly as a convenient way to mount the encoder chip. the connections aren't new either, those rubber strips with conductive layers have been used on lcd displays for over a decade (probably 3), i've got samples of just such connectors from over 10 years ago laying around somewhere. nothing innovative or unusual about it. if you find a pc keyboard of the membrane type, you'll find it extremely similar, in fact a tech list i'm on had an article about the cheapness of new keyboards compared to the old ones just last month. i like the usb keyboard, i just hope it last 5+ years which is probably all they are designed for.
"David M. Ensteness" wrote: > > > i've also taken apart mac keyboards, they are more or less "normal" or > > typical -------- > > Take apart a USB one, there is no circuit board ... I haven't seen a PC > keyboard that has the circuits for each key in multiple layers of paper > thin plastic, nor do I know why Apple chose to do that ... > > David --------- -- Philip Stortz--"Only love can kill the Demon", from Natural Born Killers, the American people and Government would be wise to heed that simple Wisdom. Blood Shed feeds the demon and makes it stronger, Love and Forgiveness starve the demon. hatred and violence are the demon. It's a good movie, if you can realize it's a farce and know what a farce is.... -- G-List is sponsored by <http://lowendmac.com/> and... Small Dog Electronics http://www.smalldog.com | Refurbished Drives | -- We have Apple Refurbished Monitors in stock! | & CDRWs on Sale! | Support Low End Mac <http://lowendmac.com/lists/support.html> G-List list info: <http://lowendmac.com/lists/g-list.shtml> --> AOL users, remove "mailto:"; Send list messages to: <mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To unsubscribe, email: <mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]> For digest mode, email: <mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Subscription questions: <mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Archive: <http://www.mail-archive.com/g-list%40mail.maclaunch.com/> Using a Mac? Free email & more at Applelinks! http://www.applelinks.com
