14 DAY TRIAL // While fresh Apple products are released with a bang, hardware upgrades are generally accompanied by press releases at most. Smaller stuff, however, like the new wired Apple Keyboard, doesn't even need introduction, Apple seems to believe.
Several Mac-focused sites have been nosing around Apple's recently updated store and found a new offering in the peripherals category - an aluminum, wired keyboard that lacks the numeric keypad we're all used to seeing on most keyboards (for both PC and Mac). However, some folks seem to do without that pesky numeric keypad. Laptop / Notebook users especially should find the new item extremely appealing. The fresh keyboard doesn't lack the two USB 2.0 ports found on all Apple keyboards.
So, here's Apple's description of the new peripheral:
The new Apple Keyboard features the compact design of the Apple Wireless Keyboard and the elegant, ultrathin anodized aluminum enclosure and two USB 2.0 ports of the Apple Keyboard with Numeric Keypad. The keyboard has low-profile keys that provide crisp, responsive feel as well as function keys for one-touch access to a variety of Mac features such as screen brightness, volume, eject, play/pause, fast-forward and rewind, Exposé, and Dashboard. Its compact design fits on your lap or on even the most crowded desk. And two USB 2.0 ports enable you to connect your Mighty Mouse as well as a high-speed peripheral such as a digital camera or printer.
Not so sure how many folks actually use those USB ports, especially those knowing that disconnecting a flash drive without unmounting it may cause loss of data. But hey, it never hurts to have extras.
Interested parties will find in the box an Apple Keyboard, a USB extension cable and Printed documentation. Apple also points out that minimum system requirements for using the keyboard include a Mac computer with available USB 1.1 or USB 2.0 port and Mac OS X v10.5.6 or later. The fresh keyboard undoubtedly makes a great companion to the new, NVIDIA-powered Mac mini.