Apple : Mac Week: Could it be magic, now? The last decade of Mac keyboard evolution |
- Mac Week: Could it be magic, now? The last decade of Mac keyboard evolution
- Mac Week: The 10 best MacBook cases, sleeves and bags around
- Mac Week: New Mac: what we want to see from Apple's next iMac desktop
| Mac Week: Could it be magic, now? The last decade of Mac keyboard evolution Posted:  Making magic takes time, you knowSome say Apple perfected the keyboard in 2007. We're not one of them, which is why we've spent more money than we care to think about getting my supple digits accustomed to different Mac keyboards throughout the years. The Cupertino, California-based firm pulled off a one-two sucker punch in 2015 by launching not one, but two new keyboards for the first time in eight years. Both the 12-inch MacBook and the new Magic Keyboard have proved divisive affairs with their low-slung keys, shallower than your average reality TV star. The question is: are Apple's keyboards getting better, or worse? Let's look back at offerings we've owned in the last decade-plus, in addition to glossing over Apple's latest Magic Keyboard.
This article has been updated for TechRadar's Mac Week. This year marks not only the 10th anniversary of Apple's unibody MacBook, but the triumphant return of macOS. So, TechRadar looks to celebrate with a week's worth of original features delving back into the Mac's past, predicting the Mac's future and exploring the Mac as it is today. Apple Wired Keyboard (2003)You can almost imagine the 2003 version of Apple's Wireless keyboard in a modern art exhibition next to Tracey Emin's bed. "Here lies a keyboard with the crumbs of a thousand lunches visible though its transparent base", a totally plausible sign could read. Transparent cases were the norm for Apple back in 2003, following its iMac G3 and PowerMac G3 computers of the era, and this keyboard looked pretty cool at the time. It packed the standard features you'd expect from a full-sized wired keyboard, including two USB ports and full-size number pad. Although nowhere near as satisfying to type on as today's mechanical keyboards, its spongey keys offered more travel and resistance than your average membrane keyboard and made for a curiously fulfilling typing experience.
Apple Keyboard with Numeric Keypad (2007)Like an accountant in a Bugatti, Apple's wired aluminum keyboard both oozes cool and can help you do your tax returns, thanks to its numeric keypad. Flatter, lighter and generally miles better looking than its 2003 predecessor, its 40 centimeters of sturdy metal build quality also make it a formidable weapon in the wrong person's hands. Perhaps surprisingly, it remains Apple's most recent wired keyboard following the company's decision not to refresh it in 2015. Which is just as well, as its comfortable keys, handily located USB ports (one on either side) and compact nature make it a treat for the fingers and the eyes.
Apple Wireless Keyboard (2007)Toting a similar design to Apple's other 2007 aluminum keyboard (you know – the wired one), Apple's Wireless Keyboard repositioned the arrow keys and removed the number pad to create a compact classic. So good, it was even worth raiding the bottoms of drawers for eight years to find re-chargable batteries with remaining fizz. The Wireless Keyboard was so popular that early iPad cases literally bent over backwards to accommodate it. In 2012, this editor backed a Kickstarter-funded case called the TypeCover that transported both an iPad and wireless keyboard at the same time. It was expensive and rubbish, but it worked, and showed the lengths people were prepared to go to carry around their favorite hunk of metal.
MacBook Air keyboard (2011)Call time; we have a winner. For us, the 13-inch MacBook Air remains the king of Apple keyboards. It's hard to put a finger – what's that, a typing pun? – on just what makes it great. Is it the subtle curvature of the Air's chiclet-spaced keys, which possess a near-perfect amount of just-shallow-enough travel? Or perhaps it's the spacious and comfortable aluminum wrist rest that aids you as you type. It could even be the way the keys wobble like an excited jelly. Because perfection is boring, we'd like to see a new version of the 13-inch MacBook Air's keyboard, one with larger key caps and increased stability (like the Magic Keyboard) but possessing the same amount of travel and style. Apple, if you're listening, I have three words for you: redesigned MacBook Pro.
Retina MacBook Pro keyboard (2013)Like a parent loving both children but having an unconscious preference for one over the other, this editor in particular has always preferred the Air's keyboard over the 13-inch Retina MacBook Pro. Despite offering a similar amount of travel and having the same sized keycaps, there's a subtle, but noticeable rigidity in the Pro's keys that makes typing slightly less fluid than on the Air. It's likely down to the Retina's chunkier profile under the keyboard and overall weightier feel. Don't get me wrong, the experience isn't a bad one: it's just the Pepsi to the Air's Coke; the McDonalds to its Burger King – the Van Damme to its Schwarzenegger. Likeable and popular, but no classic.
12-inch MacBook keyboard (2015)So this is, er, where things get a bit awkward. As we noted in our review of the 12-inch MacBook, you'll have no trouble typing on it for short-ish periods of time. Silly (and wrong) people sometimes mock Macs for being "expensive Facebook machines," but in the case of the new MacBook, it's only somewhat justified. This is one of the ultimate laptops for browsing the web and doing social media stuff, bashing out short quips to friends and typing out invites to UV bangle-littered foam parties. But not so much for serious productivity – the 1mm of travel afforded by the keyboard's Butterfly mechanism is simply too low for comfort when it comes to bashing out long documents. Wrist cramp sets in, inaccuracies creep into work and you'll have a miserable time finding a USB-C keyboard –mainly because few, if any, exist yet.
Apple Magic Keyboard (2015)Six keyboards in and we've arrived in the present, as illustrated by Apple's new Magic Keyboard hiding in a plant pot. What do you mean "why?" Leaf me alone. It was with some nervousness that we read the release detailing the new accessory, which on the plus side doesn't house Apple's Butterfly mechanisms under its keys. At the same time, its "low-profile scissor mechanism" sounded ominous – would it be as unsuitable as the 12-inch MacBook for blistering typing sessions? Spoiler: we used the Magic Keyboard to type this very article, and it was a mighty pleasurable (and pain-free) experience. However, Apple's 2007 Wireless Keyboard this is not. The keys are much shallower (around 1mm versus 2007's 2mm), and typing feels somewhere in-between that keyboard and the 12-inch MacBook's. You really have to try it for yourself. A nice touch over the 2007 Wireless model is its flatter profile. In the absence of a battery compartment, your wrists sit at a lower and more natural angle, which allows them to rest more comfortably on the desk – a bit like they do on the MacBook Air's keyboard. So, that's that. If you want to check out some foliage-free images of Apple's Magic Keyboard, then click on ahead.
Magic Keyboard: packagingThe Magic Keyboard comes in a typically snug packaging set-up from Apple. Would you expect anything less? Magic Keyboard: size versus 2007 WirelessIt fits snugly into the back of the 2007 Wireless keyboard, too. This is arguably Apple's most portable keyboard yet. Magic Keyboard: On switchPairing the Magic Keyboard to your Mac is as easy as connecting it via the supplied Lightning cable and turning it on using the button above. Within a few seconds you'll get a message saying that you can disconnect the cable. Wizard-worthy stuff, indeed. Magic Keyboard: side viewThe new Magic Keyboard is thinner, shorter and much lighter (0.5 pounds versus 0.7 pounds) than the 2007 Wireless keyboard. It truly is a portable keyboard this time around and would make a fine companion to the iPad Pro or the Mac Pro. |
| Mac Week: The 10 best MacBook cases, sleeves and bags around Posted:  These cases marry function and formMacBooks are delicate things, and it's a pity that we don't always look after them as best we should. One lapse in concentration and months of work are shattered into shards of unrepeatable swear words. This is where a good, quality case comes in. We've got the best in MacBook protection ranging from lightweight neoprene to sturdy watertight casing. We also cover cases that are designed for workers on the move and MacBook owners on a strict budget. And, protection doesn't just have to be functional, it can also be stylish, displaying your own artistic tastes. So, on we go with ten of the best cases to keep MacBooks and their owners happy. [Editor's Note: all prices are derived from Amazon, and all options are available for all MacBook models unless otherwise noted.] This article is part of TechRadar's Mac Week. This year marks not only the 10th anniversary of Apple's unibody MacBook, but the triumphant return of macOS. So, TechRadar looks to celebrate with a week's worth of original features delving back into the Mac's past, predicting the Mac's future and exploring the Mac as it is today. Image Credit: Etsy; HeebieJeebieMonsters BookBookPrice: $99 or about £65 Ever felt that the word "book" in MacBook should be taken to its literal conclusion? Well, step forward the BookBook. Made by Twelve South, a husband-and-wife company based in South Carolina who specialize in high quality Apple products, the case is available for MacBook Air, Pro and 12-inch models. Weighing just under 390g or 14 ounces, this leather case is based on an antique hardback book complete with a cushioned spine, reinforced corners and a cozy interior for your machine to nestle in. There are dual zips with leather tags that resemble old fashioned bookmarks. The spine even sports gold decal lettering. So real is the replication of an old tome that this case should deter would-be laptop thieves into thinking you're brushing up on some Keats, not uploading videos to the cloud. Quill not included. Brenthaven Collins BackpackPrice: $149 or £115 Laptop backpacks don't have to be bulky and ugly. Brenthaven's Collins Backpack has managed to retain the the practicality of the format while remaining fashionable. They've achieved this by keeping the form factor thin and reducing the amount of external zips. This is not to say that it's lost any of the storage capacity that a normal laptop backpack enjoys, far from it. Check out the two pockets on the outside flap, useful for storing books, accessories, chargers, tablets etc. In the main laptop chamber, Brenthaven use their own patent-pending HDF Protection System. It's a cradle that keeps the MacBook suspended, therefore preventing damage from drops. Admittedly, it's a little on the pricey side, but there is a lifetime guarantee – so, in theory, you'll never need to buy another laptop bag again. CaseablePrice: about $26 or £22 If you're looking for something a bit different, then Caseable may be the one for you. For a mere little more than a night at the movies, you can turn your MacBook into a portable work of art. The Berlin- and Brooklyn-based company has a team of artists each with their own collection to choose from. Check out Hipstory AKA Amit Shimoni's take on celebrity. There's JF Kennedy with a Hoxton style quiff, Che Geuvara in a beanie and Hillary Clinton with dip-dyed blue hair. The cases themselves are made of 5mm neoprene with classic YKK zips. And you can add a shoulder strap, too, as each case is made to order. Speck SeeThru hardshell casePrice: $50 or about £35 Hardshell cases are designed to stay on a MacBook permanently to absorb any bumps and scuffs. These cases are suitable for people who need to constantly access their machine in often precarious places. However, there are so many of these cases on offer, it's difficult to know which one is best. Top sellers are Speck's SeeThru range, and it's easy to see why. Firstly, they come in a rainbow of colors, and secondly, they're a doddle to clip on as many cheaper cases split when attached. Plus, it's the little things that make this stand out among the crowd, rubberized feet stop slippage and the external casing is scratch and smudge resistant. Oh, and one more thing, contrary to most companies' policies, Speck actively encourage customization. Check its website for images of Etsy sellers who've added attractive paint splatters to their cases. AmazonBasics laptop sleevePrice: about $8 or £8.49 AmazonBasics's range covers everything from guitar stands, gym mats, pet beds, batteries, cables and handily for this feature, laptop sleeves. With this budget sheath, Amazon has taken the Henry Ford approach to color choice: black, and that's it. But, what it lacks in style it more than makes up for in value. For under a tenner, you'll receive a slim, neoprene shell with a neat protective lip that stops the zip from scratching the MacBook. There's also a version with a strap for a few extra bucks. SubTech Sports Pro DryCasePrice: $149 or about £110 For some, protection against the general bumps and bruises of the daily commute isn't enough. for those that demand ultimate protection, enter the SubTech Sports Pro DryCase. The clue's in the name, it's primarily designed to keep a laptop dry while – as in the case of its video ad – being strapped to a continually submerging canoe. SubTech claims that the insides will stay dry for one hour at a depth of 5 meters. It's lined with silicon memory foam for shock protection. And, because it's going to be thrown around more than usual, the external coating is made of self-healing silicon. Mission Leather Co. casePrice: starting at $69 or about £53 Elegant, hard-wearing and won't break the bank, Mission Leather Company cases are handmade from 3mm of tough leather. Coating the inside is a layer of 100% Merino felt which prevents scratches and feels really pleasing to touch. There are three styles to choose from: a simple slip case, one with a small clipping strap and a landscape format that looks more like a traditional school satchel. Adding to the academic look are the fastenings, which are large metal poppers that seal together with a satisfying click. Out of the four colors, our personal favorite is the slightly battered dark brown that looks like something Harry Potter would keep spell books in. Inateck Felt Case and mouse bagPrice: $14 or £17 This chic but understated felt slipcase is both functional and beautifully soft to the touch. Each edge is stitched around half a centimeter in, which creates a buffer that absorbs corner and edge knocks. Upon opening the strong velcro, you'll find a neat pocket for a notepad and tablet. Further inside, the pocket for the laptop itself is lined with mold-resistant microfiber. It also comes bundled with a matching felt pouch for a mouse. All this for less than 20 bucks, you say? Sold! Etsy for daysPrice: From about $10 (£10) to over about $3,600 (£2,800) (for a 'bling' case) There hundreds upon hundreds of handmade MacBook cases on Etsy ranging from the bling to the monstrous. One of our favorite shops is OhKoey, which features creations from Corri and Vicki who reside in Ocala, Florida. Their sunny location is reflected in their bright and bold fabric choices. They produce well-made cases that are superbly lined and can be monogrammed with the owner's initials. Starting at just about $21 (about £16), they're a perfect present. Rickshaw Bagworks Commuter Laptop BagPrice: $200 or about £150 This traditional, if a little pricey, satchel belies a technically advanced shoulder bag that's been created with cyclists in mind. On the front, in between the two sturdy clips, there's a strip of webbing to attach a bike light to. Need to grab your phone quickly? Pop it in the rear zipped pocket, as it's divided into sections for a phone and stationery items. Inside, the top folds out like a bicycle pannier and works in just the same way. So, you can increase either water protection by folding it down or storage capacity by unfolding it upwards. The main cavity of the Commuter Laptop Bag can store a notebook, accessories, chargers, books – you name it. Again, it's divided into several sections and includes a removable laptop sleeve for added protection. Considering the combination of function and form, not a bad deal. |
| Mac Week: New Mac: what we want to see from Apple's next iMac desktop Posted:  New MacA quick web search for the best Mac desktops results in little more than Apple's iMac all-in-one: a computer that, while great, still stumbles when trying to cater to the hardcore enthusiast audience. Sure, you can get it off the shelf with a 4K or 5K screen, in both 21.5- and 27-inch form-factors, but it's not as if multiple edit streams of video – much less gaming – at either resolution wouldn't give it a hard time. As such, our curiosity has piqued about the direction Apple plans to take its Macs in the future. For example, we're nearing the two-year anniversary of the most recent Mac mini. A new Mac Pro, on the other hand, hasn't been issued since late 2013. We're long overdue for a massive overhaul. When it could happen is an interesting question, but we're just as curious as to what it could be. A seven-year upgrade cycle may have been acceptable in 2006, but 10 years later we've come to expect annual iterations from Apple. If the plan is to retire all but the iMac, Apple needs to find a way to retain its mini PC and prosumer customers. Otherwise, the company's dedicated user base will have no choice but to flee to Windows 10. Sure, you could argue that Apple's "other" Macs are still up for sale. Both the Mac mini and Mac Pro can be found on the company's website starting at $2,999 (£2,499, AU$4,899) and $499 (£399, AU$779), respectively. The only problem is, those prices haven't changed since the products launched, and outdated hardware makes for an outdated price. Ch-ch-ch-ch-ChangesEven if you can see past the fact that the Mac mini still rocks Haswell processors nigh-two years on, or that the Intel Xeon E5/AMD FirePro D300 inside the Mac Pro have been long succeeded by more powerful components, it isn't just the guts latching onto old tech. From the outside looking in, the Mac mini still clings to a pair of Thunderbolt 2 ports despite the MacBook range making the move to USB-C and both the upcoming MacBook Pro 2016 and MacBook Air 2016 lineups rumored to do the same. Meanwhile, the Mac Pro triples that number with not two, but six antiquated Thunderbolt ports. Clearly, it's time for a makeover in the connections department. At the same time, even the iMac could use the USB-C treatment, maybe even as a means for video output from another device, since it looks like the Thunderbolt display is getting the boot. Sure, the iMac has seen enough revisions to drive a Mac Pro fan up the wall. But, in recent memory, the changes seemed slight, with minor upticks to the resolution as well as the expected processor maintenance to stay in tune with Intel's CPU roadmap. If Apple truly is ditching the Mac Pro, it should at least do us the service of releasing an iMac Pro configuration. Imagining the iMac Pro (and iMac mini?)Imagine that glitzy, 27-inch 5K display paired with a 10-core Intel Xeon E7 (or two) and the latest and greatest AMD FirePro W9100 – they can figure out how to fit it. Sure, it'd be an expensive rig, but Mac Pro users never settled for cheap anyway. Plus, the luxury of a monitor, mouse and keyboard already included in the box would be well worth the price of admission. However, we might get our dreams of another 5K-resolution Mac out of a partnership that Apple may have struck up with LG, Bloomberg recently reported. The two are said to be working together on a new monitor, not a PC – but one that could make a 5K Mac out of (almost) any Mac! Theoretically, the Mac mini could also benefit from the all-in-one treatment. Other AIO makers, such as Lenovo with its ThinkCentre Tiny-in-One and Maingear with its Alpha 34, have already gone the modular route, letting us upgrade by simply sliding the guts of the computer out and replacing them with a new, more competent set of components. If Apple wanted to stay one step ahead of Microsoft, perhaps a new Mac mini approach could play a role in Cupertino's next iMac design. Going all-in on all-in-oneUnless something changes (and fast), it's looking more and more as if Apple is committed to making the iMac its one and only desktop range. Done right, it's not a bad call. The problem is that with the current iMac lineup, our options are fairly limited. Sure, the resolution is fantastic, but without the equipment to match, a 5K screen means next to nothing. For professional creative types, such as video editors or 3D animators, the 2GB of VRAM that the top-end iMac offers might get the job done at the native, Ultra HD resolution, but not at a pace as rapid as their workflow. If Apple honestly wants to retain its Mac Pro user base, the company should take a few notes from its own cylindrical pastime. Companies like HP have proven that crafting an all-in-one workstation is far from impossible. In fact, most of our complaints about the second-gen Mac Pro would be resolved if its internals were somehow stuffed into an all-in-one. Despite Apple's endless mission for thinness, it's not as if the thing is going anywhere fast as is. No longer would we have to buy a keyboard and mouse, as the iMac ships with both a Magic Mouse 2 and the fantastic Magic Keyboard. Hell, it even comes with a screen. Sure, internal expansion would be an even harder problem to solve, but unless Apple would let us change out between Mac minis in a modular all-in-one device (hey, we can dream), that compromise wouldn't leave us in shambles. Moreover, while we took issue with the lack of an optical drive back in 2013, disc-based software has pressed on towards obsolescence, making it much less of a priority now. Unifying the iMacObviously, given its abandonment of the Mac mini and the Mac Pro in recent years, as well as the discontinuation of the Thunderbolt Display, Apple seemingly would rather bring attention to a new iPad Pro than waste time rethinking the way it handles the Mac. With no offense to the Mac and all it stands for, the 2-in-1 market is unmistakably lucrative. That's why perhaps Apple making like Nintendo and merging its products into one might not be such a bad idea. After all, Apple commonly boasts its simplicity and ingenuity, which would certainly be tested if it were to follow through on this idea. As releasing new Mac Pros and Mac minis on a regular basis is apparently too much to ask for, what we really want from Apple's next desktop is a true all-in-one computer. Something that renders 4K videos as well (and fast) as it can display them. Many commercial video folks have already made the move to iMac given the rusty state of the current Mac Pro. With an amped up processor, a handful of additional ports and even better GPU performance, a "Pro"-grade iMac would give power users what they need without detracting from Apple's present business model. It's a win-win. In one word, what we'd like to see from the next Mac is consistency. No more product launches followed by years of silence, whatever that takes to achieve. This article is part of TechRadar's Mac Week. This year marks not only the 10th anniversary of Apple's unibody MacBook, but the triumphant return of macOS. So, TechRadar looks to celebrate with a week's worth of original features delving back into the Mac's past, predicting the Mac's future and exploring the Mac as it is today. |
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