4 ms·

Ask HN: Is there a wired alternative to the Apple Magic KB?

3 points by da02 8y ago

What wired alternative is there to the Apple Magic Keyboard? (Similar to the scissor switch type feel, but with a USB cord, under $120, and made by another company.)

cookingoils 8y ago
HHKB
rexpi0 8y ago
Matias (http://matias.ca/products/ http://matias.ca/products/), and Satechi (https://satechi.net/collections/peripherals-1 https://satechi.net/collections/peripherals-1) have a number of wired keyboards that have similar looks (not sure about the feel). Similar to cookingoils, I like HHKB (https://www.hhkeyboard.com https://www.hhkeyboard.com or https://elitekeyboards.com/products.php?sub=pfu_keyboards https://elitekeyboards.com/products.php?sub=pfu_keyboards), but that doesn't meet any of your requirements.
- odonnellryan 8y ago
  Quickfire with blues is my favorite keyboard.
frou_dh 8y ago
It's my understanding that if you plug it in using the Lightning -> USB cable then it works as a wired keyboard.
- nik736 8y ago
  This.
- da02 8y ago
  Right, but the bluetooth transmitter is still on. Granted, the likelihood someone will try to hack and steal my $10 bank account credentials is unlikely. For some people, it's just nice to not have a bluetooth transmitter on a keyboard.
da02 8y ago
How about the corded Mini Keyboard C3 Corded (Pro Black edition)?: https://www.penclic.se/keyboard-landing-page/?type=corded https://www.penclic.se/keyboard-landing-page/?type=corded The Mini C3 Office Corded (with indented keys): https://www.penclic.se/shop/keyboard/new-mini-keyboard-c3-office-corded-black/ https://www.penclic.se/shop/keyboard/new-mini-keyboard-c3-of... The Mini C2 ($40): https://www.penclic.se/shop/keyboard/mini-keyboard-c2-corded-black/ https://www.penclic.se/shop/keyboard/mini-keyboard-c2-corded... Evoluent Essentials Full Featured Compact Keyboard (EKB): https://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2403772,00.asp https://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2403772,00.asp
da02 8y ago
A low-profile tenkeyless mechanical keyboard might be an option: https://www.amazon.com/Mechanical-Keyboard-Extra-Thin-Switches-HV-KB395L/dp/B0722GG88M/ https://www.amazon.com/Mechanical-Keyboard-Extra-Thin-Switch...
bradknowles 8y ago
Why not the wired USB keyboard from Apple? It looks and functions pretty much the same, it’s just USB and not Bluetooth.
- da02 8y ago
  I forgot to mention, that I was looking for one without the number pad. Apple also stopped making the USB/wired mini-keyboard. A few are available on eBay or Amazon Marketplace. I saw one $50 brand-new wired mini-Apple keyboard on eBay from one seller, but there is always the chance it might break down. In which case, I would have to go back and buy another one... probably when the prices have gone up.

3 points by da02 8y ago

What wired alternative is there to the Apple Magic Keyboard? (Similar to the scissor switch type feel, but with a USB cord, under $120, and made by another company.)

cookingoils 8y ago

HHKB

rexpi0 8y ago

Matias (http://matias.ca/products/ http://matias.ca/products/), and Satechi (https://satechi.net/collections/peripherals-1 https://satechi.net/collections/peripherals-1) have a number of wired keyboards that have similar looks (not sure about the feel). Similar to cookingoils, I like HHKB (https://www.hhkeyboard.com https://www.hhkeyboard.com or https://elitekeyboards.com/products.php?sub=pfu_keyboards https://elitekeyboards.com/products.php?sub=pfu_keyboards), but that doesn't meet any of your requirements.

odonnellryan 8y ago
Quickfire with blues is my favorite keyboard.

frou_dh 8y ago

It's my understanding that if you plug it in using the Lightning -> USB cable then it works as a wired keyboard.

nik736 8y ago
This.
da02 8y ago
Right, but the bluetooth transmitter is still on. Granted, the likelihood someone will try to hack and steal my $10 bank account credentials is unlikely. For some people, it's just nice to not have a bluetooth transmitter on a keyboard.

da02 8y ago

How about the corded Mini Keyboard C3 Corded (Pro Black edition)?: https://www.penclic.se/keyboard-landing-page/?type=corded https://www.penclic.se/keyboard-landing-page/?type=corded The Mini C3 Office Corded (with indented keys): https://www.penclic.se/shop/keyboard/new-mini-keyboard-c3-office-corded-black/ https://www.penclic.se/shop/keyboard/new-mini-keyboard-c3-of... The Mini C2 ($40): https://www.penclic.se/shop/keyboard/mini-keyboard-c2-corded-black/ https://www.penclic.se/shop/keyboard/mini-keyboard-c2-corded... Evoluent Essentials Full Featured Compact Keyboard (EKB): https://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2403772,00.asp https://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2403772,00.asp

da02 8y ago

A low-profile tenkeyless mechanical keyboard might be an option: https://www.amazon.com/Mechanical-Keyboard-Extra-Thin-Switches-HV-KB395L/dp/B0722GG88M/ https://www.amazon.com/Mechanical-Keyboard-Extra-Thin-Switch...

bradknowles 8y ago

Why not the wired USB keyboard from Apple? It looks and functions pretty much the same, it’s just USB and not Bluetooth.

da02 8y ago
I forgot to mention, that I was looking for one without the number pad. Apple also stopped making the USB/wired mini-keyboard. A few are available on eBay or Amazon Marketplace. I saw one $50 brand-new wired mini-Apple keyboard on eBay from one seller, but there is always the chance it might break down. In which case, I would have to go back and buy another one... probably when the prices have gone up.