4 ms·

I've been using this model keyboard for probably around 10 years now. I even have a couple spares sitting in a drawer since they don't make them anymore. * the

I've been using this model keyboard for probably around 10 years now. I even have a couple spares sitting in a drawer since they don't make them anymore. * they're very durable (talking normal usage + spilling drinks a few times a year — no stuck or broken keys) * the key labels never fade * there's 2 low-power USB ports (I think USB 2.0?) which aren't good for much, but good enough to plug a mouse into * it's not the easiest thing to take apart but if you get crumbs under a key, it's pretty easy to pry it up and then click it back in

jahnu 6y ago
Same. Love em. My current one is dying. Are there any similar ones on the market?
- machello13 6y ago
  I don't know. I have one spare left — when that's gone I'm toast. I think I remember reading something about a logitech keyboard with similar key travel, but that was years ago and I don't remember the model.
Hamuko 6y ago
>talking normal usage + spilling drinks a few times a year I've definitely dumped at least one cup of tea into mine, possibly even more, and it's still working perfect. It's quite bizarre actually.
- simonbarker87 6y ago
  I dumped an entire cup of tea into a 2016 MPB, it did not survive as well as your keyboard
  - Hamuko 6y ago
    My coworker apparently managed to dump at least some tea into his 15-inch MacBook Pro and it actually survived. I found it quite surprising, would've figured it was a death sentence for sure.
nuccy 6y ago
Interesting, a cup of sweet tea killed my A1243. Water got inside and shortened some pads or tracks, since pressing one key instead generated 3 or 4 others. I tried to dry it with rise and silica gel for weeks - didn't help. Then I tried to open it and that was an excellent example of an Apple product which feels great while it works and has 0 repairability, so is an e-waste when broken. Disassembly of any other keyboard would allow to fix such a simple problem. At the end I've got a used A1243 from ebay and am typing on it right now :) (if it breaks I would probably go to Logitech MX keys for Mac).
- nuccy 6y ago
  During disassembly what surprised me the most was that the back plate is really rigid, since that plastic is reinforced with a metal plate. Instead of fixing that plastic-metal assembly with excessive use of glue, some 6-10 screws on the perimeter could produce the same solidity feel. Unfortunately much less repair-friendly and probably more expensive solution was used instead.
  - aidenn0 6y ago
    As a rule, screws are more expensive than glue for manufacturing.
- aendruk 6y ago
  Yep, a splash of coffee is what finally did mine in and they’re totally unserviceable. Fortunately low-profile keys have been growing in popularity in the mechanical keyboard community so there are some excellent options to choose from now.
bee_rider 6y ago
I've been using my desktop with a portable monitor and a lapdesk, due to recent high demand for work-from-home space in my apartment. We shouldn't undervalue those USB ports, it is really nice to have all the non-monitor user interface stuff go through a single wire, if the alternative is to have a bunch of wires tangled around you on the couch.

jahnu 6y ago

Same. Love em. My current one is dying. Are there any similar ones on the market?

machello13 6y ago
I don't know. I have one spare left — when that's gone I'm toast. I think I remember reading something about a logitech keyboard with similar key travel, but that was years ago and I don't remember the model.

Hamuko 6y ago

>talking normal usage + spilling drinks a few times a year I've definitely dumped at least one cup of tea into mine, possibly even more, and it's still working perfect. It's quite bizarre actually.

simonbarker87 6y ago
I dumped an entire cup of tea into a 2016 MPB, it did not survive as well as your keyboard
- Hamuko 6y ago
  My coworker apparently managed to dump at least some tea into his 15-inch MacBook Pro and it actually survived. I found it quite surprising, would've figured it was a death sentence for sure.

nuccy 6y ago

Interesting, a cup of sweet tea killed my A1243. Water got inside and shortened some pads or tracks, since pressing one key instead generated 3 or 4 others. I tried to dry it with rise and silica gel for weeks - didn't help. Then I tried to open it and that was an excellent example of an Apple product which feels great while it works and has 0 repairability, so is an e-waste when broken. Disassembly of any other keyboard would allow to fix such a simple problem. At the end I've got a used A1243 from ebay and am typing on it right now :) (if it breaks I would probably go to Logitech MX keys for Mac).

nuccy 6y ago
During disassembly what surprised me the most was that the back plate is really rigid, since that plastic is reinforced with a metal plate. Instead of fixing that plastic-metal assembly with excessive use of glue, some 6-10 screws on the perimeter could produce the same solidity feel. Unfortunately much less repair-friendly and probably more expensive solution was used instead.
- aidenn0 6y ago
  As a rule, screws are more expensive than glue for manufacturing.
aendruk 6y ago
Yep, a splash of coffee is what finally did mine in and they’re totally unserviceable. Fortunately low-profile keys have been growing in popularity in the mechanical keyboard community so there are some excellent options to choose from now.

bee_rider 6y ago

I've been using my desktop with a portable monitor and a lapdesk, due to recent high demand for work-from-home space in my apartment. We shouldn't undervalue those USB ports, it is really nice to have all the non-monitor user interface stuff go through a single wire, if the alternative is to have a bunch of wires tangled around you on the couch.