MacGeek Pro

Back in the summer of 2007, Apple released a revamped keyboard with its Aluminum & Glass iMac. This keyboard came in wired and wireless varieties, and it was crazy thin.

Now, as a notebook user, you wouldn’t think I would have need of an external keyboard, as there is one built-in. However, I like to have my numerical pad so I can 10-key. I blame Excel and Business School.

I have long been a fan of Apple’s previous bluetooth wireless keyboard, and have used it for years. The thing is a freaking dirt & dust trap, though. And ever since I bought my MacBook in November of 2006, I’ve loved the chiclet style keys. Switching back and forth between the chiclet keys of my MacBook and the large, clunky keys of my bluetooth keyboard wasn’t always the most enjoyable experience.

The answer to my strife, it seemed, was this new aluminum keyboard, as it adopted the chiclet style keys of the MacBook. And it has built in iTunes control buttons, to boot. So, I thought the wireless aluminum keyboard would be a sure sell.

Wait. There’s no numerical keypad. It has the exact same design as the keyboard built into my MacBook. What. The. Heck.

Oh, look, the wired version is a standard sized keyboard with a number pad. But to go back to wired? Really? Ugh. Such a step backwards.

So I laid off getting a new keyboard and have since stuck with the old-style wireless keyboard.

But I still wanted that sexy thin keyboard with its chiclet keys that are such a joy to type on.

Well, this year, I decided to put it on my Christmas list, and my brother-in-law pulled through. I have gone back to wired, but it isn’t bad. I’ll probably invest in a USB hub soon, as two USB ports on my MacBook just aren’t enough. And Apple crippled the two USB ports on the keyboard itself by only allowing it to drive devices that require more power than a mouse when it’s connected to an iMac.

I have to say, this keyboard is really nice to type on. The key travel is spaced just right, it is effortless to press a key, and because it is so thin, I’m not having to arch my wrists at all, which I think will help with the whole carpel tunnel thing.

Now, hopefully, this will encourage me to write more blog posts. ;)

Apple, Just for Fun, Public Service Announcement, Review

Later today, my MacBook is going into the care of an Apple Genius for a few days. My firewire port died a few months ago, and now is as good a time as any to take it in for repair. Thankfully I am under AppleCare until November 2009. 

I’ve pre-written the rest of my “A Very MacGeek Christmas” series and they are auto scheduled for release over the next few days. 

I’ll write back soon to let you know how the patient did.

(Not going to lie, I wish I could use this as an excuse to get a MacBook Pro. *sigh*)

Happy New Year, everybody!

Apple, MacBook, Rant

In a surprise move today, Apple announced that the upcoming Macworld Expo 2009 will be the company’s last. Apple also announced Steve Jobs will not be giving his traditional Keynote address. Those reins have now been handed to Phil Schiller, Apple’s Senior Vice-President of Worldwide Product Marketing.

Wow.

I didn’t see this happening anytime in the next ten years. I gotta say, this is a complete bomb leaving a smoldering crater. I can’t even begin to imagine the ramifications and what the speculators will be saying over the next few weeks.

I’m not a big fan of those who spread FUD (that’s Fear, Uncertainty, & Doubt for the kids at home). So I’m not going to speculate and cause trouble. Apple has its own reasons for this. That’s fine.

I just hope all is well with the iCEO and the company.

Apple, Macworld Expo, Public Service Announcement, Rant

AT&T here in Lincoln, NE (and Omaha, I presume) flipped the switch on 3G this morning, bringing mobile broadband yumminess to my iPhone 3G. What can I say so far? It’s fast. Not quite as fast as using WiFi, but very, very close. This will be handy when out and about in Lincoln. When I am at home, I will probably still connect to my home WiFi.

However, I am resolved to keep my iPhone running on 3G for a little while in order to test performance. Mainly, I want to observe the hit on battery life, since Apple says using 3G may affect that. I noticed after using 3G for about three hours today, I had knocked my iPhone down to 80% battery. For some perspective, though, I was using my iPhone constantly during that time, instead of the occasional glance every 20-30 minutes. 

I am very glad AT&T rolled out 3G here in Nebraska. I had inquired last month at my local AT&T store, and the representative said it should be up and running by Thanksgiving. Looks like that goal has been met. I have to say, with all the griping I have heard people say about AT&T, I haven’t had any problems with them. Well, other than they are nonexistent when I travel to South Dakota, my homeland.

I’ll add updates if I find out anything noteworthy in the next day or two.

Apple, Celebrate Good Times, Public Service Announcement, Review, iPhone

Courtesy of MacRumors.com

This morning Apple held their “The Spotlight Turns to Notebooks” event and surprise, they released new notebook computers! In all honesty, this is an event I’ve been waiting a long time for. Now, I love my iPhone to death, and use it countless times every day, but it is time for the Mac to shine again.

Sure, Apple had the MacBook Air in January, but the Air didn’t really apply to me. I want two things in a notebook: storage & power. At the time of my last notebook purchase, the MacBook satiated me compared to my iBook G4 of yore. Two years later, I am toying with the idea of upgrading within the next year. My next logical step would be the MacBook Pro, but the thing has looked like an old PowerBook G4 for it’s 3 year existence. 

Well, Apple stepped up the sexiness factor of the MacBook Pro today. Take a look after the break. Read more…

Apple, Celebrate Good Times, MacBook, MacBook Air, MacBook Pro, Macintosh, Public Service Announcement