Here's my review of the new, slim Apple Keyboard that the latest iMacs are shipping with.
Starting with the unboxing pics -- well... there's really not much to say. It comes in a box, yeah, and the documentation is sat atop the keyboard.
The first thing you might feel though after opening the box is "Holy... WOW. This thing IS thin!" Yes it is. It's thinner than the aluminium stand that the iMacs have.
Now there's not much else to say about the keyboard except that it's exceptionally nice-and-slim. this isn't like the other Apple keyboards where it's fun to dismantle and then put-back-together. At this point I'm not even thinking about trying to dismantle this thing for fear of warping the keys from their current harmonious positions. Anyways, on with some details:
Keys
More like buttons really. Macbook (and not Macbook PRO) users will feel at home with this. The keys are almost pretty much just like one would find on the consumer-line macbooks. Veteran user's initial impressions are usually something like "How stupid! who would want to type on BUTTONS?" Well.. notebook/laptop users do - everyday. That's something I awkwardly had come to terms with when I asked that same question. I'm a Powerbook user. One thing a user can boast about this keyboard is that it has a heck of a lot more function keys (F keys) than probably any other keyboard on the planet. This keyboard goes up to F19! Aside from one quirk (see the last bit, Whoops! Sorry MacMAME users), the keyboard has a full set of fully-functional keys.
Media Keys
There used to be a ruckus online about the media keys not functioning properly with older mac systems (old as in even the recent 24" intel iMacs included). Well, now they do thanks to yet another Apple Keyboard Software Update. At the time I got my keyboard, the store employee was warning me about the media key issue. However, when I got home, the updated update (yes, I said updated update) was already available, so I had no problems with the media keys not working. I do have some complaints about how Apple chose the keys and their positions in the layout. Why is there only a key for "All-Windows" Exposé? Sure, if you have a Mighty Mouse you squeeze that sucker to get the other functions -- but I already mapped the Mighty Mouse for the same function! So there we have it on the keyboard, that ONE Exposé button. I would have printed the Exposé buttons (all 3 of em) on the F15-F17 keys.
Keyboard Preferences
As long as you've updated to the latest Apple Keyboard Update, you'll have no problems mapping this keyboard (or any other keyboard) to different Finder and Exposé functions. I can even finally map functions to higher F keys! This update has been long overdue however, so there's really no need for celebrations.
USB
The keyboard's USB ports are USB 1 ports, so don't get your hopes too high with connecting your video cameras there.
No More Apple
Veteran mac users will miss the little Apple icon on the command-key, so just hope your oldschool books all have command-x, and not apple-x for keyboard shortcuts :P
Whoops! Sorry MacMAME users
If you used to use those 6 keys above the arrow keys for gaming controls, you're going to be missing out on one key -- the HELP key. It's been replaced by the fn key, which is the same as the fn key on mac notebooks. The fn key allows you to use alternate functions for the F keys when used in conjunction. This makes it possible to hit F2 for a function instead of adjusting the brightness controls on your mac. Anyways, with the fn key there instead of the HELP key (whose function is almost never used for apps anyways), you can no longer map this key for gaming purposes. Big bummer for 2-player games on the same keyboard. Try another area of the keyboard?
Linear Mode
