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REVIEW: Macally BTkey Wireless Bluetooth Keyboard for Mac
by Irv Haas
The Review Guru
I
f you read last month’s review of the Microsoft
Bluetooth® Mobile Keyboard 6000, you read
that although I was impressed with much of the
keyboard, there were several things which I found
disappointing.
These have been mostly eliminated with the Macally
BTkey Wireless Bluetooth Keyboard for Mac. This keyboard
uses the newer scissor-key switches for an extremely
responsive touch.
The most basic feature is that this keyboard is de-
signed specically for Macs and not a Mac after-
thought like the Microsoft keyboard. It works per-
fectly for Macs right out of the box. Its white color is
a perfect complement for iMacs.
Microsoft 6000 vs. Macally Keyboard
One of the basic dierences is its price. The Micro-
soft keyboard lists for $90 with discounts around
$60. The Macally keyboard lists for $70 with dis-
counts around $40.
For $20 less what do you get? Check out the table
below:
Both keyboards feature a light touch keypad as well
as a thin design. The Macally keyboard is 3/8” thin
like Apple’s own keyboard compared to the Micro-
soft’s ½”.
One of the nicer touches of the BTkey keyboard is
that it oers latches underneath to raise the key-
board from at to about a 20º slant. This makes a
more comfortable typing position. Even Apple does
not oer this feature.
Why Bluetooth?
Compared to wireless USB, are there any advantages
to Bluetooth? Both are wireless and easy to install.
Let’s check out the dierences:
USB: Uses a small dongle to connect to your Mac via
a USB port. The connection is instant. Plug in your
dongle (transceiver) and your connection is instant.
Bluetooth: Eliminates the dongle/USB port and makes
a wireless connection as well. But an extra step is
necessary: you need to pair your device to your Mac
by going to (1) Bluetooth icon in the menu bar or (2)
Bluetooth section of System Preferences. Think of it
as shaking hands between your Mac and your key-
board!
Although wireless USB is technically faster than Blue-
tooth (480 Mbps vs. 1-2 Mbps), you are unlikely to
see any real world
performance dier-
ences.
Installation
Keyboard instal-
lation is usually
an easy process and the Macally keyboard was no
exception:
MACALLY BTKEY MICROSOFT 6000
Function Keys 15 12
Keypad Attached Removable
Color White Black
On/O Switch Yes Yes
Bluetooth Pairing Light Yes Yes
Caps Lock Light Yes No
Keyboard Orientation Rectangular Curved
Low Battery Light Yes Yes
MSRP $69.99 $89.95
(28 paginas)
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