Comments on: Matias Tactile Pro Mac Keyboard Review http://the-gadgeteer.com/2004/07/26/matias_tactile_pro_mac_keyboard_review/ Gadget reviews and news by Julie Strietelmeier and friends since 1997 Sun, 08 Nov 2009 17:16:59 -0500 http://wordpress.org/?v=abc hourly 1 By: Alanisgood http://the-gadgeteer.com/2004/07/26/matias_tactile_pro_mac_keyboard_review/comment-page-1/#comment-20087 Alanisgood Tue, 06 Nov 2007 19:13:32 +0000 #comment-20087 There need to be approximately 0 flaws in a keyboard to justify paying more than $40 for one. There need to be approximately 0 flaws in a keyboard to justify paying more than $40 for one.

]]> By: Julie http://the-gadgeteer.com/2004/07/26/matias_tactile_pro_mac_keyboard_review/comment-page-1/#comment-20086 Julie Sun, 21 Oct 2007 19:30:58 +0000 #comment-20086 Jake-2: They haven't offered and I haven't requested... Jake-2:

They haven’t offered and I haven’t requested…

]]> By: Jake-2 http://the-gadgeteer.com/2004/07/26/matias_tactile_pro_mac_keyboard_review/comment-page-1/#comment-20085 Jake-2 Sun, 21 Oct 2007 18:18:41 +0000 #comment-20085 Question is, are you guys going to review the MTP 2.0? <a href="" />I tried it</a> and didn't think much of the experience. Question is, are you guys going to review the MTP 2.0? I tried it and didn’t think much of the experience.

]]> By: majormauser http://the-gadgeteer.com/2004/07/26/matias_tactile_pro_mac_keyboard_review/comment-page-1/#comment-20084 majormauser Sun, 17 Jun 2007 13:37:23 +0000 #comment-20084 Something I forgot -:confused: Also The MTP HAS 2 (Two) USB CABLES hardwired to the left side of keyboard?! One of the reasons I Purchased it was I thought it was a USB 2 Hub.... but in order to use it as a Hub... its 1 (ONE) usb 2 port has to be plugged into a second USB port... on a powerbook or MacBook pro this takes up every port and being a mobile user I cant see myself plugging in both every time... so a hub is still a must for the laptop user. Something I forgot -:confused:

Also The MTP HAS 2 (Two) USB CABLES hardwired to the left side of keyboard?! One of the reasons I Purchased it was I thought it was a USB 2 Hub…. but in order to use it as a Hub… its 1 (ONE) usb 2 port has to be plugged into a second USB port… on a powerbook or MacBook pro this takes up every port and being a mobile user I cant see myself plugging in both every time… so a hub is still a must for the laptop user.

]]> By: majormauser http://the-gadgeteer.com/2004/07/26/matias_tactile_pro_mac_keyboard_review/comment-page-1/#comment-20083 majormauser Sun, 17 Jun 2007 13:19:41 +0000 #comment-20083 I purchased the MTP Keyboard recently on the impression that I would be getting a Quality Keyboard worth $149. My purchase was based on that it was going to have a “New” Optimize Key on the keyboard that would allow you to assign certain functions to the keyboard like cut and paste to half the keyboard… it was a cool option. But after my order without emailing or telling its pre-orders Matias decided to scrap this option. It was still being advertised on its website… plus the keys were a new design and not the Alps Keys. To Top this off the Website also pictured the F13,F14,F15 Keys as having Lights on them…. they were mysteriously missing from the keyboard I had received. My Review before returning it. The overall feel of the keyboard is cheap (the plastic just not quality I would expect) and the keyboard risers would probably break if any weight was put on the keyboard. Each Key wiggles slightly before you depress it. It does not have the tight feel of a quality keyboard. The angle of the Keyboard is also weird as well… it sits too high and you can’t rest your wrists on your work surface and type without bending your hands up until its very uncomfortable. I was hoping for more and at $149 you should expect it. The misrepresentations of the MTP on Matias’s website are unforgivable. I purchased the MTP Keyboard recently on the impression that I would be getting a Quality Keyboard worth $149. My purchase was based on that it was going to have a “New” Optimize Key on the keyboard that would allow you to assign certain functions to the keyboard like cut and paste to half the keyboard… it was a cool option. But after my order without emailing or telling its pre-orders Matias decided to scrap this option. It was still being advertised on its website… plus the keys were a new design and not the Alps Keys. To Top this off the Website also pictured the F13,F14,F15 Keys as having Lights on them…. they were mysteriously missing from the keyboard I had received.

My Review before returning it.

The overall feel of the keyboard is cheap (the plastic just not quality I would expect) and the keyboard risers would probably break if any weight was put on the keyboard. Each Key wiggles slightly before you depress it. It does not have the tight feel of a quality keyboard. The angle of the Keyboard is also weird as well… it sits too high and you can’t rest your wrists on your work surface and type without bending your hands up until its very uncomfortable.

I was hoping for more and at $149 you should expect it. The misrepresentations of the MTP on Matias’s website are unforgivable.

]]> By: elvisb http://the-gadgeteer.com/2004/07/26/matias_tactile_pro_mac_keyboard_review/comment-page-1/#comment-20082 elvisb Sat, 04 Sep 2004 02:31:16 +0000 #comment-20082 I loved the review on the Matias Tactile Mac Keyboard, a great job. It is everything you say and more. I use the option, option shift functions on the Mac a lot doing engineering work. I used to go to keycaps to find where all those leters and symbols were but now I'm looking at 3 keyboards. Here is the good news, Small Dog Electronics sells the keyboard for $79.00 Just go to theoir Web Site, smalldog.com I loved the review on the Matias Tactile Mac Keyboard, a great job. It is everything you say and more. I use the option, option shift functions on the Mac a lot doing engineering work. I used to go to keycaps to find where all those leters and symbols were but now I’m looking at 3 keyboards.
Here is the good news, Small Dog Electronics sells the keyboard for $79.00 Just go to theoir Web Site, smalldog.com

]]> By: Ben S http://the-gadgeteer.com/2004/07/26/matias_tactile_pro_mac_keyboard_review/comment-page-1/#comment-20081 Ben S Fri, 30 Jul 2004 15:00:18 +0000 #comment-20081 Call me crazy, but <a href="http://www-132.ibm.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?catalogId=-124&langId=124&partNumber=31P8950&storeId=124">this</a> is the best keyboard I've ever used. (Note that the $134 price is in Canadian). For one thing, it has the same layout as my ThinkPad's built-in keyboard, which is great because I don't have any cognitive dissonance when switching from being docked to being mobile. Unlike most laptop keyboards, ThinkPad keyboards don't feel at all cramped and I can touchtype at full speed on it. The key travel and spacing are both virtually the same as a quality desktop keyboard. If there's one thing IBM does right, it's keyboards! (ThinkPads are pretty hot too). It also has audio control buttons and a function-key button so I can access the ThinkPad's laptop-esque functions (like monitor switch, suspend, etc.,) without switching keyboards. It has a full-size numeric keypad, trackpad, and NavPoint. I nearly never use my mouse (unless I'm gaming). It has two USB (1.1) connectors on the back. And finally, it's so light and thin I can use it virtually anywhere. Oh, and there's no "click & clack" :) Call me crazy, but this is the best keyboard I’ve ever used. (Note that the $134 price is in Canadian).

For one thing, it has the same layout as my ThinkPad’s built-in keyboard, which is great because I don’t have any cognitive dissonance when switching from being docked to being mobile. Unlike most laptop keyboards, ThinkPad keyboards don’t feel at all cramped and I can touchtype at full speed on it. The key travel and spacing are both virtually the same as a quality desktop keyboard. If there’s one thing IBM does right, it’s keyboards! (ThinkPads are pretty hot too).

It also has audio control buttons and a function-key button so I can access the ThinkPad’s laptop-esque functions (like monitor switch, suspend, etc.,) without switching keyboards.

It has a full-size numeric keypad, trackpad, and NavPoint. I nearly never use my mouse (unless I’m gaming).

It has two USB (1.1) connectors on the back.

And finally, it’s so light and thin I can use it virtually anywhere.

Oh, and there’s no “click & clack” :)

]]> By: questionfear http://the-gadgeteer.com/2004/07/26/matias_tactile_pro_mac_keyboard_review/comment-page-1/#comment-20080 questionfear Thu, 29 Jul 2004 21:11:14 +0000 #comment-20080 <blockquote><em>Originally posted by Julie </em> [B]questionfear: Nope, no pillow in the face. But then, my computer is in the basement and the bedrooms are upstairs :) [/B]</blockquote> oh good. well that's some indicator of how loud/not loud the keyboard is ;-) you know, noisy electronics is a problem...maybe that should be a new section of the review. on a scale of 1-5 pillows, 5 being the most your s.o. can tolerate before you're smothered in them, how loud is this gadget?

Originally posted by Julie
[B]questionfear:
Nope, no pillow in the face. But then, my computer is in the basement and the bedrooms are upstairs :) [/B]

oh good. well that’s some indicator of how loud/not loud the keyboard is ;-)

you know, noisy electronics is a problem…maybe that should be a new section of the review. on a scale of 1-5 pillows, 5 being the most your s.o. can tolerate before you’re smothered in them, how loud is this gadget?

]]> By: alex_t_king http://the-gadgeteer.com/2004/07/26/matias_tactile_pro_mac_keyboard_review/comment-page-1/#comment-20079 alex_t_king Tue, 27 Jul 2004 19:11:26 +0000 #comment-20079 You can get the same keyboard from Kensington for $20 less: <a href="http://www.kensington.com/html/2529.html">http://www.kensington.com/html/2529.html</a> I ordered the Kensington when the Matias was back-ordered: <a href="http://www.alexking.org/blog/2004/04/08/kensington-studioboard-mechanical-keyboard/">http://www.alexking.org/blog/2004/04/08/kensington-studioboard-mechanical-keyboard/</a> You can get the same keyboard from Kensington for $20 less:

http://www.kensington.com/html/2529.html

I ordered the Kensington when the Matias was back-ordered:

http://www.alexking.org/blog/2004/04/08/kensington-studioboard-mechanical-keyboard/

]]> By: SQLDba http://the-gadgeteer.com/2004/07/26/matias_tactile_pro_mac_keyboard_review/comment-page-1/#comment-20078 SQLDba Tue, 27 Jul 2004 16:54:56 +0000 #comment-20078 Just curious how heavy the keyboard is. I have a couple of the old IBM clickity keyboards (love them more than the Natural (split) keyboards even) but the one thing about them is they are heavy. Like 6 - 7 pounds heavy. Really prevents them from coming with the laptop when I travel somewhere that I know I am going to type a lot. This might be an option... Just curious how heavy the keyboard is. I have a couple of the old IBM clickity keyboards (love them more than the Natural (split) keyboards even) but the one thing about them is they are heavy. Like 6 – 7 pounds heavy. Really prevents them from coming with the laptop when I travel somewhere that I know I am going to type a lot.

This might be an option…

]]> By: Julie http://the-gadgeteer.com/2004/07/26/matias_tactile_pro_mac_keyboard_review/comment-page-1/#comment-20077 Julie Tue, 27 Jul 2004 15:45:20 +0000 #comment-20077 questionfear: I just fixed the link... thank for the heads up! No, I've not had any experience with any other Apple keyboards... Nope, no pillow in the face. But then, my computer is in the basement and the bedrooms are upstairs :) questionfear:
I just fixed the link… thank for the heads up!

No, I’ve not had any experience with any other Apple keyboards…

Nope, no pillow in the face. But then, my computer is in the basement and the bedrooms are upstairs :)

]]> By: Error94 http://the-gadgeteer.com/2004/07/26/matias_tactile_pro_mac_keyboard_review/comment-page-1/#comment-20076 Error94 Tue, 27 Jul 2004 15:13:42 +0000 #comment-20076 I would love to try the PC version when it comes out! I am so tired of the $19.99 mushy keyboards I have at work. Yes, (optional) lights would be cool, but only if they make the keys themselves more visible at night. I am a touch-typist, but with the extended character set printed on the keys, it would be nice to be able to see them in the dark (being the cave-dwelling computer programmer that I am). I also very much miss the keyboards that were on some of the old Hewlett-Packard terminals on which I used to work. They had a good feel, but the keys themselves were pretty quiet. The cool part was that there was a speaker that you could turn on/off built into the bottom of the keyboard that would mimic IBM-style keystroke sounds. The sound from the speaker was very tactile -- a keyboard "subwoofer" so to speak. If someone came out with that concept again, you could have it on during the day, and turn the "click" off at night when your SO is trying to sleep (avoiding the pillow in the face). I would love to try the PC version when it comes out! I am so tired of the $19.99 mushy keyboards I have at work. Yes, (optional) lights would be cool, but only if they make the keys themselves more visible at night. I am a touch-typist, but with the extended character set printed on the keys, it would be nice to be able to see them in the dark (being the cave-dwelling computer programmer that I am).

I also very much miss the keyboards that were on some of the old Hewlett-Packard terminals on which I used to work. They had a good feel, but the keys themselves were pretty quiet. The cool part was that there was a speaker that you could turn on/off built into the bottom of the keyboard that would mimic IBM-style keystroke sounds. The sound from the speaker was very tactile — a keyboard “subwoofer” so to speak. If someone came out with that concept again, you could have it on during the day, and turn the “click” off at night when your SO is trying to sleep (avoiding the pillow in the face).

]]> By: questionfear http://the-gadgeteer.com/2004/07/26/matias_tactile_pro_mac_keyboard_review/comment-page-1/#comment-20075 questionfear Tue, 27 Jul 2004 14:11:45 +0000 #comment-20075 a couple of questions/comments: 1) the link to comments at the bottom of the review links to <a href="www.the-gadgeteer.com/xx">www.the-gadgeteer.com/xx</a> 2) Have you had any experience with either the apple pro keyboard or the apple pro wireless keyboard? If so, do you think this one matched or surpassed them? 3) Did you get a pillow thrown at your head for being too noisy? -carly a couple of questions/comments:
1) the link to comments at the bottom of the review links to http://www.the-gadgeteer.com/xx
2) Have you had any experience with either the apple pro keyboard or the apple pro wireless keyboard? If so, do you think this one matched or surpassed them?
3) Did you get a pillow thrown at your head for being too noisy?

-carly

]]> By: Julie http://the-gadgeteer.com/2004/07/26/matias_tactile_pro_mac_keyboard_review/comment-page-1/#comment-20074 Julie Tue, 27 Jul 2004 12:24:37 +0000 #comment-20074 I was going to mention lighting too, but thought it might sound a little too cheesy ;) I was going to mention lighting too, but thought it might sound a little too cheesy ;)

]]> By: eichin http://the-gadgeteer.com/2004/07/26/matias_tactile_pro_mac_keyboard_review/comment-page-1/#comment-20073 eichin Tue, 27 Jul 2004 07:46:16 +0000 #comment-20073 I've had one of these for a month or two now, and like it very much (then again, I keep around a set of old IBM "clicky" (lexmark) keyboards for my PC hardware, too. The next thing I'd like to see is one of these without the numeric keypad - there's a corresponding IBM one, same layout of the main keys, it's just not so wide, making it more usable on a lap or keyboard tray. Even better would be to include an "eraserhead" trackpoint-stick, also common on IBMs of that era (and modern thinkpads.) The other thing I want to see is for a future version to take advantage of the clear plastic and have some internal lighting :-) Completely gratuitous, but it would look funky... I’ve had one of these for a month or two now, and like it very much (then again, I keep around a set of old IBM “clicky” (lexmark) keyboards for my PC hardware, too. The next thing I’d like to see is one of these without the numeric keypad – there’s a corresponding IBM one, same layout of the main keys, it’s just not so wide, making it more usable on a lap or keyboard tray. Even better would be to include an “eraserhead” trackpoint-stick, also common on IBMs of that era (and modern thinkpads.)

The other thing I want to see is for a future version to take advantage of the clear plastic and have some internal lighting :-) Completely gratuitous, but it would look funky…

]]> By: Julie http://the-gadgeteer.com/2004/07/26/matias_tactile_pro_mac_keyboard_review/comment-page-1/#comment-20072 Julie Tue, 27 Jul 2004 03:22:36 +0000 #comment-20072 Post your comments here on the Matias Tactile Pro Mac Keyboard review. <a href="http://www.the-gadgeteer.com/matias-tactilepro-keyboard-review.html">http://www.the-gadgeteer.com/matias-tactilepro-keyboard-review.html</a> Just click the POST REPLY button on this page. Post your comments here on the Matias Tactile Pro Mac Keyboard review.

http://www.the-gadgeteer.com/matias-tactilepro-keyboard-review.html

Just click the POST REPLY button on this page.

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