Charles Moore Reviews The i-Rocks Mac X-Slim Backlit USB Keyboard
Anyway, while the most obvious advantage of an illuminated keyboard is using a laptop in dimly lit or on late locations, there are instances when keyboard lighting could be handy with a desktop machine or a laptop utised in desktop substitute mode. Power outages are one that comes to mind, provided you have an alternative power source to run the computer, or are on laptop battery power. I've found myself in that situation several times lately, and have worked around it by using RadTech's I-Sight LED light that you wear on your ear, and a LapDesk Nite•Key•Lite LED mounted on a flexible stock that plugs into a USB port to light the laptop's keyboard.
However, and an internally backlit keyboard would be even more elegant solution, and now there's one available for those of us not fortunate enough to be high-end PowerBook owners.
The i-Rocks Mac X-Slim keyboard not only lights up, it also shares its form factor and keyswitch action with what I consider to be the best freestanding flat computer keyboard and I've ever used -- the Kensington SlimType -- with its compact dimensions and laptop-style short travel scissors-action keyswitches. The backlighting is a great feature in its own right, but to have it combined with one of the most comfortable computer keyboard designs available is almost too cool. it's the best I've encountered terms of key action, feel, and comfort, and comes closer than any other flat desktop keyboard I've encountered to the high standard set by the better PowerBook keyboards.
The i-Rocks Mac X-Slim Keyboard is, as its name implies, a slim and compact desktop USB keyboard, just 3/4" thick by 16 1/2" wide by 6 5/16" deep (just a bit wider and deeper than the old original Apple USB keyboard that shipped with the original iMacs).
It features 104-key layout with a full complement of standard keys, including a numerical keypad, fifteen F-Keys, and an inverted-T navigation pad. The X-Slim keyboard layout is fairly conventional, with a few distinctive elements. The function key row has a very welcome Forward Delete key to the right of the F-15 key, and at the top of a vertical row of navigation keys (Home, Page Up, Page Down, End). On the bottom row, left to right, there are two side by side left Control keys, a left Alt/Option key, a left Command key, the Space Bar, a right Command key, a right Alt/Option key, a right Control key, and finally an Insert/Help key.
This is all quite functional, although the command keys are a bit small (the same size as the letter keys), which makes the Command > . command one uses to stop processes require one-handed contortions. There are also a pair of fold-down feet at the back of the 'board which facilitates the ergonomically incorrect angled orientation that some people nevertheless prefer. There are three ice-blue lights above the numerical keypad to indicate when Num Lock, Caps Lock, and Power are activated.
The iRocks Mac X-Slim Keyboard represents a a good job of of engineering PowerBook-like keyboard feel into a freestanding keyboard. The the key action is delightfully crisp and precise without being high-effort or hard-impact. If you're familiar with PowerBook keyboards, in feel and response, the Mac X-Slim Keyboard is most like the aluminum PowerBook 'boards, which some consider the best keyboard Apple ever shipped in a PowerBook.
Styling-wise, the iRocks Mac X-Slim Keyboard is interesting and different from the mainstream look of desktop computer keyboards. The housing is in Macintosh white that harmonizes perfectly with my iBook, but also has a chrome-plated ridge circumscribing the key panel, with the on/off button for the backlight also finished in chrome, creating, at least to my eyes, a 1950s - '60s retro look. That's perfectly fine with me. I lived through those decades and remember the industrial design of the era with nostalgic fondness. The industrial design of the the iRocks Mac X-Slim Keyboard gets a thumbs-up from me.
As for criticisms, I'm delighted that there are a full 15 function keys, although on a 'board of this size they are necessarily quite small and not separated from the main alphanumeric keys. It's also very easy to hit the "Home" key when you're going for "Delete" due to the unorthodox placement of the key.
Another gripe with this 'board is that it has no USB repeater port or ports, which is more than a little inconvenient, requiring you to plug the mouse or other pointing device into the computer itself or a USB hub. I expect USB ports were left out in order to help keep dimensions compact, but I really miss them.
Perhaps the biggest annoyance, at least for a silent computing freak like me, is that the keyboard emits a very irritating "humming" sound when the backlight is illuminated, sounding a bit like a hungry mosquito. Fortunately, the sound goes away when you turn the backlight off, and it's something I can live with when keyboard illumination is required, but it's also something the engineers should work on.
Aside from that, I really love this keyboard.
iRocks Mac X-Slim Keyboard is made in China, has a very high standard of finish, and appears to be well-constructed. The keys have a precision-positive action and operate with a muted but satisfying "click." Despite its svelte dimensions, this 'board is surprisingly heavy - much heavier than several other larger keyboards I have, which probably augers well for it's ruggedness, with a claimed more then 10 million keystroke life. A classy piece of equipment, and if you want an illuminated desktop keyboard, there aren't many other choices (I'm not aware of any).
Specifications:
• compatible with:
Mac OS 10.1 ~ later, and
Windows 98/ME/2000/XP.
• Interface: PS/2, USB.
• Cable length: 1.5 meters.
• Dimensions (mm): 436x187x30.
• Weight(g): 810.
• Key operation force(g): 55+/- 20.
• Key number: 104 keys.
The i-Rocks X-Slim Illuminated Keyboard MSRP is $65.00, and it will be available at zipzoomfly.com, ecost.com, macmall.com, and some other major e-commerce stores.
For more information, visit:
http://www.i-rocksusa.com/products/ir6810.html
or
http://www.i-rocksusa.com/mac.html
Charles W. Moore
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