Just got a new keyboard for my Apple tablet.

[Packard]

My old wireless keyboard was an Apple. Sleek, silver color, rechargeable batteries, and a slightly cramped layout.

It did not have a battery charge indicator, so I would charge it once a week. It never went dead on my, so a reasonable amount of charging.

But one of the keys fell off, and I was able to shap it back in place. Luckily it was the “4/$” key, which did not get much of a workout. But finally it stopped working entirely. So the new keyboard.

 

[Packard]

I have more to write, but it suddenly would not let me type any further. Posted what I had written, and then tried to edit the post, but it appears that it does not want me to do that either. I’ll finish my post in a few minutes.

OK, now it is letting me edit.

The Apple keyboard was $100.00. Lasted a little over 2 years.

The replacement keyboard is a Logitech Pebbles Keys 2 K380s, and it cost $38.00 plus tax.

It required 2 AA batteries. Reading the manual, those batteries are good for 2 million keystrokes per year for 2 years. Or a total of 4 million keystrokes per set of batteries. But I read that it is best to replace the batteries every 6 months to avoid damage from leaking batteries.

I’ve been using it for a couple of weeks now. The typing experience is slightly better than the Apple. Also the blue tooth links up quicker than the Apple. It has my recommendation.

Question: Why would Apple bother with expensive rechargeable batteries if the 2 AA batteries get 4,000,000 keystrokes? Logitech keyboard is 1/2” thick to accommodate the batteries. The Apple keyboard was noticeably thinner—but not what I would consider an advantage.

If my recommendation is not sufficient, the New York Times agrees with me.

The Best Bluetooth and Wireless Keyboards

The best wireless keyboards are comfortable, reliable, and a joy to type on, whether you want a compact option like the Logitech Pop Icon Keys or something full-size.

www.nytimes.com

But no word from them on why Apple would include a rechargeable battery (not user replaceable).

 

[cpw]

Apple prioritizes thinness/sleakness over a lot of other things.

I have had an Apple battery burst on my old Macbook, but have also been very frustrated by older AA batteries leaking/destroying a Maglight, a remote, and some other items. If Apple controls the battery, they have better control over the experience from start to finish and don't have to worry about a random battery destroying their products. They do charge a premium price for them.

 

[squall_line]

I used a logitech K380 for a little over 4 years (mid-2020 to Q3 2024) as a daily keyboard for work before the Command key stopped popping back on and the "L" key gave up the ghost. My first battery replacement was a little over 3 years in. I almost never used the power switch to turn off the keyboard unless I was packing it for travel; Logitech's sleep mode uses very, very little power.

 

[peter halle]

Once I started with Apple Macs in 2009 I can't stand non-Apple keyboards. I always have corded and wireless extra models on hand. My wife wears out a keyboard in less than a year as a prolific author. I carry Apple Care on her computer and laptop so that replacements are taken care of. it used to be that Apple would replace keys where the lettering wore out or worse for free but I don't think that is the case now.

Peter

 

[twistsol1]

Apple had a few bluetooth keyboards that ran on AA batteries, but changed over to rechargable in 2013. I have the third version from 2009 that runs on two batteries.

It doesn't get a lot of use, but works with my brand new M3 iPad Air.

 

[Coen]

Apple keyboards with their flat keys are among the worst. But it fits with their brand; shiny and useless. Same with their phones. Can't even do simple Bluetooth file transfer.

Logitech keyboard is 1/2” thick to accommodate the batteries.

AA batteries are 14mm diameter and since I last checked half an inch was only 12.7mm

But no word from them on why Apple would include a rechargeable battery (not user replaceable).

So you buy a new one when it eventually wears out instead of just put in $3 worth of new batteries.

I have had an Apple battery burst on my old Macbook, but have also been very frustrated by older AA batteries leaking/destroying a Maglight, a remote, and some other items. If Apple controls the battery, they have better control over the experience from start to finish and don't have to worry about a random battery destroying their products. They do charge a premium price for them.

So Apple logic is that their users are dumb?

The leaking AA problem is something... easily avoidable. For high-drain devices... use rechargeable Ni-Mh. For extremely low-drain applications that don't work well with the slightly lower voltage of Ni-Mh use non-rechargeable 1.5V lithium batteries. They are more expensive but not nearly as insanely priced as Apple keyboards.

Low-self-discharge Ni-Mh batteries were introduced 20 years ago this year...

Once I started with Apple Macs in 2009 I can't stand non-Apple keyboards. I always have corded and wireless extra models on hand. My wife wears out a keyboard in less than a year as a prolific author. I carry Apple Care on her computer and laptop so that replacements are taken care of. it used to be that Apple would replace keys where the lettering wore out or worse for free but I don't think that is the case now.

Peter

So that lousy flat-key keyboard doesn't even last more than a year? Lol.

Why would anyone replace keys for worn out lettering? Are you looking at the keyboard when typing?

 

[Packard]

AA batteries are 14mm diameter and since I last checked half an inch was only 12.7mm

My mistake was buying a ruler divided into 1/32” increments and not wearing reading glasses when I use it.

As near as I can tell without a vernier caliper, it is 22/32” or 11/16”, and not 1/2” as I originally stated.

The Mr. Pen rulers that I bought have a singular advantage over many others: The edge of the ruler is at “zero”. Many other rulers have the zero mark at some point about 1/8” from the end.

The other advantage is that a set of 4 rulers (6”, 8”,10” & 14”) cost $8.00. I’ve compared it to my vernier calipers and it appears to be accurate. I used an Arkansas whet stone to knock the sharp corners off the ends and a to dress the edges which were very sharp (but no burrs).

ADDENDUM: I had added a photo that originally showed up in this post. When I came back to this thread the photo was gone. It was linked with a URL.

 

[Coen]

That snip of the New York Times sponsorship thingy is still there.

Well rulers that don't start at zero are annoying. But its probably done to that they don't wear away at zero.

 

[Packard]

It is more expensive to produce rulers that register “0” at the end of the ruler.

To do so, the manufacturer has to precisely align their etching template or their silk screen template to the end of the ruler.

It is far simpler to just make sure all the markings are present on the steel blank.

And some measurements are difficult or impossible to make if you have to read both the “0” marking and the measurement marking at the same time.

 

[Packard]

That snip of the New York Times sponsorship thingy is still there.

Well rulers that don't start at zero are annoying. But its probably done to that they don't wear away at zero.

I added the image again. I will watch to see if it disappears again.

 

[squall_line]

It is more expensive to produce rulers that register “0” at the end of the ruler.

To do so, the manufacturer has to precisely align their etching template or their silk screen template to the end of the ruler.

It is far simpler to just make sure all the markings are present on the steel blank.

And some measurements are difficult or impossible to make if you have to read both the “0” marking and the measurement marking at the same time.

Wouldn't it be easier to mark a blank and machine it to zero rather than line up a template to etch an already-machined piece?

Still an additional step that requires additional time and money, but I would imagine it would be more reliable.

 

[MikeGE]

I added the image again. I will watch to see if it disappears again.

I see the image, but you put the URL inside the quote from Coen.

 

[Packard]

I see the image, but you put the URL inside the quote from Coen.

I reposted outside Coen’s post. I will watch for it again.

 

[Coen]

Ahaa. Yes, that image of the ruler I had not seen before.

A metric one would be even better. So much less clutter.

 

[Packard]

Ahaa. Yes, that image of the ruler I had not seen before.

A metric one would be even better. So much less clutter.

You want metric? Flip the ruler over: Metric. (I just checked. Still $8.00 for the set of 4 rulers—8 rulers if you count both sides of each as separate rulers.)

 

[Coen]

The 0.5mm marks... kinda useless if you ask me. Rather have all four sides with mm marks.

 

[luvmytoolz]

The 0.5mm marks... kinda useless if you ask me. Rather have all four sides with mm marks.

I hate the 0.5mm marks on stainless steel rules, you have to get the light angle just right to see it clearly enough to rule out any parallax error when measuring.

 

[Packard]

I did not even remember that there was a metric side to the ruler.

Four rulers for $8.00 and scales on both sides?

I should have measured with my vernier calipers, but they were in the basement at home and the ruler is permanently with me attached to the magnet on my IPad case.

The ruler you have with you is inherently more accurate than the one you left at home.