That’s probably because the majority of users probably don’t miss it with the top number row suffice for occasional number input, so it’s understandable why Apple doesn’t pay much attention to it. But I personally like and miss the speed of using a keypad for quick commands in pro apps like Logic and punching in numbers in spreadsheets (it’s tax time…), so I’ve been testing Satechi’s new Aluminum Wireless Keypad that recently arrived.
In total it gives you 22 keys, including the usual number pad with backspace and ‘tab’ keys, and an extra top row that includes undo, cut, copy, and paste.
It’s made to match Apple’s own wireless keyboard, but it’s a bit chunkier if you’re comparing side by side with Apple’s latest generation wireless Magic keyboard that it released last year (below, right). But comparing next to the thicker previous generation Apple wireless keyboard (below, left), it fits in a little nicer proportions-wise, as Apple slimed down the profile of its latest generation keyboard when it switched to an internal battery in the new design.
But otherwise the look of the design mirrors Apple’s keyboard almost exactly and the build quality is for the most part just as solid. The one exception to that are the icons on the keys that appear to be decals rather than printed directly on the keys like Apple’s keyboard, which gives them a cheap look and makes me worry about durability over a long period of time. The keys themselves feel different from Apple’s too. They are as quiet as Apple’s keyboards, but have a further travel and feel like they seated slightly higher compared to Apple’s very flat and tight keys. But that’s par for the course with the majority of third-party keyboards I’ve tested and something some users prefer.
Overall, despite the cheap looking decals for icons, the keys perform well enough and wouldn’t keep me from recommending the Satechi keypad.
I tested the keyboard with a Mac and iPhone and had no issues connecting to either device. It also supports Windows if you’re curious. A switch on the back changes the shortcut keys to support a Windows layout, but unfortunately there aren’t any iOS specific key shortcuts.
The keypad is powered by two included AAA batteries. The company claims up to 6 months of battery life, which is accurate, but that’s based on 1 hour of usage per day, so you can do the math accordingly based on your own usage.
Should you buy it?
If you’re going to get picky about the design compared to your Apple wireless keyboard, it leaves a little to be desired. But that issue is less noticeable next to the previous generation Apple keyboard that Apple sold for years and that many users are likely still using. But apart from nitpicking on the design compared to Apple’s, the keypad held up well and got the job done with more than passable looks and build quality.
The Satechi Aluminum Wireless Keypad is available for $37.99 (Reg. $44.99). It will also be available in Space Gray and Gold versions to match the new 12-inch MacBook colors.
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I’ll take the wired keyboard with the integrated keypad any day (and use 2, one at home and one at work). No bluetooth issues, and two extra USB ports. What’s not to love?
I prefer the Belkin YourType. Or the Apple Magic Trackpad with the Mobee Magic numpad including the Twelve South magic wand.. But hope there will be one that fits the new Apple keyboard line.
It’s a shame they worked so hard to match a design that became obsolete before they could release the product. I love the keys on the new Apple Bluetooth Keyboard, so it is an easy choice for me to use as a daily driver over the wired keyboard…but I do miss that number pad.
I’m certain that I’m way too anal to have this on my desk if it doesn’t match the new design.
We have two keyboards in our household: one wired (a very old but still very usable, full Apple keyboard) and one bluetooth of the short variety from a few years ago. My partner prefers the wireless. I hate it. I’ve used this old version for many years and love it still. The original which came with my 2007 iMac 24” which is still providing me great service, gave up the ghost early on. I got this one off e-bay and used it since. It has the feel of a real typewriter, which younger users probably don’t know how to use. Sometimes I think Apple goes too far “into the future” with some hardware, and it just doesn’t feel good to us older users. And often doesn’t have the staying power we expect from Apple products.
They left out the bit of the extended keyboard I actually use the most: the home/end/page up/page down/forward delete buttons. That’s the bit that I really miss (and that largely prevents me from switching to the bluetooth keyboard). I do know all of those functions are available as “fn” keys, but having dedicated keys for them sure is nice.
I agree with Dustin.
I would rather have a wired BACK-LIT keyboard for my iMac with a number pad – at least give us the option.
There is a number keypad that OWC sells, and it matches with Apple´s wireless keyboard.
I prefer my old Microsoft Keyboards for rapid typing and gaming.
didn’t they get the memo that Apple brought out a newer model last year… this seems a bit old school
No it does sent. You still miss the arrow and page up, home etc keys. THEY are needed as much of not more than a number pad.