Apple Wireless Keyboard Annoyances

Wireless.

After having my new Apple Wireless Keyboard for two weeks now, this afternoon I decided to throw in the towel and switch back to the wired version after a few frustrating weeks of tapping away at the keys.

Aesthetically, it’s beautiful. I love the form factor, the way it’s shaped, and the lack of wires - so what’s the problem with the keyboard which has made me so furious?

One “error” message which states “Keyboard Disconnected” keeps appearing every few minutes which is beginning to disrupt my workflow as I don’t know whether the keyboard is connected and working or not. Occasionally I start typing and the keystrokes appear on screen seconds later, other times nothing appears at all while I’m tapping at the keys. Understandably this would annoy anyone, I want to type and have the text appear instantaneously on screen, something the Apple Wireless Keyboard isn’t currently offering me.

Before anyone comments on how this issue could be due to a flaky bluetooth connection between the keyboard and my Mac Pro, I’ve already connected it to three other Macs and am getting the same issue. Could my problems be down to the following “feature” on Apple’s website?

Intelligent power management conserves battery life by automatically powering down the keyboard when you’re not using it and turning it on the instant you start typing.

Not so intelligent in my eyes..I’m interested to see if anyone else is having similar problems. For now, I’m off to call Apple and demand a refund.

Comments

  1. #1

    Cameron → cameron.io

    That’s sad. I was going to get one. Maybe I’ll just get the previous Wireless keyboard.

  2. #2

    Alex → www.makesitgood.net

    Wow, that’s dissapointing. I had a mouse that acted like that on PC, it was due to power saving “features,” so your theory may be correct. It also acted like that near the limit of it’s range, but I’m assuming you’re not far from the macs you’ve tried it with.

  3. #3

    Derek → 5thirtyone.com

    I used to have a similar disconnect Issue with my diNovo Edge. It really is a case by case issue dependent on a particular units battery management.

  4. #4

    Michael Whalen → whalesalad.com

    Hey Glenn,

    I have a Wired keyboard and had a few problems, nothing like yours, but a few problems that were fixed with a software update. Have you tried doing an update? Here is my post describing my problem and the fix.

    http://whalesalad.com/2007/09/24/new-keyboard/

  5. #5

    Brendan → www.smackfoo.com

    Is it just a fault with the device that triggers the error?

    Whilst you may have tried the keyboard on other systems, if the keyboard itself has a fault, it will replicate across anything it’s used on.

    Just a thought.

  6. #6

    Nico Lazaro

    I own the same keyboard and I have not had this problem with my MacBook Pro. It might just be an isolated incident.

  7. #7

    Tom → thesmallwave.com

    My wireless keyboard works perfectly. I’d like to find a (cheap) utility to map Page Up and Down to something that doesn’t require the Fn key, but other than that I love it.

    FYI, I designated mine a “Favorite” in Blue Tooth Preferences, not sure if that means anything.

  8. #8

    Joshua → joshuabryant.com

    So this might seem glaringly obvious, but if you were having the same issue on all 3 macs, did you try replacing the batteries on the keyboard? Sounds to me like it simply has bad batteries in there.

  9. #9

    Jon → www.theappleofmyi.com/blog

    Glenn,

    No problems here mate - not sure what to suggest, apart from swap for a new one.

    Cheers,

    Jon

  10. #10

    Jonas → jonas.seph.ws

    Hey Glen.
    Did you ever give in to the thought that it might be your keyboard that had a defect. You’re generalizing on behalf of 1 copy of a product. That’s lousy science my friend.
    I for one do not have your mentioned problem. So I think you need to find your receipt a drive to your local apple store for a trade!

    Jonas

  11. #11

    Craigeth → craigeth.blogspot.com

    Bummer. Are you going to send it back in the extremely huge box that it came in?

  12. #12

    Ruan Ellis → www.macslice.com

    Shame about the keyboard - such a piece of art yet it is badly let down by its functionality! Maybe the wired version would be a better option?

  13. #13

    Phil Bowell → phil.electricweekend.com

    Try swapping it for a new one. As has been said it might be a dodgy keyboard and not product wide. I’d try that first before you give up on it.

  14. #14

    Umair Ata

    Hey Glenn, try using a new piece. Maybe that keyboard is faulty. Anyway, waiting anxiously to know what apple had to say to you. Keep us posted.

  15. #15

    Mike → borderlinefantastic.com

    I had the previous Apple Bluetooth keyboard for two years and just in the past two weeks it started disconnecting randomly. I just figured it was busted, who knows, maybe there is something off with Bluetooth. I had wanted the new keyboard anyway, so I ordered that. I went with the wired, since I need my numpad.

  16. #16

    Alex

    Glen, wasn’t you happy with your Logitech keyboard a while ago? Why to change the keyboard every month or two?

  17. #17

    Michael

    Mine is working great… As did the previous version.

    Check the batteries, or get the keyboard replaced. Something’s not quite right there.

  18. #18

    Anonymous

    Well, I also have the wireless keyboard and I don’t have any problems here. You could have a defective unit. So, you might want to exchange it for a different unit.

  19. #19

    Anonymous

    Designating it a favourite means that if the computer loses connection with a “favourite” bluetooth device, it will try to reconnect.

  20. #20

    Caitlyn Imburgo → www.alwaysg5.com

    Sorry to hear that, Glenn. I forgot about that quote on Apple.com though. The keyboard COULD just be a dud, but it would make sense due to that new feature. I am going to be going for the aluminum wired one anyway, just because you get the extra function keys and what not. Good luck in getting the situation resolved. Apple support is nice enough to refund I think. Unless they want to replace it…

  21. #21

    Jeff

    Ok I’m getting scared mines is still on order and praying that it works great.

  22. #22

    Glenn Wolsey

    Glen, wasn’t you happy with your Logitech keyboard a while ago? Why to change the keyboard every month or two?

    Yes, I was previously using the diNovo Edge and loved it however I like to stick to Apple products.

    I have already tried it with new batteries already and will be asking Apple to replace it with the wired and in my eyes, the superior one.

  23. #23

    Glenn Wolsey

    Bummer. Are you going to send it back in the extremely huge box that it came in?

    Haha, mine actually came in a reasonably sized box.

  24. #24

    Ed O’Keeffe → edsphotoblog.com

    So I am here going through my emails and RSS subscriptions before I head out to the Apple Store to buy the new wireless keyboard and I read this post. Seriously, I was honestly planning to walk down to my local Apple store this afternoon and make the purchase, I think I’ll stick to my “old” style wired keyboard for the moment, especially seeing as my bluetooth mighty mouse occasionally hiccups.

    Thanks for posting Glenn.

  25. #25

    Glenn Wolsey → www.glennwolsey.com

    So I am here going through my emails and RSS subscriptions before I head out to the Apple Store to buy the new wireless keyboard and I read this post. Seriously, I was honestly planning to walk down to my local Apple store this afternoon and make the purchase, I think I’ll stick to my “old” style wired keyboard for the moment, especially seeing as my bluetooth mighty mouse occasionally hiccups.

    Thanks for posting Glenn.

    Glad I could help Ed. I’m not sure if these problems would continue if I changed out the keyboard for a new one, so don’t totally base your purchase on this post - these are just my views on the one unit I’ve been testing. However in saying this, I won’t be swapping it out, I like the wired one I’m tapping on right now.

  26. #26

    Paul

    Check to see if your cell phone is screwing it up. I had that same problem when I had multiple bluetooth devices around each other. I had a logictech bluetooth mouse (usb to bluetooth cradel), my razr, mighty mouse, and, the keyboard. Turn off your cell phone to see if it resolves. If you have a set of external speakers, sometimes it picks up the interference with beepy static sounds.

  27. #27

    Kevin

    So I am here going through my emails and RSS subscriptions before I head out to the Apple Store to buy the new wireless keyboard and I read this post. Seriously, I was honestly planning to walk down to my local Apple store this afternoon and make the purchase, I think I’ll stick to my “old” style wired keyboard for the moment, especially seeing as my bluetooth mighty mouse occasionally hiccups.

    Actually, you wouldn’t have been able to buy one anyways. Apple Stores still do not have them in stock and the Web site shows a 2-3 week wait time for online orders.

  28. #28

    Ed O’Keeffe → edsphotoblog.com

    So I am here going through my emails and RSS subscriptions before I head out to the Apple Store to buy the new wireless keyboard and I read this post. Seriously, I was honestly planning to walk down to my local Apple store this afternoon and make the purchase, I think I’ll stick to my “old” style wired keyboard for the moment, especially seeing as my bluetooth mighty mouse occasionally hiccups.

    Actually, you wouldn’t have been able to buy one anyways. Apple Stores still do not have them in stock and the Web site shows a 2-3 week wait time for online orders.

    Actually, I did end up going down to the Apple store to check out the iPod Touch (in store but not in stock). They got the bluetooth keyboards in on Friday and still had them in stock. I decided to not buy, mainly due to Glenn’s advice and the high price for something that isn’t needed right now. Thats the Manchester Arndale (UK) store, if your interested.

  29. #29

    Kevin

    Actually, I did end up going down to the Apple store to check out the iPod Touch (in store but not in stock). They got the bluetooth keyboards in on Friday and still had them in stock. I decided to not buy, mainly due to Glenn’s advice and the high price for something that isn’t needed right now. Thats the Manchester Arndale (UK) store, if your interested.

    Interesting. I hadn’t heard any reports of them being in stores yet. I was at the North Michigan Ave (Chicago) store on Friday as well and they didn’t have them yet.

  30. #30

    Brandon → bbsproductions.org

    Glenn,

    Mine came in today, and it seems to be working fine. (Except for a sticky return key. Know how to fix this?

    I think your problems are related to that specific keyboard. Might want to call Apple.

  31. #31

    Glenn Wolsey → www.glennwolsey.com

    Replaced batteries for the third time, now using a different brand. Worked with the Keyboard for almost a full day with a rented MacBook today, working perfectly as I hoped. Maybe I won’t need to exchange it - looking forward to getting home on Saturday and setting it back up in the office.

  32. #32

    EDIT-XTREEM → iappblog.com

    Glenn,
    Do you find that the software updates make a difference?

  33. #33

    James Kirsop → www.jameskirsop.com

    I’m not 100% sure, but I’ve got a feeling the old Apple wireless keyboard had a similar power management feature. (Maybe someone else could confirm this). If it has (well, more to the point, if what I’m thinking of is the same thing), I’ve never had any problem with it - and it does come straight back on after beginning to type.
    Regardless, I’d much rather the old wireless keyboard than the new one - no matter how pretty it looks, or how thin it is. The exclusion of a Num pad for me is quite annoying and I like the action on the old keyboard too.

  34. #34

    Gordon Swaby → gordonswaby.com

    Whatever happened to that wireless keyboard that you had, the one where you could turn up the volume from the keyboard itself?

  35. #35

    Alex MacLean → alexmacleanblog.com

    Ye, that wireless keyboard looks to cramped for my liking, plus the bt connection becomes a hassle after awhile. But, the wired looks pretty legit.

  36. #36

    Alex → alexgti.uk.to

    Its nice to get a real review about the product, which actually tells me it flaws. It was actually very useful for me because I was about to go out and spend money on the BT keyboard (I’ve got used to it being wireless) and now I think I’ll wait to see whether I can find any better keyboards for the price, although I like my old BT keyboard.

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  38. #38

    Ted Winder → www.tedwinder.org

    I never really use the numpad…maybe I should get the wireless one with my new Mac ;)

  39. #39

    Justin

    Ouch! I was thinking about getting this, but you make it seem lame. I have the wired verison and love it, but want wireless.

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  41. #41

    weisheng → inertgreymatter.com

    I haven’t had any problems with random disconnects on the wireless keyboard. I’m loving the portability of the thing, the old wireless keyboard appears absolutely clunky beside it. Plus stuff like dust and hair tended to collect in the deep recesses of the previous version and it was a pain clearing it out.

    I’m really missing the numeric keypad though, I used it quite often to enter numbers like passwords, account numbers etc. Not a deal breaker but it would have been nice if it had been included in the wireless version. I hope Apple or a third party manufacturer comes up with an elegant wireless solution that I can leave on my desk and use whenever I need to enter numbers. Anyone know of any yet? That would be awesome.

  42. #42

    Michael Mistretta → michaelmistretta.com

    That’s too bad about the wireless disconnects. I was really looking into getting one, but now I’m thinking of going with the wired. I would love it if they eventually added a trackpad into the wireless one, so it would be just like a laptop keyboard / mouse, but wireless.

  43. #43

    Blair Beckwith

    I’m always weary of buying wireless products made of metal, due to the metal sometimes weakening the wireless signal. It’s too bad, though, because the new Apple Keyboards are damn fine looking.

  44. #44

    Michael Mistretta → michaelmistretta.com

    Glenn, just saw your tweet about the new keyboard. Any chance you will re-review it now that you have a working one?

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  46. #46

    Blair Beckwith

    Glenn, just saw your tweet about the new keyboard. Any chance you will re-review it now that you have a working one?

    +1

  47. #47

    Glenn Wolsey : Blog Archive : Apple’s Customer Support Continues To Amaze Me → www.glennwolsey.com/2007/10/17/apples-customer-support-continues-to-amaze-me

    [...] few days after posting about the troubles I were having with the Apple Wireless keyboard, I received an email from an Apple customer relations employee [...]

  48. #48

    robert norman

    YES! YES! YES! The same problem here and it is driving me crazy - the batteries are new so it’s not that. i just don’t get it. It will work fine for HOURS then suddenly start shutting off’ and on again.

  49. #49

    Greg Wagoner

    I’ve never been so frustrated with an Apple product. I want so much to like this new wireless keyboard. I like the style and the feel of the keys. But it keeps disconnecting. It disconnect 3 times while typing this paragraph! I posted the problem in Apple Discussions, but so far no reply from Apple.

  50. #50

    Ed O’Keeffe → edsphotoblog.com

    Hi Glenn,

    Just to let you know, I finally made the purchase of the wireless keyboard, it works very well and the size and layout are identical to my MacBook Pro (now back up on its iCurve). Not experienced the same annoyances you reported which I am very happy about.

    My only complaint is how hard I need to hit the CAPS LOCK key to make it respond, a light tap doesn’t work. Anybody else had this issue?

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  52. #52

    Chris Rose → www.ChristerArt.com

    So here we have a guy who writes a “review” about a “faulty” product before he’s smart enough to check to see if it is the batteries that needs replacement - and in so doing he’s managing to turn a number of folks away from a product that that obviously wasn’t faulty in the first place…

    “Glenn Wolsey
    October 2nd, 2007 at 3:22 pm | Quote
    Replaced batteries for the third time, now using a different brand. Worked with the Keyboard for almost a full day with a rented MacBook today, working perfectly as I hoped. Maybe I won’t need to exchange it - looking forward to getting home on Saturday and setting it back up in the office.”

    Good going, mate - on par with the PC writers reviewing Apple products…

    C

  53. #53

    Glenn Wolsey → www.glennwolsey.com

    So here we have a guy who writes a “review” about a “faulty” product before he’s smart enough to check to see if it is the batteries that needs replacement - and in so doing he’s managing to turn a number of folks away from a product that that obviously wasn’t faulty in the first place…

    “Glenn Wolsey
    October 2nd, 2007 at 3:22 pm | Quote
    Replaced batteries for the third time, now using a different brand. Worked with the Keyboard for almost a full day with a rented MacBook today, working perfectly as I hoped. Maybe I won’t need to exchange it - looking forward to getting home on Saturday and setting it back up in the office.”

    Good going, mate - on par with the PC writers reviewing Apple products…

    C

    Where exactly in this post does it state this is a review..? Hmm? Read the title.

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