Apple's new PowerMac G4 towers include a 108-key Apple Pro Keyboard with not one, not two, but 15 function keys.
And they're programmable.
Many PCs running the Windows operating system have only 12 function keys.
"We think a lot of potential PC buyers will be brought over to the Macintosh because of this keyboard," said Phil Schiller, senior vice president of Worldwide Product Marketing. "15 programmable functions keys. And it's black. And once you go black, you never go back."
"Apple has really started the 'Function Keys' race," said Guernsey Research analyst Chris LeTocq. "It will be interesting to see how the PC makers copy Apple's move."
Some have already started. PC maker Dell Computer is already planning to release a keyboard with 19 function keys this summer. And Microsoft's "Function Keys Only" keyboard should be out by Christmas. The entire 108-key keyboard is made entirely of function keys.
Mac fans were ecstatic about Apple's keyboard.
"I can now program 15 different things! One for each key!" said Jeff Maneri at the Apple Store in Columbus, Ohio. "Each key can do a different... Function! Maybe that's why they call them function keys."
Beth Schafer, also at the Columbus Apple Store, was trying to decide what she would program each of the 15 function keys to do.
"Well, I think F1 will open my web browser," Schafer said. "I just love to surf the web. Then maybe F2 will check my e-mail. And F3... Well, I don't know. All I really do is surf the web and check e-mail."
Which brings up the question, are 15 function keys too many? Is Apple giving too many choices to the consumer? Will people be able to handle the stress of trying to decide the functions of 15 different keys?
"Once again, Apple makes it simple," said Schiller. "You don't have to use the function keys, but they're there if you want them."
The keyboard also features full-size cursor keys, Home, End, Insert, forward delete and other keys no one ever uses.
|
||
|
Send this article to a friend! |
|
|
