When comparing Apple Wireless Keyboard vs Model M, the Slant community recommends Model M for most people. In the question“What are the best keyboards for programming?” Model M is ranked 14th while Apple Wireless Keyboard is ranked 20th. The most important reason people chose Model M is:
Buckling-spring switches are hardly used anymore, but they give some of the best tactile response when activated.
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Pros
Pro Aesthetics
Visually more appealing than your typical all-black keyboard.
Pro Solid, but compact
Achieves a solid feel without feeling heavy or bulky.
Pro Takes up little space
A small keyboard means your mouse and/or trackpad can be closer to you, while having your keyboard right in front of you.
Pro Wireless
Being wireless makes it easy to carry around in your backpack and also means less wire clutter on the desk.
Pro Very lightweight keys
The easy-click keys allow minimum effort when typing.
Pro Fully compatible with any MacBook series keyboard
You will be instantly familiar with MacBook keyboards.
Pro Tenkeyless
this keyboard is compact since it doesn't have the numpad.
Pro Works with iPad
This keyboard can be used with iPads.
Pro Tactile and "clicky" buckling-spring key switches
Buckling-spring switches are hardly used anymore, but they give some of the best tactile response when activated.
Pro Very sturdy
Although heavier than a modern keyboard, this keyboard is built like a tank. There is no flex, and the components were built to last.
Pro Solid construction
Quality construction, good materials.
Pro Clear separation of key groups
Pro Attitude
Clearly signals that I'm serious about what I do and how I do it.
Pro Removable / replaceable keycaps.
With a hook beneath the caps that you have to get to, you can detach those keycaps and replace them with others.
Cons
Con Uncomfortable typing experience
Like the other Apple chiclet keyboards, it is not meant for touch typing: the switches are mushy and lack the tactile feedback, the keycaps are flat and so is the keyboard profile (not DSA or DCS, just plain ... flat).
Con It's missing some useful keys
It doesn't have dedicated Insert, Home, End, Page Up or Page Down keys.
Con Tenkeyless
This keyboard doesn't have a numeric pad.
Con Works well only with Apple gear
It doesn't work properly with hardware that's not from Apple.
Con Noisy to type on
Floss mod is available for the Type M to make the keyboard a little more quiet. However, since it's still a mechanical keyboard, it will be noisy. This keyboard will not be appreciated in the office.
Con Very hard to acquire
Out of stock for decades.
Con Ugly as hell
Con Some driver issues with USB-only computers
Using a PS/2 to USB adapter can kill rollover.
Con Very large
Measuring nearly 20'' x 8.5'' x 2" ( 50 x 21.5 x 5 cm), this is a very big keyboard. It will be hard to fit into a minimalistic styled desk setup, and might even be too big for some smaller desks.
Con Lacks some modifier keys
The Model M lacks both of the meta/super/cmd/Windows (depending on the OS in question) keys and a menu key.