Wired VS. Wireless

SO I cant decide... My folk are soon to buy a new imac for the family, and as chief advisor of technology in the house I cant decide whether or not to go for the wireless option.

I want your opinions but also your findings/experience with the two new keyboards...

http://www.apple.com/keyboard/

Wired

Advantages

USB 2 Ports for easy access for iPod etc. No reaching around the back to plug in that flash drive
No worries about the battery life
Larger Keyboard with seperate keypad

Disadvantages

It's wired... meaning a little bit of clutter.
Those usb ports underneath look 'strapped' on and... likely to scrape on the desk.

Wireless

Advantages

Its Wireless. Less clutter. the Ultimate Coolness to accompany your imac. only one power cable and thats it!
Smaller Keyboard. Not as bulky, which is kinda kool.

Disadvantages

Whats the battery life like?
No USB ports
Annoyance factor? turning keyboard on/off?

SEMI- Wireless

IE- Wired Keyboard and Wireless mighty mouse.

Advantages

The mouse is Wireless. Less clutter kinda Cool...
Larger Keyboard
USB ports
Annoyance factor? turning keyboard on/off?

Disadvantages

Whats the battery life like of the mouse?
Wierd having wireless mouse but wired keyboard

#469345

wired for a few reasons:

batteries - being the chief AoT, you will have to take care of them for the rest of your life
coolness - they may not appreciate it as much as you do
life expectance - wired stuff lasts (more or less) forever. Many peoples' wired peripherals have failed around me, while my wired stuff keep going.

Personally, I also hate unneeded wireless / battery powered stuff for efficiency reasons, but that's me

#469346

You don't really need a wireless keyboard for a desktop and one of the nice things about the mac keyboards is the extra usb2.0 ports as Levi mentioned. Personally, I prefer wired as it's one less thing I have to recharge or buy batteries for.

#469347

Semi-Wireless I have a wireless mouse for two months and so far the battery is still at "100%". The keyboard doesn't need to be wireless. It also have a number pad on the right so that is good. It has two usb-ports so I think it is the way to go. Semi-Wireless.

#469360

I'm glad i bought wireless, that way i can sit on the sofa and type with the laptop plugged into the TV, bliss! But yes it's a laptop; with a desktop you're not likely to do that so i think wired makes more sense

#469361

Hmmm... I'd go for wireless, but I'm not very sure, you know... the kids and all may wanna play with it... but if you have 13 year and older sons go for the wireless

#469423

LOL I'm actually the youngest (18) so, its mainly just for my parents and my older brother (21)

I want to get a wireless. Simply coz im really sick of the clutter round our desk.

but im not so sure about battery life and reliability.

EDIT-

I think I might go semi wireless.

my reason- our desk has a spot specially for the keyboard, and the wire could go underneath the desk, and my parents hate reaching round for the USB ports....

One question- how long is the keyboard's cord? i'm wondering if it will reach the hole in the desk... and in turn the imac.

As for the mouse, it sits on a different section of the desk and would be better wireless. I see no reason to have it wired if the batteries last for longer than 2 months.

do u have to switch on the mouse?

#469445

oh haha lol... well, then go for the wireless!!

#469446

oh haha lol... well, then go for the wireless!!

lol dont u mean semi???...

aww decisions decisions. I feel like im making a fairly informed choice, but i still cant decide...

more reasons!

#469472

I would say go with Wired.

Same reasons as others... No battery hassles, longer life, (in this case) more convenience (due to separate number pad).

Recently apple is shipping different wired mouse with iMac, it has shorter tail. Apple expects people to use USB port on keyboard, hence the short cord.

I've semi-wireless (on PC, wired keyboard and RF mouse) combo right now, and I friggin hate the mouse for regular battery change. I spend lot of time on system, working and stuff.. but I make sure I turn of the mouse while I'm away.. yet it need battery replacement every 2 weeks or less.

I miss my wired mouse.

#469483

I would say go with Wired.
Same reasons as others... No battery hassles, longer life, (in this case) more convenience (due to separate number pad).

Recently apple is shipping different wired mouse with iMac, it has shorter tail. Apple expects people to use USB port on keyboard, hence the short cord.

I've semi-wireless (on PC, wired keyboard and RF mouse) combo right now, and I friggin hate the mouse for regular battery change. I spend lot of time on system, working and stuff.. but I make sure I turn of the mouse while I'm away.. yet it need battery replacement every 2 weeks or less.

I miss my wired mouse.

this is a mighty mouse we're talking about tho! hehehehe.... OK point heard.

I think I'll go in to check the cord lengths on the keyboard.

#469485

I'd opt for semi-wired. I've got a wired keyboard. I don't see the point of a wireless keyboard if your using a desktop system.

I do however have a re-chargable mouse, so all I do is drop the mouse into the cradle when I'm not using it and it's always charged up.

This is on my PC, I'm completely wired for my Mac.

#469486

i have both wireless keyboard and wireless mouse. They both are much better then wired, but i must warn you, unless you have a rechargable battery on the mouse, don't bother. Mine EATS batteries for breakfast, lunch and dinner.

On a seperate note, i rarely use my wireless keyboard, i have an identical wired keyboard with preety lights

get the wireless, don't worry about keyboard batteries and price, unless of course you don't like to lie back and game once in a while

#469560

i have both wireless keyboard and wireless mouse. They both are much better then wired, but i must warn you, unless you have a rechargable battery on the mouse, don't bother. Mine EATS batteries for breakfast, lunch and dinner.

On a seperate note, i rarely use my wireless keyboard, i have an identical wired keyboard with preety lights

get the wireless, don't worry about keyboard batteries and price, unless of course you don't like to lie back and game once in a while

so do mighty mouses take rechargable batteries?

#469726