MacBook keyboard - Come on!

Apple should really improve their keyboard layout on the MacBook (Pro).

The lack of Home, End, PgUp and PgDn keys , which I use a lot, is already a pain (there is few PC laptops with the same issue: e.g. Sony Vaio).

But no Delete key, come on!!!
Having just a Backspace key is such a pain.
Apple + Backspace to delete characters or files is so dumb.

I think they should have gone further: remove the Enter key and replace by Apple + Space Bar. That would be so much more un-be-lie-va-ble!!

 

Macs have less keys, just like the Apple mice has less buttons.

Just a disadvantage you probably should have considered before buying one. It CAN be annoying, but it isn't the end of world.

Page down is FN + up/down
There is no Delete key, it's a backspace labeled "Delete" to confuse you. Delete is like you said, CMD + Delete.

 

Also CMD + left/right is home/end. Option + left/right will skip one word at a time in the given direction.

 

the trackpad makes up for most of my pg up/down problems as I have it configured to utilize a better touch pad tool thing to do end/home and scrolling.

As for the "delete" I have the backslash key right under the backspace key configured to delete (cmd + delete) so it deletes the characters in front of the cursor. Been using it like this for several months and it's quite natural to use, I love it. So glad I did this b/c I do use the forward delete function a lot, so having it on a single key right below backspace kicks . I forget what program I used to change this but it's all available! No complaints I never use that backslash key anyway.

 

del = backspace
fn-del = del
fn-arrows = home end page up down

 

I totally agree with all of the above. I'm getting closer to trying a Mac (one of these days) but the lack of these keys will bug me for sure. I'd much rather hit just one single key, rather than use a so-called keyboard "shortcut" that requires hitting multiple keys.

 

Haha I'd have to say it takes some getting used to. After you get use to it the MacBook keyboard layout is very comfortable.

 

The originator of this thread brings up a good point, for which he my not be aware.
I would not have a problem if the shortcuts worked the same in different applications. The problem with the Apple keyboard shortcuts is consistency.

By default, some applications will apply these shortcuts quite differently. Try them in Firefox, say, and see the difference. This article illustrates the problem:
http://www.macworld.com/article/145685/2010/01/end_and_home_keys.html

 

Question: If we use a Windows keyboard on a Mac, will all the keys work correctly? (Delete, Backspace, Home, End, etc)

 

just like a full sized mac keyboard.. Backspace and Del will work fine.. the others however, no.. not so much.

 

Yes and no. I use a Microsoft Sidewinder X6 keyboard and it doesn't have software support for OSX. Delete, Backspace, Home End etc all work in OSX exactly like it does under Windows , which is great. However the F keys don't work (triggers things like screen dimming and the dashboard). There is no FN key on the keyboard either but that's an issue with use on any laptop.

 

So, Backspace and Delete will work -- but Home and End will not?

Edit: just noticed CitizenPanda's post above... thanks.

 

if you need the F keys, just change in Keyboard system preferences for them to work as normal F keys.... but you won't be able to quickly access dimming, dashboard, etc...

 

No, I'm talking F keys on the Microsoft X6. They don't emulate the F keys on the Macbook Air like they should.

 

That's such a great idea!

I looked into it but I couldn't find how to with the standard "keyboard shortcut" function.
You said you are using an additional program to do that?

 

well I agree the a delete key would be nice it's not a big deal.

I really like the apple keyboard layout. really. I have big hands and I find it awesomely comfortable. at least apple doesn't ship there machines with french keyboards like all the rest of the manufacturers in canada... I HATE french keyboards and refuse to use them.