[machello13]

I've been using this model keyboard for probably around 10 years now. I even have a couple spares sitting in a drawer since they don't make them anymore.

* they're very durable (talking normal usage + spilling drinks a few times a year — no stuck or broken keys)

* the key labels never fade

* there's 2 low-power USB ports (I think USB 2.0?) which aren't good for much, but good enough to plug a mouse into

* it's not the easiest thing to take apart but if you get crumbs under a key, it's pretty easy to pry it up and then click it back in

[nuccy]

Interesting, a cup of sweet tea killed my A1243. Water got inside and shortened some pads or tracks, since pressing one key instead generated 3 or 4 others. I tried to dry it with rise and silica gel for weeks - didn't help. Then I tried to open it and that was an excellent example of an Apple product which feels great while it works and has 0 repairability, so is an e-waste when broken. Disassembly of any other keyboard would allow to fix such a simple problem. At the end I've got a used A1243 from ebay and am typing on it right now :) (if it breaks I would probably go to Logitech MX keys for Mac).

[aendruk]

Yep, a splash of coffee is what finally did mine in and they’re totally unserviceable.

Fortunately low-profile keys have been growing in popularity in the mechanical keyboard community so there are some excellent options to choose from now.

[nuccy]

During disassembly what surprised me the most was that the back plate is really rigid, since that plastic is reinforced with a metal plate. Instead of fixing that plastic-metal assembly with excessive use of glue, some 6-10 screws on the perimeter could produce the same solidity feel. Unfortunately much less repair-friendly and probably more expensive solution was used instead.

[aidenn0]

As a rule, screws are more expensive than glue for manufacturing.

[bee_rider]

I've been using my desktop with a portable monitor and a lapdesk, due to recent high demand for work-from-home space in my apartment. We shouldn't undervalue those USB ports, it is really nice to have all the non-monitor user interface stuff go through a single wire, if the alternative is to have a bunch of wires tangled around you on the couch.

[Hamuko]

>talking normal usage + spilling drinks a few times a year

I've definitely dumped at least one cup of tea into mine, possibly even more, and it's still working perfect. It's quite bizarre actually.

[simonbarker87]

I dumped an entire cup of tea into a 2016 MPB, it did not survive as well as your keyboard

[Hamuko]

My coworker apparently managed to dump at least some tea into his 15-inch MacBook Pro and it actually survived. I found it quite surprising, would've figured it was a death sentence for sure.

[jahnu]

Same. Love em. My current one is dying. Are there any similar ones on the market?

[machello13]

I don't know. I have one spare left — when that's gone I'm toast. I think I remember reading something about a logitech keyboard with similar key travel, but that was years ago and I don't remember the model.