I think keyboards could be more powerful. I remember apple had a keyboard with usb ports[1] and sun had keyboards with speakers[2]. I don't why keyboards can't have some inexpensive useful features.
Actually A1243 has an internal USB hub with two ports on both sides of the bump underneath. Those ports are very handy for Logitech wireless adapters: wherever the keyboard is plugged to the mouse comes with it.
Just FYI, the speaker in the Sun keyboard only existed to emit status beeps when the computer is powered on and self-tests. Most non-suns have the same speaker integrated into the computer itself. At least when those sorts of beepy-PC-BIOSes were more common.
Yeah, when I changed from the HHKB to the Ergodox EZ, I found myself disappointed by my new keyboard's lack of USB ports. It's the best place for a wireless mouse dongle; one cable now brings both your mouse and keyboard to another computer.
