If there’s one thing I don’t particularly care for about Apple’s keyboards– iMac or MacBook– it’s the lack of easy-to-implement customization options. Thankfully, other Mac users, particularly those with development experience, have the same problem. If you’d truly like to remap your Mac’s keyboard (any Mac, not just MacBook models), then the free experience of KeyRemap4MacBook is a place to start.
Any key or multiple keys on the keyboard can be completely remapped. That means you can set the function keys to do exactly what you want, or, go crazy by remapping other keys for your particular needs.
KeyRemap4MacBook comes with presets to get you started, but you can change each or add your own from the Preferences settings.
If you’ve never used a keyboard remapping app before, then KeyRemap4MacBook is the one to try first.
Other options include fine tuning the key repeat rate for your keyboard. Customization works from a private XML file so make sure you start with the presets before venturing into custom mode.
For hardcore users, KeyRemap4MacBook comes with a multi-touch extension which works with the MacBook trackpad, Apple’s Magic Mouse and Magic Trackpad so you can customize specific finger touch options.
It may require a bit of extra work to get into personalized customization options, but it’s still hard to believe that KeyRemap4MacBook is free.