Use it once and I am quite sure that you will take back your words about this being ugly. As for the numpad, I don't miss it since I've almost never used it on desktop keyboards too. I find using the standard num keys quite snappy. But for those who are used to the numpad, this keyboard is definitely not for them. It sure will be perceived as a bad design in that case.
Absolutely agree with you here. As one wise man (me) once said (right now), "Use it before you abuse it".
And the number pad is useless anyway. Why do people need to have a separate set of number keys is beyond me. I have been using a laptop for three years now and I never missed the seperate number keys. And even now when I work on my office desktop PC with a full keyboard I never use the number keys.
And if you are so freaking nuts about the number pad then Apple is providing an option to buy the full keyboard as well. Unlike what they do usually, this time they are not trying to force just one option down your throat with the take it or leave it attitude.
As for the kayboards themselves I have used the iMac keyboard and it is very comfortable to type on and doesn't look like a surf board, unlike most keyboards out there. I don't really see what is to complain here. Or are we really running out of topics to discuss?