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General discussion

What keyboard to buy?

by Menthol Feb 18, 2006 7:14AM PST

I just got my first standalone mac.. a mac mini.

Now I need a keyboard for it... I'm using a logitech kbd now but would like to go wireless.

I am looking for keyboard+mouse combo's that have the mach specific keys printed on them.. like my logitech that i have now but wireless instead.

Any suggestions?

Oh... and I would like to have one that also works with my Wintel machine at the same time since I will be running them off a DVI KVM.

Thank you for all suggestions.

-M

Discussion is locked

5 Posts
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Difficult
by mrmacfixit Forum moderator Feb 18, 2006 9:02AM PST

to go wireless with the Mac you would need the probably choose BlueTooth as the Mini is BlueTooth capable with the middle and top end one having Bluetooth built in.
This could be a problem with the Wintel box which would need to know how to deal with the BlueTooth connection.
Wireless for PC does not always seem to be BlueTooth and almost always consists of a Keyboard and a USB module for the Computer.
I'm not sure if you can "pair" a keyboard with two devices at once but it's worth checking into.
Call Logitech's 800 number and tell them what it is that you want to do.

P

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What about logitech's wireless one's ?
by Menthol Feb 18, 2006 11:37PM PST

I can deal with unplugging the keyboard reciever from one pc to the mac from time to time..

Or I could use a USB switch.... kind of like an KVM..


MAC MINI ->
USB Switch ->Wireless kbd+mouse reciever ~~>KBD+Mouse
Wintel PC ->

So I already know how to make them work for both.. Now I would like to know what Keyboards have the MAC specific keys on them at the same time as the windows keys.

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None of them have both
by mrmacfixit Forum moderator Feb 19, 2006 2:03AM PST

I have never seen a keyboard that is marked for both Windows and Mac.

I think you are missing something here.
If the keyboard and mouse is wireless then they both talk directly to the computer and NOT via a USB switch.
For instance, if you are using the Apple Bluetooth Keyboard and mouse, and your Mini is Bluetooth enabled, the keyboard is "Paired" to the computer by the Bluetooth software. This is a direct wireless connection which is not controlled by a KVM or USB switch.
The Wireless keyboard and mouse receiver requires software to make it work and this software must be installed on the machine to which the keyboard and mouse wish to communicate. The USB switch is incapable of running any form of software so plugging the receiver into it will not do anything. You will need, at least, two receivers. One for the Mac, may be already built in, and one for the PC. This brings me to the point I have tried to get across.
Is it possible to PAIR one keyboard with TWO computers? If the answer is Yes, then what happens when you are typing on the Mac? Those wireless signals are going to the PC too.
Bottom line? I don't think what you are trying to do is feasible. You would be better off staying with the wired USB keyboard and mouse.

P

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I'm not exactly sure what you mean, but!
by KRhazy Feb 18, 2006 6:30PM PST

I use the Apple Bluetooth keyboard. I have nothing but good things to say about it.(i use it on a Mac Mini too)

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If you don't know what I mean
by mrmacfixit Forum moderator Feb 18, 2006 9:59PM PST

then you probably did not read the first post.
The poster is trying to use ONE wireless/Bluetooth keyboard with TWO computers. One is a Mac mini, no problem there once the Bluetooth module is installed, and the other is a PC.
My doubts were: Is it possible to Pair a single keyboard with TWO computers at the same time?
I had nothing bad to say about the Apple Bluetooth keyboard, I use one myself.
Go back and read and all will be revealed

P

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