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Cordless keyboard/mouse and MacBook

  • 06-07-2007 8:39am
    #1
    Munster_Fan
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 19 ✭


    Hi guys,

    Just about to purchase a MacBook. I'd like to use a full size keyboard and mouse when I'm not on the move. Rather buying a wireless Apple keyboard & mighty mouse, I was wondering if could use my PC cordless keyboard & mouse (Logitech cordless desktop MX 3000 Laser).

    My understanding is that the basic functionality should work but will I be missing keys that are on the Apple keyboard (eg the "Apple" key).

    I like the Logitech setup, so I dont really want to replace it.

    Thanks in advance.


Comments

  • #2
    Urban Weigl
    Closed Accounts Posts: 2,784 ✭✭✭Urban Weigl


    Yes. And Logitech is usually a very Mac-friendly company anyway.


  • #3
    Breezer
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3,230 ✭✭✭Breezer


    The only issue you'll have is that the Alt key on your PC keyboard is in the same position as the Command (Apple) key on the Macbook keyboard, and the Windows key is in the same position as the Macbook's Option/Alt key. When you plug in your PC keyboard, by default Alt will continue to act as Alt/Option and Windows will act as Command, and as such they won't be in the standard Mac positions.

    You can change this by going to System Preferences -> Keyboard and Mouse -> Keyboard -> Modifier Keys and remapping them. That's a pain in the arse though, so after a lot of looking around I found these Applescripts that do it with one click if you save them as applications and place them in the dock or wherever else you want (I can't remember where I found them, I don't think it was here! If anyone knows who the author is let me know and I'll give credit).

    Setup for Windows keyboard: 
    tell application "System Preferences"
	activate
	set current pane to pane "com.apple.preference.keyboard"
end tell

tell application "System Events"
	tell process "System Preferences"
		click radio button "Keyboard" of tab group 1 of window "Keyboard & Mouse"
		click button "Modifier Keys…" of tab group 1 of window "Keyboard & Mouse"
		
		click pop up button 3 of sheet 1 of window "Keyboard & Mouse"
		click menu item 4 of menu 1 of pop up button 3 of sheet 1 of window "Keyboard & Mouse"
		delay 1
		click pop up button 4 of sheet 1 of window "Keyboard & Mouse"
		click menu item 3 of menu 1 of pop up button 4 of sheet 1 of window "Keyboard & Mouse"
		click button "OK" of sheet 1 of window "Keyboard & Mouse"
	end tell
end tell


tell application "System Preferences"
	quit
end tell

    Setup for Mac keyboard: 
    tell application "System Preferences"
	activate
	set current pane to pane "com.apple.preference.keyboard"
end tell

tell application "System Events"
	tell process "System Preferences"
		click radio button "Keyboard" of tab group 1 of window "Keyboard & Mouse"
		click button "Modifier Keys…" of tab group 1 of window "Keyboard & Mouse"
		click button "Restore Defaults" of sheet 1 of window "Keyboard & Mouse"
		click button "OK" of sheet 1 of window "Keyboard & Mouse"
	end tell
end tell

    In addition, Apple's idea of an Irish keyboard isn't a standard PC keyboard. If you download a programme called Ukelele you can rejig the keyboard layout so that the labels on your Windows keyboard match what appears on-screen when you hit those keys. It also lets you configure dead keys to match the way Windows handles them.


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