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Wired Keyboard
#51440 04/04/19 03:21 AM
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Hi Guys:

I can't believe it but my husband finally bought a Mac! He got a used late 2009 iMac, but it came with the wrong keyboard. It's a windows keyboard. Anyway, we need to buy one on the cheap, and I am wondering if any wired Mac keyboard is going to work on this model. And if there is keyboard to stay away from.

Thanks.


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Re: Wired Keyboard
plantsower #51442 04/04/19 09:42 AM
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I'm using an old wired Apple keyboard (plastic keys) with my 2014 iMac. It had originally been used with a 2008 Mac Pro. It works without problems. I also have a more modern wired Apple keyboard with metal, chiclet keys. It works fine but I prefer the feel of the plastic. IMHO, any wired Apple keyboard should work.


Jon

macOS 11.7.10, iMac Retina 5K 27-inch, late 2014, 3.5 GHz Intel Core i5, 1 TB fusion drive, 16 GB RAM, Epson SureColor P600, Photoshop CC, Lightroom CC, MS Office 365
Re: Wired Keyboard
jchuzi #51443 04/04/19 03:35 PM
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Good. Thank you, Jon.


Rita



Originally Posted By: jchuzi
I'm using an old wired Apple keyboard (plastic keys) with my 2014 iMac. It had originally been used with a 2008 Mac Pro. It works without problems. I also have a more modern wired Apple keyboard with metal, chiclet keys. It works fine but I prefer the feel of the plastic. IMHO, any wired Apple keyboard should work.


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Re: Wired Keyboard
plantsower #51444 04/04/19 04:41 PM
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Other than Windows logos on some keys and "alt' Instead of "option", what is wrong with using the original keyboard? I would be curious to know if some things don't work right.


On a Mac since 1984.
Currently: 24" M1 iMac, M2 Pro Mac mini with 27" BenQ monitor, M2 Macbook Air, MacOS 14.x; iPhones, iPods (yes, still) and iPads.
Re: Wired Keyboard
Ira L #51446 04/04/19 04:48 PM
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Hi Ira:

Well, since the keyboard doesn't have the control/option/command keys, I don't know how to use it for certain functions. I use those keys a lot.


Originally Posted By: Ira L
Other than Windows logos on some keys and "alt' Instead of "option", what is wrong with using the original keyboard? I would be curious to know if some things don't work right.


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Re: Wired Keyboard
plantsower #51452 04/04/19 05:57 PM
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Most windows keyboards work fine on Mac, but the Windows and Alt keys swap positions. (can also happen when using a KVM)


I work for the Department of Redundancy Department
Re: Wired Keyboard
Virtual1 #51453 04/04/19 06:33 PM
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Hi:

When I looked up the K120 Logitech keyboard, it said it was not compatible with a Mac. But if it is by switching keys, can you tell me which key would be the option key and which would be the command key? I can then label them.

Thanks.

Rita

Originally Posted By: Virtual1
Most windows keyboards work fine on Mac, but the Windows and Alt keys swap positions. (can also happen when using a KVM)


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Re: Wired Keyboard
Virtual1 #51455 04/04/19 07:57 PM
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Do you think this is necessary or just use the Windows Key as the Option key and the Alt key as the command key? remapping


Originally Posted By: Virtual1
Most windows keyboards work fine on Mac, but the Windows and Alt keys swap positions. (can also happen when using a KVM)


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Re: Wired Keyboard
plantsower #51468 04/05/19 05:05 PM
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the keys are just physically switched on the keyboard, they're just on the left and right side of the space bar.



I work for the Department of Redundancy Department
Re: Wired Keyboard
Virtual1 #51470 04/05/19 07:10 PM
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Sorry, I'm not comprehending. Do I need to do the remapping or not?
blush

Originally Posted By: Virtual1
the keys are just physically switched on the keyboard, they're just on the left and right side of the space bar.



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Re: Wired Keyboard
plantsower #51471 04/05/19 07:36 PM
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Originally Posted By: plantsower
Sorry, I'm not comprehending. Do I need to do the remapping or not?
blush

You do not NEED to do the remapping, you could just mark the keys appropriately and learn that on that keyboard the position of the command (⌘) and option (⌥) keys are reversed. If your husband is a skilled touch typest whose fingers automatically go to the Apple keyboard positions for ⌘ and ⌥ then remapping would probably be very important to him.


If we knew what it was we were doing, it wouldn't be called research, would it?

— Albert Einstein
Re: Wired Keyboard
joemikeb #51472 04/05/19 09:40 PM
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Got it. He is not skilled and not used to Apple. It only bothers me. Thank you for clarifying. wink


Originally Posted By: joemikeb
Originally Posted By: plantsower
Sorry, I'm not comprehending. Do I need to do the remapping or not?
blush

You do not NEED to do the remapping, you could just mark the keys appropriately and learn that on that keyboard the position of the command (⌘) and option (⌥) keys are reversed. If your husband is a skilled touch typest whose fingers automatically go to the Apple keyboard positions for ⌘ and ⌥ then remapping would probably be very important to him.


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