I've tried to get comfortable with Apple's slim aluminum keyboard since getting my iMac in January. Unfortunately, it is still very uncomfortable and slows my typing down. So, I finally pulled out an old (but not ancient) Microsoft USB keyboard and plugged it into my iMac. It had worked fine with my old Mac mini running Tiger. Unfortunately, the iMac with Leopard is not as friendly to this Microsoft keyboard. The biggest problem is that the Shift key is not recognized at all. Caps Lock works fine. But, not the shift key. I downloaded Microsoft IntelliType Pro 6.22 for Mac from Microsoft and installed it on the Mac. Still no shift key. So, I powered down the iMac, pulled the Microsoft keyboard and reinstalled the aluminum keyboard that causes both hand and wrist pains. Any recommendations for a Leopard compatible USB keyboard with conventional keys?
Categories
Mac
Comments (10)
Read More Entries by Todd Ogasawara.
Running Leopard on Macbook Pro. Added Apple aluminum keyboard. Love it. Excel hates it though. 10-key freezes, misses characters, etc. Have to save doc. Sometimes have to even close doc and reopen before any function returns to 10-key. Been reading posts and others have same issue. Any ideas from anyone out there?
I can't imagine what you're problem might be. I have used older Microsoft Ergonomic Keyboards, Wireless keyboards, and now a Microsoft Natural Ergonomic Keyboard 4000 with Leopard 10.5.4 and Microsoft's IntelliType Pro 6 software. Works like a charm!
When my Mac keyboard died, readers suggested several alternatives. I ended up getting a MacAlly, which has medium-throw keys and a sleek look.
Jeramy: Will definitely check the web to learn more about the Goldtouch keyboard from Keyovation. Thanks for the recommendation.
Kevin: Yep, keyboards, mice, and touch pads are really subject to individual differences. And, don't get me started on those trackpoint nub thingies IBM put on the ThinkPad series that spread everywhere. I really wanted to like the slim Apple keyboard. The size was right. has two USB connectors unlike most PC keyboards, etc. But, as I said I found my fingers and wrist became uncomfortable after typing on it for a while. Oddly enough, I find the Macbook keyboard comfortable even though they look a lot a alike. I think it has something to do with the key travel on the aluminum keyboard. But, I figured 6 months was enough time to get comfortable and I didn't. So, it is time to change out the keyboard.
Todd -
Might I recommend the Goldtouch keyboard from Keyovation? I too was a MS keyboard user for many years, but switched to the Goldtouch to eliminate the number pad and reduce my reaching for the mouse as much. After my recent switch from XP to OS X Leopard, one of the first things I did was order the Mac specific one. Works great!
http://www.keyovation.com/pc-63-2-goldtouch-for-mac-adjustable-keyboard-white-usb.aspx
Todd,
Boy this really shows what a personal preference thing keyboards are. I got one of the slim aluminum keyboards when they first came out and I love everything about it except for the white keys (come on Apple - white keys? How about at least giving us a choice between white and black?). I've never understood what people see in M$'s keyboards, although I know people who swear by them (as opposed to their software, which they swear at!).
Kevin
Brian/Dave: Thanks for the reality checks! I'll grab an old PS/2 kybd and see if I can find the PS/2-to-USB cable I bought years ago to check it with the iMac.
Just to report that I've also had success with a Microsoft Natural Keyboard Pro on Leo, all the way through 10.5.3. I've been using the 6.0 keyboard software for no particular reason.
Hope this helps you and good luck getting it working!
No idea what your problem could be. I've successfully used an older Microsoft keyboard with a PS/2 cable, a third-party PS/2 to USB adapter and a hand-modified change to Microsoft's driver to match against the USB adapter and that worked [even most of the non-standard keys]. And I just replaced that keyboard with a new Microsoft Ergonomic 4000 USB keyboard with Microsoft driver and it also works without a problem. The installer version lists itself as v6.2.1(v194).
The only bizarre thing with the new 4000 keyboard is that I had NO idea that people used the Calculator app on Windows so often Microsoft added a button explicitly for that function. But it was easily customized to be more useful, and all the other non-standard keys also were customizable.