Wired or Wireless Keyboard and Mouse?

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Wired or Wireless Keyboard and Mouse?

I will be ordering an iMac 2.66 GHz / 27 inch screen soon.

I notice when I configure the order on-line, by default the wireless mouse and keyboard is selected. Is this something new and why? I notice with the Mac Pro the wired ones are selected by default.

I have not used a wireless mouse and keyboard before. (It uses bluetooth, right?) I have a few questions about this...

1. What are the general pros and cons of using a wireless mouse and keyboard?

2. I assumer it uses batteries. I probably will using rechargeable batteries if I go this route. Generally speaking, how long does the power last before needing to replace the batteries? I am wondering if the battery drain is too quick.

3. Since it wireless and in terms of security, can anything intercept and record my keystrokes if I am typing sensitive information like passwords or credit card information?

4. I have friend who always have problems connecting his wireless devices to his Mac Pro. I think he mentioned that it has something to do with the aluminum casing and/or the amount of metal that could interrupt the signal. Does the wireless keyboard and mouse have this problem?

5. Magic mouse or Apple mouse (scroll button)?

Thanks.

Posted on Mar 31, 2010 10:20 PM

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Answer 1

Steve M.

Level 5

4,758 points

Mar 31, 2010 10:42 PM in response to kisch

I'll just give an answer to number 4. I am using a wireless keyboard and wireless mouse for the first time with my new iMac, Apple wireless keyboard and wireless Magic Mouse, and I really like them. No problem for me with signal disconnects and I've never heard about any signal problem due to the aluminum case.

And yes, they do use Bluetooth.

I've had my iMac since early February and I'm still on my first set of keyboard batteries. My original Magic Mouse batteries only lasted three or four weeks, but I replaced them with Energizer Lithiums (someone on these discussions recommended them) and they are still at 100% charge after a month! They are on track to last a long time. The lithiums are fairly expensive compared to alkalines but I just hate changing batteries and throwing them away (or recycling). Some owners use rechargeables but I have no experience with them.

Regards,
Steve M.

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Answer 2

kisch Author

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Apr 2, 2010 11:37 AM in response to Steve M.

The MG at the Texas Apple store would throw in a wired keyboard and mouse? That's a nice incentive. As far as I am aware of, Apple does not offer deals like that.

Also, can anyone recommend a dependable rechargeable battery with a high mAh? I understand the wireless keyboard and especially the magic mouse drains the battery very quickly.

I have the Sanyo eneloop with only 2000 mAh. I was trying to find a place that cells the Duracell rechargeable 2650mAH, no such luck.

P.S. – I read on the Apple web site that with Bluetooth...
"For extra security, you can stipulate that only trusted devices talk to your Mac, and 128-bit over-the-air encryption is also available."

So does this mean that the data you type in will be encrypted between the wireless keyboard and iMac?

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Answer 3

Mar 31, 2010 10:50 PM in response to kisch

An important thing to keep in mind is that the only way to get a number pad and home/end/pg up/pg down/delete keys is to specify the wired extended keyboard when you order your computer.

The biggest downside of wireless is battery usage. The factory-provided lithium batteries in my Magic Mouse lasted about a month. I'm now using rechargeables so that I don't have to worry about battery usage that much. A pair of fully charged 2650 mAh NiMH batteries have been lasting me 3 weeks or so, depending on how much work I do (I use my computer 12-15 hours every day). I do not turn off the mouse when I'm not using the computer.

There is a security risk with Bluetooth, but it takes a fair amount of tech savvy to crack it (see http://www.macworld.com/article/145689/2010/01/macsecurityrealitycheck4.html). Still, if you want to be absolutely sure nobody can sniff your keystrokes, you should go with a wired keyboard.

The Apple Mouse has a major design flaw: the scroll ball eventually stops working due to accumulated dirt and grime. It is not easy to clean out. I used the Apple Mouse for several years...and now that I have a Magic Mouse, I won't ever go back.

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Answer 4

kisch Author

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Mar 31, 2010 11:24 PM in response to inandoutofgrace

Thanks for the replies.

I have been reading a lot of mix reviews on the Magic mouse. I am not sure what the percentage is, good versus bad. I was just wondering if I should wait for version 2.

Yes, I do a agree that the one obvious draw back of the scroll ball is the dirt. Even if you get it clean, it does not take long for it to get clogged up with dirt.

6. In terms of typing is there much of a delay in data transfer via wireless keyboard versus wired? Just wondering...

7. How well does the wireless mouse and keyboard work if I am planning on running Windows on the iMac?

8. Is it a big deal not having the number pad and home/end/pg up/pg down/delete keys? I am trying to imagine not having them there, but I can't say until I have the wireless keyboard in front of me.

9. How well do key commands (for instance) to boot the iMac off the CD or reset the PRAM work on the wireless keyboard? I read an thread about someone using and early wireless keyboard (white) with the Power Mac. Some of those key commands will only work with the wired keyboard.

10. Is there any power gauge that tells how much power is left in the wireless keyboard and mouse? Can you switch them off when the iMac is asleep or turned off?

Thanks.

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Answer 5

Steve M.

Level 5

4,758 points

Apr 1, 2010 8:08 AM in response to kisch

There's no delay of data transfer when typing on a wireless keyboard.

About keyboard commands. I haven't even tried booting up from my install DVD yet--haven't needed to. I'm almost sure that will work as usual. There are some trouble shooting situations where it may pay off to keep an old wired keyboard in the closet in reserve somewhere. I've heard that advised before but I've never needed it yet by a longshot.

I don't miss the numberical keypad, but that's just me. You can do page up and page down with the wireless keyboard, you just need to press the "fn" key simultaneous with the "up arrow" or "down arrow." I find much less need for page up and page down since I can now scroll so, so well with my Magic Mouse.

I like my wireless keyboard and Magic Mouse lots better than I initially thought I would, but that's just me.

Regards,
Steve M.

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Answer 6

kisch Author

Level 1

0 points

Apr 1, 2010 10:31 PM in response to Steve M.

Thanks everyone for your comments. It really helps.

I will probably just give the wireless a try. I can always go back to wired.

BTW - What is the general range of operation for the wireless keyboard/mouse via bluetooth? 1 ft? 10 ft?

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Answer 7

kisch Author

Level 1

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Apr 2, 2010 7:51 AM in response to Steve M.

If I read the documents on-line correctly, the wireless devices are Class 2 which gives them a maximum operating distance of 10 meters.

I assume when the devices are "paired" this is to prevent my wireless keyboard from attaching to another computer or vice versa, correct?

Does anyone know if the data being exchange between the wireless keyboard and the cpu is encrypted?

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Answer 8

trog7g

Level 1

10 points

Apr 2, 2010 9:05 AM in response to kisch

For what its worth, I was in an Apple Store here in Texas last week inquiring about the availability of i7's in their store, which they do stock now, the MG I was talking to said they would throw in a wired w/numeric with wireless keyboard at no additional cost. Didn't say if this was promotional or what.

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Answer 9

jim853

Level 1

5 points

Apr 2, 2010 12:05 PM in response to kisch

I just purchased a 2nd iMac 27" i5 and was offered a wired keyboard. Purchased the first a month ago and was not offered then (did not ask either as it was for home and I rarely use there). I ended up getting the Kensington wireless keypad. So far so good.

I also have the wireless keyboard and mouse for the Mac Mini (used with the TV). We sit 10 feet away and have no problems with typing and/or scrolling.

Hope this helps.

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Answer 10

cats01

Level 1

85 points

Apr 2, 2010 4:08 PM in response to kisch

I have the wired keyboard because I wanted the number pad. I do a fair amount of that kind of work and the number pad is, for me, really indispensable.

I have the wireless mouse. I use regular batteries. It seemed to eat up batteries. Now, the batteries seem to be lasting longer. I don't know why; maybe my first batteries were old and losing their juice. I considered switching to the wired mouse, however the specs indicate that it is a roller-ball mouse. I used one decades ago on an old Dell and I occasionally use one in a business setting; I find them awful.

I had trouble with the wireless mouse tracking properly on my wooden desk. Somewhere else there was a suggestion to put a piece of white paper under it; I did that and voila!! it tracks like a charm.

I have an old HP 1560 Printer hooked up to my old Airport Extreme Base Station. It seems to work fine. For scanning, I have to hook it up to the USB port on my keyboard because I can't scan wirelessly. Other than that, no real problems.

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Answer 11

Steve M.

Level 5

4,758 points

Apr 1, 2010 10:37 PM in response to kisch

I've never had the need to be more than 12 or 18 inches away so I don't know.

Steve M.

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Answer 12

Steve M.

Level 5

4,758 points

Apr 2, 2010 9:16 AM in response to kisch

Have no idea on the encryption.

Steve M.

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