Kinesis Freestyle Keyboard

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Level 1

10 points

Kinesis Freestyle Keyboard

I've recently acquired a used Kinesis Freestyle Keyboard. This is the PC version (not the Mac specific version). When I plug it in, I'm not able to type on it (my iMac does not register any key presses).

I'd like to know if anyone else is using this keyboard. Does it work? It's possible that I was sold a defective keyboard, but it was advertised as almost brand new (and it looks like it has not seen much use).

Thanks.

iMac10,1, Mac OS X (10.6.3), Intel Core 2 Duo, 3.33 GHz, 8 GB, ATI Radeon HD 4670

Posted on May 16, 2010 7:00 PM

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Answer 1

jice0 Author

Level 1

10 points

May 16, 2010 7:01 PM in response to jice0

BTW, the model number: KB700

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Answer 2

babowa

Level 9

78,562 points

May 16, 2010 8:00 PM in response to jice0

I could not find any reference to your model number (except for a Solidtek keyboard). If, as you say, yours is the Kinesis Freestyle Solo and is the PC version, I found this info re. compatibility:

http://www.kinesis-ergo.com/freestyle-solo-compatibility.htm

It appears that both the PC and the Mac version have special driverless hot keys and are only compatible with either PC or Mac - possibly because of those keys.

You might want to plug it in and open your Keyboard pane in System Preferences to see if it is recognized there and/or System Profiler; I always thought that any keyboard would be compatible as long as one didn't try to program special keys, but I guess not especially since they make two different versions.

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Answer 3

jice0 Author

Level 1

10 points

Jun 1, 2010 5:40 PM in response to babowa

System Profiler shows:

KB700 Kinesis Freestyle:

Product ID: 0x9410
Vendor ID: 0x058f (Alcor Micro, Corp.)
Version: 1.22
Speed: Up to 1.5 Mb/sec
Manufacturer: KINESIS FREESTYLE KB700
Location ID: 0x04100000
Current Available (mA): 500
Current Required (mA): 50

I was told by Support at Kinesis that I have an early version of the keyboard that prevents it's use with Apple computers. I was told that if I returned it for a firmware update, then it would work. They also offered to "Macify" it; convert the special functions keys from PC function to Mac function. I agreed (and also purchased the special V3 stands for the keyboard).

Unfortunately, it still does not work at all with my iMac. Apparently, it worked with whatever test computers Kinesis had. So, I don't know what is different about the new iMac, but it seems to be incompatible (even with the latest firmware and Macification).

It haven't heard from any users here.

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Answer 4

jice0 Author

Level 1

10 points

Jun 1, 2010 5:43 PM in response to jice0

On a positive note, my PC version Goldtouch (KeyOvation) Keyboard does work. It shows up as follows:

Goldtouch USB Keyboard:

Product ID: 0x5616
Vendor ID: 0x03ee (Mitsumi)
Version: 1.00
Speed: Up to 1.5 Mb/sec
Manufacturer: Mitsumi Electric
Location ID: 0x06220000
Current Available (mA): 500
Current Required (mA): 100

Kinesis has been nice to help me out and appears to be a good company. I hope to be able to get the freestyle working.

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Answer 5

babowa

Level 9

78,562 points

Jun 1, 2010 7:39 PM in response to jice0

You might want to doublecheck with them to see if they applied a Mac firmware update (or if that is possible on a PC specific keyboard). I find it odd that your iMac is seeing it (System Profiler), but you can't use any key. Have you opened the Keyboard Preference Pane and clicked on "change keyboard type"? I had to do that with my Macally keyboard; once that was done, no problems. Never having had a Kinesis keyboard, that is about the only suggestion I can think of at this point.

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Answer 6

Jul 9, 2010 9:24 PM in response to jice0

Hi - I just purchased a MacPro and assumed my ergonomic keyboard (model KB500USB/QD) by Kinesis (fiveish years old) would work. It doesn't. However, it worked fine with my PowerMac G5.
If plugged into the MacPro when starting, it isn't recognized i.e. no response from any key. Once started (with new apple keyboard), when I unplug the apple keyboard and plug in my Kinesis keyboard ... its not recognized. Disappointing! I'll connect Kinesis early next week and post their response to me here.
Thanks for your earlier posts!

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