Using Unicomp USB (Windows-type) Keyboard on Mac Mini

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Using Unicomp USB (Windows-type) Keyboard on Mac Mini

Hi, I have one of those great clunky keyboards that responds with an audible click every time a key is pressed. I also have a new Mac Mini and would like to use the Unicomp keyboard on. The Mac recognizes the keyboard (after pressing a couple of keys) as a ANSI Standard 101 or 102 key board (it actually has 104). I know how to remap the Windows and Alt keys to better mirror a Mac keyboard, but my problem seems to be the Function keys (F1 to F12). They don't seem to work as function keys, and they don't seem to work as Mac control (sounds and light intensity, etc.) either. Since my Unicomp keyboard only has three keys to the left of the space bar, can I define something else as the Mac "fn" key and thus use the keys at the very top of the keyboard as both (F1 to F12 [and F13 to F24 with the shift key depressed]) and with the Mac fn key pressed, use those same keys to increase/decrease sound, etc.? If so, how would I do that? Hope all of that makes sense.

Mac mini 2018 or later

Posted on Dec 13, 2018 9:27 AM

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Answer 1

Dec 14, 2018 6:00 AM in response to DixieKid2100

I cannot say for certain this will solve your problem but Apple in macOS provide definitions for both Mac and PC keyboards. The keyboard wizard you describe merely picks a best guess Mac keyboard.

Open System Preferences
Click on Keyboard
Click on the Input Source tab
Click on the + symbol in the bottom left
Select the country/language that matches your PC keyboard
On the right select the PC equivalent keyboard e.g. U.S. International - PC
Click on the Add button

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Answer 2

DixieKid2100 Author

Level 1

5 points

Dec 14, 2018 10:43 AM in response to John Lockwood

Thanks for your reply. I spent part of the evening combing the Internet and found a clue. First, the options in KEYBOARD are a little different on the Mac Mini that I am trying to configure, verses the Macbook Air which I am trying to emulate. There is no option to simply check a box and use the top row of keys as function keys as there is on the Macbook.

The clue I got off the Internet said to go into KEYBOARD, SHORTCUTS, and then select KEYBOARD from the list. There I found that Function Keys 1 to 8 were assigned to shortcuts. I unchecked those items. Then under KEYBOARD, SHORTCUTS, and then select DISPLAY from the list, I unchecked F14 and F15. After I rebooted, the function keys appear to work as function keys, not shortcuts.

One final thing that made me happy was to go back to KEYBOARD, and click on Modifier Keys on the lower right part of the screen. I was then able to change the Option key to the Command Key, and then change the Command Key to the Option Key. A simple change but it puts the order of the keys on the PC keyboard to match those on the Mac. I see no equivalent for the 'fn' key on the PC keyboard. This change did not require a reboot.

Thanks again for taking the time to respond to my request. I tested the keyboard on my emulation program and it appears to be working correctly. I am a happy camper! Nice to be able to use my favorite keyboard again!

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