PC keyboard layout on Mac OS X

Question

PC keyboard layout on Mac OS X

I just bought a Microsoft Wireless Desktop 800 to replace my Logitech (Windows only) keyboard specifically because it was advertised as being both Windows and Mac OS X compatible. (I use Boot Camp and need a mouse/keyboard combo that is compatible with both Mac OS X and Windows 7.)

The problem is that while the Keyboard (French Azerty) works fine in Windows 7 and to some extend in Mac OS X, there's important differences in the layout that I can't seem to get around. Some special fonction keys like the calculator shortcut don't work and some characters like "@", "<", etc. are not at the same physical loca

Microsoft also don't provide official Mac OS X drivers that I'm aware off.way to

Is there an easy way to make this work? Is this a ripoff by Microsoft?

MacBook Pro with Retina display, Mac OS X (10.7.4), Microsoft WIreless Desktop 800

Posted on Jul 17, 2012 5:39 AM

Reply

Answer 1

Jul 17, 2012 6:13 AM in response to Shootist007

My old Logitech K200 keyboard clearly indicates that it's only Windows compatible in the system requirements. The very reason I bought the Windows keyboard is because it is advertised as being Mac OS X compatible.

While it technically works, I wouldn't call a lack of driver support and the need to know 3 dozens of keys by heart because their physical location doesn't correspond to the actual layout as "compatible".

If there's no way to easily make this work I'd definitely call it a ripoff.

Is there any keyboard that's actually truly compatible with both Mac OS X and Windows? Boot Camp works so well it would be a shame if not.