Can you use a Microsoft wireless keyboard with a new iMac?
iMac
It's better if you use a keyboard designed to be used and works with a Mac.
Try wireless keyboards designed for Mac from Kensington or Macally or Logitech.
Yes you can.
-Kotaks
Thanks. I did see one advertised that said it was Mac-compatible.
So you've tried to use the keyboard commands for an IR or Safeboot and it works?
Compatible is not the problem ... wireless is wireless in my experience as the Mac only confirms the order of certain keys on the layout.
The issue comes from keys that need to re-map ...
The "option"/fancywindowsymbol key matches "command"
The "alt"/funnycommandlikesquare maps to Apple "option".
So you have 1 Apple-command key.
Some operations require certain startup keys pressed, which will not necessarily work because the "wirless detect" part of startup occurs as it wants and possibly not before system chime. Having a wired mac-keyboard handy for special recovery is a good idea.
I haven't tried anything yet -I'm thinking about getting a Mac but don't like the keyboard - I do a lot of spreadsheets using numbers. I love my wireless MS keyboard and would like to be able to use it, but need to find out about these special commands you're referring to.
I actually asked Kotaks since we are supposed to try out whatever suggestion we make on our own equipment first (that is per the terms of use here).
I don't know (and Steve359 isn't sure either) if the special key commands you might need will work or not. IR = internet recovery; requires (depending on the age of your Mac) either Command + R or Command + Option + R while restarting > it will connect with Apple's servers and provide you with an opportunity to do basic repairs, erase, and/or reinstall the OS. There are others as well.
I'm using a Microsoft wireless keyboard and mouse with my new mac mini and it's giving me problems.
It all works like a dream until it goes to sleep. Then it won't wake from sleep with my keyboard and mouse, and then it doesn't even reconnect once the computer's awake.
I have to disconnect and reconnect the USB dongle and then it starts working. So right now I wouldn't recommend it. BEtter to go with a Bluetooth one if you can, not sure which manufacturer but I imagine you'd find good reviews on Amazon or the like - worth researching more...
I never had this problem with my old mac mini, which has worked for years with a Microsoft wireless keyboard and mouse. So it seems to be something with Mountain Lion's compatibility with USB wireless devices.
I am disappointed :-(
I'd say it's possibly more of a not-updated driver issue with the keyboard.
I think you're right - I disabled the Microsoft Intellitype 8.2 and Intellipoint 8.2 mouse and keyboard drivers (latest versions) so Mac OSX would handle them, and it works as it should: waking the computer from sleep and working normally.
Unfortunately that means that none of the Microsoft keyboard's many shortcut keys work except the media player (iTunes) and volume controls.
So I've written to Microsoft and hopefully they'll eventually update it to work with Mountain Lion...
In the meantime, don't buy this keyboard if you want to use its shortcut keys!
Thanks for the prompt reply - my second post on Apple forums and I'm impressed :-)
You're welcome and thanks for the feedback!
Can you use the Microsoft wireless keyboard with an iMac desktop
