Is it okay to plug and replug a keyboard with the computer on?

Question

Level 1

9 points

Is it okay to plug and replug a keyboard with the computer on?

I now have 2 desktop iMacs sitting side by side on my desk. Since I want a keyboard with a number pad on the right side, I found that the only way to get that with an Apple keyboard was with a usb connected keyboard. Therefore, when I want to work back and forth between the macs, I have to unplug the keyboard from one and then plug it into the other one - and back and forth. It would really be a hassle to turn a mac off every time I need to do this, so was wondering if this would harm a computer. Both usb ports are on powered external usb hubs.

iMac (Retina 4K, 21.5-inch, Late 2015), OS X El Capitan (10.11.1)

Posted on Mar 24, 2016 11:15 AM

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Answer 1

Old Toad

Level 10

215,688 points

Mar 24, 2016 11:18 AM in response to designer_02

There is no problem with unplugging a keyboard with the computer on and plugging in another one. It's only external hard drives that need to be dismounted before unplugging.

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Answer 2

Niel

Level 10

741,743 points

Mar 24, 2016 11:18 AM in response to designer_02

Yes, it’s OK.

(140921)

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Answer 3

Limnos

Level 10

427,919 points

Mar 24, 2016 11:20 AM in response to designer_02

I have done powered-on connecting many times in the past 25 years and never had a problem. My main concern would be a risk of wearing out the USB connectors. What I do with things such as thumb drives is leave a short USB cable permanently plugged into my computer so it takes the brunt of wear of plugging and unplugging.

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Answer 4

Ferd II

Level 10

104,871 points

Mar 24, 2016 11:22 AM in response to designer_02

Designer...,

You may also consider using a Bluetooth Numeric Keypad.

I use one and am satisfied with the results.

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Answer 5

dialabrain

Level 10

136,115 points

Mar 24, 2016 11:36 AM in response to designer_02

An obvious question would be, Why not buy a second extended keyboard? They are 17" wide. The 21.5" iMac is almost 21" inches wide so it's not like you don't have room.

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Answer 6

Bozo59

Level 1

13 points

Mar 24, 2016 1:47 PM in response to designer_02

It's not a problem. But you might make things easier on yourself by getting an USB A/B switch so you could assign the keyboard to either mac at will. Would also prevent wear and tear on the USB sockets and plug. These are fairly cheap. You can also get more sophisticated switches to switch keyboard, video and mouse to different computers (KVM switch).

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Answer 7

designer_02 Author

Level 1

9 points

Mar 24, 2016 2:52 PM in response to Bozo59

#1 numeric pad costs $50. Don't really think I can spend that much money on something like that. #2 I did get a usb sharing switch for this very purpose, but it did not work. Was apparently not compatible with both macs. I also looked into seeing if there was another switch somewhere and could find none that didn't cost big bucks. So went back to the idea of plugging and unplugging. The reason this all started is that the keyboard that came with the new mac had no numeric pad [DUH]. So I was left with one keyboard [usb] with a numeric pad and a new one that was bluetooth and no numeric pad. I use numbers a lot so this was a necessity for me. I also really didn't like the new keyboard because of it being even flatter than the old one. [which took me quite a while to get used to as it was]. I am doing alright with 2 mouses [mice?] because have bluetooth for the the new and usb for the old. And it is really not a problem having both on my desk. Two keyboards take up a lot of space, though, and are awkward to use because of it. It's just the keyboard issue. Unfortunately my old mac does not recognize the new keyboard. Hence, my problem.

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Answer 8

designer_02 Author

Level 1

9 points

Mar 26, 2016 10:18 AM in response to Bozo59

I just wanted you to know that ----YEH!!!! ------- I found a switch that works great. Thanks everyone for your thoughts.

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