Can a mac keyboard be used on a windows pc ?

[grahamdvddvddvd]

Like the look of these keyboards in white (they do a silver version) but the white one is called designed by Mac



http://www.amazon.co.uk/exec/obidos/ASIN/B001KW4EMW/ref=pd_luc_mri?%5Fencoding=UTF8&m=AMDAPP8LC4DGD

Mac can i still use it on a Windows PC ?

[FuzzyPlushroom]

I'd imagine so, USB is USB. When they say "Mac design" they mean "white, with the option key in place of Windows and a couple other cosmetic alterations".

Heck, even my original LiMac keyboard works fine on a PC.

EDIT: You probably won't even need drivers, even though it's wireless, based on my own experiences - usually those look like a mouse and keyboard both plugged into a hub as far as Windows is concerned.

[grahamdvddvddvd]

hi thanks

[grahamdvddvddvd]

what about the windows key will that be missing ?

[FuzzyPlushroom]

I can't say for certain, but pressing the cloverleaf-lookin' key should be the same thing.

Hold on, I'll plug in the LiKeyboard.

Aha, then. Yes, the Apple/Command key is the Windows key, for both bring-up-the-Start-menu and shortcut (Apple-E brings up Explorer) purposes. You'll be fine.

[NightrainSrt4]

I can't tell with the different language on that keyboard, but if you use the printscreen button, iirc most mac keyboards don't have a print screen key. I know my macbook and old mac keyboard don't have that.

[Crazy Buddhist]

what about the windows key will that be missing ?

I doubt it .... The box it comes in says "for Windows XP" which is a BIG giveaway lol

http://www.xsreviews.co.uk/modules/FCKeditor/Upload/Image/KeySonic%20540RF/box-front.jpg

Here's a review: http://www.xsreviews.co.uk/reviews/peripherals/keysonic-540rf-wireless-keyboard/

AHA ..... The final clue .. a close up of the keyboard:

http://www.xsreviews.co.uk/modules/FCKeditor/Upload/Image/KeySonic%20540RF/function-key.jpg


It's designed for PC's not macs.

:)

CrazyB

EDIT: on the driver issue the page you linked to says "Plug & Play installation without any special driver".

[NightrainSrt4]

He wants the MAC labeled version though, which is the all white one. The silver and black one would be perfect, yes, but the white would have the alt/option key and the command key.

All the pictures I can find of the white one show a different language on the keys, and I don't know if you solely speak english graham but that could be a potentially bigger problem then the alt/option, command key issue.

But if it isn't, my macbook maps the command key to the windows key in both bootcamp and when running a virtual machine with XP and I have no issues.

[Crazy Buddhist]

He wants the MAC labeled version though, which is the all white one.

Yup that one on the Amazon site does have an Apple key


All the pictures I can find of the white one show a different language on the keys, and I don't know if you solely speak english graham but that could be a potentially bigger problem then the alt/option, command key issue.

You didn't look too closely .. the keyboard on the original Amazon page linked to is a standard English QWERTY key layout .... However ...

They make a white one for PC's:

http://www.keysonic.de/pages/keyboards/ACK_540/ack540_eng.PDF

http://www.keysonic.de/pages/keyboards/ACK_540/ack_540_detail_uk.html

CrazyB

[EspoNation]

it will work. macs and windows run in the same pack now. i used to use the older iMac keyboard on my PC. My mom uses the new mac keyboards with her work laptop. should not be a problem. Hense the U=Universal.

[NightrainSrt4]

You didn't look too closely .. the keyboard on the original Amazon page linked to is a standard English QWERTY key layout ....
CrazyB

I did look, its not QWERTY, its QWERTZ. Z and Y are swapped and there are umlauted vowel keys in place of symbol keys. Not your standard QWERTY keyboard which is why I expressed my concern ;)

The one you linked to is QWERTZ as well, not QWERTY. If the different keys are going to be an issue for him then it does make quite a difference.

[nevermind1534]

That's a German layout or something like that. It's some European keyboard layout.

[Crazy Buddhist]

I did look, its not QWERTY, its QWERTZ. Z and Y are swapped and there are umlauted vowel keys in place of symbol keys. Not your standard QWERTY keyboard which is why I expressed my concern ;)

The one you linked to is QWERTZ as well, not QWERTY. If the different keys are going to be an issue for him then it does make quite a difference.

The one I linked to is for the UK market and in the pdf the Z and Y are not transposed - it's QWERTY. In the second link they are transposed - I think that's a photo shoot mistake. UK keyboards are QWERTY.

Matthew

[NightrainSrt4]

The pdf version is actually a different model keyboard. They are both the 540 series but they are definitely different. The shape, trackpad, and light bar are most noticeable. Which makes sense as the original poster's link says they make it in different languages.

My point was that his link, the specific model he linked to, is QWERTZ, not QWERTY, and in knowing they make different keyboards for different languages then the need to be cautious when finding one for purchase is important.

That's all I was trying to say, to help with. Not which one of these links has a qwerty keyboard, while others are different. The point is they make different types of keyboards so watch out for that when buying.