Some keyboard makers changed the images on the special keys to match the ones Apple used, while others provided a software-based solution that would remap the special Window modifier keys, such as Start, Alt, and Menu/Applications to their corresponding Mac versions. (Matias makes its Quiet Pro keyboards with either a Mac or a Windows layout the Mac version is shown here. The only real issues were the names given to special keys, and where they were physically located on the keyboard layout. You could plug in the Windows keyboard and it would, for the most part work, fine with your Mac. Making a USB-based Windows keyboard compatible was a pretty simple process they already were, at least electrically. No special drivers or software were required, although some keyboard manufacturers did make special software for assigning keys to specific Mac functions (more on that a bit later).Ī few Windows keyboard manufacturers started churning out “Mac compatible” versions of their more popular keyboards. Once the USB interface had rolled out to all of the Mac models, users were free to pick just about any USB-based keyboard and use it with their Macs. Apple has supported USB-based keyboards since it abandoned the ADB (Apple Desktop Bus) interface as the primary means of connecting keyboards and mice. No matter the reason, you can use most Window keyboards with your Mac.Īctually making the switch to Windows-based keyboards is surprisingly easy. (Windows keyboards, such as the Logitech G105 Gaming Keyboard, can offer unique layouts.) Or you may like some of the more advanced Windows keyboards that offer more ergonomic choices, such as the Matias Tactile Pro, specialized keys, or unique keyboard layouts. You may be coming to the Mac from a Windows environment and already have a favorite keyboard. Of course, there are a lot of other reasons to use a Windows keyboard. Related: Set Up Your Wireless Keypad With Instructional Video I like a keyboard with a bit more key travel, thus I made the move to Windows-based keyboards I’m currently using a Microsoft Digital Media Pro model. I didn’t give up on Apple keyboards because of the missing logo it was actually because the next generation of Apple keyboards went to the low-profile key design that is still in use today. This was the last keyboard Apple made that included the Apple logo alongside the cloverleaf image on the Command key. I’ll let you in on a little secret the last Apple-made keyboard I used routinely was the Apple Keyboard (A1048). You have a wide range of keyboards to choose from, including most of the keyboards made for use with Windows.

It may not be the best kept secret, but you don’t have to use Apple-branded keyboards with your Mac.

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