Im looking for a quality chicklet keyboard that has a similar feel to the Wired Apple Aluminium Keyboard. Ive been using this keyboard for years (yeah, on windows) but its finally died (my fault. The GXT 856 Torac Metal Gaming Keyboard from Trust Electronics is a gaming keyboard for Windows PCs and games consoles, such as the PS4 and Xbox One. It works with Macs, too, and will brighten up. Out of nowhere my Apple keyboard (A1243) stopped working on Windows 10 - 64bit Home. I tried the keyboard on an old iMac & it works just fine. Device manage recognizes the keyboard & located a driver but gave it a Code 1, 'The driver isn't. A couple of months back, I reviewed the superb Logitech MX Keys wireless keyboard which is ideal for using with Apple Macs, iOS devices, Windows PCs and Android devices. It's a slightly less.
This page discuss differences between Apple Keyboard and Windows keyboard.
On the PC keyboard, you have the Ctrl (Control key), ❖ Window (Windows logo key), Alt (alternate key).
On Apple keyboard, you have Ctrl, ⌥ option (alt/option), ⌘ command (command) keys.
Control Key
Control Key in Microsoft Windows
The Control Key in Windows is used for keyboard shortcuts. For example, Copy is Ctrl+c, Paste is Ctrl+v.
On the Mac, Command key is used for keyboard shortcuts. Copy is ⌘ command+c, Paste is ⌘ command+v.
Control Key in Mac OS X
The Control key under Mac is rarely used.When used, it is as a modifier in combination with other modifier keys. For example,in Safari (as of 2018-05-01)Ctrl+⌘ command+1 show bookmarks sidebar.
Mac OS X by default supports emacs basic cursor movement keybindings.You can try it in TextEdit.They are:
Mac OS X's default emacs keybindings:
- Ctrl+f → move forward
- Ctrl+b → move backward
- Ctrl+n → move down a line
- Ctrl+p → move up a line
- Ctrl+a → beginning of line
- Ctrl+e → end of line
- Ctrl+k → delete current position to end of line
- Ctrl+y → paste
Alt/Option Key
⌥ option on Apple keyboard and Alt on PC keyboards both send the same USB scancode.
Alt Key Use in Microsoft Windows
The Alt key in MS Windows has several different uses:
- It is used to invoke graphical menus. For example, pressing (and releasing) Alt by itself will activate the graphical menu, then the user can press a alphabetic key to invoke a menu command or use arrow keys to navigate the menu.For example,Altec invokes the copy command in edit menu, in Notepad and most other Microsoft Windows apps.
- When pressed simultaneously with a key, it invoke a command directly. For example, Alt+F4 closes the current window.
- When held down then type a number on the numeric keypad, it enters a special character. For example, hold Alt then type 0225 on numeric keypad will insert 'á'.[see How to Input Unicode]
- If your Windows's keyboard layout is set to a European language, then right Alt plus a letter key inserts special characters.[see International Keyboard Layouts][see Alt Graph Key, Compose Key, Dead Key]
Option Key Use in macOS
The ⌥ option key is used for:
- Cursor control, with arrow keys. For example, ⌥ option+→ moves cursor by word.
- Option key is used to insert special characters, such as '• ™ ©'. For example, ⌥+8 will insert the bullet character '•'. [see Mac Keyboard Viewer]
- Option key is used as a modifier key together with the ⌘ command key. For example, in ⌘ command+⌥ option+h invokes the command 〖Hide Others〗 in all Apple applications.
Windows Logo Key and Apple Command Key
❖ Window and ⌘ command Apple wireless web camera. both send the same USB scancode.
Their behaviors are different in Mac and Windows.
In Windows:
- Microsoft logo key invokes the Start menu.
- When pressed with letter key, it invokes a command that's meaningful system-wide. For example, ❖ Window+d gets you the desktop.
[see Windows Keyboard Shortcuts]
Under Mac, the Command key is used as a modifier key to invoke shortcuts. For example, ⌘ command+c is Copy. It is similar to MS Window's use of the Ctrl key.
Menu/App Key
[see Microsoft Keyboards Gallery]
The ▤ Menu key, also called Application key, is invented by Microsoft. Typically only on the right side. It is used for Context Menu. The key's function is similar to the mouse's right button, or pressing Shift+F10 in most applications.
[see Keyboard Menu/App Key]
Mac doesn't have ▤ Menu key. If you use a Windows keyboard on a Mac, the ▤ Menu key does Ctrl+p.
[see Mac Keyboard Tools]
Main Return/Enter Key
On PC keyboard, the main enter key is labeled 'Enter ↵'.
On Apple's keyboards, the main enter key is usually labeled 'return' or just by a symbol '↩'.
Note: the main enter/return key is different from the Enter on number keypad. (it sends a different key signal.)
Enter/Return Key Conventions
In Microsoft Windows desktop (Explorer), when a file is selected, Enter will open the file.(To rename the file, press F2.)
In Mac desktop (Finder), when a file is selected, Enter will activate file rename.(⌘ command+o to open the file.)
Backspace Key
On PC keyboards, there is a Backspace key on the main section.
On Apple keyboards, this key is labeled 'delete'.
Backspace Key Conventions
When in text editing, the Backspace is used the same way in both OS X and Windows. It delete texts to the left of the cursor.
In browser, Windows useBackspace key to 'go back' to a previous visited page.For some time around 2005 to 2013, Mac OS X's Safari browser also started to do the same, but removed this shortcut again when gesture with touchpad becomes popular. Use 2-finger swipe to the left to go back.
Delete/Del Key
The Delete ⌦ key is located in the Home/End key cluster. This key sometimes labeled 'Del'.
On Mac, this key is labeled 'delete' or ⌦.
On Windows, Delete ⌦ is often used to delete things. For example, on desktop, select a file, pressing Delete ⌦ will put the file to the 'Recycle Bin'. In a text editor, the key will delete to the right of the cursor.
Apple ios 10 8 update. On the Mac, from early 1990s to 2006, the Delete ⌦ key is almost never used, even in text editors. When there is a function assigned to it, it is used to delete to the right of the cursor.
Insert Key
On PC keyboards, there is the Insert key (sometimes labeled Ins). Apple keyboards doesn't have this key.
PrtScn ScrLk Break vs F13 F14 F15
Apple Keyboard Driver For Windows
The PC has these keys:PrintScreen/SysRq,ScrollLock,Pause/Pause.
:no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/10007559/DSC00107_2.jpg "Apple")
Option Key Use in macOS
The ⌥ option key is used for:
- Cursor control, with arrow keys. For example, ⌥ option+→ moves cursor by word.
- Option key is used to insert special characters, such as '• ™ ©'. For example, ⌥+8 will insert the bullet character '•'. [see Mac Keyboard Viewer]
- Option key is used as a modifier key together with the ⌘ command key. For example, in ⌘ command+⌥ option+h invokes the command 〖Hide Others〗 in all Apple applications.
Windows Logo Key and Apple Command Key
❖ Window and ⌘ command Apple wireless web camera. both send the same USB scancode.
Their behaviors are different in Mac and Windows.
In Windows:
- Microsoft logo key invokes the Start menu.
- When pressed with letter key, it invokes a command that's meaningful system-wide. For example, ❖ Window+d gets you the desktop.
[see Windows Keyboard Shortcuts]
Under Mac, the Command key is used as a modifier key to invoke shortcuts. For example, ⌘ command+c is Copy. It is similar to MS Window's use of the Ctrl key.
Menu/App Key
[see Microsoft Keyboards Gallery]
The ▤ Menu key, also called Application key, is invented by Microsoft. Typically only on the right side. It is used for Context Menu. The key's function is similar to the mouse's right button, or pressing Shift+F10 in most applications.
[see Keyboard Menu/App Key]
Mac doesn't have ▤ Menu key. If you use a Windows keyboard on a Mac, the ▤ Menu key does Ctrl+p.
[see Mac Keyboard Tools]
Main Return/Enter Key
On PC keyboard, the main enter key is labeled 'Enter ↵'.
On Apple's keyboards, the main enter key is usually labeled 'return' or just by a symbol '↩'.
Note: the main enter/return key is different from the Enter on number keypad. (it sends a different key signal.)
Enter/Return Key Conventions
In Microsoft Windows desktop (Explorer), when a file is selected, Enter will open the file.(To rename the file, press F2.)
In Mac desktop (Finder), when a file is selected, Enter will activate file rename.(⌘ command+o to open the file.)
Backspace Key
On PC keyboards, there is a Backspace key on the main section.
On Apple keyboards, this key is labeled 'delete'.
Backspace Key Conventions
When in text editing, the Backspace is used the same way in both OS X and Windows. It delete texts to the left of the cursor.
In browser, Windows useBackspace key to 'go back' to a previous visited page.For some time around 2005 to 2013, Mac OS X's Safari browser also started to do the same, but removed this shortcut again when gesture with touchpad becomes popular. Use 2-finger swipe to the left to go back.
Delete/Del Key
The Delete ⌦ key is located in the Home/End key cluster. This key sometimes labeled 'Del'.
On Mac, this key is labeled 'delete' or ⌦.
On Windows, Delete ⌦ is often used to delete things. For example, on desktop, select a file, pressing Delete ⌦ will put the file to the 'Recycle Bin'. In a text editor, the key will delete to the right of the cursor.
Apple ios 10 8 update. On the Mac, from early 1990s to 2006, the Delete ⌦ key is almost never used, even in text editors. When there is a function assigned to it, it is used to delete to the right of the cursor.
Insert Key
On PC keyboards, there is the Insert key (sometimes labeled Ins). Apple keyboards doesn't have this key.
PrtScn ScrLk Break vs F13 F14 F15
Apple Keyboard Driver For Windows
The PC has these keys:PrintScreen/SysRq,ScrollLock,Pause/Pause.
These keys have old history back to the 1980's (or earlier) and in generalare not used since 1990, except on Windows the PrtScn key is for screenshot.
[see Print Screen, SysRq, ScrLk, Pause, Break Keys]
Apple's keyboards do not have these keys. On some Apple keyboards, they have F13, F14, F15 instead. 'Apple Keyboard with Numeric Keypad' of 2009, has F16 to F19.
The {PrintScreenScrollLockBreak} are different keys than {F13F14F15}. They do not send the same signals. In any case, when either PC keyboard or Apple keyboard is plugged in on a Mac running Mac OS X 10.4, these keys have the same behavior (could be due to operating system).
Numeric Keypad Keys
The numerical keypad keys send different USB scancode than the samekeys at top row of the main key section.
Apple boot from usb. However, on macOS, the number pad keys are remapped to be the same as the number keys on the main section of keyboard.
The difference between PC and Mac keyboard's number pad are:
- The arrangement of plus minus multiply divide keys are different.
- PC keyboard has NumLock key. Apple keyboard does not have Number Lock toggle.
- Apple keyboard has clear.
- Apple's Numeric keypad has a equal = key.
back toKeyboard Shortcut/Layout Tutorial
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Recently, the Apple Pro Keyboard that came with my iMac began acting strangely. It refuses to produce the letter 'S' much of the time, and doubles other letters. It's an old keyboard, and contains crumbs from many meals eaten at my desk, so I don't blame Apple… but it's time for a new keyboard.
Apple's latest keyboard is the sleek aluminum number shown here. While this is a beautiful keyboard and will no doubt win some design awards, I was underwhelmed when I tried one at the Apple Store. I prefer a keyboard with a bit of feedback—a 'click' that I can feel as I press each key. Maybe even a noise. While Apple's new keyboard looks great and works fine, it provides no feedback at all, and I was unable to accurately touch-type.
For those like me who prefer a less 'flat' typing experience, there are alternatives—although they aren't always easy to find. Here are some suggestions for keyboards with a more tactile feel.
Older Apple Keyboards
The solution seemed obvious: since I liked my old Apple keyboard, I could just pick up another one of those. Unfortunately, when Apple introduces a new product, the older products have a tendency to disappear. The Apple Stores no longer sell the old clear plastic keyboards, and people with better planning skills than me have depleted the stock of most other stores. The only remaining source of these keyboards I've found is eBay, and the bidding for the last few remaining ones is intense.
One alternative is the wireless Bluetooth version of the old keyboard, which doesn't seem to be quite as scarce. I found several on eBay ranging from $30 to $50, and a local Best Buy had one sitting on the shelf.
Matias Tactile Pro
Old-school keyboard fanatics like me fondly remember the IBM Extended Keyboard that was available with some of the earliest PCs. This was the keyboard that established the popular QWERTY + navigation + keypad layout, and with its mechanical keyswitches, you never forgot whether you had pressed a key. Neither did your neighbors, since this was a very loud keyboard.
You can't easily find IBM keyboards these days, and they aren't suitable for a Mac. One company, Matias, has tried to remedy this with the Tactile Pro 2.0 keyboard. It uses the same mechanical keyswitches, but it's available in Apple White, complete with a USB 2.0 hub. I haven't tried this keyboard, and at $149, I'm not about to buy one without trying it, but it might be just the thing for die-hard mechanical keyboard stalwarts.
Kensington SlimType
Searching every local computer store for a keyboard that looked and worked as good as my old Apple keyboard, I found one that is 95% of the way there. The Kensington Slimtype is a nice low-profile keyboard that still has a satisfying click to its keystrokes. It's available both in a PC version and in the white Mac-style version shown here. The Mac version has the standard Apple layout of the Control, Option, and Command keys, although it also adds a Windows logo key for PC compatibility.
For $30, this keyboard is widely available, feels almost as good as Apple's old keyboards, and won't look out of place next to your Mac.
PC Keyboards
If all else fails, you can use any USB keyboard with your Mac, including those intended for PCs. While you won't find sleek white styles or command keys on these models, you will find a variety of keyboards ranging from silent to noisy and from square to ergonomic at relatively low prices. For example, the Microsoft Natural Keyboard 4000 shown here (previously reviewed) is hard to beat if you don't mind hooking a keyboard from Redmond to your computer from Cupertino.
To use a PC keyboard with the Mac, open System Preferences | Keyboard & Mouse and click Modifier Keys. This leads to a set of options to choose which function (Control, Caps Lock, Option, Command) is performed by each key. Using these options you can make the PC keyboard's Alt key act as Command and its Windows key act as Option, matching the layout of Apple keyboards.
Conclusion
My keyboard quest ended with a couple of lucky finds—I purchased the last remaining Apple Wireless Keyboard at a local Best Buy and the last remaining Apple USB Pro Keyboard at a local CompUSA. These will keep me happy for a while. If you're not inclined to go on a quest for ancient Apple keyboards, I highly recommend the Kensington SlimType, which seems hard to beat for $30 and is available just about everywhere.
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