Wireless keyboard and mouse

[cb31]

Wireless keyboard and mouse

[cb31]

I had an accident last night and spilled wine over my PC wireless keyboard. I rinsed it in the shower and have left it to dry for a few days but I don't expect it to recover.

Anyway I am going to buy my first mac, a mini, when tiger comes out. As I would like an apple wireless keyboard eventually, not mouse as one button is no good for me, I was wondering if I should get one now. I have a modern pc with all the connectors and a bluetooth dongle.

I read some reviews last night that said they were only compatible with apples running the latest osx. Is this still correct? If so can anyone recommend another solution to get me through the next 4 months? Also what is the range of the apple keyboards in the real world? Thanks

[BigBadBiologist]

I know the logitech MX duo works with macs, so you could theoretically use it for both.  I'm not sure how you'd switch between systems without manually unlpugging it.

[cb31]

Thanks for the reply, I had givenup hope of getting one.

It's a bit of a moot point now anyway as my keyboard is back to life. An immediate rinse under the shower and then 3 days on a radiator and it works a treat. I'm now back to the original plan of buying a mini when Tiger is preinstalled.

[JTFDriver]

Just messing around in a couple of the different forums here and saw your post.
When you get the Mac Mini consider getting the IOGear GCS632U KVM. I just picked one up and am thrilled with it. I have a Mac G4 on one side of my lower desk and a Shuttle SN45G (Windows XP) on the other. The two of them feed (through the GCS632U) a Viewsonic VX900 LCD, a Logitech Cordless Navigator Duo Keyboard, AND Logitech Z-640 speakers. I stopped using the Cordless Navigator's wireless mouse last week after picking up their MX-1000 Laser mouse (SWEET!!). I only have the two front speakers plugged through the KVM because I use the Windows machine for gaming and have the full set of speakers on it. The KVM is limited to one double set of speakers anyway, and that is what the G4 puts out. (I have full sound surround on the PC, the Mac just uses the two front speakers, but since the G4 has a built in sub-woofer, the sound is actually pretty good) I had been using an earlier model of KVM (GCS52U) from IOGear and didn't have full functionality with all the KB keys when using the Mac, or the audio. Now with the new one everything is there! My KB has markings for Apple keys and everything works like a champ. I can use every single "special" key on it (function keys, special keys for shortcuts to mail, web, etc). It is a no-brainer to hook up and once it is there all you do is double-pump on the scroll-lock key to go back and forth between systems. Both can be running at the same time and the only delay I experience is about a 1, 2 count before everything is recognized. The only drawback I see is that the KVM is for VGA video only, not digital. The VGA works fine for the Mac and general use on the PC. Since my monitor is dual input I can connect the digital direct to the Shuttle when gaming and switch over the input on the monitor. When this is connected the KVM has "issues" because the monitor tries to switch over while in digital input mode, but if I unplug the connection to the PC all is good. I am seriously thrilled with the set-up with this new KVM. Message me if you have any questions. BTW, the new KVM caught my eye with an advertisement that specifically mentions the Mac Mini.

[JTFDriver]

OOPS, forgot the best part.  The 632 is pretty reasonable, around $50-55 at Newegg, I got mine at BestBuy for $60.