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Apple Input Devices on x86?
PimpBot asks: "So, after using a Apple G4 Tower, I fell in love with the Apple Pro Keyboard. Unfortunately, being a poor recent college graduate, I can't afford a shiney new QuickSilver Tower. Does anyone know a way of using the Pro keyboard on a x86 box? The keyboard is USB, which hopefully means I can just plug it on an x86, and have it work under Linux and Windows. Of course, I don't really want to blow $60 unless I know it'll work. Anyone out there know the answer?" Unfortunately, Apple's page on the keyboard doesn't address this. Anyone out there using these, or finding glitches?
Apple made good keyboards (depending on taste) before anyone thought of USB, too -- It looks like iogear.com sells hardware that will let you attach that old Extended II (search for "ADB") -- but of all the keyboard-sharing hardware and software listed at macwindows.com, nearly all of it goes the other direction (PS/2 --> Mac). The Griffin iMate claims to turn your ADB keyboard into a generic input device under USB-friendly versions of Windows. Can anyone vouch for the effectiveness of going with Mac input devices through such adapters?
Apple followed the HID standard with their keyboards, just like pretty much every recent manufacturer. The problem with that is HID codes are defined, with room for extension. The volume/CD eject keys fall under that category, and your Windows key mapping will be slightly strange.
I used an older Apple USB keyboard on my Windows 2000 machine for a while as a secondary. All the normal keys would work as expected. The left Mac option ke matched with the Windows alt key, and IIRC the Apple (command) key mapped to the left Windows key.
As I said, the HID stuff will be somewhat annoying. My main goal was to map the Mac power button to the Windows lock functionality. Most of the key remappers for Windows rely on a special Windows PS/2 subsytstem. Since USB/HID bypasses all PS/2 stuff, I found it impossible to remap the key.
So, basically, you can use the keyboard. Standard functionality will be there. Just don't expect the KB to do backflips for you.
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Really? I had problems using anything except a SUN keyboard on the 'blade 100. Well, any keyboard works, really, except at boot time, where the 'blade won't see any keyboard except SUN's... meaning it'll go to serial console unless the SUN keyboard is plugged in. Does the 'blade 1000 not have this problem?
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Duh! I should've checked the PROM... grrrrrrrr.
Well, I guess I still can, except I relly don't need it doing anything graphic right now.
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I'm doing it right now.
Me too. I've got a Dr Bott USB switcher and am using it for a Mac, PC w/ Win2k, and a PC w/ RH7.0 Linux.
If there's any problem it's with using a USB KVM. The Linux PC needs to be switched to 'active' when booting, and be given a chance to recognize the keyboard. Otherwise it (or any other USB device) won't be recognized.
It's a USB keyboard. So it SHOULD work. But, as others have said, the eject, volumes, and mute keys go beyond the "basic" USB spec. So expect them to act funky. I've NO idea how command and option will map.
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Just buy one from Frys. Try it out. If it doesn't work, you can easily take advantage of their liberal return policy, and... uh... not too bright employees, to get your money back.
Easy enough.
cya,
john
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I'm running an Apple Pro on a Dell Windows 2000 machine with almost no difficulties. (It's a Dr Bott USB switchbox with my Mac).
There are only three issues I'm aware of: the first is that drivers may not be available. On Win2K, this seems to present no problem; it's just plug-and-go. I have heard that Win98 and WinMe machines need to have a NEC USB keyboard-with-hub driver selected/installed.
Second, if you're switching (which it sounds like you're not), some USB drivers may not follow peripherals plugged into the keyboard. I, for example, have a Palm USB cradle which works perfectly, but my Logitech TrackMan Marble becomes unrecognizable after switching (or even just un-plugging and re-plugging). It is still usable, but it is treated as a two-button device, and all button assignments are lost.
Third, the keys are not all where you explect them to be. The 'Logo' key and Alt keys are reversed on Mac keyboards, and the Context key, Scroll Lock, Print Screen, and Pause/Break buttons are missing entirely (no, the F13-F15 keys do not function as Scroll Lock, etc.) I have yet to locate a keyboard mapping utility that can compensate for this.
Unless, of course, scissors can't cut rock...
http://www.apple.com/keyboard/
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Haven't tried Apple, but Sun USB keyboards work fine on Intel boxes, and I am using a Logitech wireless keyboard on my Blade 1000 right now.
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It may work with your PC. It seems some folks found that the BIOS could not detect it on bootup. At least, according to a discussion at usb.org and a few other places.
I did find a reference to an old key remapper. ZDNet actually made one a while ago called ZDKeyMap thet you can download at CNET. It says it only works with Windows 95 and on standard keys. You'd have to try it in Win98 and see if it still worked.
A better option may be JRkey. This project's goal is to create a generic, open-source, freeware multimedia keyboard driver for Windows 98. It looks promising, though it is still in Alpha.
Also, the Windows 2000 Server Resource Kit has a utility called Reymapkey.exe which is supposed to let you remap scancodes.
Portable versions of Firefox, GIMP, LibreOffice, etc
The Apple "Command" Key (The one with the cloverleaf design on it) becomes the Windows "Start" Key and Option becomes Alt. This is reversed from their orientation on a PC keyboard. I suspect you can remap them, but I'm not sure. My only experience is with a PC USB keyboard on a Mac.
I have no idea what Linux would map to the "Command" Key, but a USB keyboard is a USB keyboard, pretty much.
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