Dec 10, 2007 - Finding himself underwhelmed by the Apple Aluminum Keyboard offered at the Apple. I-Rocks KR-6810M Mac X-Slim Backlit USB Keyboard. However, not only do you get a solid USB/MIDI keyboard controller, but over 5,000 synths from inside the software included for the price. The Arturia Keylab starts at $189 and the Essential line will begin shipping in June with preorders coming in at $199 for the 49-key and $249 for the 61-key variant.
While MacBook’s chiclet keyboard is probably one of, if not the best keyboard in the ultrabook category, sometimes you might want to use a full-sized keyboard complete with a numeric keypad. After all, it is the ideal setup if you’re typing for long periods of time. If you have an old USB keyboard lying around and gathering dust from your previously discarded desktop, you can actually use it with your Macbook. Just about any type or brand of keyboard will work with your Mac. You don’t have to buy Apple’s expensive keyboard. This post will show you how to configure your USB keyboard so that it works seamlessly with your MacBook. Once you plug in your keyboard to the USB port, this popup will show.
Click “Continue.” Your Mac will then map out the rest of your keyboard by asking you to hit the keys beside the “Shift” keys. The last popup will ask you to select your preferred type of keyboard. This is not the end of the setup, however. There is one more thing you need to configure. If you skip this step, you will have problems using the shortcut keys that you’ve been accustomed to such as “Command + C,” “Command + V” and “Command + X”.
After you’ve chosen the type of keyboard and clicked “Done,” perform these steps: 1. If you’ve closed System Preferences after the last prompt, go back to System Preferences and choose Keyboard.
Open “Modifier Keys” on the bottom right corner. The modifier keys in Mac are the Shift, Control, Option (Alt), Command, and Caps Lock keys. Choose USB Keyboard on the drop-down.
Here you can quickly assign “Command” for the “Control” key. This ensures that the Command shortcuts will work every time. You can leave the rest as it is if you simply use the common Command options. Or you can set more modifier keys depending on the combination of shortcut keys you’re using. Hit “OK” to save your new settings. After this, you’re all set.
Except for the slight difference in the position of keys, your external USB keyboard is going to feel like your regular MacBook keyboard. For instance, if you usually take a screenshot you press “Command + Shift + 3”, now it’s “Control + Shift + 3”. You can detach your USB keyboard at any time and still have all the settings saved. You’ll only be prompted to configure your keyboard’s settings once you attach a new one.
Using a cheap, external USB keyboard for your MacBook is extremely convenient and more ergonomic. It can make you feel like you’re using a desktop. To further simulate the feeling of using a desktop, you can elevate your MacBook by placing it on a height-adjustable laptop stand.
This way, instead of straining your neck as you look down on a smaller screen, your eyes land directly at the address bar. Add a USB mouse and your MacBook’s transformation to a desktop is complete. When you leave home and need to bring your MacBook in a coffee shop, for instance, you can quickly remove the USB keyboard and mouse.
Beautiful aluminum + R G B backlight. It’s the keyboard many have wanted, but Apple never made — a wired RGB backlit keyboard, in beautiful aluminum ( Silver or Space Gray).
Typing is tactile & responsive. With a generous 2mm of key travel, typing feels as tactile and responsive as any of the best laptop keyboards. Spectrum Color Dial. The Color Dial gives you a continuous spectrum of colors, by simply turning the dial. For White, turn all the way to the left, or all the way to the right — passing through a rainbow of colors in between. It’s the ultimate in simplicity & flexibility.
Nightly whites. Too much Blue-light exposure at night to negatively impact your melatonin levels. This can shift your body’s natural time clock — leading to poor sleep and various other health issues. The backlight on this keyboard was SPECIFICALLY designed to address that problem. Turning the Color Dial all the way to the left or right gets you White (which is 100% Red, Green, and Blue). BUT when you turn the Dial back, it preferentially reduces the BLUE component of White, resulting in softer Whites, that are more Yellow (and better at night). Dial it back a little further, and you have 100% Yellow (0% Blue).
Dial it back further still, and you get 100% Red — which is the color that least impacts sleep patterns. Reducing the backlight brightness is also advisable (see below). Brightness control. You can adjust the brightness of the backlight (in 10% increments) anywhere from 0 to 100%. Hold down the –/+ backlight key, then press + or – to increase/decrease the brightness. You can also select a brightness level directly, by holding down the –/+ backlight key, then pressing a number (1 = 10%, 2 = 20%, etc.).
–/+ backlight key and Esc turns off the backlight. Mouse-friendly USB port.
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The built-in USB 2.0 port is perfect for connecting your favourite wired mouse (or wireless dongle). Mac-friendly function keys. Just like an Apple keyboard, the function keys let you control screen brightness, volume, iTunes, and more.
There’s even an Fn key, that lets you momentarily change the function keys back to their traditional duties, when you need them.
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