Apple Mac Mini – Keyboard and Mouse

Mon 12 Feb 2007

Filed Under: Apple Computers 

I didn’t get the Apple keyboard and mouse as I have plenty from regular PCs over the years. Besides at $99 AUST each I’m not convinced its value for money. So I’m using a Logitech Cordless Desktop LX700. Yes – just superseded series – December 05. By the way I don’t think the new Logitech S series keyboard and mice look as good as the LX700. (Includes the S530 Mac specific setup) But infinitely better than the Microsoft keyboards or mice.

That said imagine if Apple reduced the price – not to mass market level but say $50 they would probably sell more.

So did it work ? Yes, of course I followed the instructions for a change and it all recognised each other etc… Mind you now that I have a mouse with at least 5 buttons I’m not sure what to do ! Got to find out which are the ‘Apple’ keys are too !

Note that the Logitech LX700 keyboard and mouse set is wireless released in 2004.

The good bits

The desktop set worked perfectly when the Mac Mini was turned on the first time.
The wireless range for both keyboard and mouse was at least 5 meters with fully charged batteries. I love wireless in general there’s no wires and you can hide the transmitter recharging base. (Yes I even love Infrared)

Furthermore all you have to do to wake the Mac from sleep mode is to move the mouse or press any button on the keyboard.

Problems

The Logitech didn’t come with any Mac software or drivers so I haven’t quite worked out what the keyboard mapping is yet. That said the keyboard has a lot of additional buttons which as this point are all but useless as the Mac does not allow native identification of the extra buttons.

Needless to say I haven’t any keyboard manufacturer that makes Apple Mac specific keyboards or associated drivers. You’d think there would be now that its based on Unix.

Anyway I’ll update the page with how I’ve solved it – if I manage to do it.

Logitech keyboard mapping for Apple Mac

So far I’ve worked out :

ESC = ESC
Start = Apple key
F12 = Eject DVD/CD

Keyboard scroll wheel = scroll up/down

Conclusion

Good so far.

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