I'm having a problem with Mac OS 10.7 (Lion) getting a Microsoft Wireless Comfort keyboard's special keys to be seen; I've installed the latest Intellitype "driver" and using it am able to reassign the Application Key and swap the Windows & Alt keys and the media keys, "sleep key", and Mac Help, F13, F14, F15 (using PrtScn & Pause keys on keyboard) all work. The rest of the keys such as the FLock shifted F-Keys and other keyboard assignments (Web, Calendar, Mail, etc and "Favorites" keys) do nothing.
How To Install Microsoft Wireless Comfort Keyboard For Mac
At one point they were working (I know because the F-Locked-F6 key (works by default as Close) which I was accidentally hitting kept closing Windows and I had the 5 special keys (Web, Cal, Mail, etc.) mapped to things like Dashboard and other various Mac shortcuts. At some point in trying the set up Lion as I wanted it (including the installation and removal of various keyboard remappers they went away and all my effort at bringing them back again has failed. (If they hadn't worked once I'd just give up and call it impossible.)
I've spent (literally) hours searching with google and on superuser and the Microsoft site and on and on (I've learned almost too much but not enough it seems). My only current clue is that in my Keyboard Preference panel when I click to set the modifier keys for various keyboards there is an extra keyboard shown besides the Microsoft one and the Apple one attached called just "Keyboard" and I don't know what it's supposed to be doing or if it should be there at all. I vaguely remember in my searching seeing something about a problem installing Intellitype where someone said there was only a "Keyboard" keyboard shown but I didn't retain any more than that and at this point think I could have dreamed it. (Dreamed about Microsoft keyboards? more like a nightmare I'd say!) I'm hoping that something else got installed somewhere in the past that put this extra keyboard there and that perhaps it is interfering with the specific keys I can't get to work. But it could be anything. I got a little overwhelmed trying to see what was happening using Apple's USB tracking debugging stuff (and didn't feel like adding learning everything about USB to my load anyway!)
From what I can tell you must install both the Intellipoint (keyboard) driver and the Intellipoint (mouse) driver which come bundled as a single install package to get the keyboard to function correctly (at least for the model I was using which was actually a part of a desktop set that also came with a mouse). You can choose to customize the instal and only install the keyboard driver but it seems to disable most of the special keys on the keyboard. (Though I'm not 100% sure this is correct I've added details below to support my conclusion or as information to help someone that might need to troubleshoot further.)
After a comment about "newest drivers" I decided to download and reinstall the drivers (again!) to make sure that I was using the latest versions. After reinstallation all the keys now functioned. I believe, though, that I had been running the newest version before the reinstall. But this time instead of doing a custom install with only the Intellitype driver I used the default options and also installed the Intellimouse driver (even though I don't use the Microsoft mouse). Then, after everything was OK for a while I went and removed the Microsoft Mouse preference panel (in the standard way: right-clicking on it in System Preferences and choosing to remove it from the popup menu). Afterwards all was OK until I shut down and restarted later and was back to the original problem. I reinstalled both drivers and the keyboard is fully functioning once more.
Standard keyboards force you to hold your wrists and arms at angles that can cause discomfort or pain in your hand, arm, or shoulder. An ergonomic keyboard can help you position your body more properly, with your shoulders relaxed, your upper arms close to your torso, and your forearms level with the floor. As Rempel told us, if you use a keyboard more than 10 hours a week and already experience this discomfort or pain, you should consider an ergonomic keyboard. Like buying an ergonomic chair or a standing desk, buying an ergonomic keyboard is an investment in yourself.
Split keyboard: With split keyboards, you can hold your upper arms at the most comfortable position, by your sides. Conventional keyboards, in contrast, can force your hands to angle in and your elbows to push out from your sides, which can lead to hunched shoulders and upper-back strain.
Customizability: Most new ergonomic keyboards released in the past few years have been mechanical models, targeted especially toward keyboard enthusiasts interested in programming alternate layouts for their keyboards. For this guide, we prioritized customizability when it comes to typing comfort and proper posture, including remappable keys and multiple tenting and tilting options.
Macally sells quite a few other wireless keyboards, including some that more closely resemble the Magic Keyboard, some that include a numeric keypad, some that are solar-powered, and some that are foldable for even greater portability.
The Logitech K800 has all the bells and whistles you could want in a quality wireless keyboard. It features a numeric keypad and palm rest, and a standard key layout you find on most Windows keyboards. Like the K811 above, hand proximity will wake up both the keyboard and the backlight, and its battery will last around 10 days.
The palm rest and split keyboard are designed to conform to your natural hand and arm position, reducing nerve pressure and arm tension. The keys provide a full travel distance (though one user described it as having 80% of normal travel), but require less force, making typing more comfortable.
While this list consists of the best Bluetooth keyboards for Mac, you may want to check out the picks in our dedicated best wireless keyboards article for models with greater wireless connectivity options. There's also our article for the best iPad keyboards if you're looking specifically for a keyboard to use with your iPad. Or, you can check out our recommendations for the best keyboards you can currently get.
While it may look like a fairly standard keyboard from across the room, Logitech has paid close attention to small details, making this keyboard a popular fixture in many offices and workspaces. Its low profile is comfortable to type on without a wrist rest, and each keycap has a small indent in the middle that helps guide your fingertips straight to the center of the key to help you avoid typos. On a full charge, it lasts up to 10 days with its backlighting on and up to five months with the backlighting off, so you don't need to worry about recharging it right in the middle of a busy work week.
The Keychron K3 (Version 2) is our recommendation if your budget falls within a mid-range. Unlike our two first picks, the Apple Magic Keyboard and the Logitech MX Keys, the Keychron is a mechanical keyboard but uses low-profile mechanical switches. These switches offer a typing experience that's a cross between a standard mechanical keyboard and a laptop keyboard. These switches provide a premium-feeling typing experience and ergonomic benefits as they're very light to press. Also, because they're not very tall, you can rest your wrists comfortably on your work surface without straining your hands upwards at an awkward angle.
The Logitech Signature K650 gets our recommendation if you're on a tight budget. While it doesn't have a Mac-specific version, like our top pick, the Logitech MX Keys, or Mac-specific keycaps like the above Keychron K3 (Version 2), it does have pad-printed legends on the keys for both Windows and Mac systems. Despite the budget price point, this keyboard offers several ergonomic features to keep you comfortable, including a built-in palm rest, two incline settings, and deep-set keys that don't require you to strain your wrists at a sharp angle to type.
The real standout feature of this board is its incredible battery life. With a fresh pair of AAA batteries, you may get as much as two years of battery life, and you'll never have to worry about cramming a charging cable into your backpack. However, as you might expect from a keyboard at this price, there are some downsides. While the low profile makes it fairly comfortable to type on, it doesn't have any additional ergonomic features like adjustable incline settings. Also, the keycaps have a circular shape and are smaller than those on most standard keyboards. The keys themselves are also quite close together. You'll likely have no problems getting used to the design, but you may find yourself making more typos than usual when you're first using it.
MultichannelTM technologyThe Kinesis Freestyle2 BlueTM wireless keyboard combines our award winning split-adjustable ergonomic design with the convenience of bluetooth connectivity. No more sacrificing comfort when typing on your iMac, Macbook, iPad or iPhone. Multichannel technology lets you pair up to 3 three Bluetooth-enabled devices with the Freestyle2 Blue and instantly switch between them directly from the keyboard.
Our picks focus on both wired and wireless keyboards designed for work and everyday use, not gaming. (If you need a gaming keyboard that is optimized for players, these are the best gaming keyboards we've tested.) It also covers models at a variety of prices because you don't necessarily need to spend a lot to get a better keyboard.
A good alternative to the Apple Magic Keyboard with the number pad, this two-zone version of Satechi's slim wireless keyboard saves some desk by jettisoning some of the directional keys. You still get arrow keys, though, and a full number pad. The feel is similar to the Magic Keyboard, too, with a bit more travel and it has a Mac keyboard layout so you get all the shortcut keys in the Function key row. (It'll work with Windows PCs too and can be connected to up to three other Bluetooth devices.) It's backlit around the keys, which is something you don't get from Apple at this price. It will run down your battery so you probably don't want to use it all the time. It charges via a USB-C connector on the back and can be used wired if you want to keep working while it juices up. 2ff7e9595c
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