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Apple Wireless Keyboard

Bluetooth, white only

Does it work with Windows?

Yes, but with some limitations. If your computer does not have built-in Bluetooth, use the USB adaptor recommended by Apple, the D-Link DBT-120.

Advantages

Similar layout to standard PC keyboard in possibly the smallest footprint achievable!

Compromises

A bit of a step back compared to the Pro Keyboard, with fewer keys working and no USB hub (though that’s to be expected since it’s wireless). Volume Up/Down, Mute and Eject keys don’t work, which is surprising since all but the Eject key work on the Pro Keyboard. Print Screen, Pause, Scroll Lock keys are not available, being replaced by function keys. The Context menu is not available, although the right Alt key can be remapped easily if you are using Windows XP. Under Mac OS, the keyboard can report its battery level, but this is not supported under Windows. The layout of the UK keyboard differs from that of a UK PC keyboard, so “, @, # and \ are in different positions.

Solutions

Mappings can be created to provide missing keys/move keys to correct places. Alternatively, a Windows driver might be made available in the future - keep checking the AppleKPro page for details.

Note

Ensure that you have Windows XP Service Pack 2 installed and use the Bluetooth driver it contains rather than the one supplied with your Bluetooth adapter. If you don’t have Service Pack 2, the keyboard will not be reliably detected when you start Windows, and you will have to pair it with the adapter again. In my experience, the keyboard was not detected about 50% of the time.

Apple Keyboard

USB, white keys only, small footprint version

Does it work with Windows?

Not tested, but expected to work with minor limitations.

Advantages

Similar layout to standard PC keyboard in possibly the smallest footprint achievable! Integrated 2 port USB hub.

Compromises

Not yet confirmed which keys work, but it’s likely that the Volume Up/Down, Mute and Eject will not be recognised by Windows, so compatibility will be poorer than Apple Pro Keyboard. Print Screen, Pause, Scroll Lock keys are not available, being replaced by function keys. The Context menu is not available, although the right Alt key can be remapped easily if you are using Windows XP. The layout of the UK keyboard differs from that of a UK PC keyboard, so “, @, # and \ are in different positions.

Solutions

Mappings can be created to provide missing keys/move keys to correct places. A Windows XP, 2000, Me and 98 Driver, AppleKPro, is also available but it is not clear whether it has been tested with this version of the keyboard.

Apple Pro Keyboard

USB, Black or white keys

Does it work with Windows?

Yes, with minor limitations.

Advantages

Similar layout to standard PC keyboard, with an integrated 2 port USB hub. Volume Up/Down and Mute keys work. This probably has the best tactile feedback of any Apple USB/wireless keyboard.

Compromises

CD/DVD Eject button doesn’t work, Print Screen, Pause, Scroll Lock not available (replaced by function keys). Context menu not available, although the right Alt key can be remapped easily if you are using Windows XP. The layout of the UK keyboard differs from that of a UK PC keyboard, so “, @, # and \ are in different positions.

Solutions

Mappings can be created to provide missing keys/move keys to correct places. A Windows XP Driver, AppleKPro, is available. This also works with Windows 98, Me and 2000.

Apple USB Keyboard

USB, compact layout, Bondi Blue, Graphite and ‘Fruity’ colours

Does it work with Windows?

Yes, with minor limitations.

Advantages

Compact layout so it doesn’t take much desk space, integrated 2 port USB hub, good tactile feedback (except for half-travel direction keys and function keys).

Compromises

No Insert, Delete, Print Screen, Pause, Scroll Lock or Context Menu keys. Power button not supported and UK layout differs from the PC’s UK layout, so “, @, # and \ are in different positions, though a driver is available to fix this.

Solutions

The way round the lack of direction keys is to turn off Num Lock and use the numeric keypad. Home=7, End=1, 9=Page Up, 3=Page Down, .=Delete, 0=Insert. 2, 4, 6 and 8 are direction keys. Using the numeric keypad is quite easy to adapt to, and has the advantage that the half-travel direction keys can be avoided! For power button support and more extensive key remapping, use AppleKPro.