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Entry #2765
 
 
 
 
 
 
Title: question for Mac users
Tags: computers: mac
Date: 2008-04-24 @ 22:23
Security: public
(Initially locked because this is for a gift. Unlocked May 5.)

I am looking for a wireless numeric keypad that works with Macs. I wouldn't have thought this any more difficult than wireless mice, but so far, all I'm turning up is stuff that either says "Windows only" up front or has reviews saying "didn't work with my Mac". Any ideas or personal experiences? (Bonus points for reliable brands, comfortable ergonomics, and not being made in China.)

Thanks!
:: :: Flag :: 12 replies :: Reply
 
 
 
 
 
 
Title: Untitled
Author: shewhomust
Date: 2008-04-25 10:48 (UTC)
Status:
(With apologies for irrelevance).

I typed a comment to the effect that I was very happy to be living in a world where you could quite reasonably say "I wouldn't have thought this any more difficult than wireless mice" - and LJ told me that my login cookie seemed to have disappeared.

Y'know, I used to think I spoke this language...
:: Thread :: Reply
Title: Untitled
Author: cellio
Date: 2008-04-25 13:04 (UTC)
Status:
Y'know, I used to think I spoke this language...

*giggle*

Yeah, it's funny the phrasings we do (and don't) take for granted. :-)
:: Thread :: Parent :: Reply
Title: Untitled
Author: ralphmelton
Date: 2008-04-25 12:49 (UTC)
Status:
a) I don't know. I'll ask my coworkers.
b) One avenue of research that comes to mind is to call the local Apple store and ask them. In my experience, they are well-informed about these things.
(My other thought was to look at the www.apple.com store and assume that something sold by Apple would be likely to work--but the online store lists no wireless numeric keypads.)
:: Thread :: Reply
Title: Untitled
Author: cellio
Date: 2008-04-25 12:54 (UTC)
Status:
I tried searching the Apple site, but hadn't thought to call and ask. (Oh right; there are brick-and-mortar stores. :-) ) Good idea -- thanks!
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Title: Untitled
Author: cellio
Date: 2008-04-25 22:03 (UTC)
Status:
Surprisingly, Apple store says they do not carry this, and the person I spoke with doesn't think they exist. On the other hand, the one merle_ linked (via Amazon) claims Mac compatability. Hmm. At least Amazon has a reasonable return policy, so I might try that.
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Title: Untitled
Author: dvarin
Date: 2008-04-25 17:42 (UTC)
Status:
Hm, you want just the numberpad? Not the whole keyboard?
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Title: Untitled
Author: cellio
Date: 2008-04-25 22:10 (UTC)
Status:
My extremely-non-technical mother reports that this is what my father would like for his birthday. I don't know why, but asking him that would spoil the surprise. So I'd rather get that and risk having to exchange it for a regular wireless keyboard if she got that wrong.
:: Thread :: Parent :: Reply
Title: Untitled
Author: merle_
Date: 2008-04-25 19:07 (UTC)
Status:
Here's one (at least, it claims to work with Macs).

I have no personal experience, because I want a numeric keypad that has a real working numlock and can translate things into arrow keys. That's one of my biggest beefs with OSX.

There is also a "universal USB driver" somewhere out there. Freeware or shareware, not sure. I can't find it anymore, but if you plow through enough posts on macosx you'll eventually bump up against a reference to it.
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Title: Untitled
Author: cellio
Date: 2008-04-25 22:15 (UTC)
Status:
Thanks! I expect Amazon to be good about returns if the product doesn't match their claim, so that's probably the way I'll go.
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Title: Untitled
Author: merle_
Date: 2008-04-25 22:18 (UTC)
Status:
Amazon is excellent that way; I try to buy everything I can from them. They also do self-price-matching for 30 days: if the price there drops, find the thing in the help, click on it, and they'll phone you and refund the difference.
:: Thread :: Parent :: Reply
Title: Untitled
Author: dragontdc
Date: 2008-04-25 20:11 (UTC)
Status:
You'll probably have to end up either buying an actual Mac keyboard or obverse-engineering one in your garage from an old Amiga motherboard and an Enochian Scrabble set.
:: Thread :: Reply
Title: Untitled
Author: cellio
Date: 2008-04-25 22:17 (UTC)
Status:
The garage manufacture would probably appeal to the recipient, but I don't think I've got the skills. :-)

To my surprise, the Apple store does not carry such a device but Amazon does (see another comment).
:: Thread :: Parent :: Reply
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Entry #2765