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AleroLeanne · Mar 31, 2003, 01:28 PM

My first question; does Apple still sell black key Pro keyboards? I only see white keys on the Canadian and American sites (along with the white mice).

My other question (and it may be a stupid one...I appologize in advance) but I have an Apple Pro keyboard. Will it work on a PC? Will it work with a USB converter in the keyboard port. The reason I ask is because I have it for my old iMac which I don't use much and I've got a PC to hold me until I save up for a new Mac. In the meantime my $100 keyboard which is brand new is going to waste. And I'd love to bring some Mac sentiment to the PC with me. Is this do-able? Is this dumb? Any thoughts?

Maneki Neko · Mar 31, 2003, 01:54 PM

Originally posted by AleroLeanne:
My other question (and it may be a stupid one...I appologize in advance) but I have an Apple Pro keyboard. Will it work on a PC? Will it work with a USB converter in the keyboard port. The reason I ask is because I have it for my old iMac which I don't use much and I've got a PC to hold me until I save up for a new Mac. In the meantime my $100 keyboard which is brand new is going to waste. And I'd love to bring some Mac sentiment to the PC with me. Is this do-able? Is this dumb? Any thoughts?

I use my Apple Pro keyboard with my PC, through the USB port. I don't know if it will work with a USB converter or not, although I see no reason why it wouldn't.

Only real issues is that control & alt are switched on the keyboard, and you don't get the print screen, scroll lock or pause keys on the PC. The apple key acts like the Windows key.

I'd like to get a new black apple pro keyboard at some point here too, so let us know what you find.

Paco500 · Mar 31, 2003, 01:56 PM

Wow- it does seem to be gone from the Apple Store online, but it can be found at resellers, take here for example.

The Pro Keyboard will work fine on a PC if you have a USB port on the PC. There is no adapter available that will allow you to plug a USB device into a PS/2 port.

You may have a mouse that has what looks to be such a converter (there is a little converter that allows it to be plugged into either PS/2 or USB) but this will not work with a standard USB device.

engaged · Mar 31, 2003, 01:57 PM

Can't answer your first question, but I can assure you that the Apple Pro keyboard will work on a PC - but only with USB connection. I've just tried it with the USB to PS/2 dongle and it doesn't work. Note that characters are in different places; took me a few minutes to find the @ and #...!

AleroLeanne · Mar 31, 2003, 02:14 PM

This makes me happy. I do have USB ports on the back of my PC. So I will try that when I get home.

Thanks for your help, guys!

Dopey · Mar 31, 2003, 05:45 PM

I was in the Apple Store in NYC today and they confirmed that all new Apple products ship with the white pro keyboard (the pro mouse and pro speakers are white as well). They still had some black keyboards in stock that they would have given me instead if I preferred.
I am not sure if I like the white or black keyboard better. I know I prefer the black mouse as it almost looks like there is nothing insisde.

gururafiki · Mar 31, 2003, 06:08 PM

Originally posted by AleroLeanne:
My first question; does Apple still sell black key Pro keyboards? I only see white keys on the Canadian and American sites (along with the white mice).

My other question (and it may be a stupid one...I appologize in advance) but I have an Apple Pro keyboard. Will it work on a PC? Will it work with a USB converter in the keyboard port. The reason I ask is because I have it for my old iMac which I don't use much and I've got a PC to hold me until I save up for a new Mac. In the meantime my $100 keyboard which is brand new is going to waste. And I'd love to bring some Mac sentiment to the PC with me. Is this do-able? Is this dumb? Any thoughts?

The black keyboard is not offered anymore?!? This must be new, because I ordered one with my powerbook last week, and it came. I do not like the white keyboards as they look too easy to get dirty.

kOnshii · Mar 31, 2003, 07:17 PM

capatible in ever way, both mouse and keyboard,

Even when using the keyboard as a usb hub.

-Q- · Apr 1, 2003, 10:05 PM

Also compatable with a KVM switch...use it every day with a Win 2K box and my ibook...

Mac Zealot · Apr 1, 2003, 10:55 PM

I dunno watcha mean about the alt/ctrl key fiasco.

My alt key works perfectly fine. My Ctrl key works perfectly fine.

I like my desktop to look uniform so all of my PCs have pro keyboards

Not to mention they're black ones

OreoCookie · Apr 2, 2003, 05:34 AM

Originally posted by AleroLeanne:
My first question; does Apple still sell black key Pro keyboards? I only see white keys on the Canadian and American sites (along with the white mice).

My other question (and it may be a stupid one...I appologize in advance) but I have an Apple Pro keyboard. Will it work on a PC? Will it work with a USB converter in the keyboard port. The reason I ask is because I have it for my old iMac which I don't use much and I've got a PC to hold me until I save up for a new Mac. In the meantime my $100 keyboard which is brand new is going to waste. And I'd love to bring some Mac sentiment to the PC with me. Is this do-able? Is this dumb? Any thoughts?

Yes, the Apple Pro Keyboard works on a PC (after all, it's a USB keyboard). Even the sound keys work as expected!

I am not kidding, they do work.

AleroLeanne · Apr 2, 2003, 09:17 AM

I hooked up the keyboard and it works great! It's so much quieter to type on than the crappy pc keyboard I had. I haven't tried the sound keys yet, but I'll have to test them out. Overall I'm very happy...(although I'll be happier when I can afford a new mac). For the time being, it's great!