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doctorb · May 9, 2006, 12:12 AM

I just got a 2007dell wfp and I am wanting to use an external keyboard mouse combo with it. I already have a wireless mouse (Microsoft Laser 6000 Notebook) and just want to use my old PC keyboard with it. I was going to purchase a PS/2 to USB adapter but am worried that it won't work on my Powerbook. Does anyone have any experience with this?

Thanks for all the help.

hldan · May 9, 2006, 12:27 AM

Originally Posted by doctorb

I just got a 2007dell wfp and I am wanting to use an external keyboard mouse combo with it. I already have a wireless mouse (Microsoft Laser 6000 Notebook) and just want to use my old PC keyboard with it. I was going to purchase a PS/2 to USB adapter but am worried that it won't work on my Powerbook. Does anyone have any experience with this?

Thanks for all the help.

You specified everything you have from the PC side but no info about your Mac hardware. You need to specifiy what type of Mac you are using? However PS/2 keyboard will not be compatible with any Mac unless you use a special adaptor.

doctorb · May 9, 2006, 12:54 AM

Well, I have the last revision of the Powerbook G4 (high res screen, before the MBP came out). I realize that there is no PS/2 port on the Powerbook but I was considering purchasing a PS/2 to USB adapter so that I could use my old PC keyboard.

Macs have been around for a long time so I imagine that they used PS/2 ports at some point. I was just concerned that OS X (10.4.6) would not be able to deal with the signal from a PS/2 keyboard despite a PS/2-USB converter.

FireWire · May 9, 2006, 01:37 AM

No, Apple computers never used PS/2. The closest we had was ADB. However, there should be no problem using an adapter. This one, for example, even works with OS 9 (and OS X, of course).

Apfhex · May 9, 2006, 01:46 AM

The adapter should do all the work and just give the computer a standard USB connection. But may I suggest that it might be better to just get a USB keyboard? I'm sure you can find an inexpensive one.

Gamoe · May 9, 2006, 02:32 AM

Yep, no Mac has ever has a PS/2 port. We had ADB (actually a little before the Mac, on the last Apple II model), which was an advanced interface for its time, and then transitioned to USB, which is largely credited for the more rapid adoption of proliferation of the USB interface.

You could probably get a PS/2 keyboard to work with an adapter. But, why even go this route? There are relatively inexpensive USB keyboards available, and the good thing is that you can use one interchangeably with your PC and your Mac without bothering with a clumsy and overpriced adapter.

OreoCookie · May 9, 2006, 04:35 AM

My parents use a PS2-USB adapter with their mouse and keyboard, works just fine for them.

doctorb · May 9, 2006, 09:22 AM

Thanks for all the replies. I never knew that older Macs didn’t use PS/2! I might just shell out the extra $ for a keyboard instead of forking over $15 for the adapter.

hldan · May 10, 2006, 12:25 AM

Originally Posted by doctorb

Thanks for all the replies. I never knew that older Macs didn’t use PS/2! I might just shell out the extra $ for a keyboard instead of forking over $15 for the adapter.

Since you have went out this far and bought the latest PowerBook 17" I would recommend that you go one even higher and get a bluetooth keyboard and mouse. There are several 3rd party choices. Not only does your Powerbook already support this but all of Apples latest hardware comes standard with bluetooth technologies and some newer PC notebooks so this would be a better long term investment than spending time supporting on older PS/2 device and what's the use buying a wired keyboard and mouse for a notebook computer? It becomes combersome and inconvenient. If you ever get a Mac mini for a home media center there's nothing like having a wireless keyboard and mouse to kick back on the couch with.
When it comes to computers it's best to stick with recent technologies and don't waste time supporting the old stuff.

Gamoe · May 10, 2006, 02:19 AM

Originally Posted by hldan

Since you have went out this far and bought the latest PowerBook 17" I would recommend that you go one even higher and get a bluetooth keyboard and mouse.

Bluetooth can be very convenient, as long as you don't mind recharging, batteries and all that comes with that. For me, since I use my full-sized keyboard and mouse on my desktop, I'd much rather use a wired USB keyboard than have to deal with the higher cost and recharging issues of a BT keyboard and mouse. Still, I can see good reason to go BT with a PowerBook. Apple sells them ( http://www.apple.com/keyboard/ ), but BT keyboards and mice are available from other companies, too. I believe there are BT keyboards with built-in trackpads as well.

hldan · May 10, 2006, 01:17 PM

Originally Posted by Gabriel Morales

Bluetooth can be very convenient, as long as you don't mind recharging, batteries and all that comes with that. For me, since I use my full-sized keyboard and mouse on my desktop, I'd much rather use a wired USB keyboard than have to deal with the higher cost and recharging issues of a BT keyboard and mouse. Still, I can see good reason to go BT with a PowerBook. Apple sells them ( http://www.apple.com/keyboard/ ), but BT keyboards and mice are available from other companies, too. I believe there are BT keyboards with built-in trackpads as well.

Point well taken however changing batteries isn't a big headache since it doesn't happen very often. I have the Apple bluetooth keyboard and mouse and the keyboard lasted over 8 months of full everyday use before I changed the batteries and the mouse has lasted 4 months since it's obviously used more than the keyboard and the LED underneath stays on constantly.
But go for whatever works for you but I will mention that there is zero delay in typing on Apple's bluetooth keyboard.

tooki · May 10, 2006, 10:24 PM

Originally Posted by FireWire

No, Apple computers never used PS/2.

Other than the Power Mac 4400, which had PS/2 mouse and keyboard jacks. So did the myriad Mac clones based on that model.

tooki

FireWire · May 11, 2006, 10:53 AM

Originally Posted by tooki

Other than the Power Mac 4400, which had PS/2 mouse and keyboard jacks. So did the myriad Mac clones based on that model.

D'oh! I didn't know about that. But a Google search proved itself fruitless, are you sure it wasn't an option, when you added the PC compatibility card?

tooki · May 11, 2006, 02:59 PM

OK, I think I got myself confused. Mac clones based on the same design did have PS/2 ports, but Apple's own 4400 did not.

tooki

turtle777 · May 11, 2006, 03:55 PM

I use a generic PS/2 to USB adapter for my iBook 500 Mhz G3 (5 years old). No problem, no drivers needed.

-t

ghporter · May 11, 2006, 06:30 PM

Get a new USB keyboard for around $20 and be much happier. While you'll probably do fine with the PS/2-USB adapter, that old keyboard is probably on its 6th or 7th life by now... And if you decide you're interested in using something like a KVM with the adapter, you're in for a disappointment. A friend (an electrical engineer who is NOT dumb) has no end of trouble with his setup which includes something similar-a dual PS/2-USB adapter. Go simple, go new.