Which Keyboard/Mouse for Mac Mini?

[asimmd]

HI All

More newby questions.

I have looked at the Apple Wireless Keyboard/Mouse but they are so expensive.

Any recommendations for an alternative would be appreciated.

Many thanks

Alan

[mchoffa]

I have never liked Apple's mouse and use the Logitech Performance MX. It's pricey, but WELL worth it. Before that I used the Revolution MX for many years. comfortable and a lot of options for different thumb buttons, etc.

http://www.amazon.com/Logitech-Wirel...dp/B002HWRJBM/

As far as keyboard, if Apple made a wireless keyboard that had a number pad I would just buy that, but they don't, so I think I am going to get the Logitech k750 wireless, which looks like apple's keyboard aside from the solar panel that charges it. It's also available in black

http://www.amazon.com/Logitech-Wirel...dp/B005L38VRU/

[limesmoothie]

Wired or wireless? I second the Logitech recommendation - they make good keyboards. I've a wireless one with a built in touchpad for my Raspberry Pi that I'm quite fond of.

My favourite mouse at the moment is the Microsoft Arc Touch but it might be a bit pricey for you.

[asimmd]

Hello limesmoothie

Well you are correct,considering I am using a £2.99 Optical mouse from Asda,and a Microsoft £7.99 keyboard,the Logitech stuff is nice,but for the price I might as well get the Apple.

Alan

[philipma1957]

here is the lowest price logitech model is mk320

you need to put a dongle in 1 usb3 slot. the dongle is large type not small type.

it runs the mouse and the keyboard. the quality is so so . but the price is good about 35 for both mouse and keyboard




http://www.amazon.com/Logitech-Wirel...logitech+mk320



you may want this with it

http://www.amazon.com/6in-USB-Extens...xtension+cable


or this

http://www.amazon.com/Belkin-USB-2-0...xtension+cable



I would buy these 2


http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00...ls_o00_s00_i00

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00...ls_o02_s00_i00

and a hub cost is around 50 bucks

[limesmoothie]

Originally Posted by asimmd

Hello limesmoothie

Well you are correct,considering I am using a £2.99 Optical mouse from Asda,and a Microsoft £7.99 keyboard,the Logitech stuff is nice,but for the price I might as well get the Apple.

Alan

If you look on the Apple refurb store, they also sell accessories - might save you a few quid. They have some wireless KB on there just now.

[Dweez]

I use the Apple bluetooth keyboard and a Logitech Anywhere MX wireless mouse. The keyboard is so-so, the mouse rocks.

[dwr]

I purchased this keyboard from amazon about a year ago. Less than $20.

http://www.amazon.com/MYCARRYINGCASE...i+keyboard+usb


About the same size as the Apple bluetooth one. If you don't care about the function keys, this one is fine.

[hmaliks]

Logitech K800 Keyboard + Logitech Performance MX Mouse

With one Unifying USB receiver you can use both devices

[locomotive282]

Yes the apple keyboard and magic track pad is overpriced but it really is the ideal solution. I have my mac mini connected to my TV so I use the Bullet Train Express Holder, which is great for sofa use.

[Neiloid]

Originally Posted by asimmd

HI All

More newby questions.

I have looked at the Apple Wireless Keyboard/Mouse but they are so expensive.

Any recommendations for an alternative would be appreciated.

Many thanks

Alan

Hi Alan

I'm new to Macs and recently bought a mid 2011 2.5 Mac Mini. Before I bought the Mac I would never have considered spending even a fraction of the cost of the Apple stuff - my old keyboard was a wired job that cost £8 and my Microsoft mouse was £12.

However, I got a new sealed Apple mini keyboard for £30 delivered from a private seller on eBay and it is a revelation. It looks he part, it feels fantastic, the keys have a great action and it goes to sleep when not in use so after 3 weeks of use without turning it off it still reads 100% battery.

With this success I then bought a Magic Mouse, again off eBay and again £30 delivered. I was sceptical about the touch functions of the mouse and its unusually flat profile but it is brilliant - I've taken to it like a duk to water. It feels solid, the added functionality is great and looks fantastic. It also sleeps when not in use so it truly is use and forget and has good battery life so far.

Some people don like the mouse and so opt for the touch pad, so I hit eBay for a third time and picked up a used touch pad for £35 delivered. Once again I'm chuffed to bit with my purchase. Silent surfing with the functionality I love on my iPad. I wouldn't consider this a replacement for a mouse as it doesn't have full mouse functionality but its a great non essential accessory.

There is no way I would have paid RRP for these items but at eBay prices they are like buy one get one free. The other advantage is that thy match the Mini and look every bit of their asking price. I have no experience of Logitech to compare but these apple bits are quality in my opinion.

Hope this is helpful.

[Mr. McMac]

I'm using an Apple Wireless Bluetooth Keyboard and a Logitech M510 Mouse on my Mac Mini. I personally think Apple never made a good mouse, but I think their keyboards are awesome.. Just my opinion

[limesmoothie]

If you're going to head to eBay and don't mind a wired keyboard then my favourite ever is the white Apple extended keyboard:

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/APPLE-MAC-...item1c2d186997

Typing on one right now that I rescued after a friend's G4 Mac passed away.

[stu.h]

Apple wireless keyboard and Trackpad.

I know it doesn't really answer your thread question, but they really do provide the best experience.

[DrakkenWar]

Like many have said here. First and foremost it comes down to price and what you like. Currently I have a wired Apple keyboard hooked to my 2011 mini and so far I love it. Paired with this trackball:

http://www.kensington.com/kensington...roll-ring.aspx

However, I grabbed a bluetooth keyboard from a local discount shop here in the states I purchased for my G4 Powerbook, while it's not the same build quality as the Apple gear for $20.00 I am not complaining.

http://www.merkuryinnovations.com/bl...d-iphone-ipod/

If I can find another for a deal I would replace my current wired keyboard with it for my mini.

Oh, almost forgot. Totally cheap mouse I have hooked up for EvE and FPS games:

http://www.tigerdirect.com/applicati...?EdpNo=4680153

Cheap as all get out. But it gets the job done.

[iamsen47]

I have the windows version of the logitech solar keyboard that I leave in the office. I don't like the light so I have the curtains drawn all the time but it stays fully charged even from just that bit of ambient light leaking through.

The keys are also very well placed, the keystrokes producing a very comfortable feel.

Highly recommended.

I use it together with the logitech touch mouse, it's a pitty that the gestures there don't work on OSX, I prefer its round shape compared to the flat magic mouse. Currently using the MX Air at home, but it's rather old and the battery rarely lasts longer more than a day. I'm holding out for logitech to release an OSX driver, but if the Air dies before then, I'll probably get some other logitech mouse then.

[garymkrieg]

Originally Posted by hmaliks

Logitech K800 Keyboard + Logitech Performance MX Mouse

With one Unifying USB receiver you can use both devices

Were you able to initially set the mini up using that combination? I have the same keyboard and mouse and a new mini being delivered next week.

Gary

[Micky Do]

Originally Posted by asimmd

HI All

More newby questions.

I have looked at the Apple Wireless Keyboard/Mouse but they are so expensive.

Any recommendations for an alternative would be appreciated.

Many thanks

Alan

One of the advantages of the Mini is that you can choose whatever takes your fancy, or meets you needs. If you have old hardware lying around, why not use that? If you don't, or what you have doesn't suit you, you can acquire what does. Although Apple gear is relatively expensive, it will last a while, probably beyond the life of your computer.

I am using a wired version of the small Apple keyboard, which I like because it has a couple of USB ports, it doesn't take up much space on my desk, and is easy to shove aside when not being used. I don't think it is available new now though.

I prefer the Apple "Chicklet" type keyboard to others I encounter, but not everybody does. I didn't really like the old plastic Apple keyboard, and replaced it soon after the aluminium came to the market.

I like the Apple Magic mouse, but not enough to buy one at this stage.

The mouse that they threw in with my first Mini (in 2005) was ok and outlasted the computer. I don't know what brand it was. When it wore out (a year or so ago) I tried a couple of others, but didn't like them for one reason or another. I was going to bite the bullet and buy a Magic Mouse, then decided to try a basic wired Logitech, at a tenth the cost. It works for me; I'm happy and am not about to change it.

[Poob Bubes]

Originally Posted by mchoffa

I have never liked Apple's mouse and use the Logitech Performance MX. It's pricey, but WELL worth it. Before that I used the Revolution MX for many years. comfortable and a lot of options for different thumb buttons, etc.

http://www.amazon.com/Logitech-Wirel...dp/B002HWRJBM/

As far as keyboard, if Apple made a wireless keyboard that had a number pad I would just buy that, but they don't, so I think I am going to get the Logitech k750 wireless, which looks like apple's keyboard aside from the solar panel that charges it. It's also available in black

http://www.amazon.com/Logitech-Wirel...dp/B005L38VRU/

I use this exact combo and couldn't be happier.

[derbladerunner]

My suggestions if you use your mini as a workhorse (I spend up to 10 hrs daily with mine):

For a keyboard, I can recommend Apple's wired keyboard, especially if you need a numeric keyboard sometimes. You might wand to add a gel palm rest if you spend a lot of time with your computer. The wire doesn't bother me at all since I don't move my keyboard.

For a mouse, I can recommend the Logitech M705 because of handling and very good battery life

http://www.logitech.com/en-us/mice-p...hon-mouse-m705

Logitech claims up to 3 years, I am now using mine for a year with the first battery set. Saves a lot of money or hassle swapping batteries.

[DitteVilladsen]

Originally Posted by asimmd

HI All

More newby questions.

I have looked at the Apple Wireless Keyboard/Mouse but they are so expensive

I use the Happy Hacking Topre keyswitch keyboard, which costs half as much as the base mini, so I guess I'm not the guy to answer you!

[hmaliks]

Initially you may require a corded keyboard to get going, but try to hook up the USB receiver to see whether it gets you going. I personally had a corded keyboard that I used for first time setup.

I want to gives you a heads up that although there is Logitech setpoint MAC software for the performance MX mouse, none exist for K800 Keyboard, so functions that can be customized through the software will not work or only work for the default action.

As I am sharing these KB/Mouse combination between a Windows and a Mac PC (through a ConnectPro KVM) I compromised on that situation on the Mac side.
-------------

Originally Posted by garymkrieg

Were you able to initially set the mini up using that combination? I have the same keyboard and mouse and a new mini being delivered next week.

Gary

[milkmandan]

Clearly the best keyboard for Mac is the Moshi Luna Backlit Keyboard.
been using this for the past month and it is hands down the sexiest keyboard I've ever used.
Expensive, but worth every penny.

http://store.moshimonde.com/review/product/list/id/171/

Pity that it isn't mechanical, but it is a full sized mac keyboard, full sized arrow keys. Nothing beats it as far as looks.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ez22UcyTBkk

as for mouse, I am just using a Logitech G500 with USB Overdrive.