Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.

bionic_arm

macrumors member
Original poster
Jul 18, 2019
36
5
Hi All,

I have been a windows user for a long time but i am taking a plunge and moving over to macOS.

I am purchasing a macbook pro (still undecided between 13 and 15) and when at home i plan to have it plugged into my monitor with the lid down and was wondering what are the best mice and keyboards to use for MacOs?

i know the mac keyboard has a different layout from a windows one and the mouse only has one button so does that mean i can only use specific mac mice and keyboards?

Sorry for the noob question. Searched the forum but couldn't find the answers!
 

velocityg4

macrumors 604
Dec 19, 2004
7,330
4,724
Georgia
The Mac Magic Mouse isn't really one button and hasn't been one button for a long time. The Magic Mouse surface is a touch surface. You can choose the settings you want to use. It can allow gestures for right click, scrolling, swipe and a couple others.

You can use most keyboards and mice. Just be aware of some limitations. On keyboards you'll be limited to the classic 101/102 extended keyboard layout. Extra keys beyond a standard keyboard layout like media keys or app shortcuts may not work. The same thing goes with a mouse. Beyond right click, left click and scroll. Other mouse buttons may not work.

It's best to check if the manufacturer offers Mac drivers for their keyboards and mice to enable extra buttons/keys. Third party apps may also allow generic activation of the extra mouse buttons on a wide range of mice.

For keyboards your best bet is to use a Mac specific keyboard. It'll have a command key instead of a Windows key. For mice I always use Logitech. They usually have mouse drivers for Mac. Just check their support site first to make sure they have a mouse driver for the specific mouse you want.

For keyboards I use Logitech or Microsoft brand keyboards. Although MS seems to have dropped Intellitype drivers for Mac. So, Logitech would be a better choice. A lot of the Logitech keyboards don't have mouse drivers. Their media keys often won't work although all the normal keys do. They also make Mac specific keyboards. I just use a regular Logitech keyboard.

Here is a nice Mac specific model. https://www.logitech.com/en-us/product/wireless-solar-keyboard-k750-mac?crid=27
 

Juicy Box

macrumors 604
Sep 23, 2014
7,579
8,919
For a mouse, just about any will work, and what one that would be best is pretty subjective.

MacOS has been able to use a mult-button mouse for a very long time. You might have to go in settings and turn on the right-click button, and other buttons, but most mice work fine in my experience.

Keyboards are pretty similar, with the exception of a slightly different layout. Non-Mac keyboards typically work, but just need to get use to the slightly different key placement.
 

bulldoze

macrumors regular
Mar 15, 2011
229
51
I need a wireless keyboard for my docked Macs. there are a few MacBooks in the family so it needs to be able to pair seamlessly with all of them. If that is not possible then I will have to get wired I guess.

I am looking at the Matias keyboard has anyone get any experience with it?
 

bionic_arm

macrumors member
Original poster
Jul 18, 2019
36
5
Thanks for this guys. Much appreciated. Think I am going to go with a Logitech mouse and keyboard.
 

Larvas

macrumors regular
May 15, 2014
128
83
Berlin
Hi All,

I have been a windows user for a long time but i am taking a plunge and moving over to macOS.

I spent almost 8 years switching from Win to Mac and back from Mac to Win because I didn't understand the platform and wanted to use a Mac like a Win machine. Don't do the same mistake. Two years ago I figured out how to use a Mac as a Mac and after that Windows is just not worth my time.

Mac OS is so good because of the excellent trackpad, shortcuts and gestures, by using a windows keyboard and windows mouse you'll only get half of the experience.

So as a switcher I would recommend you these things:
  • I figured out that Razer has the best driver support for Mac OS, you can plug-in any of their mouses and customize it with their drivers without any issue, which is not what I found out with Logitech.
  • If you don't want to use the keyboard and trackpad from your laptop, then I would recommend to get a Mac Keyboard, if possible with a numpad, and combine it with their trackpad.
  • Check out apps like Magnet for windows snipping, you'll miss it on Mac, as well as Lightshoot for screenshot taking.
  • Learn how to use Spotlight, it's so powerful and easy. I no longer open the calculator app to calculate things, Google for flight information or Maps.
  • Learn how to use the trackpad, gestures and the multiple desktop feature, it completely changes the way you work.
  • Learn how to use Desktop Spaces, they are priceless.
  • Disable mouse acceleration, you'll hate it.

An example of my desk:

I have my MBP open in front of me with a 30" monitor behind it, elevated. I use the keyboard and trackpad on the laptop, combined with a Razer Deathadder Elite on my right.

I have two "desktop spaces" on my MBP screen, I switch between them with the trackpad. The main one is for chat apps (Skype + Discord + Whatsapp + Viber), the second one has my Facebook pages in full screen.

I have three "desktop spaces" on my 30" screen, again, I switch them with the trackpad. The Left one has Photoshop and Finder on it, the Mid one has two browsers side by side, the Right one has my analytics tools that are refreshed live.


The only thing which I miss are hotkeys, it would be so convenient to have 5 hotkeys on to which I could bind things like "shift + alt + cmd + V".
 

yukari

macrumors 65816
Jun 29, 2010
1,020
687
I need a wireless keyboard for my docked Macs. there are a few MacBooks in the family so it needs to be able to pair seamlessly with all of them. If that is not possible then I will have to get wired I guess.

I am looking at the Matias keyboard has anyone get any experience with it?
Got a Apple magic keyboard in the end. Very happy with it so far!

Good thing you stayed away from Matias keyboard.
I was not so lucky. Matias keyboard is not a quality product IMHO. Some keys require really hard press or just right angle to get it registered. I would NEVER buy another Matias product.

I ended up replacing with Apple Magic Keyboard. 1000% superior product - IMHO.
 
Register on MacRumors! This sidebar will go away, and you'll see fewer ads.