Buying first iMac: Which keyboard & mouse?

[l33r0y]

I should be placing the order soon for my first Mac

I'd like to go full wireless with the keyboard and mouse, but will I run into problems when I need to rebuild the Mac with OS X or when using Bootcamp for the first time?

Or can I get away with wireless keyboard and mouse in all circumstances?

If it is mandatory to use a wired keyboard & mouse during these initial OS install phases, would I be able to get away with using a standard PC USB keyboard & mouse, or will it have to be a Mac wired keyboard & mouse?

Thanks,

L.

 

[hankolerd]

I should be placing the order soon for my first Mac

I'd like to go full wireless with the keyboard and mouse, but will I run into problems when I need to rebuild the Mac with OS X or when using Bootcamp for the first time?

Or can I get away with wireless keyboard and mouse in all circumstances?

If it is mandatory to use a wired keyboard & mouse during these initial OS install phases, would I be able to get away with using a standard PC USB keyboard & mouse, or will it have to be a Mac wired keyboard & mouse?

Thanks,

L.

I think wireless will work when installing osx, though, if you are buying one new, it comes with osx pre-installed, you just have to fill out your personal info, which I also believe is possible with a wireless setup. However, I was installing Vista a couple weeks ago on a wireless setup, and it did not work. So I had to walk around the dorm finding someone that didn't have a wireless keyboard in mouse to borrow. It does not need to be mac specific, it just can't be a ps2 connection, unless you have a ps2 to usb converter.

If you do alot of data entry with the num-pad you might consider getting an older wireless keyboard through some online store..I am sure there are still some left out there, the new wireless keyboard falls a little short for data entry. I have actually only used it for about 1/2 a minute, it seemed really nice, but i did make a few mistakes too, probably just needs a little getting used to.

 

[l33r0y]

Cheers for that. Good to know a PC USB keyboard can be used in an emergency situation.

Just finished a conversation with Apple from their site, he seems to think I shouldn't have any issues with wireless when re-installing OS X or Windows via Bootcamp (I was surprised about the latter)

You are chatting with Philip, an Apple Expert
Hi, my name is Philip. Welcome to Apple!

Customer: hi

Apple Expert: Hello, how can I help you?

Customer: I'm about to switch to a Mac for the first time...

Apple Expert: That's great to hear.

Customer: Looking at the keyboard and mouse options, i'd like to go with the bluetooth kb and mouse

Apple Expert: A lot of our customers are new to Apple. What has you considering a Mac?

Apple Expert: I have both wireless on my iMac at home.

Customer: will i have problems if i need to reinstall os x from scratch, or when using bootcamp and installing xp/vista for the first time?

Customer: in other words, will i need a wired kb & mouse during these initial os installs before switching over to wireless once the drivers have been installed?

Apple Expert: Not at all. The Mac OS X recognizes the keyboard and mouse. It's a easy setup.

Apple Expert: The same with BootCamp.

Apple Expert: Are you looking at Apple's Keyboard and Mighty Mouse?

Customer: yes, the apple ones available as an option for the imac

Apple Expert: Great. You'll like them.

Customer: okay so at no point (at least for os x and bootcamp) will the kb and mouse not be recognised from a clean install?

Apple Expert: That's correct.

Customer: sounds good to me!