Clamshell Mode with Bluetooth Keyboard?

[LostJohn]

I've been trying to figure out how to use my apple wireless keyboard with my rMBP in clamshell mode, connected to my iMac with thunderbolt.

It seems like I have to go out and buy a second keyboard in order to do this, but... surely that can't be right. Can it? Doesn't seem to make much sense that I have to buy a second keyboard just to tell the iMac to go into Target display mode. Am I missing something?

 

[DeltaMac]

Your bluetooth keyboard can be paired (communicates) with one computer at a time.
Which computer is your keyboard paired with?

Here's an app that apparently supports more than one computer from one bluetooth keyboard - try it out…
http://synergy-foss.org

 

[LostJohn]

Your bluetooth keyboard can be paired (communicates) with one computer at a time.
Which computer is your keyboard paired with?

Here's an app that apparently supports more than one computer from one bluetooth keyboard - try it out…
http://synergy-foss.org

Thanks for the quick reply, DM. I've got the bluetooth keyboard paired with my iMac. Once I go into Target Display mode, there doesn't seem to be any way to access the iMac's bluetooth settings to unpaid it and then pair it with my rMBP...

 

[DeltaMac]

Yes, you can't do anything to access any settings on the iMac when you are in target display mode. You CAN un-pair the keyboard by removing the batteries for 20 seconds. Turn the keyboard on, and it will be discoverable on another Mac. Problem then is - you can't use the keyboard on the rMBP until you pair up from the keyboard. And, then you can't use the keyboard to control the iMac, until you reverse the process (again). So, the bluetooth keyboard is great on one system, but not so handy when you have to swap around.
The app that I linked may do what you want, but if you have Mavericks, it doesn't appear to support that.
Maybe someone else has a better solution that lets you save space by using only the one bluetooth keyboard on multiple system.
Otherwise, an inexpensive (or used) USB keyboard might be a good choice to use with your rMBP - doesn't have to be an Apple-brand keyboard, either.

 

[priitv8]

One catch with the clamshell mode for MBP is this: you need to have AC power connected!

Requirements for closed display mode:

• Power adapter
• External keyboard, mouse, or trackpad
• External display

http://support.apple.com/kb/HT3131