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Mac Mini Keyboard
- Thread starter Phil W
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Apple would provide their bluetooth Magic mouse and keyboard, but you certainly aren't restricted to what Apple might offer.
Any USB keyboard or mouse, or wireless. I prefer bluetooth, but you don't have to use bluetooth for wireless.
And, you already have a mouse and keyboard. You could continue to use the keyboard and mouse that you are using with your 2012 iMac... (just a suggestion...)
Are you getting the new M1 mini (2020), or the previous 2018 mini?
Any USB keyboard or mouse, or wireless. I prefer bluetooth, but you don't have to use bluetooth for wireless.
And, you already have a mouse and keyboard. You could continue to use the keyboard and mouse that you are using with your 2012 iMac... (just a suggestion...)
Are you getting the new M1 mini (2020), or the previous 2018 mini?
I'm sure I'll get beat up for this, but....
When I bought a 2009 Mac mini I bought a Logitech K120 keyboard for it. I loved it. It's still going strong on that very Mac mini.
Later I bought a 2017 iMac which came with an Apple keyboard. I didn't like it much, but keyboards are a personal thing so I'm perfectly content knowing that other people like the Apple keyboards very much. Unfortunately, that Apple keyboard died after a couple of years. What did I buy to replace it? Another Logitech K120. It cost me 225 baht here in Thailand - about seven US dollars. I still like it. I make very few typing errors with it and can type just as fast as I could with the Apple keyboard. It is wired and that is slightly inconvenient, but I can deal with it.
Keep in mind that I'm quite old and learned to type on a manual Royal typewrite in the 1960s. My favorite keyboard was the one that was built in to the IBM System/23 on which I did my first paid coding.
When I bought a 2009 Mac mini I bought a Logitech K120 keyboard for it. I loved it. It's still going strong on that very Mac mini.
Later I bought a 2017 iMac which came with an Apple keyboard. I didn't like it much, but keyboards are a personal thing so I'm perfectly content knowing that other people like the Apple keyboards very much. Unfortunately, that Apple keyboard died after a couple of years. What did I buy to replace it? Another Logitech K120. It cost me 225 baht here in Thailand - about seven US dollars. I still like it. I make very few typing errors with it and can type just as fast as I could with the Apple keyboard. It is wired and that is slightly inconvenient, but I can deal with it.
Keep in mind that I'm quite old and learned to type on a manual Royal typewrite in the 1960s. My favorite keyboard was the one that was built in to the IBM System/23 on which I did my first paid coding.
I have a Logitech G915, which is fantastic, but with a caveat. It connects wirelessly via either a USB dongle or Bluetooth. I like it because I can use the USB dongle to connect to my main work computer and Bluetooth to connect to a secondary computer. Works great.
BUT my M1 Mac mini won’t recognize the keyboard at startup via Bluetooth. I have to use the USB dongle connection for the keyboard to be recognized at login. After login, the keyboard works fine via Bluetooth. My PC, on the other hand, recognizes the keyboard at login using either USB or Bluetooth.
BUT my M1 Mac mini won’t recognize the keyboard at startup via Bluetooth. I have to use the USB dongle connection for the keyboard to be recognized at login. After login, the keyboard works fine via Bluetooth. My PC, on the other hand, recognizes the keyboard at login using either USB or Bluetooth.
Use what you want. As input devices, the selection of keyboards, mice, trackballs, and trackpads is highly personal.
I have a variety of input devices in my home, some of which are currently being used, some of which aren't.
The only Apple input peripheral I am currently using in the Magic Trackpad 2. There are two idle Apple keyboards and an idle Magic Mouse.
I have three Keychron keyboards, all in use. I believe I still have two Microsoft Natural Keyboard 4000s just in case I need to set up a Windows PC from scratch. I have a couple of idle Logitech mice for the same scenario.
I have some Sanwa mice and Sanwa trackballs. The latter are being used. I also have a Mountain Makala 67 gaming mouse. That's also in use.
The Sanwa trackball devices are a credible replacement for my beloved Logitech Trackman Marble Wheel trackballs (both of which have been retired).
When I travel with a notebook computer (currently a Windows ultrabook which replaced a MacBook Air 2019), I bring along a Kensington wired mouse that's probably 15 years old.
I would say that today my three favorite input peripherals are:
The latter three can be used on a Mac at the same time. Some tasks are better suited for trackpads. Other tasks are better suited for mice. In my current Mac setup, I don't really have enough desktop real estate for a mouse so I end up using the trackball.
Admittedly I strongly favor wired input devices. My Keychron keyboards support Bluetooth but I use them in wired mode. Same with the Magic Trackpad 2.
The Mountain Makala 67 mouse -- as a proper gaming mouse -- is a wired device.
Wired input peripherals rarely go into sleep mode unlike the Bluetooth devices.
I have a variety of input devices in my home, some of which are currently being used, some of which aren't.
The only Apple input peripheral I am currently using in the Magic Trackpad 2. There are two idle Apple keyboards and an idle Magic Mouse.
I have three Keychron keyboards, all in use. I believe I still have two Microsoft Natural Keyboard 4000s just in case I need to set up a Windows PC from scratch. I have a couple of idle Logitech mice for the same scenario.
I have some Sanwa mice and Sanwa trackballs. The latter are being used. I also have a Mountain Makala 67 gaming mouse. That's also in use.
The Sanwa trackball devices are a credible replacement for my beloved Logitech Trackman Marble Wheel trackballs (both of which have been retired).
When I travel with a notebook computer (currently a Windows ultrabook which replaced a MacBook Air 2019), I bring along a Kensington wired mouse that's probably 15 years old.
I would say that today my three favorite input peripherals are:
- Keychron K8 keyboard
- Mountain Makala 67 mouse
- Apple Magic Trackpad 2
- wired Sanwa trackball
The latter three can be used on a Mac at the same time. Some tasks are better suited for trackpads. Other tasks are better suited for mice. In my current Mac setup, I don't really have enough desktop real estate for a mouse so I end up using the trackball.
Admittedly I strongly favor wired input devices. My Keychron keyboards support Bluetooth but I use them in wired mode. Same with the Magic Trackpad 2.
The Mountain Makala 67 mouse -- as a proper gaming mouse -- is a wired device.
Wired input peripherals rarely go into sleep mode unlike the Bluetooth devices.
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After endless bluetooth problems with the Apple lineup, I settled on Logitech MX Keys and MX Master 3, using their dongles. Never a glitch, plus I also have a Windows computer which I can run concurrently on my Samsung screen and use the same combo on both.
I use an "old" wired Apple keyboard if I need to use boot options, such as NVRAM.
Definitely recommend the Logitech MX.
I am using Mac mini 2018.
Use the keyboard and mouse you have been using, if you are happy with them. They'll work, as will anything else. Up to you in the end.
When I replace my 2009 Mac Mini, sooner or later, I'll continue using the wired Mac keyboard, and wireless Logitech mouse I have used for years.... works for me.
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Use any USB keyboard and mouse that you want.
I prefer older-style "full-sized" keyboards that look and feel like "old PC keyboards".
A good one that's built like a tank is the Unicomp:
For mice, I prefer Logitech. Been using them for years.
If you get one, use the "unifying receiver" instead of bluetooth.
Also, "SteerMouse" works better for me than the Logitech mouse control software.
I prefer older-style "full-sized" keyboards that look and feel like "old PC keyboards".
A good one that's built like a tank is the Unicomp:
For mice, I prefer Logitech. Been using them for years.
If you get one, use the "unifying receiver" instead of bluetooth.
Also, "SteerMouse" works better for me than the Logitech mouse control software.
I love the Apple trackpad. I personally think this is the best pointing device that gives you the full macOS experience, even better than the MagicMouse. I’d go with either one of the other.
For the keyboard, I prefer Mechanical keyboard (I’m programmer). Das Keyboard are the best I’ve ever tried so far.
For the keyboard, I prefer Mechanical keyboard (I’m programmer). Das Keyboard are the best I’ve ever tried so far.
I like the Apple Magic Keyboard. I am able to type for hours without any problems.
While I never had problems with Apple's keyboard/mouse, I did switch over to the MX Keys and MX Master 3 mouse this past spring. After 9 months of use, I couldn't be happier with this combo. Like ibarnett, I use a Mac and a work PC and the ability to seamlessly switch between the two using the same keyboard/mouse is a game changer
I have been using the old Apple USB wired keyboards for years and always liked them a lot. So I was disappointed when they were discontinued and agonized over what to get for my 2018 Mini last summer. Ended up getting the new (Space Grey) Apple Magic Keyboard. Am very happy with it, the keys have a nice travel and make a clickety-click sound (I'm a fast touch-typer). After using it for a day, I brought out my old wired Apple Keyboard for comparison, thinking they were very similar. But I was surprised, the new Magic Keyboard feels much better with more travel and a more satisfying click.
The only disappointment was the high price, since I was paying for bluetooth which I don't really need (would have been happy to use USB). All things considered though, it's all good since it saves a USB port for other things. The space grey also looks nice with the 2018 Mini.
For a mouse, I picked up the new (space grey) Apple Magic Mouse. In the past, I never liked these very much but thought I should give it a chance. I still don't especially like it, but it works fine for MacOS. But my problem is that I also make heavy use of Windows 10 in Parallels with some legacy GIS software (for making maps). The Magic Mouse just isn't usable with that. No middle button - I tried a couple programs that provide solutions but wasn't happy with them. A much bigger problem is the lack of a physical scroll wheel. In my old software, you really need to be able to zoom "one click at a time" and that just isn't possible with the Magic Mouse, you end up over-shooting the mark. Finally just plugged in the cheapo USB Targus mouse I got at the local CVS drugstore. I like this much better, and even though the Apple Mouse lives on my desktop, I almost never use it. Of course, these are all specific issues with my software and workflow. If you only use Mac software, you will probably be happy with Apple's mouse.
A lot has been written about Bluetooth issues on the Mini, but I have not encountered any in 6 months of use with my 2018 Mini. From what I've read, when you plug the Magic Keyboard in with the USB cable, it will actually use the USB interface (I have not done any test of this however). So, that would be an option if you are having problems or don't want to use Bluetooth. But, again, you would be paying the extra money for Bluetooth and not using it.
The only disappointment was the high price, since I was paying for bluetooth which I don't really need (would have been happy to use USB). All things considered though, it's all good since it saves a USB port for other things. The space grey also looks nice with the 2018 Mini.
For a mouse, I picked up the new (space grey) Apple Magic Mouse. In the past, I never liked these very much but thought I should give it a chance. I still don't especially like it, but it works fine for MacOS. But my problem is that I also make heavy use of Windows 10 in Parallels with some legacy GIS software (for making maps). The Magic Mouse just isn't usable with that. No middle button - I tried a couple programs that provide solutions but wasn't happy with them. A much bigger problem is the lack of a physical scroll wheel. In my old software, you really need to be able to zoom "one click at a time" and that just isn't possible with the Magic Mouse, you end up over-shooting the mark. Finally just plugged in the cheapo USB Targus mouse I got at the local CVS drugstore. I like this much better, and even though the Apple Mouse lives on my desktop, I almost never use it. Of course, these are all specific issues with my software and workflow. If you only use Mac software, you will probably be happy with Apple's mouse.
A lot has been written about Bluetooth issues on the Mini, but I have not encountered any in 6 months of use with my 2018 Mini. From what I've read, when you plug the Magic Keyboard in with the USB cable, it will actually use the USB interface (I have not done any test of this however). So, that would be an option if you are having problems or don't want to use Bluetooth. But, again, you would be paying the extra money for Bluetooth and not using it.
Thanks for sharing that tip. I've just now tried it. I connected my Magic Keyboard to my mini via the USB cable and I'm using it that way right now. It seems to be working through the USB port - see screenshot from the system report. I tried it with the keyboard's on/off switch at "off," but it doesn't work unless the switch is in the "on" position. This is good to know. I only have one USB keyboard left after divesting myself recently of a boxful of excess little tech gadgets (donated to charity shop). I figured that if I ever have to set up my mini from scratch without BT initially, I'd need to use that one, which I suppose is OK, but it's good to know I can use this keyboard in USB mode. Here's the screenshot:
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