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

New Apple keyboard, doesn't sync or charge ipod nano

quigleybc said:
on the old keyboard I could at least plug the Nano in and charge it.....even if syncing was slow as s**t....

this one i can't even plug into..However as I'm typing this, i'm loving the action of this keyboard....

sigh
Click to expand...

I want that keyboard so badly. This is also the first time in many years that I hear something positive about Apple's desktop keyboards. I want to ditch my Apple Bluetooth keyboard. I want something nicer to type on, and I have a feeling the aluminum Apple keyboard is it.

Why can't Apple just do everything right. 😡 I guess you can't have everything. At least Apple trying to move things forward. And some mistakes will be required to achieve the perfect product in the end. The only thing is: I want that perfect product now!
 
The Man said:
I want that keyboard so badly. This is also the first time in many years that I hear something positive about Apple's desktop keyboards. I want to ditch my Apple Bluetooth keyboard. I want something nicer to type on, and I have a feeling the aluminum Apple keyboard is it.
Click to expand...

I got rid of my Apple Wireless Keyboard. I only regret losing the USB port on the side of my macbook - but the way that my hands glide over this keyboard is just worth all the hassle. It really is.
 
koobcamuk said:
I got rid of my Apple Wireless Keyboard. I only regret losing the USB port on the side of my macbook - but the way that my hands glide over this keyboard is just worth all the hassle. It really is.
Click to expand...

I took the plunge. I ordered yesterday, it arrived just an hour ago. Unwrapped, connected, installed software, and I'm smoking. This is one of the best keyboards I've ever typed on. I'm just flying. I'm already typing much faster than on my Apple Bluetooth keyboard, which doesn't say much, I know. I really like the key action. By the way, the keyboard powers my Bluetooth dongle just fine. So there's no wasting of any ports. In fact, I plugged in my Wacom Graphire Tablet in the other port and no problem. It powers the two devices just fine. This is on my iBook. It is well worth the money.

The only thing is: the Expose and Dashboard buttons won't work. All the other controls work fine. I haven't found any solution. I guess I have to wait until Apple patches it.
 
PhilS1121 said:
Did you update the keyboard software with version 1.1?
Click to expand...

Did that. The problem lies with the software not properly updating the Dock.app. I've found a solution here: http://discussions.apple.com/thread.jspa?threadID=1084823&tstart=0 It's a multi-step solution; five to be exact. Everything is fine now. Others who are having the same problem might want to wait for an official Apple update.

I really like this keyboard a lot. I also like the specified control keys. But using the fn button for the normal function keys needs some getting used to. I haven't been more satisfied with a purchase in years. It's just a keyboard, but it's also the primary computer input device. Using this great keyboard makes the whole computer experience better. Is this strange or what?
 
Here's been my luck with using the USB ports on the keyboard. Using a 1.8GHz iMac G5 / Wireless Mighty Mouse

5G Ipod: Low power
2G Shuffle: Sync and Charge
Sandisk 2GB Cruzer thumb drive: Low Power
Panasonic FZ7 digital camera: Syncs perfectly

I'm pretty bummed about the thumb drive but otherwise it's meeting my needs. Besides it types like a dream.
 
That is absolutely normal. The USB ports on the keyboard only supply 100mA (milli ampere); USB ports on the computer supply 500mA. The iPod needs more than 100mA to work.

100mA is enough for a mouse, or for a printer or scanner or external harddisk with its own power supply.
 
gnasher729 said:
That is absolutely normal. The USB ports on the keyboard only supply 100mA (milli ampere); USB ports on the computer supply 500mA. The iPod needs more than 100mA to work.

100mA is enough for a mouse, or for a printer or scanner or external harddisk with its own power supply.
Click to expand...

gnasher729 said:
A printer has its own power supply, the iPod doesn't.
Click to expand...

If you read the whole thread 😡, you'll realise the issue is a little more complicated than that. There was the issue of Apple falsely advertising a facility that didn't work (on anything other than the new Macs) - in fact Apple eventually caved in and changed their marketing material to reflect the reality of the situation.
 
I'm using mac mini intel core solo and i just bought that new apple keyboard last week. I tried to sync and charge my ipod video and it won't works. I guess there is no chance for me to take full advantage of the new keyboard even i'm update the keyboard software 1.1.

I think i will do a refund or change to the old apple bluetooth keyboard.
 
I am using the new keyboard with a Penryn Macbook Pro and the USB ports charge and sync my iPhone and video iPod. Is there a reason why mine works and most don't? Is it maybe the Penryn MBP can power the keyboard enough to do it?
 
Silverbird0000 said:
I am using the new keyboard with a Penryn Macbook Pro and the USB ports charge and sync my iPhone and video iPod. Is there a reason why mine works and most don't? Is it maybe the Penryn MBP can power the keyboard enough to do it?
Click to expand...

cauz the keyboard can only power usb 1.1 objects, ipods require usb 2.0 power.
 
DoFoT9 said:
cauz the keyboard can only power usb 1.1 objects, ipods require usb 2.0 power.
Click to expand...
Huh?

USB 1.1 and USB 2.0 are identical from a power perspective. The only differences are throughput speeds. Otherwise a USB 2.0 port wouldn't have backward compatibility with USB 1.1 devices.

😕
 
Silverbird0000 said:
I'm saying that my Aluminum Keyboard DOES charge and sync both my iPhone and iPod.
Click to expand...

aaahhh... i see... mybad

John.B said:
Huh?

USB 1.1 and USB 2.0 are identical from a power perspective. The only differences are throughput speeds. Otherwise a USB 2.0 port wouldn't have backward compatibility with USB 1.1 devices.

😕
Click to expand...

huh?? then howcome i cant use my flash drive with my G3 imac's keyboard, but i cant if i plug it in directly?
 
Will this keyboard work fine running XP/Vista on a PC desktop? I'm thinking about picking up one for my new desktop build since I really like the look of it and it will match up if I get one of the new silver Lian-Li V series cases.
 
DoFoT9 said:
huh?? then howcome i cant use my flash drive with my G3 imac's keyboard, but i cant if i plug it in directly?
Click to expand...
Because the G3 iMac keyboard doesn't correctly pass the power through to the USB A jack? That has nothing to do with USB 2.0 vs. USB 1.1 and has everything to do a lack of power through the hub (which is essentially what your G3 iMac keyboard is functioning as), the same way that cheap unpowered hubs cause problems.
 
Couldnt be bothered reading through all of the replies (so sorry if anyone else has already answered this)... I had this same problem, but rectified it by only having the ipod plugged in to the keyboard usb (it gave me the error when i had my ipod nano and a usb flash drive connected at the same time).

Hope this helps!
 
Just had this problem on my late '07 Alu iMac. never had any bother before, it was always possible to have the wired MM and 5th Gen iPod attached. Today got a low power warning on just the iPod! (wireless MM now)

I unplugged it and reconnected after 20s - was all fine again. How odd.

interested on the power discussions here, the system profiler says the ipod is drawing 500mA thru the keyboard, and the keyboard itself only needs 20mA

Picture1.png
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Register on MacRumors! This sidebar will go away, and you'll see fewer ads.
Top Bottom
Back