New iMac's keyboard cable is too short

[jjost]

I need a USB extension cable for my new iMac's wired keyboard, but I can't figure out which one to buy. The ones that I have found either don't work with Apple keyboards (they don't transmit enough power?), or they have a "notch" on the female end that prevents my keyboard cable from plugging into it. Anyone have any cable extension recommendations?

Thanks,
John

 

[Fishrrman]

http://www.monoprice.com/products/subdepartment.asp?c_id=103&cp_id=10303&cs_id=1030309

 

[jjost]

http://www.monoprice.com/products/subdepartment.asp?c_id=103&cp_id=10303&cs_id=1030309

Thanks, but do you have first hand experience that these cables actually work with the Apple keyboard? Also, must the cable be USB 3.0; shouldn't USB 2.0 work?

John

 

[WilliamG]

Thanks, but do you have first hand experience that these cables actually work with the Apple keyboard? Also, must the cable be USB 3.0; shouldn't USB 2.0 work?

John

Any USB 2.0 extension cable will work. The keyboard is not USB 3.0, so that's a bit overkill.

e.g.

http://www.amazon.com/Mediabridge-H...87467&sr=8-4&keywords=usb+2.0+extension+cable

 

[jjost]

Any USB 2.0 extension cable will work. The keyboard is not USB 3.0, so that's a bit overkill.

e.g.

http://www.amazon.com/Mediabridge-H...87467&sr=8-4&keywords=usb+2.0+extension+cable

I tried a USB 2.0 cable, but it did not work with my 2013 iMac or my son's 2009 iMac. Have you used this cable? I saw that one of the reviewers says that it does not provide power via USB for Macs.

John

 

[WilliamG]

I tried a USB 2.0 cable, but it did not work with my 2013 iMac or my son's 2009 iMac. Have you used this cable? I saw that one of the reviewers says that it does not provide power via USB for Macs.

John

I haven't used this cable, personally (I don't have a wired Apple keyboard). All I can tell you is you just need a USB 2.0 extension cable. The keyboard isn't USB 3.0.

There's always a few cables out there that don't work, of any product. If it were me, I'd buy that cable and if it doesn't work - send it back. But that's just me.

 

[jjost]

I haven't used this cable, personally (I don't have a wired Apple keyboard). All I can tell you is you just need a USB 2.0 extension cable. The keyboard isn't USB 3.0.

There's always a few cables out there that don't work, of any product. If it were me, I'd buy that cable and if it doesn't work - send it back. But that's just me.

You may be correct, but the USB 2.0 extension cable that I have works with my work PC's keyboard, but not work with my iMac keyboard. That would seem to suggest that there is more going on.

John

 

[WilliamG]

Not sure what to tell you then...

https://discussions.apple.com/thread/3353646?start=0&tstart=0

 

[BSoares]

My wired keyboard came with an extension... Maybe because it was purchased by itself and not a keyboard that just came with the iMac? I initially ordered it with wireless keyboard but wanted the extra keys so bought the wired by itself and it comes with an extension.

 

[AppleNewton]

if you ordered a brand new iMac with wired keyboard there should be an extension cable in there with it as well. regardless of retail boxed keyboard or one included with the Mac, all have the extension cable.

but any USB extension cable will suffice

 

[fhall1]

if you ordered a brand new iMac with wired keyboard there should be an extension cable in there with it as well. regardless of retail boxed keyboard or one included with the Mac, all have the extension cable.

but any USB extension cable will suffice

This must be a recent thing...the iMac I bought in 2009 came with the full size wired keyboard, but there was no extension cable with it.

 

[jjost]

if you ordered a brand new iMac with wired keyboard there should be an extension cable in there with it as well. regardless of retail boxed keyboard or one included with the Mac, all have the extension cable.

but any USB extension cable will suffice

I bought my 27" iMac with a wired keyboard just this January, and no extension cord was included with the keyboard.

John

 

[tuccillo]

We went to the local Apple store to exchange the wireless keyboard for the wired (wife likes a keypad) and they handed us the wired keyboard box - there was an extension cable in the box.

I bought my 27" iMac with a wired keyboard just this January, and no extension cord was included with the keyboard.

John

 

[jjost]

We went to the local Apple store to exchange the wireless keyboard for the wired (wife likes a keypad) and they handed us the wired keyboard box - there was an extension cable in the box.

Strange that Apple would include the extension cord with a separately purchased wired keyboard, but not one when the wired keyboard is purchased with the iMac!

John

 

[AppleNewton]

thats definitely odd.
Id call up apple and request one. All the Mac Pros and iMacs we've ordered for clients have included the extension with wired keyboards.

 

[drambuie]

Strange that Apple would include the extension cord with a separately purchased wired keyboard, but not one when the wired keyboard is purchased with the iMac!

John

I guess they figure that the attached cable is sufficient for the iMacs. My desk is 32" deep. The iMac is at the back and the keyboard is at the front, with some cable slack remaining. The extension with the boxed keyboard is probably for use with an under the desk Mac Pro.