Numeric External Keyboard solution?

Discussion in 'MacBook Pro' started by MartyCan, Sep 26, 2017.

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  1. MartyCan, Sep 26, 2017

    MartyCan macrumors 68000

    MartyCan

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    #1
    I have the first gen MBPro 15" TB. I'm liking it quite a lot mostly but the lack of a numeric keyboard slows me down. I use Excel and am typing numbers pretty frequently.

    I've had bad luck with Bluetooth connected keypads and had a USB attachable that turned out to be a PITA. Enough so one day a key stuck and was destroying a huge spreadsheet and I actually beat it into pieces with my fist. (Don't normally have anger management issues like that LOL, just was having a stressful day and that was one of those "last straw" things.

    Anyway, I may have asked on here already but what I really want is a keyboard that connects via USB-C but not with a cable. Something that plugs directly in the side and has the same height profile as the MB. Satechi makes some nice multi-port adapters in that style but no keyboards. I really want it to be an extension of the keyboard much like you would find on a full size computer keyboard.

    Anyone know of any good solutions out there?
     
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  2. jerryk, Sep 26, 2017

    jerryk macrumors 601

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    #2
    I would suggest using a USB connected keyboard via a USB-C adapter.

    BT keyboards have delays, drop keystrokes, or as you found out double to triple key strokes. Never had a good experience with one doing anything that required precision. This is true not just for computers, but even on tablets. This is one reason the official Apple keyboard for the iPad Pro has a physical connection, and why my 3rd party iPad BT keyboard sits unused.
     
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  3. MartyCan, Sep 26, 2017

    MartyCan thread starter macrumors 68000

    MartyCan

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    #3
    Well yes, that is what I want but I’m having trouble finding one. I am looking for suggestions of actual devices by brand and model if I wasn’t clear on that.
     
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  4. rawweb, Sep 26, 2017
    Last edited: Sep 26, 2017

    rawweb macrumors 6502a

    rawweb

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    #4
    I have never had a connection problem with an official apple keyboard, plus they now make a wireless extended keyboard. You can't find much that will fit the profile and look better than this bad boy:

    https://www.apple.com/shop/product/MQ052LL/A/magic-keyboard-with-numeric-keypad-us-english?fnode=56

    IMG_1472.JPG

    I think you might want just a numeric pad, but why not as get the full keyboard at this rate. Really got your bones about a wire? Pick up a USB-C to lightning cable and you can use the Apple keyboard as a wired keyboard, though, you really don't need to.
     
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  5. jerryk, Sep 26, 2017

    jerryk macrumors 601

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    #5
    Sorry for not picking that up. I am a stickler for key movement and MX switches, specially MX Brown switches. So I use a Das keyboard with both my MacBook Pro (2015) and Windows systems. https://www.amazon.com/Das-Keyboard...8&qid=1506475178&sr=1-2&keywords=das+keyboard
     
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  6. MartyCan, Sep 27, 2017

    MartyCan thread starter macrumors 68000

    MartyCan

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    #6
    Because I have a MB Pro with touch bar and adding a full keyboard in front of it will make the touch bar too far of a reach to be useful. If Apple came out with a full external key with a mirror TB built in that could work but it hasn’t happened yet AFAIK. I do own a full extended Apple keyboard I used prior to the TB MB.
     
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  7. rawweb, Sep 27, 2017

    rawweb macrumors 6502a

    rawweb

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    #7
    Modern (2000+) Apple notebooks have never been built with a dedicated keypad. If this was a major buying decision for you, curious why you decided to go with an apple portable device? After some adjustment, one can learn to get accustom to the number row, I had to force myself. I wish there was a better solution for you, but honestly, a dedicated keyboard (like the apple magic keyboard with numeric keypad) is likely the most elegant choice. There isn't anything on the Touch Bar that can't be done with a mechanical keyboard, at least at this time. Maybe just use an external keyboard when you need to crunch numbers?

    Don't get me wrong...I get it. I'm an 80s guy and love the keypad myself. In fact, I'm currently typing this on a Magic Keyboard with Numeric Keypad on my 2016 15" TB MBP attached to a LG 5k. I find in desk situations, docking to a monitor and using it like a desktop works best. Then, use it as a notebook on the go. But that's just me, everyone is different.

    Alternatively, grab an old USB keypad and get an apple USB C adapter.
     
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  8. MartyCan, Sep 28, 2017

    MartyCan thread starter macrumors 68000

    MartyCan

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    #8
    It was not a major buying decision. Largely I prefer Apple hardware overall. I can touch type on a calculator keypad but still struggle with the number row. No idea why other than I was very late to learn touch-typing in the first place and maybe the QWERTY was the limit for me LOL.

    I do spend a lot of time working in a Windows environment due to work and Excel on Windows is still above the Mac version for me, possibly due to familiarity. Though also fair to say MS has closed the gap.

    I use the MB screen mostly to keep email open and then my 27” Cinema is my Windows environment. But as I said I have Parallels and now I can customize the TB for all the Win apps.

    It was a USB Keyboard via the adapter to USB-C that tried to destroy my spreadsheet so I have a bad taste for it.
     
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7 September 26, 2017