Problem with wired USB keyboard from Apple

[MrDoh]

Using an Apple wired USB keyboard (A1243) because I like wired keyboards for a desktop, no problem with charging, bluetooth, and so on. Just always there, always ready to use. Also, the keyboard is connected to an M1-based mac mini with macOS 12.1.

Problem is that when I'm typing along, and hit a special character where I need to use shift key, 9 times out of 10 the un-upshifted character will be typed. So I have to backspace, and then re-do the special character, which obviously is annoying and slows down my typing quite a bit.

This seems like it would be a problem that's come up and been solved before...or maybe people just put up with it? Is there a setting somewhere that affects this? I've seen this with two of these keyboards now, so it does seem like something that others would have seen as well.

Thanks.

 

[Not So New Guy]

I had an issue (my space bar was acting very weird...) with the USB wired keyboard (A1234) that was fixed by unchecking the "Use F1, F2 etc. keys as standard function keys" in System Preferences, Keyboard, Keyboard. Also I set the "press fn key to do nothing."

Hope it works. Good luck.

 

[MrDoh]

Well, unfortunately that box was already unchecked for me. So I checked it, just to see if it causes a behavior change *smile*. Don't know if any change yet.

 

[Fishrrman]

It might be time to start shopping for a new keyboard...

I'd stick with wired.

I'm still using an ancient Macally keyboard, must be at least 15-20 years old now.

If you want a keyboard that will outlast you, I'd suggest a Unicomp "SpaceSaver M":

Unicomp GA LLC: macOS®

 

[MrDoh]

I do have an Apple compact magic keyboard that someone gave me that has TouchID *sigh*, but i get tired of charging it. Works okay, but the charging cable is USB C, so I have to free up one of the TB3 ports on the back of the mini to charge it. Kind of a pain. I should try a lightning to USB A charging cable and see if that works...have a powered USB hub. Also seems to use the TB3 port to set up the keyboard, not sure that would work through the hub. But should give it a try. If the USB hub works for charging and set up, I could leave it connected to the hub all the time, and it would stay charged. Hey, there's a thought.

 

[EugW]

I don't have this problem.

Keyboard 1: A1243 - Old USB wired keyboard.
Keyboard 2: A1843* - More recent Bluetooth keyboard that works as wired when plugged in with a USB-Lightning cable.

*However, for keyboard 2 I use it wireless now. It seems to always work fine wirelessly so I don't bother plugging it in anymore except to charge it.

 

[Boil]

I am looking at getting one of these once Apple decides to drop a M1 Max-powered Mac mini this Spring...!

Keychron K1v5 low-profile mechanical keyboard, with white LED backlighting & banana optical switches...