I still haven’t been able to use Universal Control between my M2 iPad Pro and my 2014 Mac mini because, despite working in the first Monterey betas, Apple decided that 2014 Mac mini shouldn’t support it. No, don’t talk me into OCLP because I’m just not into it and I don’t want to use this post to explain why.
So, this fall I will likely jump into Apple Silicon Mac territory with the M4 Mac mini, and I will also get a new keyboard. At first, I was waiting for the official Magic Keyboard with Touch ID to get USB-C port. However, Apple has been delaying the release of USB-C peripherals, and now Logitech has released a very cool and portable Keys To Go 2, which I’m definitely getting. Sorry Apple, too late.
About the keyboard
This keyboard, for those not aware, allows you to switch between 3 different devices by three dedicated keys. And the other dedicated keys are pretty cool (return to home instead of escape key for iOS/iPadOS, or a dedicated lock key, for instance). So unless I try it and the typing experience is subpar, something quite personal, I’ve set my mind to adopt this keyboard instead of the official one, if Apple ever releases the Magic Keyboard with US—C connector. The Logitech one doesn’t have a rechargeable battery and, thus, no port. Instead, it has a couple of button batteries that allegedly last two years, and even if they only last one and a half, it’s way longer than the time my AA batteries last on my Steve Jobs era Magic Keyboard (roughly three months).
Universal Control
I assume Universal Control also works with third party peripherals, such as the Logitech ones. However, because this key board has already a device-switch system, with 3 dedicated keys to switch between 3 different devices, I don’t think I’ll need Universal Control. On the other hand, using Universal Control to move my pointer (Magic Trackpad 2) between the iPad and the Mac could be really useful, because even tho I use the Magic Mouse 2 on my iPad, being able to use my trackpad (paired to my Mac) would be great, as it provides a versatility in iPadOS that cannot be achieved with the mouse, certain useful multitouch gestures such as the pinch to zoom.
My question:
Is it possible to use Universal Control only on certain peripherals such as pointing devices without involving the keyboard, or once you switch on Universal Control ALL the peripherals are shared? Are you able to choose which one to use “universally” and which not? Will the copy-paste feature work? Will I be missing some thing?
Thank you.
So, this fall I will likely jump into Apple Silicon Mac territory with the M4 Mac mini, and I will also get a new keyboard. At first, I was waiting for the official Magic Keyboard with Touch ID to get USB-C port. However, Apple has been delaying the release of USB-C peripherals, and now Logitech has released a very cool and portable Keys To Go 2, which I’m definitely getting. Sorry Apple, too late.
About the keyboard
This keyboard, for those not aware, allows you to switch between 3 different devices by three dedicated keys. And the other dedicated keys are pretty cool (return to home instead of escape key for iOS/iPadOS, or a dedicated lock key, for instance). So unless I try it and the typing experience is subpar, something quite personal, I’ve set my mind to adopt this keyboard instead of the official one, if Apple ever releases the Magic Keyboard with US—C connector. The Logitech one doesn’t have a rechargeable battery and, thus, no port. Instead, it has a couple of button batteries that allegedly last two years, and even if they only last one and a half, it’s way longer than the time my AA batteries last on my Steve Jobs era Magic Keyboard (roughly three months).
Universal Control
I assume Universal Control also works with third party peripherals, such as the Logitech ones. However, because this key board has already a device-switch system, with 3 dedicated keys to switch between 3 different devices, I don’t think I’ll need Universal Control. On the other hand, using Universal Control to move my pointer (Magic Trackpad 2) between the iPad and the Mac could be really useful, because even tho I use the Magic Mouse 2 on my iPad, being able to use my trackpad (paired to my Mac) would be great, as it provides a versatility in iPadOS that cannot be achieved with the mouse, certain useful multitouch gestures such as the pinch to zoom.
My question:
Is it possible to use Universal Control only on certain peripherals such as pointing devices without involving the keyboard, or once you switch on Universal Control ALL the peripherals are shared? Are you able to choose which one to use “universally” and which not? Will the copy-paste feature work? Will I be missing some thing?
Thank you.
