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Wireless Keyboards: Bluetooth or USB?

Bluetooth or USB for wireless???

  • Total voters
    24
  • Poll closed .
james6000

james6000

macrumors member
Original poster
Jul 3, 2007
94
0
UK
I'm looking to buy an external keyboard for for MB for use at home. I'm leaning towards the bluetooth keyboards simply because the MB only has 2 USB ports. However they are very expensive compared to wireless USB keyboards and was wondering whether it was worth it. I would love to know what your guys opinion is.

Could another choice be to buy a USB expansion peripheral?
 
Oh crap, typo. Yeh I did mean that. Do you know how to edit the poll?
 
I was under the impression that wireless keyboards that supply a USB connector are bluetooth - my old Logitech wireless mouse came with a USB adapter but I didn't need that since my laptop had Bluetooth, and worked fine through that.
 
Sorry but I don't think I made myself too clear. I was referring to buying a bluetooth keyboard therefore preventing the use of the already very few USB ports available rather than a standard USB wireless keyboard which would then obviously only leave me one port, at the expense of cost.

I've also never had the experience of using a bluetooth mouse or keyboard so don't know about the precision or accuracy of these products.
 
unless you have an older portable, most new technology has bt integrated seamlessly, works great.
 
I would have to say bt, especially if you are talking about a laptop. Having to remove the wireless USB adaptor each time sucks, but with my bt keyboard and mouse I just pack up and go. BT all the way!
 
I have used both. Originally I had the logitech keyboard/mouse for mac combo but I found that frustrating at times as I had to have the keyboard or mouse at the right angle for it to work. And as I use the keyboard on my lap and the mouse on the arm of my chair this was a conflict with the signal. So I switched to the BT mighty mouse and keyboard and much prefer this to the other. No blind spots for reception of the signal.
 
BT. So easy to use and it integrates perfectly with the MB. Plus it will work with future computers you get as BT is here to stay (for a while at least) as a close range wireless technology.
 
What does a USB wireless keyboard use to make the usb plug and keyboard talk to each other? I assume it's not bluetooth since people have been talking about them as two separate choices.
 
Wow, seems like BT is the clear winner. I'll think I'll be buying a BT keyboard then :p. But I'll still stick with my Logitech MX1000 which uses and adapter.

Which BT keyboards do you guys use? Apple? Or 3rd party(seems just like Logitech atm)?
 
I use the apple bluetooth keyboard and so far I love it. While it was a bit expensive, I haven't had a second thought about it. The only annoying thing is I want to turn it off when I'm not using it but I always forget!! I agree with someone people who have said it would be nice if the on/off switch were somewhere more accessible (it's on the bottom). I do really like the way it connects. If I turn on my computer and then the keyboard, while the bluetooth icon doesn't say it's connected, all I have to do is start typing and it'll connect and recognize all my typing from the beginning.
 
polycat33 said:
What does a USB wireless keyboard use to make the usb plug and keyboard talk to each other? I assume it's not bluetooth since people have been talking about them as two separate choices.
Click to expand...

RF is what they use.

and i have a wired keyboard, the IceKey by Macally which is great. love the keys and feel to it. i previously had the Apple BT keyboard, but just couldn't stand how dirty it got and how the keys felt.
 
To those that have bluetooth keyboards, how often do you have to replace your batteries? I would imagine if you turn it off everytime you're not using it you would be able to eek out several months between swapping out batteries.
 
Kilamite said:
Bluetooth operates over RF too...what's the difference?
Click to expand...

not sure, other than different frequencies.

Gymnut said:
To those that have bluetooth keyboards, how often do you have to replace your batteries? I would imagine if you turn it off everytime you're not using it you would be able to eek out several months between swapping out batteries.
Click to expand...

with my Apple BT Keyboard i'd typically go 3-4 months between battery changes
 
I have the apple BT keyboard. I am still using the original batteries but then I have only had it for a little over a month. I just added the iskin keyboard cover to it so that should take care of the problem of keeping it clean and I got a iSkin for my blackbook too. I am one of those people that mark keyboards (too much oily fingers I guess)
 
I recommend going with BT. I've had the BT apple kb for about 2.5 months now and still using the original batteries. Plus I've saved a USB port. What's not to love about BT? :)
 
a little off topic, but today I was just trying out the Mighty Mouse on my Macbook. I found it to be a little jolty and the difference between that and my Logitech Laser was remarkable. Apple's mouse seems to lacks the accuracy compared to the Logitech. Anybody else found this or is it just the surface I'm using it on?
 
Gymnut said:
To those that have bluetooth keyboards, how often do you have to replace your batteries? I would imagine if you turn it off everytime you're not using it you would be able to eek out several months between swapping out batteries.
Click to expand...

I have Apple's BT keyboard both at home and at work, where I use them 5 days a week. They batteries last long enough to where I don't mind changing them- I'd say 5-6 months or so. That's without ever turning off the keyboard.
 
What bluetooth keyboard does everyone recommend? I am having a hell of a time just finding good BT keyboards. It seems like the only real option is to go with the Apple BT keyboard. I know of the logitech edge keyboard but for the high price tag it does not really seem like a viable option right now.

The reason I am going with bluetooth is so I do not have to mess with any wires and it works well with a HTPC type of setup. All suggestions are appreciated.
 
I love the Apple Bluetooth keyboard. It's got a nice minimalist design, the keys feel great, and the batteries last forever. It's probably a good keyboard for a HTPC because it's very solid and doesn't have any extraneous plastic flaps hanging off the sides like many keyboards do; it takes up the least amount of space of any full-size desktop keyboard, which makes it fairly easy to use in your lap or keep on a coffee table.
 
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