The Apple Wireless Keyboard (2007 aluminum version) from Apple is a great keyboard over all, but I wanted to tell you about what's needed to get it working on Windows Vista and XP.

I initially tried my brother-in-law's keyboard because I was looking for a super compact, but usable keyboard that did not in any way resemble a notebook keyboard and I also wanted to minimize cables on my computer desk. I loved the feel of the keys and that the keyboard actually lacked the num-pad, which is something I rarely used and takes up desk space.

Now this keyboard is made for Apple computers, but because it connects with bluetooth you can use it with pretty much any computer.

The first problem I ran into was with my ASUS bluetooth USB adapter. I was able to see the keyboard, but it would not connect because it wouldn't let me type in a password for the bluetooth connection. I read many articles online and tried pretty much everything I could think of, but could not get it to work. So, I decided to give the D-Link DBT-122 a try after readinng that other people had been able to get it to work.

I went down to Staples and picked one up for around $40 (CAN) and thankfully it worked right away. I was able to type in a password for the bluetooth connection and everything synced up perfectly. Now I've heard this has to do with the bluetooth stack that is included with the bluetooth drivers, it is recommended to use the basic Windows driver for the Bluetooth Enumerator. I have not yet been able to get this to work for my ASUS bluetooth adapter, but I may give it a try later on using my EeePC.

Now that I had the keyboard working under Windows there was one more issue, keyboard shortcuts; because Apple computers use different commands the keyboard is only good for doing basic typing tasks, you can't even do ctrl-alt-delete.

So in order to resolve this issue and make the keyboard fully functional you have to install software so you can use windows key commands. This software is pretty much like making use of key binds and actually works quite well. Apple has drivers for it's Boot Camp software which allows Mac users to install Windows on Apple computers, but I haven't had any luck getting them to work with the wireless keyboard, maybe it works for the wired version.

On the web there are many different ways that people been able to get the keyboard to work, but many require a lot of fooling around, and the average computer user wouldn't even want to start trying most of them. But luckily I was able to find an awesome program created by Mayuki Sawatari.

This software is pretty much install and go, and it's customizable if you really want to get into it, but I had no problems with the default settings. I have to warn you that there are a few quirks that you have to get use to such as:

• The delete key on the Apple Keyboard serves a dual purpose in Windows. To just do a normal Backspace you hit the Delete key, but in order to get a delete function similar to the DEL key on a Windows keyboard you have to push FN+Delete.
• To take a screenshot you have to use FN+F4.
• To do the fancy "Windows Key+Tab in Vista you push FN+F3. (alt+tab works the same)

There are a couple of other tricks to some of the commands, but after a little bit of time with the keyboard I got use to it and it's second nature now.

Overall I love the Apple Wireless Keyboard, but there are a few things that I must warn you about:

• The keyboard does not work when booting up the computer. So if you want to enter the BIOS or Safe Mode in Windows you have to use a different keyboard
• I haven't had any luck using the keyboard with VNC. The keys get all mixed up and the keyboard is unusable since you need a password to connect usually.
• I have had to re-install the Microsoft Enumerator once because the keyboard stopped working.
• Some games do not work well or at all with the keyboard, due to the way the games are coded. (Sword of the New World is my main example, although I now use my Nostromo game pad for the key combinations that I need since it's relatively mouse controlled.)

So for those of you who are wanting a smaller more compact keyboard that is really nice to type on I say dive right in and get one. But if you're not willing to put up with the small problems, you may want to just skip this one.

As for me, I'm quite happy with the keyboard and don't miss my old one.

Download:

• Apple Wireless Keyboard Helper for Windows

Links to other Resources:

• KudzuWorld
• Apple Support Forums
• Ed Winder (Windows XP)

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Comments (2)

XP or Vista

u mentioned both in the beginning, referencing that it worked on both, but you didn't say which version windows you were actually using.

i am trying to get this working on my xp box, but am trying as much as possible to avoid from buying another bt dongle. have you found any solutions without purchasing another dongle?

rbz , August 04, 2009

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Sorry about that. I'm using Vista x64 at the time of writing. But with either OS it seems you must use the Microsoft Bluetooth driver in order to get it working correctly. There are a few websites I've seen that take you through the steps of forcing Windows Bluetooth drivers to be used.

mIX , August 10, 2009

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