The Notebook Review forums were hosted by TechTarget, who shut down them down on January 31, 2022. This static read-only archive was pulled by NBR forum users between January 20 and January 31, 2022, in an effort to make sure that the valuable technical information that had been posted on the forums is preserved. For current discussions, many NBR forum users moved over to NotebookTalk.net after the shutdown.
Problems? See this thread at archive.org.

    numeric keypad/mouse for laptop

    Discussion in 'Apple and Mac OS X' started by fredf, Jan 17, 2007.

  1. fredf

    fredf Notebook Consultant

    Reputations:
    4
    Messages:
    102
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    30
    I am a grad student in physics and am about to buy a macbook.
    I need a separate mouse and numeric keypad. My local Apple computer shop isn't too helpful as to compatibility.

    Can anyone recommend a good keypad as well as a good mouse (with 2 buttons!)?

    Are there any advantages to wireless? To me it seems useless 'cause you've got to plug in the transmitter which sticks out awkwardly and seems to me that it would be a nuisance and prone to damage.

    Thanks
     
    fredf, Jan 17, 2007
    #1
  2. jetstar

    jetstar Notebook Deity

    Reputations:
    1,095
    Messages:
    7,034
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    205
    Check out this Logitech combo (keypad + mouse). Its well designed, and might work for you.
     
    jetstar, Jan 17, 2007
    #2
  3. Wooky

    Wooky Notebook Evangelist

    Reputations:
    60
    Messages:
    692
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    30
    You can buy a Bluetooth mouse, most will work with the macbooks integrated BT. As for the keypad... I am not sure if a windows-based one will work, depends on the driver.
     
    Wooky, Jan 17, 2007
    #3
  4. fredf

    fredf Notebook Consultant

    Reputations:
    4
    Messages:
    102
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    30
    and that is exactly my concern. i've gone to manufacturer's websites and they said under requirements: Windows 2000, XP
    but no mention of OSX. I would assume any USB keypad would work but I don't know for sure
     
    fredf, Jan 17, 2007
    #4
  5. fredf

    fredf Notebook Consultant

    Reputations:
    4
    Messages:
    102
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    30
    That's just it. Under 'requirements, it states: windows compatible computer.

    It certainly implies it won't work with Mac.
     
    fredf, Jan 17, 2007
    #5
  6. Wooky

    Wooky Notebook Evangelist

    Reputations:
    60
    Messages:
    692
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    30
    Wooky, Jan 17, 2007
    #6
  7. Starlight

    Starlight Notebook Evangelist

    Reputations:
    53
    Messages:
    529
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    30
    Not if you use Bluetooth, since that's built-in.

    As for compatibility, the makers will have tested them with Windows machines only, most likely. They can still work on a Mac, I've never had any issues connecting a third-party mouse to a Mac. Some mice will have special features that might require special software that they only supply for Windows however, of course.
     
    Starlight, Jan 18, 2007
    #7
  8. cashmonee

    cashmonee Notebook Virtuoso NBR Reviewer

    Reputations:
    787
    Messages:
    2,859
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    55
    When they say Windows only, usually they are referring to the software that comes with the unit. So without software, they will work, you just will not get all the flashy features necessarily.
     
    cashmonee, Jan 18, 2007
    #8
  9. fredf

    fredf Notebook Consultant

    Reputations:
    4
    Messages:
    102
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    30
    cashmonee: fair enough but if I get a numeric keypad (and they often come with built in calculators) will the basic functionality be ok? I mean will the keypad and most calculator functions work at all?
     
    fredf, Jan 18, 2007
    #9