- The problem with using some of the software suggested is you still have the issue of initial setup before using it. I have a mini in my living room as a HTCP and 99% of the time I use my laptop to remote desktop in. I also have this for the rare occasion (network issues usually) where I need an actual keyboard.
- Apple Magic Keyboard review: Blurring the line between iPad and MacBook The iPad Pro is a phenomenal tablet, and the Magic Keyboard makes it feel more like a bonafide computer than ever. Typing is a pleasure thanks to Apple's updated scissor-switch keys, and the fact that its key layout is nearly the same size as the Full Review.
- Mac Laptop Keyboard Cover
- Mac Laptop Keyboard Problems
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- Keyboard For Mac Desktop
A computer keyboard is an input device used with all types of computers. Newer devices like a smartphone and tablet even still use an on-screen keyboard. This page is designed to help new computer users become more familiar and efficient with their keyboard. For new users, we suggest reading through all of the below sections and doing all of the practices.
And if you frequently switch between a laptop and a desktop Mac, the iceKey lets you avoid the tactile transition - often filled with errors - from typing on a laptop to using a desktop keyboard. As for the keyboard, one option is a keyboard case, one that will prop up the iPad at a comfortable viewing angle (much like a laptop) while affording some protection and portability.
Connecting the keyboard
Before you can use the keyboard, it must be connected properly to the computer. If you have a new computer and need help connecting the keyboard, or the keyboard is not working, see our steps on connecting and installing a keyboard.
How to turn on keyboard
All computer keyboards with a cord connecting them to the computer automatically turn on when the computer turns on. However, if you have a wireless keyboard, it can be turned on and off to conserve the batteries. To turn these keyboards on, flip the keyboard over and look at the back of the keyboard. Near the bottom or top of the keyboard should be a switch that can be moved to the on or off position.
TipYou can test if the computer is on by pressing the Caps Lock, Scroll Lock, or Num Lock keys and looking for an indicator light. As these keys are enabled or disabled a light should turn on or off. If you're unable to get any lights the keyboard is not working. For help with troubleshooting a keyboard, see: Why don't any keys on my keyboard work?
Familiarizing yourself with the keyboard
Below is an overview of a desktop computer keyboard. This picture shows the major sections of the keyboard. Each section is explained in detail below.
Overview of each section of the keyboard
Alphanumeric keyboard
The alphanumeric keyboard is the primary portion of the keyboard that contains letters, numbers, punctuation, and some of the symbol keys. Today, most users use a QWERTY style keyboards, as shown in the below illustration. You can tell if you are using a QWERTY keyboard by looking at the first six letters to see if they spell 'QWERTY.'
See the link below for a full listing of each key and symbol and their functions.
Function keys
The function keys or F1 through F12 or F19 keys are used in programs as shortcut keys to performed frequently performed tasks. For example, the F1 key is the key to open the online help for most programs.
On some keyboards, the function keys may be used to activate additional functions on a computer. Used in combination with the Fn key, the function keys can activate other functions, like changing screen brightness, accessing media controls, or turning off the computer.
Control and toggle keys
The control keys or toggle keys give the user additional control over text manipulation and cursor placement. They may also be used as shortcut keys in many programs. See our control keys definition for additional information and examples.
Keypad
Although not available on all computer keyboards, especially laptops; the keypad gives the user quick access to numbers and math functions such as plus, divide, times, and subtract. See the keypad definition for further information, pictures, and related links.
Wrist pad
Mac Laptop Keyboard Cover
In our example picture, the Saitek keyboard has a wrist pad intended to help support the user's wrists. Although many keyboards do not include a wrist pad, hundreds of different options can be purchased at a computer store or online.
WarningExperts debate the need for wrist pads and many ergonomic experts argue a wrist pad may be more stressful and may help cause carpal tunnel.
Arrow keys
The arrow keys are four directional keys that allow you to move the cursor or change a highlighted selection. See our arrow keys page for further information.
Special keys or media keys on a multimedia keyboard
Multimedia keyboards have additional buttons not found on a traditional keyboard. See our special keys page for further information.
Start typing and how to position hands
Before typing, place your hands in the proper position, with your fingers on the home row keys. When you are typing, glance at your fingers to make sure that each finger is pressing the correct key. Below is a picture to help illustrate where each finger should be positioned and the home row keys. Your left-hand fingers should be positioned over A, S, D, and F keys and your right hand should be positioned over the J, K, L, and ; keys. Also, each color helps illustrate what fingers are responsible for what key.
If you have never learned how to type properly and use the hunt-and-peck method of typing, we strongly encourage you to practice throughout this page using the proper technique. Not only does this improve your typing efficiency it also reduces the strain you may encounter while typing from having to look down at the keyboard.
Once your hands are in the proper position practice typing the below sentence that has every letter in the alphabet.
Practice typing every letter
Correcting errors
It is inevitable as you type that you are going to make errors the backspace key and delete key help you correct these errors. Using the backspace key erases one character to the left of the cursor and delete erases one character to the right of the cursor.
NoteApple computer keyboards have two delete keys. The big delete key on the keyboard acts the same as a backspace key, and the other delete key acts as a delete key.
Use the below practice are to practice correcting errors.
Correcting errors
TipYou can press delete or backspace multiple times to delete multiple characters.
Using the arrow keys to move around
One of the best methods to improve your efficiency on the keyboard is to avoid using the mouse whenever possible. Having to move your hand away from the keyboard to the mouse and then back to the keyboard wastes a lot of time. One method of avoiding the mouse is to use the arrow keys to move the cursor instead of using the mouse to move the cursor.
In the practice area below, use the arrow keys to move the cursor to where you want to make a correction or add new text.
Practice using the arrow keys
TipPress the 'Tab' key on the keyboard to place the text cursor jump in the text field below. Pressing 'Tab' on a web page moves the cursor or selection to the next available interactive element, such as a button, text field, or hyperlink.
Deleting text one letter and one word at a time
It may also be necessary to delete more than one letter or even a word at a time. Use the below practice to delete all of the text from a line.
Practice deleting one letter and one word at a time
Uppercase, lowercase, and all caps
Unless your Caps Lock key is turned on, your computer types everything in lowercase. To make the first letter of a sentence or word uppercase, hold down the Shift key on the keyboard and press the letter you want to capitalize.
If you want all of the words capitalized press the Caps Lock key, which should turn on an LED indicator indicating it is enabled. Once enabled, everything remains capitalized unless you hold down the Shift key or press the Caps Lock key again.
Use the below practice to type text in uppercase and lowercase.
Practice using the arrow keys
Getting to the beginning and end of a line
The Home key and End key can also be used to get to the beginning of the line. Use the below practice to get to the beginning and end of the line of text.
Practice going to the beginning and end of a line using the keyboard
Highlighting text using the keyboard
It is also possible to highlight text using the keyboard with the Shift key. Follow the below practice to highlight text in the below sentence.
Practice highlighting text using the keyboard
TipWhen text is highlighted, you can press the delete key to delete all highlighted text or start typing to replace highlighted text.
Copy and paste text using the keyboard
Copying and pasting text is something every computer user is going to do more than once. Knowing how to copy and paste text using the keyboard can save you a lot of time when using the computer.
Practice copying and pasting text using the keyboard
TipYou can also cut the text instead of copying the text if you want to move the text from one box to the other box. To cut text, you use the Ctrl+X or Cmd+X keyboard shortcut.
Further steps and information on copying and pasting text using the keyboard, mouse, or touch screen on any device is also on the link below.
Using the 10-key
If your keyboard has a numeric keypad, it can save you a lot of time when you're typing numbers in a calculator or spreadsheet.
Before using the 10-key make sure your right hand is properly positioned on the keypad. The home row for the numeric keypad is 4, 5, 6, and Enter. Your index finger on your right hand should be on the number 4. Your middle finger should be on 5, you ring finger on 6, and your pinky should rest on the Enter key.
TipThere is usually a small bump on the five key to help position your right hand without looking.
After your hand is in the position, you can use the below practice to practice using the keypad.
Keyboard 10-key practice
Mac Laptop Keyboard Problems
NoteIf your keyboard has a Num Lock key, the Number lock must be turned on for the numbers to work on the keypad.
Another good way to practice using the 10-key is to open the calculator on your computer and enter numbers using the calculator. Pressing the Enter key on the 10-key with your pinky after entering a math formula gives you the total.
Keyboard shortcuts
One of the best methods of becoming more efficient with your computer is to learn and memorize as many keyboard shortcuts as possible. As mentioned above, your typing becomes much faster if you don't have to move your hand to the mouse. So, keyboard shortcuts help increase the speed at which you can use your computer.
Computer Hope has hundreds of keyboard shortcuts for popular programs and operating systems. Below are a few links to our keyboard shortcuts to help get you started.
Additional practice sentences
Another good way to practice using the 10-key is to open the calculator on your computer and enter numbers using the calculator. Pressing the Enter key on the 10-key with your pinky after entering a math formula gives you the total.
Keyboard shortcuts
One of the best methods of becoming more efficient with your computer is to learn and memorize as many keyboard shortcuts as possible. As mentioned above, your typing becomes much faster if you don't have to move your hand to the mouse. So, keyboard shortcuts help increase the speed at which you can use your computer.
Computer Hope has hundreds of keyboard shortcuts for popular programs and operating systems. Below are a few links to our keyboard shortcuts to help get you started.
Additional practice sentences
Practice makes perfect, and the only way to increase your speed and become better at typing is to practice. Below are some more sentences to practice that also relate to the everything you learned on this page. Not only is doing the below practices going to help you learn to type, but it also helps reinforce everything you learned on this page and teach you a little more.
Type each of the additional practice sentences
Additional information
- See our keyboard definition for further information and related links.
Using an Android Smartphone
Requirements: Android 2.1 or above smartphone, a laptop, and a WiFi environment.
Step 1.
Go to the Play Store to download and install the Remote Mouse or WiFi Mouse app on your smartphone (here I introduce WiFi Mouse app for Android).
Step 2.
Download and install the WiFi Mouse client (click here to download) on your laptop. The client is compatible with Windows XP onwards, Mac OSX, Ubuntu and Fedora OS. There is no setup required after installing.
To continue, get your computer's IP address.
Click on 'start' and type 'cmd' and open the MS-DOS prompt. Enter 'ipconfig' to view your IP address, take a note of it.
Step 3.
Run the WiFi Mouse client and activate WiFi on your phone, your phone and laptop must be connected to the same WiFi network.
On WiFi Mouse, click 'Auto Connect' or input the IP address (from previous step) of your computer. Click 'Connect', waiting for your Android device connect with your PC.
Once connected, you will see the following image:
● The left corner button corresponds to the left mouse button
● The middle one maps to the mouse wheel
● The right corner button represents your right mouse button
● The empty area above operates like a laptop touchpad
The multi-touch functionality of your phone can be used on your computer. Click on the keyboard icon on the top right corner to bring up your phone's keyboard for remote text input. Settings (e.g. mouse sensitivity) can be set from the top left corner.
Note: this method is recommended for laptops, it's not suitable for complicated network environments.
Using an Apple iPhone
Requirements: Apple iPhone, a laptop, and a WiFi environment.
Step 1.
Go to the Apple Store to download and install Remote Mouse.
Step 2.
Download and install the Remote Mouse client (click here to download) on your laptop. It's available for Windows, Mac OS and Linux.
Step 3.
Open the Remote Mouse client on your computer, ensure your phone and laptop are connected to the same WiFi network, and launch the app on your iPhone.
Click on 'Not Connected' at the bottom of the screen, find and click on your computer name.
Vob to dv mac. The different buttons on your phone correspond to the mouse buttons, the cursor can be moved by using the empty area, and 2-finger swipes are also recognized.
Settings can be set from the menu at the top, e.g. panels, feedback or help.
From the second menu, you can control critical computer functions, including shutdown, sleep, restart and log off. This functionality far exceeds that of an ordinary mouse, and is more akin to a remote control.
The third menu is Media Remote, with broad support for iTunes, Keynote, Hulu, and PowerPoint on Mac, Windows Media Player, Windows Photo Viewers, PowerPoint and iTunes on Windows. With this menu, you can also use the phone's volume buttons to adjust computer volume or change slides in presentation mode (PowerPoint and Keynote).
The forth menu displays the programs running in the background on your computer (similar to Task Manager).
The final menu is the keyboard, allowing you to mirror the physical keyboard.
Your phone and computer must be connected using the same WiFi network for this to work effectively. By default, there is no password, although you can set your own on your computer.
Wireless Keyboard For Mac Desktop
Best Keyboards For Mac Computers
Wrap up
No matter Android or Apple iphone, you can control your PC in the distance up to 15 meters just by your smartphone, it is really amazing. By the way, this is just the tip of the iceberg.
There is more than one way to use your phone as a mouse, and we have just covered just a few methods. Give them a try for big boost in functionality and versatility.
Keyboard For Mac Desktop
You may also want to read: |
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How to find the IMEI number of Xiaomi smartphone |
For the purpose of this article, the featured image(s) were sourced from the internet. For any issue, please contact us, and we will deal with the matter promptly.