Using Mac Wireless Keyboard with PC build containing no Bluetooth adapter

eco_bach · 12-11-2016, 10:31 AM

I want to use a Mac bluetooth keyboard. Can anytone tell me the most reliable way to do this?
Can I simply purchase an inexpensive Bluetooth USB dongle
https://www.amazon.ca/s/?ie=UTF8&key...l_5aajp98oln_b

and get it to work?
Are there other drivers I would need?

DavidMcCann · 12-11-2016, 11:58 AM

I can't see why the dongle should give any problems, as it doesn't make any use of an operating system. Linux (unlike Windows) comes with a description of a Mac keyboard (you can see it in /usr/share/X11/xkb/keycodes), so it should detect the keyboard during boot-up and compile an appropriate driver when you log in.

dlb101010 · 12-13-2016, 09:10 AM

As a possible example of what David said, I use both an Apple bluetooth keyboard and mouse on a Thinkpad T530 running Linux Mint 18. No problems. So it can be done. However, it's not a perfect example as my computer has built-in bluetooth, so I'm not using a dongle as you would.

rokytnji · 12-13-2016, 09:52 AM

I use cheap external ebay usb bluetooth dongles on my ancient laptops for a obscure bluetooth external speaker. I don't own mac gear though.

What have you got to lose? A few bucks?

You won't need drivers for the usb dongle. The kernel handles that. Setting up the mac gear to be seen and working? I don't know. Not enough info in this thread.

DavidMcCann · 12-13-2016, 10:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rokytnji

What have you got to lose? A few bucks?

Nothing: if it doesn't work, Amazon will take it back.