Mac mini peripherals?

Hello there!

I've just ordered my first mac (mac mini) and I've just seen that it doesn't come with a keyboard or mouse!
I know it has Bluetooth, so can I use any Bluetooth keyboard with it or do I really want to spend £60 on an apple one.

Mr_Dre said:

Hello there!

I've just ordered my first mac (mac mini) and I've just seen that it doesn't come with a keyboard or mouse!
I know it has Bluetooth, so can I use any Bluetooth keyboard with it or do I really want to spend £60 on an apple one.

Click to expand...

I really like my Apple keyboard and magic trackpad. IMO both are worth spending money on.

AFAIK it will work with any Bluetooth keyboard.

Mr_Dre said:

Hello there!

I've just ordered my first mac (mac mini) and I've just seen that it doesn't come with a keyboard or mouse!
I know it has Bluetooth, so can I use any Bluetooth keyboard with it or do I really want to spend £60 on an apple one.

Click to expand...

I hope that this didn't surprise you...that's one of the reasons why Mac-minis are less expensive. It's been this way since the first Mac-minis were released in January, 2005 (almost 7 years ago)!

And like others have mentioned...just about any USB mouse & keyboard should work....and I would think most bluetooth devices should work as well.

- Nick

Slydude said:

AFAIK it will work with any Bluetooth keyboard.

Click to expand...

Sorry to sound dumb but what is AFAIK?

I guess i will just bite the bullet and get the apple keyboard, not to sure about the mouse tbh.

Thanks for your help guys!

AFAIK - As far as I know.

I hope the fact it doesn't come with a monitor won't be a surprise to you either.

LOL! i am aware of that hehe. I just cant wait to get it now!

Mr_Dre said:

LOL! i am aware of that hehe. I just cant wait to get it now!

Click to expand...

You will need a USB keyboard and mouse to set the mini up. Then you can pair it with the bluetooth keyboard/mouse/pointing device

class77 said:

You will need a USB keyboard and mouse to set the mini up. Then you can pair it with the bluetooth keyboard/mouse/pointing device

Click to expand...

I do not remember doing that . . . at the time I had a 3rd party BT Keyboard and Mouse (have since switched to Apple KB & Trackpad).

Don't believe there is any need to have a USB KB to set it up but always a good idea to keep one around for troubleshooting.

class77 said:

You will need a USB keyboard and mouse to set the mini up. Then you can pair it with the bluetooth keyboard/mouse/pointing device

Click to expand...

Maybe you should tell Apple that, as when you buy a mini, the BT keyboard and mouse are added extras and it says nothing about having a wired one first.

Ok well I'm due to receive it quite soon. I've got a USB keyboard in case I need one, I'll drop an update here when I know if the bluetooth keyboard worked.

class77 said:

You will need a USB keyboard and mouse to set the mini up. Then you can pair it with the bluetooth keyboard/mouse/pointing device

Click to expand...

I hope this isnt true. I also just purchased a mini and already have a apple bt keyboard and magic mouse. ugh. it will be here today i can let you know tonight.

I can't see why you would need a USB one... I received the BT Keyboard and Trackpad with my iMac, and didn't need a USB keyboard to set it up. It just worked straight out the box. As it would.

I imagine it has the same Bluetooth gubbins inside, so can't see how it would be any different.

I'm buying a Mac Mini myself and the Apple store personnel told me, FOR THE INITIAL SETUP ONLY, you can't pair a wireless keyboard with a new mini. You must have a wired keyboard and a wired or usb pointing device. After the initial setup, you can then pair your wireless keyboard with your new mini

Threads like this on Apple support pages are what I'm basing this on:Mini Setup

class77 said:

I'm buying a Mac Mini myself and the Apple store personnel told me, FOR THE INITIAL SETUP ONLY, you can't pair a wireless keyboard with a new mini. You must have a wired keyboard and a wired or usb pointing device. After the initial setup, you can then pair your wireless keyboard with your new mini

Threads like this on Apple support pages are what I'm basing this on:Mini Setup

Click to expand...

I read the threads and no doubt some people experience problems, but since most people I know of who have Mac Minis also use wireless keyboard and mouse or trackpad, if this was a widespread problem there would be a major change to configuration.

My Mac Mini is the late 2009 model, set up and pairing to BT was quick and easy. Definitely did not use a wired keyboard.

Interesting to see if any of those of you awaiting your new Mac Minis have any problems.

The only time I have seen the need for wired is if a problem occurs then if you need to hold down specific keys before boot up because the Bluetooth unit has not established communication until boot up.

class77 said:

I'm buying a Mac Mini myself and the Apple store personnel told me, FOR THE INITIAL SETUP ONLY, you can't pair a wireless keyboard with a new mini. You must have a wired keyboard and a wired or usb pointing device. After the initial setup, you can then pair your wireless keyboard with your new mini

Threads like this on Apple support pages are what I'm basing this on:Mini Setup

Click to expand...

not true. I don't even own a wired keyboard and my Mac Mini came right up with the BT keyboard and trackpad

I hooked the new mini last night. It paired mouse first then when it needed me to type stuff it paired the keyboard easy peasy

Hi guys, got my mac mini today and can confirm that you DON'T need a wired keyboard for initial set up. It happily paired my mouse and keyboard

Thank you guys for all your help!

USB Key/ mouse combo with mac mini

pigoo3 said:

I hope that this didn't surprise you...that's one of the reasons why Mac-minis are less expensive. It's been this way since the first Mac-minis were released in January, 2005 (almost 7 years ago)!

And like others have mentioned...just about any USB mouse & keyboard should work....and I would think most bluetooth devices should work as well.

- Nick

Click to expand...

I own a late 09 mini and I use a microsoft wireless combo works great no problems also will use an apple key and a Bluetooth mouse. My only complaint with the bluethooth is that it's kinda slow with the scroll. But MS combo works great no real scroling problems. Hoped I could help a little.;D