Keyboard Compatability

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I recently decided to learn what Macintoshes were all about. I bought a G4, complete, and a manual.

As soon as I started trying to use the manual I found out that the whole bottom row of keys didn't work.

I don't have money for a real Mac keyboard right now, and I have heard some things about using a PC keyboard with a Mac. I have a number of PC keyboards and tried one on the Mac. As I remember it, it didn't boot up.

Without damaging the G4, what should my next step be?
 

pigoo3

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Your Mac's Specs
2017 15" MBP, 16gig ram, 1TB SSD, OS 10.15
As long as the keyboard is USB...most keyboards should work. A special key here or a special key there may not work. But certainly all of the letters, numbers, shift, and enter keys should work.

- Nick
 
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Your Mac's Specs
Mac Mini (Late 2014) 2.6GHz Intel Core i5 Memory: 8GB 1600MHz DDR3
Yep. Mac Minis do not come with a keyboard. Apple does not even claim that you should use one of theirs. I use a non-Apple keyboard and mouse (and monitor) with my Mini. You shouldn't have major problems doing that.
 

chscag

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2017 27" iMac, 10.5" iPad Pro, iPhone 8, iPhone 11, iPhone 12 Mini, Numerous iPods, Monterey
But, Apple keyboards and rodents are so much prettier than the El Cheapos you can buy at Wal-Mart. ;P
 

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