This is only a test (new keyboard)

[harryb2448]

Using Energizer Lithium Plus batteries, in a keyboard 11.9.12 to 5.29.13, a little over six months. In a trackpad 5.29.13 to 8.28.13, three and a half months. Looking back these are average figures for the past few years with an iMac and Mac Pro. Batteries about the same with Mac Pro Magic Mouse.

 

[CarpathiaMan]

Actually "this guy" was wrong. The original point of the Mac-Mini was low cost.

The original 2005 Mac-Mini was $499 (when the average new Mac price at the time was over $1000+). The idea was that the consumer would "bring" their own keyboard, monitor, and mouse from a previous computer.

In fact...this Mac-Mini "low-cost and bring your own peripherals concept" was also aimed at:

- current Mac owners at the time trying to minimize the cost of upgrading to a newer computer.
- Windows users thinking of "making the switch"...and reducing the cost of buying that "First Mac" to give Macs a try. Then if they like the "Mac Experience"...they buy something more powerful/expensive later.

At the time in 2005...all desktop Mac's still came with wired keyboards & a wired mouse. So "wireless" input devices to minimize "wire clutter" was not part of the original Mac-Mini concept.

It's actually not part of the current Mac-Mini concept either (wireless peripherals)...since the buyer of a Mac-Mini still must provide their own display, keyboard, and mouse.

Is it nice to have a wireless mouse & keyboard (to reduce "wire clutter")...sure. But its never been part of the Mac-Mini concept that "this guy" mentioned. The Mac-Mini concept has always been low cost.

- Nick

That's pretty much how I was looking at it as well. It was simply an inexpensive Mac option. And I already had a keyboard and monitor (the mouse I upgraded because I wanted one with a scroll wheel).

 

[MasterShake]

When I switched to mac I was really happy with what I purchased. Got the late 2012 mac mini since I don't really need a laptop since I don't do much traveling. It was just right for me. I use a wireless keyboard and a wireless trackpad. I use it everyday. So happy I made the switch. I don't think I will be going to windows anytime soon.

 

[toMACsh]

Re: battery life
Thanks for the info.
That confirms that my choice is best for me; wired all the way.

 

[MacShane]

There are a number of factors that play into how long a set of batteries will last in a wireless keyboard (hours of use/day, quality of the batteries, etc.).

From what I've found...2-3 months @ 4-5 hours/day is about what to expect from a single set of batteries. Of course rechargeable batteries can be used if desired.

As far as how to tell when batteries are dying...this can be checked within the Mac OS. Here's an article that explains it...and how to check battery charge:

How to Check Your Apple Bluetooth Keyboard's Battery Life | Macinstruct

HTH,

- Nick

You also get one of these:

It pops up on your screen for about 5 seconds and disappears. Ditto for keyboard and any other wireless Apple peripherals.