Keyboard and Keyboard + Mice Combos with Mac (READ ONLY ARCHIVE)

[Digilante]

Hey everybody,

I've been drooling over the MX 5500 mouse-keyboard combination ever since it was announced, and was very disappointed to see it show up in the product listing without Mac compatibility. This surprised me because I know the MX Revolution is Mac compatible, so I assumed there wouldn't be an issue.

I am wondering if anyone knows at this point if it would still work (without some of the keyboard features, like the LCD readout) or if the incompatibility goes deeper, say to the point that the bluetooth connection will be difficult/impossible to set up. I would really like to buy this combo, but obviously not if it isn't going to work. Thanks!

[rcook349]

Ditto the question!  Will it be Mac-compatible in a future/soon release?

Thanks,

Ron

[SL67]

Hmm, it's been 5 months since you guys posted your question and no support yet. That blows! I just bought a shiny new Macbook Pro and I really want to buy the 5500 combo. The least Logitech could do is give us an answer.

[GarethD]

Can someone please answer this question, even if its No, but we are working on drivers, something is better than nothing.

I mean even the Microsoft Wireless Entertainment Desktop 8000 has some Mac support

[gatchie]

I just bought it yesterday and brought it home. FYI, I have an aluminum iMac with Leopard. I currently use it with a USB KVM switch (the bluetooth receiver is plugged to the USB KVM) and for the most part it works fine. The function keys don't map out to the same as an Apple Keyboard (i.e. the dashboard button which is F4 on the mac keyboard is F12 on the MX5500, I can't get the volume shortcut to work on the MX5500). I haven't tried pairing the MX5500 directly to the iMac as I am afraid of how that could mess up the pairing with the bluetooth receiver. Since it works through a USB KVM, I'm sure it'll work fine if plugged in directly. All other bluetooth devices I have (i.e. Apple's bluetooth wireless keyboard and the bluetooth wireless mighty mouse) works fine while the MX5500 is plugged in.

The LCD in the MX5500 (at least date/time/temperature/key counter) works for me but that maybe because one of my other computers on the USB KVM is a Windows XP machine with the SetPoint software installed. One advise, if you're going to plug this into a Windows machine, download the latest SetPoint software (the one in the CD I got didn't have the additional functions as what's currently available on site). The built-in calculator helps out a bit as well.

The major issue I have is that the new scroll-lock button doesn't work with the USB KVM switch. As such, I don't have a "hot key" ability to switch machines through the switch, I have to reach over and press a button on the USB KVM if I wish to switch. The reaching over is the a major issue, but the desk real estate that it forces me to give up is.

Bottom line is basic Mac keyboard functionality on Leopard works, enough for a basic user. Advanced users who really need some of the advanced / media buttons on a Mac keyboard might have to go somewhere else (or figure out how to map those buttons to the MX5500 special keys someway.... if someone knows please reply to this thread... I tried from the System Preferences)

Hope this helped.

[SL67]

Thanks for the reply! Since my MacBook Pro has Blue Tooth built in, I don't want to use the USB adapter. I only have two USB ports. I guess that would be my first question is whether it will work with my built in Blue Tooth. Thanks again.

[Digilante]

Thanks gatchie!

This is pretty much exactly what I wanted to hear. I'm going to be building a gaming PC soon, and that's where this combo will eventually end up, but in the meantime I don't mind picking it up early if I'll be able to use it with my mac. Thanks again!

[kic]

My MX5500 just arrived today and I'm just now sitting down to play with it. In fact, I'm still charging the mouse as it shipped with the battery discharged, so I can't comment about how it works (or doesn't) just yet. However, the keyboard has limited functionality in Leopard.

It's recognized as little more than a plain-Jane keyboard. The function keys do things here and there (dashboard, spaces, etc.), and the volume and media keys seem to work, as does the power button, but that's where it ends. The keyboard isn't recognized by LCC so nothing else works and there's very limited customizability. The extra features of the keyboard that rely on the LCD -- mail, favorites, misc other things -- don't do anything, but the key counter, thermometer, and built-in calculator work. That's something, anyway.

Also, the keyboard itself I'd classify as a little "mushy". I'm not sure if I like it yet or not, but my initial reaction was "yuck'. However, having typed this short post on it, I'm cautiously optimistic. So much for first impressions.

The keyboard did pair up with my MBP's built-in bluetooth without any problems, but I did have to manually swap the option and command keys to save myself from going crazy (but I hate how it swaps on the MBP's keyboard as well -- ugh!).

Ok, I just connected the mouse so a few more words before wrapping this up. The mouse connected and paired without problem, however, like the keyboard, the LCC doesn't recognize the mouse. Sigh. I'll be installing Steermouse later to see if I can gain some of the mouse's functionality (I've read others saying it worked well for them), but otherwise, everything seems to work on a basic level.

Here's hoping that Logitech will update their Mac software to support this set since there are so few compelling full-size bluetooth keyboard options available. As someone who recently picked up a MBP and was shocked at how few USB ports were available on it, I have a feeling I'm not the only one looking for a bluetooth solution. Full OS X support for this set could be a real boon for Logitech in such an anemic market.

[kic]

I realize this thread is originally quite old, but here's a couple of more observations in case it helps someone make a decision about buying this set for a Mac.

The mouse, after installing Steermouse, is pretty groovy. It took me a while to realize that clicking the mousewheel isn't the same as most mice: it just changes the mousewheel from free spinning (neat!) to normal (ratcheted). Clicking the thumb wheel in, however, is the same as clicking the mousewheel in on most mice. That's weird since it's so ingrained in me to click the mousewheel, but I could get used to it, especially since you can press the mousewheel "down" to get the same effect (it's uncomfortable for me to press the button in considering hand placement -- the thumbwheel needs to be half an inch back for me).

So, on the whole, the mouse functions as I would expect a mouse to and seems to be fine. Only that it costs an additional $20 to get good drivers.

The keyboard, however, remains borderline trash for me. I left the MBP sleeping last night as I always do, and I woke up to it in hibernation because the MBP's battery was drained. I have no idea why it didn't sleep, but it's the first time I've had that problem. It's possible Time Machine is to blame (something else I'm not sure I'm happy with), but I'll keeping this is mind when I sleep the system prior to going to work later.

However, OS X still insists on having to identify the keyboard every time you reboot or power up, and that, frankly, is annoying. Also, the LCD on the keyboard seems to be permanently on -- is this normal? If not, I question how long the batteries will last. My previous keyboard, from an LX700 (MX700?) I think, uses only two AA batteries and lasts for anywhere between 6 and 12 months (or more), and this uses four and I wonder if it'll be able to achieve the same life expectancy if it's constantly on.

At this point, I'm strongly considering returning these. If I were using them in Windows, I think they'd be ok (again, I've never been done wrong by Logitech), but on a Mac, I just keep running into frustrations with them.

However, since my major gripe is with the keyboard, I may just buy an old Apple Wireless Pro (I, like another poster, need a numpad) and try that. Or I'll just bite the bullet and get a USB2 hub and go back to devices that more or less work.

Also, should the devices report their battery life/name to OS X in the mouse/keyboard panel? These surely don't.

[Digilante]

Thanks kic,

Your in-depth observations have been illuminating. As I said, I eventually plan to get this set for my forthcoming windows-based gaming machine; your tribulations have convinced me that I should just wait until then instead of getting it early to use with my MBP.

Hopefully one day Logitech will remember the great Mac support they used to have, but until then I'll have to stick with my old MX Duo. Thanks again!