[ib2yz4u2c]

Just a quick question to those who own a wireless keyboard from Apple. On the back of the wired keyboard there are two USB 1.1 ports, are these included in the wireless keyboard models?
Just wondering, if I buy a wireless keyboard from Apple, if that will mean I'll sacrifice the convenience of having extra USB ports on the keyboard.
Any help would be appreciated.
~ ib /forums/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smirk.gif

[retcynm]

There are no USB ports on the Apple wireless keyboard.

[ib2yz4u2c]

Thanks for the quick reply.
That kind of sucks about the lack of USB ports, but I guess the technology isn't there to transmit information wirelessly through the keyboard from something plugged in. Now that I know that, I'm definitely going to just use an Apple Bluetooth mouse and keep the wired keyboard. I suppose if I did buy the wireless keyboard and needed more USB ports I could buy a USB hub-type thing, but that's more money out of my pocket... /forums/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif
~ ib /forums/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smirk.gif

[retcynm]

There is a new Wireless USB in development, but it does seem to be a few years away.

[moose_n_squirrel]

In reply to:

---

but I guess the technology isn't there to transmit information wirelessly through the keyboard from something plugged in

---

Well yeah, the technology to transfer info between wired/wireless devices is already here. It's a no-brainer. Bluetooth and AirPort can do it.
The problem is we don't have wireless power. You are powering the keyboard with a few little AA batteries. A USB device will draw from the same batteries, and most USB devices assume they're connected to something that's connected to a nice powerful wall socket or at least a laptop battery. Those AA batteries don't cut it. If Apple provided two USB ports on teh wireless keyboard, you would need a battery dispenser next to the desk because they wouldn't last very long.

[Stephen_P]

You could get a better Logitech wireless keyboard/mouse set and a USB hub for less than the outrageous price apple charges for their plain-jane wireless keyboard, if you shop around online. My Logitech LX501 costs $20 (granted, after rebates) and my Belkin USB/Firewire hub costs $30.
Stephen

[ib2yz4u2c]

Well, with the way I've got my desktop set up at home, I use one of the USB ports on the back of the keyboard to connect my printer to my iMac. Since the printer is powered by a wall-jack (of course), I'd like to know how much additional power it would take to transmit wirelessly a print job from my iMac to the mythical USB-equipped Bluetooth keyboard and then through to the printer.
Maybe it's a problem with adequate power for the wireless keyboard as well as the ability to receive the information sent from the iMac. I suppose if I did some research and found out a bit more about Bluetooth technology, I'd be able to answer my own inquiries, but this seems like a reasonable discussion so far, so I'll just stick with hearing what you all think.
Thanks for the replies so far...
~ ib /forums/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smirk.gif

[moose_n_squirrel]

Theoretically, connecting a self-powered device like your printer through a wireless keyboard could work, but I'm sure Apple didn't allow the keyboard to drive other USB devices so they could keep it simple. They would have had to include instructions like "The USB ports are intended for devices with their own power supply," which many people would ignore or not read, causing a "support issue" for Apple when users might connect bus-powered devices that didn't "just work."
There is also the question of the common logic. Apple probably reasoned that if someone wanted so badly to pay more for a wireless keyboard, they probably also got a wireless mouse, so there's no need for a USB port on the keyboard for a mouse, and probably the last thing such a wireless-obsessed user would do is connect a device with a wire.
I'm not saying what you want is wrong, just that it probably doesn't fit Apple's or the industry's concept of a "wireless" peripheral.

[ib2yz4u2c]

True, and as I am far from a "wireless obsessed user," my wired Apple Pro keyboard will serve me well in conjunction with the wireless mouse I just bought off eBay for about $35. Since I bought the wireless mouse more for its "cool factor" than for its functionality, I am certainly happy with my decision. Thanks again moose for your input /forums/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif
~ ib /forums/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smirk.gif