Mac Mini Keyboard App
Read on to learn about the super useful keyboard shortcuts for OS X. Shut down or Restart with keyboard shortcut. Power button: Press the power button to turn on the Mac or wake from sleep. Press and hold the power button for 5 seconds without lifting to force your Mac to turn off. Press and hold power button for 1.5 seconds to get the turn off.
I have a Mac Mini that is connected to my TV and I have a separate bluetooth keyboard and mouse. Does anyone know if here is an app for the iPad that will let me use it as a keyboard for the Mac Mini? My BT keyboard is always running out of batteries, it's only for occasional use so I think I would be OK just using the iPads keyboard. Best Keyboards for Mac mini iMore 2020. The current Mac mini does refresh Apple's smallest Mac, which comes as a huge relief to Mac mini fans everywhere. As with the previous Mac mini, you'll need a few things to make it a viable computer, and that includes a keyboard. If you just plug a PC keyboard into a Mac, the Windows key works as the Command key, and the Alt key works as the Option key. Unfortunately, their positions are reversed from where they are on Mac keyboardsYou can buy a piece of software called DoubleCommand that lets you reverse these keys. If you have an old keyboard, buy something new. OMOTON Ultra-Slim Bluetooth Keyboard Compatible with iPad 10.2-inch/ 9.7-inch, iPad Air 10.5, iPad Pro 11/12.9, iPad Mini 5/4, iPhone and Other Bluetooth Enabled Devices, White by OMOTON. The Magic Keyboard is a wireless, rechargeable keyboard that comes included with most Mac computers. However, those of us who are on old Macs or want a new keyboard, the small Magic keyboard might. Plug your keyboard into the USB port on your Mac, Macbook, iMac, Mac Pro, Mac Mini, or whatever you’ve got. Go to System Preferences Keyboard. In the lower-right hand corner, click Modifier.
I know you’ve just put your hands on the new Mac mini and are looking for the must-have accessories for it. As I’m also in the same boat, I can tell what can offer ultimate peace to your hunt. Apart from a top-notch monitor, smart mouse, you will also need one of the best keyboards for your Mac mini 2018.
#1. Macally
Macally presents a full-sized Bluetooth keyboard to make your typing easy-going. It has a low-profile design and sports tactile keys
You can connect this keyboard with three devices and seamlessly switch between them. There are 110 keys including 20 shortcut keys that are good enough to accelerate your typing. It also features a number pad to ensure your data entry remains speedy.
One notable feature is the solid built-in battery that can last up to three months as per the average use of three hours every day. The long battery life makes it well-timed for your regular usage.
USP: Tactile keys
Check out on Amazon
#2. Anker
Want an ultra-compact keyboard for your Mac mini 2018? This one from Anker seems to be a good bet.
The Bluetooth keyboard has a lightweight design and claims to be 30% smaller than a traditional keyboard. Due mainly to the small size, you can comfortably carry it anywhere.
With the matte finish responsive keys, your fingers will enjoy typing. However, the biggest highlight of this keyboard is the ability to deliver up to 6 months of battery life.
USP: Ultra-compact design
Check out on Amazon
#3. Arteck
Very few affordable Bluetooth keyboards look as impressive as Arteck. I like its neat ergonomic design with low-profile keys. Thanks to the use of stainless steel material, it’s very durable.
The anti-slip base endows it more stability. And with the strong battery, it’s good enough to last up to six months. Lastly, the company offers a reliable two-year warranty on this keyboard.
USP: Ergonomic design
Check out on Amazon
#4. Apple Magic Keyboard
If you are willing to stretch your budget in favor of a premium keyboard, go for Apple Magic Keyboard.
The Magic Keyboard has a professional look and feel. With the exceptionally responsive keys, you will have seamless typing experience.
Have a liking for fast-paced gaming? The full-size arrow keys are primed to liven up your gaming.
Due mainly to the scissor mechanism, the keys are more responsive. Check out the numeric keypad that can let you handle your spreadsheets with ease.
USP: Scissor mechanism for enhanced stability
Check out on Amazon
#5. Nixeus Moda Pro
How can you miss out on a Bluetooth keyboard that promises to offer the best tactile feedback?
Nixeus Moda Pro can be a worthy pick for the folks who want to bolster their typing speed. Well, I can say it because I’ve tried my hands on this keyboard and found it a pretty good asset.
Beyond smooth typing, Moda Pro is well-built and can easily withstand regular bumps. The strong aluminum chassis not only reinforces the construction but also gives it a pro look.
USP: Designed to offer speedy typing experience
Check out on Amazon
#6. Satechi
Satechi has long been one of my favorite Bluetooth keyboard makers. The qualities that I’ve always appreciated in its offerings are well-built design and very smooth as well as clicky keys. And this one seems to have got all the qualities to be your long-term prospect.
The best thing about this keyboard is that it can simultaneously connect with three devices and lets you switch between them with ease. It provides up to 80 hours of work time which is a decent number for normal usage.
Moreover, Satechi comes in four nice-looking colors: rose gold, silver, gray and space gray.
USP: Enhanced scissor-switch keys
Check out on Amazon
#7. iClever GK03
One biggest reason to take a close look at iClever GK03 could be the adorable ergonomic design. The combination of high-grade ABS material and metal has reinforced the structure. And with the well-spaced square keys, your typing continues to be smooth sailing.
GK03 delivers up to 90 hours of work time after being fully charged. The wireless keyboard also comes with a mouse to enhance your productivity.
Beyond design and durability, the keyboard is available in silver and rose gold colors. Plus, iClever offers an 18-month replacement warranty on it.
USP: Combination of high-grade ABS material and metal
Check out on Amazon
#8. Rii Mini K12
I like using the touchpad as it helps me go about the work efficiently. That’s the reason why Rii Mini K12 has easily caught my eyes.
This wireless keyboard has a QWERTY keyboard and a large touchpad. From what I’ve seen, it can stand up to your task admirably.
The keyboard has the 13mm thickness which makes it one of the thinnest in the market. As for keys, they respond to press pretty well. Moreover, you can use Mini K12 not just with Mac mini but also with iOS, Windows, Android and Linux devices.
USP: Large touchpad
Check out on Amazon
#9. Anne PRO 2
So, you are on the lookout for a keyboard that can accelerate your work? GIve Anne PRO 2 a serious look.
The reason why I’ve found this wireless keyboard so good is that it has the quality to make your typing plain sailing. With the fully customizable backlit allows you type comfortably even dimly-lit environments.
One more feature that makes it ideal for professional usage–the robust 1900mAh battery. Lastly, PRO 2 is designed to work with both macOS and Windows.
USP: Customizable backlit
Check out on Amazon
#10. Lucloud
Not all the cheap keyboards can live up to the basic demand. But that’s not the case with Lucloud ($21.99) Bluetooth keyboard.
It has a small and slim design that makes it highly portable. Therefore, your bag won’t find it inconvenient to carry the keyboard.
Aside from the lightweight, the keys are more comfortable to press. And with the 12 hotkeys, you can take control of volume, music with ease. Moreover, Lucloud is dustproof to retain its shine for long.
USP: Slim design
Check out on Amazon
That’s all, folks! Which one is your top wireless keyboard for Mac mini and why?
The Bottom Line…
It’s always good to have a variety of options as they make it a bit easier to pick out exactly what you are looking for. And I’m sure you have finally put your hands on the right deal, haven’t you?
You’d like to have a glance at these posts as well:
The founder of iGeeksBlog, Dhvanesh, is an Apple aficionado, who cannot stand even a slight innuendo about Apple products. He dons the cap of editor-in-chief to make sure that articles match the quality standard before they are published.
- https://www.igeeksblog.com/author/dhvanesh/
- https://www.igeeksblog.com/author/dhvanesh/
- https://www.igeeksblog.com/author/dhvanesh/
- https://www.igeeksblog.com/author/dhvanesh/
Extend or mirror your Mac desktop with Sidecar
Follow these steps on a Mac and iPad that meet the Sidecar system requirements. You can use Sidecar wirelessly, but to keep your iPad charged during use, connect it directly to your Mac with the USB charge cable that came with your iPad.
Start a Sidecar session
- If you're using macOS Big Sur, click the Display menu in Control Center or the menu bar, then choose your iPad from the menu.
- If you're using macOS Catalina, click the AirPlay icon in the menu bar, then choose your iPad from the menu. (If you don't see the AirPlay icon, choose Apple menu > System Preferences, click Displays, and select “Show mirroring options in the menu bar when available”.)
- Or just move a window to your iPad, as described in next section.
- Or connect using the menu in Sidecar preferences.
Switch to screen mirroring
- By default, your iPad shows an extension of your Mac desktop. You can move windows to it and use it like any other display.
- To mirror your Mac display so that both screens show the same content, return to the Display menu or AirPlay menu, which shows a blue iPad icon while using Sidecar. Choose the option to mirror your display.
End the Sidecar session
- If you're using macOS Big Sur, return to the Display menu in Control Center or the menu bar and choose your iPad again to disconnect from it.
- If you're using macOS Catalina, return to the AirPlay menu and choose the option to disconnect.
- Or use the Disconnect button in the sidebar on your iPad, or in Sidecar preferences on your Mac.
Learn more about using external displays. For example, you can use Displays preferences to arrange displays so that your iPad extends the left, right, top, or bottom of your desktop.
Move a window to your iPad display
If you hover your pointer over the full-screen button of a window, you can choose to move that window to or from your iPad display. It's faster than dragging the window, and the window is perfectly resized for your display.
The sidebar puts commonly used controls on the side of your iPad screen. It includes Command, Shift, and other modifier keys, so you can choose essential commands with your finger or Apple Pencil instead of a keyboard.
Use Sidecar preferences to turn off the sidebar or change its position.
Tap to show or hide the menu bar when viewing a window in full screen on iPad.
Command. Touch and hold to set the Command key. Double-tap to lock the key.
Option. Touch and hold to set the Option key. Double-tap to lock the key.
Control. Touch and hold to set the Control key. Double-tap to lock the key.
Shift. Touch and hold to set the Shift key. Double-tap to lock the key.
Undo the last action. Some apps support multiple undos.
Use the Touch Bar
Many apps on Mac have Touch Bar controls that make common actions even easier. With Sidecar, you get a Touch Bar on your iPad screen even if your Mac doesn’t have a Touch Bar. Tap its controls with either your finger or Apple Pencil.
Use Sidecar preferences to turn off the Touch Bar or change its position.
If the Touch Bar doesn't appear when using an app that offers Touch Bar controls, choose Apple menu > System Preferences, click Mission Control, then make sure that “Displays have separate Spaces” is selected.
Use gestures for scrolling and other actions
Multi-Touch gestures on iPad remain available when using Sidecar. These gestures are particularly useful with Sidecar:
- Scroll: Swipe with two fingers.
- Copy: Pinch in with three fingers.
- Cut: Pinch in with three fingers twice.
- Paste: Pinch out with three fingers.
- Undo: Swipe left with three fingers, or double-tap with three fingers.
- Redo: Swipe right with three fingers.
Use Apple Pencil
To point, click, select, and perform tasks such as drawing, editing photos, and manipulating objects on your iPad while it's extending or mirroring your Mac display, you can use your Apple Pencil instead of the mouse or trackpad connected to your Mac. You can also use it to write, sketch, and mark up documents while seeing the updates live on your Mac.
Sidecar also supports double-tap, which you can turn on in Sidecar preferences. Double-tap enables apps that support this feature to perform custom actions when you double-tap on the side of your Apple Pencil (2nd generation).
Use a keyboard, mouse, or trackpad
During your Sidecar session, you can type using a keyboard connected to either your Mac or iPad, such as the Smart Keyboard or Magic Keyboard for iPad.
To point, click, or select with a mouse or trackpad, use the mouse or trackpad connected to your Mac, or use an Apple Pencil on your iPad.
Use iPad apps
While using Sidecar, you can switch to an iPad app, then interact with that app on your iPad as you normally would. This suspends your Sidecar session until you switch back to the Sidecar app or disconnect Sidecar. The Sidecar app appears on your home screen only while using Sidecar.
Use Sidecar preferences
Choose Apple menu > System Preferences, then click Sidecar. These preferences are available only on computers that support Sidecar.
- Show Sidebar: Show the sidebar on the left or right side of your iPad screen, or turn it off.
- Show Touch Bar: Show the Touch Bar on the bottom or top of your iPad screen, or turn it off.
- Enable double tap on Apple Pencil: Allow apps that support this feature to perform custom actions when you double-tap on the side of your Apple Pencil (2nd generation).
- Connect to: Choose an iPad to connect to, or click Disconnect to stop using Sidecar.
Sidecar system requirements
Sidecar requires a compatible Mac using macOS Catalina or later and a compatible iPad using iPadOS 13 or later.
- MacBook Pro introduced in 2016 or later
- MacBook introduced in 2016 or later
- MacBook Air introduced in 2018 or later
- iMac introduced in 2017 or later, or iMac (Retina 5K, 27-inch, Late 2015)
- Mac mini introduced in 2018 or later
- Mac Pro introduced in 2019
- iPad Pro: all models
- iPad (6th generation) or newer
- iPad mini (5th generation) or newer
- iPad Air (3rd generation) or newer
Additional requirements
Mac Mini Apple Keyboard
- Both devices must be signed in to iCloud with the same Apple ID using two-factor authentication.
- To use Sidecar wirelessly, both devices must be within 10 meters (30 feet) of each other and have Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, and Handoff turned on. Also make sure that the iPad is not sharing its cellular connection and the Mac is not sharing its Internet connection.
- To use Sidecar over USB, make sure that your iPad is set to trust your Mac.
Mac Mini Keyboard And Mouse
Learn more
Mac Mini Keyboard And Mouse
- Resolve Wi-Fi and Bluetooth issues caused by wireless interference, which can affect Sidecar performance when using Sidecar wirelessly.