Apple Vs. PC Keyboard

[anthlover]

Apple Vs. PC Keyboard

On an Apple Keyboard all the Function keys have special functions (brightness, etc). Do get a real F1 and F2 you use the FN key with the F key.

On a PC Keyboard you have no FN key so if you need F keys you have o go to the Apple, system prefs, Keyboard, Check the Box next to where it says Use all F1, F2, etc as standard function Keys. You then use the FN Key (Apple KB only) to toggle the Special features like Volume and Brightness, etc.


???? What is the fn key equivalent on a regular windows keyboard

[trevor]

There is no 'fn' key on non-Apple brand Mac keyboards. For just one example, here is the Matias Tactile 3 keyboard, US layout:


Note the lack of fn key.

There is no 'fn' key on older Apple-brand keyboards. For example, here's an image of the Apple Extended Keyboard II, one of my favorite keyboards of all time:


There is also no 'fn' key on Windows keyboards.

The only keyboards that have a 'fn' key are recent-vintage Apple-brand keyboards.

Trevor

[benwiggy]

Most of the special features can be accessed in other ways; and some can even assigned as keyboard shortcuts to the F keys themselves, once you'e turned off the Apple keys.

Software that might be useful:
One is FunctionFlip, a Pref pane that allows you to switch the behaviour of some of the keys to the "other" setting. So you can turn off some of the Apple functions, but still have others working.

Also, a keyboard macro program like iKey or QuickKeys, or KeyboardMaestro, which will allow you to assign different keystrokes to get the same functions.

[NaOH]

I haven't used it myself, but I believe ControllerMate can be used to set a key to act like an FN key.

http://www.orderedbytes.com/controllermate

[anthlover]

Thank you for the photos Trevor. I am also a fan of that Apple keyboard. Or any battle ship size KB with good feel. And thank you for the rest of the responses also.. Yes I realize that the fn key came on line when Apple shrunk their keyboards functionality with less keys.

In this particular query (though I am sure there are many use cases) I have Mac users who also run virtual box or on Macs. They do not always use an Apple KB. So in these instances I am trying to give them various functionality they need.

So PC programs that require fkeys they can get that with the basic settings change I mentioned. I just could not find a way with the basic Apple settings to replicate the fn key for apple's special kb functions without an Apple KB.

I will read over the info provided by i did not see a utility that added that functionality.

[anthlover]

So I see as has been suggested the only choice is to change the system setting to treat Fkeys normally. Then use a utility of which there seems to be many.


I found this one which is free and tested it http://www.shadowlab.org/Software/spark.php