Remapping keys on a macbook pro
July 14th, 2006 by Scott Janousek
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Loading ...As a follow up to Grant’s post on key combos for OSX … I came across a few utilities which allow you remap your keys for windows usage on the mac book pro.
All of these are free. You can use them to customize your keyboard layout to your own preferences. However, be careful how you map things out, or you could potentially wreak some keyboard havoc! … if you do get into trouble, rebooting into safe mode should get you out of it …
Also be aware that except for the Microsoft remapkeys, these are all third party programs.
To my knowledge they are all legit and ethical, but you always should be careful about keyboard utilities, and where you get them from … don’t just do a search and download … as keyloggers are easy to make and distribute.
I posted these because they are mentioned in an issue of Mac World. If you’re worried you can always download a windows equivalent of little snitch to monitor outgoing traffic.
Here they are in no particular order:
- remapkey (which is a utility in 2003 Resource Kit from Microsoft). I would download the Resource Kit since that’s most secure method of getting the utility.
- Apple Mouse (add right mouse button functionality … handy if you don’t have a mighty mouse, or other PC compatible 2 button mouse)
- Input Remapper (remap keys, 3rd party)
If you know of others, please feel free to comment.
P.S. Anyone know where I can find a lock for the macbook pro? … on the specs it says “kensington lock” … but, my old one doesn’t fit it (3 prong to 2 prong) … do they have a new design??? Probably. I looked all over the place, but to no avail. I’ll probably call Apple to get a definitive answer on what works for the mac book pro (I noticed it’s quite close to the USB port). Feel free to post if you have a working lock.
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July 14th, 2006 at 4:37 pm
I used SharpKeys to remap some keys in Windows running under Parallels. Works perfectly.
Also, I’ve got two different kensington locks, both work just fine with MBP and ThinkPad. Maybe you have some specialized lock?
July 14th, 2006 at 7:31 pm
Cool. Thanks for the link, Erki.
Yeah, the lock is from a thinkpad I had a ways back … but it’s at least 4 years old.
I’ll try the Apple Store or Staples.
July 17th, 2006 at 1:22 am
Yep, my old lock design was different. I bought a new kensignton lock and it works like a charm now. I went with the heavy cable and key model, since the other model looked like: a.) you could just snip the wire and b.) the 3 digit combo is only so so secure.
August 22nd, 2007 at 3:25 pm
I have been searching online for a utility which will allow me to swap the @ and ” characters round on my Macbook Pro keyboard (I have to code on a Windows machine in the office and having the keys in different locations is really frustrating!).
Whilst I have found many solutions for remapping keys in Windows running on a Macbook Pro I have yet to find anything which will do what I want.
Does anyone have any suggestions?