For example, the “E” key is placed under the right middle finger since E is the most-often used letter in the English language. The Colemak layout is intended to place the most frequently used letters under the strongest fingers. The Colemak keyboard, meanwhile, maintains some of the QWERTY layout but does mix things up a bit. It is designed to place the most-often used letters on home row, meaning your fingers have to go through fewer motions. Dvorak is by far the most popular and routinely mentioned. Indeed, there are two other oft-tried alternate layouts: Dvorak and Colemak. And we’ve been using it ever since.īut, that doesn’t mean others haven’t tried to invent something better. The QWERTY layout was developed to space out oft-used letters and prevent the keys from getting jammed (as old typewriters were wont to do). QWERTY, as legend has it, was invented with the typewriter by Christopher Sholes in 1868. RELATED: Alternative Keyboard Layouts Explained: Should You Switch to Dvorak or Colemak? But, there are other keyboard layouts out there, some of which claim to be more efficient. Most people will never need or want to use anything else. It's also worth noting that their positions are reversed on the two types of keyboards.The so-called QWERTY keyboard layout–the keyboard most of us use every day–is a typing mainstay. For example, the Undo shortcut would use Windows+Z instead of Command+Z. When using a Windows keyboard on a Mac, the Windows key is used instead of the Command key, and the Alt key is used in place of the Option key. What are the main differences?Īlthough Windows and Mac keyboards feature most of the same keys, there are a few that differ. There's also a variety of custom keyboards available, with most of them made for Windows machines.

Perhaps you recently switched from a Windows computer to a Mac and you prefer the feel of your old keyboard. Some people simply prefer to use Windows keyboards.

You may also have one lying around the house from an older computer. In most stores, you'll find that there are more Windows keyboards than there are Mac keyboards. One of the main reasons you might choose to use a Windows keyboard on a Mac is that it's more readily available. You can use almost any Windows keyboard as long as it has either a USB or Bluetooth connection. If you want to use a Windows keyboard on your Mac, the good news is it's pretty simple. en/macosbasics/troubleshooting-common-problems/content/ Using a Windows keyboard with a Mac Lesson 13: Using a Windows Keyboard With a Mac

Mac keyboard layout for windows