Can i plug a normal windows usb QWERTY keyboard & mouse into my macbook to use windows on my macbook?

Question

I have windows xp on my MacBook and was wondering if its possible to plug a normal windows usb mouse and keyboard into the MacBook.

I only have xp on my MacBook because im doing a microsoft certified systems engineers course (MCSE) that requires microsoft virtual pc running on Windows and NOT using virtualisation on mac osx via fusion or parrallels, and i need some windows qwerty keyboard functions that my macbook keyboard doesnt give me and wont give me.

So can i use a normal mouse and keyboard on my macbook to control the windows partition of my macbook?

Thanks

Answer 1

Yeah you will be able to.

The windows operating system will install the drivers needed to operate the keyboard and mouse. As with most hardware, drivers are needed and as you may have experienced some hardware doesn't just work when you plug it into you Macbook. Howevere, a keyboard and mouse are pretty standard hardware and Windows should have the drivers perloaded to run the two devices.

Answer 2

Shouldn't be a problem. Hell, you could even use a Bluetooth keyboard with the Windows key on it that you so desperately need...



Good luck becoming a Minesweeper Competent, Solitaire Expert.

Answer 3

I would have thought a keyboard and mouse were just standard input devices.



I've never seen anything to the contrary that different operating systems need special input devices such as these.

Answer 4

Load up Each OS Then, just plug the keyboard and mouse, into each OS

Answer 5

yeah, you should be able to, just you have to be careful to log in to windows first then connect, as macosx gets confused if you connect two keyboards (and as you have a macbook you always have at least one keyboard connected)