When using a PC keyboard to match a Mac, you need to adjust the key mapping and function key settings. 1. Confirm the connection method: Wired USB plug and play, and Bluetooth enters the system settings pairing; 2. Modify the key mapping: Switch Command and Option keys through "Keyboard Preferences", or use Karabiner-Elements to deeply customize; 3. Adjust the function key behavior: Check "Use F1-F12 as standard function keys" to change the default operation; 4. Adapt to the differences in shortcut keys: For example, operations such as screenshots, switching windows, etc., you need to be familiar with the corresponding keys again, and use tools to adjust if necessary.

It is actually quite common to use a PC keyboard to match a Mac, especially some people are used to specific mechanical shafts or keyboard feels. Although it can be used, due to different systems, some keys and functions need to be adjusted to be easy.

1. Confirm the connection method: wired or wireless?

There are two main ways to connect a PC keyboard to a Mac: wired USB or Bluetooth wireless.
If it is a wired connection, it can be used by plugging in, but it may not be convenient enough. If it is a wireless Bluetooth keyboard, you must first turn on "System Settings" → "Bluetooth" on your Mac, then enter pairing mode and click the connection.

Tip: Some PC keyboards with backlight adjustment or macro functions may not be supported on Macs, unless the manufacturer provides macOS drivers.

2. Modify the key map to make the operation easier

The key layout of Mac and Windows is different. The most obvious thing is that the positions of Command (?) and Option (?) are opposite to those of Windows keys. You can swap these keys through the system's own "keyboard preferences".

Specific operations:

• Open "System Settings" → "Keyboard" → "Modification Key"
• Reassign Control, Option, and Command keys to what you are used to

For example, you can change the left Option key to Command, so it will be more natural to press Command C/V with your left hand.

If you feel that the system settings are not flexible enough, you can try third-party tools, such as Karabiner-Elements, which allows you to finely customize the behavior of each key and even set different mappings under different applications.

3. Function keys (F1-F12) default behavior may need to be adjusted

Many PC keyboard function keys (F1-F12) are used as multimedia control keys on Mac by default, such as volume and brightness. If you want F1-F12 to take effect by default, instead of matching the Fn key, you can change the settings in the system:

• Go to "System Settings" → "Keyboard"
• Check "Use F1, F2 and other keys as standard function keys"

Of course, it can also be the other way around, depending on which type of operation you use more often. This setting will affect all external keyboards, so if you use the original keyboard and other peripherals at the same time, it may be a little conflict.

4. Some shortcut keys need to be adapted

For common operations such as screenshots, switching windows, and Spotlight search, Mac shortcut keys will slightly change due to different key positions. For example:

• Win V on Windows is pasted, Command V on Mac
• If you change the key mapping, you have to pay attention to which physical key you are actually pressing

I may be a little uncomfortable at first, but I can get used to it after a few days. If there is something particularly unpleasant, you can also use the Karabiner-Elements mentioned above to customize the shortcut keys.

Basically that's it. It is not complicated to use a PC keyboard with a Mac, but some details are easy to ignore, such as key mapping, function key behavior, and some shortcut key differences. Just adjust it slightly, it will be less different from the original keyboard.

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