Microsoft Ergonomic Keyboard for MacOS: A Seamless Integration

When setting up a new device, there's always a sense of excitement and curiosity about how everything will work together. In my experience, the Apple M1-based Mac Mini has exceeded expectations in terms of software and hardware compatibility and performance. Here, I'll share my journey of setting up my Microsoft ergonomic keyboard on MacOS.

Initially, both hardware devices were detected correctly and worked without any issues. I then proceeded to download and install the productivity applications I rely on daily. To quickly test these products, I downloaded Microsoft Skype from the web and set it up. My USB dock, which was connected to the second USB-A port, also worked fine once I booted into MacOS.

I decided to connect my Focusrite audio interface (which connects my podcast microphone to USB) and Logitech Brio webcam to the USB dock. The most obvious test was the display, which seemed to be working fine after getting configured correctly through the Displays interface in System Preferences.

After confirming the basic functionality of my devices, I checked for updates and found that there was one available - for macOS Big Sur 11.1. I got that started while I worked on a few other things.

My next step was to test how well my other hardware worked. The Microsoft Sculpt Ergonomic Keyboard and Mouse set uses a USB dongle for connectivity, which wasn't detected on the first boot due to the limited number of USB-A ports available on the Mac Mini. However, after a brief hiccup during the setup process, I managed to get everything up and running smoothly.

The Mac Setup process can be tedious, but it's not unique to M1-based Macs. It involves a wizard-based affair with multiple steps. On my first boot, I plugged the Microsoft dongle directly into one of the Mac's USB ports, which worked fine. However, during the setup process, macOS informed me that I needed to power on my mouse and/or keyboard before proceeding.

Despite the initial rough patch, I was able to get everything set up eventually. The only challenge was finding a suitable solution for connecting all my peripherals, given the limited number of USB-A ports available on the Mac Mini. I decided to add a USB dock and attach everything to it, with one exception - my Microsoft ergonomic keyboard.

In conclusion, Apple's new M1-based Mac Mini has shown excellent software and hardware compatibility and performance in early testing. With some minor hiccups during setup, I was able to get all my devices working seamlessly together on MacOS.

Microsoft ergonomic keyboard macos