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Microsoft Sculpt Wired Conversion Mod

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Re: Microsoft Sculpt Wired Conversion Mod

#11

Post by tomduncalf »

Xevi wrote: post #7
microtonal wrote: post #4

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I had and liked the Sculpt, but also prefer a wired keyboard. I bought their new ergonomic keyboard, and I am pretty happy with it. It has a split. And even though the keys probably not Cherry or Topre-quality, they are quite ok. https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/p/microsoft-ergonomic-keyboa... I only wish they'd make a version without the numpad. I don't use it and it moves my trackball (too) far away.

Ye, I don't understand why they added back the numpad to their newer keyboards, it makes no sense from an ergonomic point of view. The lack of an attached numpad was the reason I bought the Sculpt in the first place. I had pains in my right shoulder from using too wide keyboards. I also like the split space bar on my current Sculpt keyboard, it makes the key easier to press down.

Agreed, the num pad was another reason I ended up with another Sculpt - ergonomically it feels much nicer without and I never need it

Re: Microsoft Sculpt Wired Conversion Mod

#12

Post by MaanuAir »

Xevi wrote: post #6
mariusmarais wrote: post #5

Earlier quoted context omitted.

For me I get the best result when the receiver is on a USB extension hanging down from the table behind the monitor. Currently it's about 30cm from the floor. Every single on-desk position caused interference and delays. (This is from a Macbook with USB 3 hub, so that might be the actual culprit.)

I use my Sculpt with Windows, but I've tried using it on a Mac Mini m1, and it was horrible due to the lack of drivers. Maybe that plays a part in terms of the wonkiness as well.

I did not need any driver, macOS has a pretty descent support for keyboard.

Did you try switching your keyboard preference from Apple to PC Layout in keyboard preferences?

I did not try on M1, but this keyboard works pretty well with a MacBookPro early 2015 (and it was for a French Azerty Sculpt keyboard, not even the regular US Qwerty!).

Pro tip: on a Mac laptop, add a key shortcut to switch between the 2 layouts, so that you can quickly switch from one to the other layout.

Also add the keyboard icon / input source in the menu bar, for quick visual check : it shows the actual keyboard layout.

Re: Microsoft Sculpt Wired Conversion Mod

#13

Post by tomduncalf »

petargyurov wrote: post #9

I have a bit of a sour experience with this keyboard. I love it, I really do. But when I accidentally wrecked the receiver, here's what I found: * MS doesn't offer replacement receivers * Each keyboard is paired to its specific receiver so you can't even buy an off-the-shelf replacement * MS make it extremely hard to reach a person to speak to * Their website practically doesn't have support for this keyboard My Scul…

Yep have had the same thing happen with one that someone left in the office after they left the company - no one could find the receiver and so it was useless. Seems like a bit of a wasteful design, you’d think they’d switch to Bluetooth.

Re: Microsoft Sculpt Wired Conversion Mod

#14

Post by calo_star »

Xevi wrote: post #6
mariusmarais wrote: post #5

Earlier quoted context omitted.

For me I get the best result when the receiver is on a USB extension hanging down from the table behind the monitor. Currently it's about 30cm from the floor. Every single on-desk position caused interference and delays. (This is from a Macbook with USB 3 hub, so that might be the actual culprit.)

I use my Sculpt with Windows, but I've tried using it on a Mac Mini m1, and it was horrible due to the lack of drivers. Maybe that plays a part in terms of the wonkiness as well.

It doesn't need a driver for me. Although I do use Karabiner-Elements to swap Alt and Windows key.

Re: Microsoft Sculpt Wired Conversion Mod

#17

Post by 600frogs »

mariusmarais wrote: post #5
Xevi wrote: post #2

> It was like the keyboard would go to sleep if a key wasn’t pressed for a few seconds, and the first keypress after a wake would be delayed or, worse, dropped. I have a Sculpt keyboard as well, and the way to fix this is just to move the wireless USB stick that's in your computer closer to your keyboard. I have mine at about a 40cm distance. If I place it over 100cm away I start getting sporadic connectivity issues,…

For me I get the best result when the receiver is on a USB extension hanging down from the table behind the monitor. Currently it's about 30cm from the floor. Every single on-desk position caused interference and delays. (This is from a Macbook with USB 3 hub, so that might be the actual culprit.)

I can chip in here - I've tried using the sculpt with the receiver plugged into a USB hub on a MacBook and it was completely unusable - every other keystroke was dropped. It works fine when plugged directly into the MacBook though, even with a USB A -> C converter. Worth giving it a shot, as it's the best keyboard I've used to date, though I'm currently eyeing up the successor (Microsoft surface ergonomic keyboard) even with the unnecessary numpad - it looks to be of a higher build quality, and the bluetooth freeing up a port is a bonus.

Re: Microsoft Sculpt Wired Conversion Mod

#18

Post by 600frogs »

calo_star wrote: post #14
Xevi wrote: post #6

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I use my Sculpt with Windows, but I've tried using it on a Mac Mini m1, and it was horrible due to the lack of drivers. Maybe that plays a part in terms of the wonkiness as well.

It doesn't need a driver for me. Although I do use Karabiner-Elements to swap Alt and Windows key.

Just a tip, you can do this without any third-party tools by going to Settings -> Keyboard -> "Modifier Keys..." and swapping around the modifier keys on a per-keyboard basis. I ended up uninstalling Karabiner after finding this - one less thing to worry about for a new install.

Re: Microsoft Sculpt Wired Conversion Mod

#19

Post by czechdeveloper »

I loved the keyboard, except longevity (of pieces I personally got) was really really bad.

As for the mouse that comes with it, I went through 3 of them (left button started to randomly not click, about once every 3 clicks which drove me crazy) and then just gave up.

Keyboard itself could be said that I damanged as I tried to remove key to clean crumb that got inside and I could never get it back.

Re: Microsoft Sculpt Wired Conversion Mod

#20

Post by vinay427 »

tomduncalf wrote: post #13
petargyurov wrote: post #9

I have a bit of a sour experience with this keyboard. I love it, I really do. But when I accidentally wrecked the receiver, here's what I found: * MS doesn't offer replacement receivers * Each keyboard is paired to its specific receiver so you can't even buy an off-the-shelf replacement * MS make it extremely hard to reach a person to speak to * Their website practically doesn't have support for this keyboard My Scul…

Yep have had the same thing happen with one that someone left in the office after they left the company - no one could find the receiver and so it was useless. Seems like a bit of a wasteful design, you’d think they’d switch to Bluetooth.

Bluetooth, at least on Logitech devices that support both their proprietary connection and BT, seems to have far more latency in many situations. The difference is Logitech's proprietary setup with Unifying receivers allows multiple compatible devices to be paired or unpaired to any Unifying receiver, including multiple receivers and (on some newer mice/keyboards) simultaneously connected receivers.
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