Deeper dive: Keyboard differences between Windows and Macs

The article delves into the various keyboard differences between Windows and Mac operating systems, particularly relevant for web applications that use a single codebase for both platforms. One notable difference is that Windows labels the Backspace key as Backspace, while Mac labels it as Delete. Conversely, Windows refers to Delete as Forward Delete, which can lead to confusion when discussing the key without specifying the platform.

Another distinction lies in the Enter key. On Windows, the key is labeled as Enter, while on Macs it is labeled as Return. However, Mac keyboards feature an additional Enter key, known as ⌤ Enter, which is typically found on a numeric keypad (previously, it was present on laptop keyboards as well). On keyboards lacking a dedicated Enter key, the user can simulate it using the combination Fn+Return.

In most applications on Mac, both Enter and Return function identically. However, there are exceptions such as Photoshop, which treats Return as creating a new line and Enter as committing an action. Certain professional applications like Cubase or Pro Tools also exhibit differing behaviors. It appears that this distinction is gradually becoming obsolete.

Windows typically refers to the secondary Numpad Enter key, and third-party keyboards often adopt Windows terminology, such as Backspace and Enter. When Mac keyboards offer Mac conventions, they typically extend only to modifier keys. Interestingly, Windows' Control key is equivalent to Mac's Command key, even though Apple devices still possess a Control key, primarily used as an extra modifier key with lesser significance compared to Windows.

Moreover, Windows devices offer Ctrl, Alt, and Shift, while Macs offer ⌘ Command, ⌥ Option, ⌃ Control, and ⇧ Shift. Some keyboards allow users to swap keycaps to match their preferred platform, or to cover all bases using fixed keycaps, albeit in an awkward manner.

Mac keyboards rely heavily on symbols on their keys and menus, although consistency is lacking. While Windows keyboards generally utilize words for key legends (e.g., Ctrl, Bkspc, PrtSc, Del, PgUp, Win), some countries translate the legends, such as using Strg for Ctrl in Germany. Symbols from Mac keyboards have occasionally crossed over to the Windows side, although other popular symbols are scarce.

Windows shortcuts are traditionally expressed using plus symbols, while Mac shortcuts are glued together. For instance, the Chrome menu on Windows showcases shortcuts separated by plus signs, while on Mac, they are combined without any separation. Windows keyboards have traditionally assigned shortcuts to function keys, while Macs have reserved them for user-initiated tasks, although some combinations of function keys are now used for accessibility purposes.

Windows keyboards typically extend up to F12, but some Mac keyboards incorporate the three special PC keys and extend up to F19. In text fields, Mac utilizes the ⌥ modifier key to display additional characters, such as ⌥Q producing œ, and ⌥7 yielding a pilcrow (¶). The ⇧ modifier key also functions similarly, with ⌥⇧Q rendering Œ, and ⌥⇧7 generating a double dagger (‡). However, note that the ⌥ assignments differ across key locations, specifically for U.S. English and Polish layouts.