Looking for a USB bus-powered keyboard to use with Powerbook G4 in remote situation with no power source but G4 batteries. Is it reasonable to use USB bus power to run a small keyboard or will it drain batteries too fast to make it worthwhile? Any suggestions for a good controller under $300? Thanks for info.
Bonnieblue

Hi,

You may need some thing like this > M-Audio Ozonic < one but it is Fire Wire if there is a fire wire port in your laptop so this will do more then one job..
please inter to this link: http://www.sonicstate.com/news/shownews.cfm?newsid=1812

Regards,

Abdullah Al balushi

A USB keyboard should have low power needs (it's just simple electronics, nothing fancy nor Watt hungry), now I'd be suspicious about the behaviour of any USB/Firewire peripheral not self powered when the computer is shut down regarding to the lithium battery. Suspicious till someone finds out, that is.

It should be ok for the normal battery though. An audio interface or hard drive would make more stress on it (the worse being a drive or a burner, or the interface with a powered mic on)

For you keyboard, first decide what's the most important (controls, size, portability) as it seems power consumption is an issue it's on top of the list anyway. I know there way too much models around, not everyone needs a MIDI interface or audio interface build in as some sliders on.

depending on your use:
- number of keys?
- buttons?
- sliders?
It'll clear things a lot!

On the power needed, I'd dive into the tech data/manuals.