I have a bunch of assorted old Apple keyboards, and I will be getting rid of them. But, if I have any of the really good ones, I may hang onto them, or pass them along. i just need to know which ones they are.

I also have a bunch of SCSI cables, and smaller drives etc that are up for grabs, or I will take them to my local RE-PC store.

might also try the low end mac swap list with those items.

the good old mac keyboard was the extended II. Not to be confused with the apple design keyboard.

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Extended Keyboard II was/is my fave.
My mom was using my old IIci one from, who knows when until today.
Now she's got a new Apple USB.

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!#$@@$#!

proofraed by OwEn the c@t.

As they said, the Extended II. It also would be the heaviest keyboard you are likely to have.
I saw the MacBooks today in person for the first time. What's with that keyboard? It looks like something from a Hasbro toy? Buttons instead of "keys"???

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bradsdad
---no signature required

The only keyboard I've used on any of my desktop Macs since 1993 is the EX II.

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It is what it is.

[matias.ca]
If you would like that keyboard in a USB version with a power button that works, click on the above url. I love mine.

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Staunton, Virginia

Quote
N-OS X-tasy!
The only keyboard I've used on any of my desktop Macs since 1993 is the EX II.

Does OSX support the ADB -> USB converters?

I see matias is sold out til March 2007. The keyboard is such a tank. I still have one sitting on top of the cabinet, just waiting to be used again

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bradsdad
---no signature required

Some prefer the old Apple Extended, but it has ben so long since I used one, I tend to prefer the Extended II. Great keyboards. I really should start shopping around for a cheap ADB to USB adapter so I can use the Extended II on my newer Macs.

Coincidentally, a fellow Low End Mac writer has been working on a series devoted to old Apple keyboards.

[lowendmac.com]
[lowendmac.com]
[lowendmac.com]


Nathan

The ADB adapters should work with OS X, at least up to Panther, maybe Tiger. Don't know about Intel Tiger builds.


Nathan

Thanks.

I use the Apple Design II or whatever (the last they made, from my beige G3) so I want to keep the other one essentially. I have these and the old Extended IIs.

I remember that moment when Apple stopped providing keyboards with their computers. Or was I dreaming?

I still think someone could make a nice little sum by coming up with a cheap ADB to USB adapter so these older, nice keyboards could be put to good use. I mean cheaper (and less kludgey looking) than the Griffin iMate.

I've used the same Apple Extended II Keyboard for what's got to be over a decade now. I have never used a better keyboard and I keep another a cabinet should it ever stop working.

For over half that time now - I've happily used it with the Griffin iMate. I didn't think it was that kludgy... and given that it's out of the way just connected between the keyboard ADB end and then to the USB port - even if it was, not sure that'd be a problem for me.

For sure it is a niche product (actually sold out and not available for again for another month or so while a special production is done) and that's probably why no one other than Griffin has made this product for several years now... Apple has been USB Keyboard all the way for what's now seven years....... Personally, I'm damn glad that they make it at all.

Sure - someone could produce one cheaper than Griffin - but the cost of design and tooling needing to be recovered would result in a far higher cost that it'd need to sell for.

Tell ya what - you get me a 10,000 piece order - we'll negotiate a price - i'll require 75% down payment - and we'll get the Griffin iMate new and improved clone produced.

Even if we could produce to where they could be sold for say $10 - I'd be amazed if sales of even a 1000 units could be made in a given year unless there was some staff of New Apple Extended Keyboard IIs out there for bundling with.

Every new mac comes with a Keyboard... and while it's no where near the quality of the Ext II - it's far better than the crappy Apple Design keyboard that makes up the bulk of what used ADB keyboards are still out there in quantity.

anyway......

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OWC Larry
Other World Computing
[www.macsales.com]

Larry is right. It turns out that people don't really care what their hands TOUCH, and they won't pay for good quality keyboards.

They WILL pay for nice screens, and faster computers.

Everyone is gambling that they will not destroy their hands by typing in an obsolete pattern (QWERTY) on cheapo keyboards. With a basic design that is unchanged from just after the American Civil War - 1865 or so. That is when they designed the keyboard, to slow down typists so they did not jam the early typewriters.

FYI,
I've used that griffin iMate with the apple II keyboard and it seemed to be just fine except when the machine booted it tended to open the CD tray. That could have been because I booted the machine using the old power key which is where the eject key is now.

*It turns out that people don't really care what their hands TOUCH

I mean, except for an elite minority, such as the people reading this forum.

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Quote
bradsdad
Does OSX support the ADB -> USB converters?

Yes.

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It is what it is.

FWIW - Matias gained fame when they bought the old Apple key switches (Alps?) and started making USB Keyboards that were of the class of the original Apple Extended KB II... but a few months ago, they ran out and that KB is now history. Their other Keyboards are ok.... but they aren't the 'special' one.

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OWC Larry
Other World Computing
[www.macsales.com]

OWC Larry, was just looking at the Matias listing on their site. The statement they have on the Tactilepro page is "The Tactile Pro is currently out of stock, expected to return in March 2007. Please try one of our resellers, or contact us for more information." Sounds like they plan to bring it back into production, maybe they got Alps to produce a batch of switches for them.

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I had serious troubles (kernel panics) with the iMate under OS X. I contacted Griffin awhile back about it and was informed that it is no longer supported. That is to say, it might work, it might not, but they are no longer officially supporting. Just so you all know...

With that said, I have both the AE and AE II keyboards, and they're great...

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Freya says, 'Hello from NOLA, baby!' (Laissez bon temps rouler!)

I have 2 AEII keyboards that I picked up at Goodwill for $3 each. I'm no longer using either of them on a regular basis, but refuse to let them go back to Goodwill.

Hi everyone,

I have several of the old Apple keyboards as well as a couple of Key Tronic Mac Pro Plus models. Of the keyboards I've used, the Key Tronic is still my favorite. That said, I've switched to the original Matias Tactile Pro and will no longer be using any of the old ADB keyboards. So, if anyone wants my old apple and Key Tronic keyboards, just say the word and I'll be happy to send them your way. All I'd ask is you pay for the shipping.

Robert