Keytronic Mac Pro Plus extended keyboard, a Griffin IMate ADB-USB adapter and Mac OS X Monterey

Hi everyone,

My company recently moved for the first time in nearly 40 years. In the midst of clearing out decades worth of “stuff” I discovered a mint condition KeyTronic Mac Pro Plus extended keyboard. For those who aren’t in the know, Mac Pro Plus was an old ADB keyboard for the Mac from back in the late 80s/early 90s. Its performance and quality was on par with Apple’s Extended Keyboard and Extended Keyboard II.

I used the Mac Pro Plus with several macs over the years and only put it away because I switched from an upgraded PowerMac 7300 to a PowerMac G4 and the Griffin iMate caused its optical drive to open and, if I remember correctly, a bit of other flakiness. Not certain though since it’s been so long since I’ve used the adapter.

‘course, the real question is whether or not it will work with my current 2019 iMac 27” running Monterey or my brothers Mac Studio running Monterey. I always keep a spare keyboard or three on hand and just gave one to one of my brothers for his machine and my last one to my operations manager to replace a worn out Apple keyboard. While I’m going to buy a couple of Apple keyboards to put away as backups, I’m wondering if the iMate and Mac Pro Plus will still work with current model hardware and software.

The Mac Pro Plus was a very good keyboard and it’d be a shame to dump it into the bin I keep around for electronics that need recycling.

What do ya’ll think?

Robert

Try an ADB to USB adapter?

Wombat!

---

My life goes smoothly and in regular intervals

If it costs less than say $1,200.00, try it. If it's more than that, better to put the $$$ towards H&B.
Old school, well made kb's are da bomb!

==

I’ve been using the same Apple EX II keyboard and iMate adapter with every Mac I’ve owned since circa 2000, with no issues.

Recently I’ve been using a spare EX II keyboard and spare iMate adapter with my Windows-based HP laptop at work… with no issues.

Pretty sure your setup will work.

---

It is what it is.

[www.ebay.com]

Quote
ka jowct
Wombat!

Very cool, thanks!

---

=wr=

Quote
anonymouse1
[www.ebay.com]

Is this one bidirectional?

---

=wr=

Don't know.

Why do you need bidirectional?

Quote
wave rider

Quote
anonymouse1
[www.ebay.com]

Is this one bidirectional?

My iMate and Apple ][ extended are still going strong

---

--------------

Embarassing myself on the Internet since 1978.

OK... that Wombat is neat!
Now I wish I'd have "rescued" that Apple ADB keyboard II from my previous employer and turned it into a good typing keyboard!

---

Paul F.
-----
A sword never kills anybody; it is a tool in the killer's hand. - Lucius Annaeus Seneca c. 5 BC - 65 AD
----
Good is the enemy of Excellent. Talent is not necessary for Excellence.
Persistence is necessary for Excellence. And Persistence is a Decision.
--

--

--
Eureka, CA

Quote
anonymouse1
Don't know.

Why do you need bidirectional?

Quote
wave rider

Quote
anonymouse1
[www.ebay.com]

Is this one bidirectional?

This one appears to be USB -> ADB.

For the beloved keyboards, won't it need to be ADB -> USB?

There is also Drakware - [www.drakware.com]

Hi everyone,

Thank you for the input. I already have the adapter on hand so it wasn't a question of obtaining one. It was a question of functionality and compatibility. Will the iMate work with fairly recent and/or current Mac Models and Monterey. The answer appears to be yes, which is way cool. Will try the combo with one of my machines and report back.

Robert

Quote
Robert M
Will the iMate work with fairly recent and/or current Mac Models and Monterey. The answer appears to be yes, which is way cool.

I'm currently running Monterey on an Apple Studio. You should be good.

---

It is what it is.

I’m still using my 1988 Apple Extended keyboard via an ADB to USB adapter. Best $200 computer part I ever bought.

---

All I ever really needed to know, I learned from watching Star Trek.

Quote
JoeH
There is also Drakware - [www.drakware.com]

Thank you for another interesting option!

---

=wr=