- Apple Extended Keyboard
The Apple Extended Keyboard is a keyboard that was sold on its own and prepackaged with Apple Professional Desktops during the early 1990s (starting with the
Macintosh IIsi in October1990 ). The keyboard is widely considered by enthusiasts to represent the golden era of Macintosh Keyboards and is fondly remembered by many. Retrospective articles credit the success of the product to a combination of sound, feel and durability.Unique features
There are a couple of features that make this keyboard unique:
* Caps Lock Key that physically locks down when activated, considered to be better for touch typists
* Alps brand key switches, credited for their good sound and feel
* Large spacing between keys, especially the top function keys and othersResurrection
Many are still using this keyboard through the use of ADB to USB converters.
Matias now makes a keyboard called the Tactile Pro, made from the same type of keyswitches used in the Apple Extended Keyboard.
Trivia
* The Apple Extended Keyboard was nick-named "USS Enterprise" for its size [Citation
last = Wingfield
first = Nick
title = Hide the Button: Steve Jobs Has His Finger on It
url=http://online.wsj.com/public/article_print/SB118532502435077009.html ]
* The Apple Extended Keyboard (M0115) was code-named "Dörfer" and "Saratoga";
* The Apple Extended Keyboard II (M3501) was code-named "Elmer" and "Nimitz";
* There are partisans for both versions of the Apple Extended Keyboard as the better keyboard [ Citation
last = Thomas
first = Tommy
title = Apple's Extended Keyboard II: Sequel to a Legend
url=http://lowendmac.com/thomas/06/1019.html ]ee also
*
Apple Keyboard References
External links
* [http://lowendmac.com/thomas/06/1013.html The Legendary Apple Extended Keyboard (Lowendmac.com)]
* [http://www.flickr.com/photos/jurvetson/841771 The "Battleship"] - picture of an Apple Extended Keyboard
* [http://thetalkshow.net/#20 The Talk Show Episode 20] - A podcast with commentary and discussion about the Apple Extended Keyboards (April, 2008)
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