Apple Keyboard Evolution 1983-2015

I don’t have a Lisa Keyboard, and they’re quite rare and expensive. But here’s what it looked like, it was quite large and clunky.

Although not really any wider than a modern Apple keyboard. So, this is the original Macintosh keyboard. It’s kind of tall, and notice that it has no arrow keys, no function keys and no number pad. Apparently, Steve Jobs believed that everybody would use the mouse for everything, except typing. It uses an RJ-11 type connector, similar to a phone cord. The mouse actually had its own separate connector, and did not connect to the keyboard at all. This is about as basic as it gets. I can plug my telephone into it, for some reason. So, one thing I noticed about this is that there are no indicators on where to put your fingers. I’ve never heard a keyboard echo before.

It’s not real springy or anything. It does have… …metallic kind of noise to it. But, DAVID: This is the Apple Desktop Bus keyboard. As the name suggests, this was the first keyboard to use the new connector type, which allowed many devices, such as a mouse, to daisy-chain off the keyboard. This bus can actually be used with a converter like this one, to allow these older keyboards and mice to work on modern USB systems. This keyboard was originally introduced with the Apple IIgs. The keys themselves have a resemblance to the Apple IIc keyboard. 

This is a favorite among collectors, and also uses old-fashioned mechanical switches like this -- This is also the first keyboard to include the power button.

The Caps Lock is in an odd place, most likely following the design of the Apple IIe series. This also includes the strange arrow key arrangement that was also standard on the Apple IIe. I know it sound weird, but I don’t think I like the way it sounds. I do like how the key travel is a little --  shallow. That’s a real tiny spacebar. I don’t like this at all, it’s like the keys don’t even pop back up. I do like the little -- The little locator tabs on D and K. Were back to the weird arrow configuration. Were back to the big mysterious button. This keyboard I like.

The ergonomics are really good. I like the feel of the keys. I like the shape. DAVID: So, this is Apples second ADB Keyboard. Its bit larger than the original. It still has the large power button, and it still has the crazy arrow keys. And the Caps Lock is still in a weird place. It also has no adjustable feet on it, and like the last version, it has the two ADB ports -- one goes to the computer, and the other goes to a mouse. One of the first things I noticed is that the spacebar is a little shorter.  

This is okay. I can live with this, but, again, the arrow -- I-I couldn’t live with that. The first thing I noticed is definitely the arrows. I would never be able to play Tetris like that. I also see that Caps Lock has been moved down here. Still locking, that’s good. But the Caps Lock is down here…and CTRL is there -- oh, how strange is that? It’s like, switched!

I do like, what I would call, the Enter plate. That’s kind of cool. Kind of easy to hit. DAVID: So, this is what came out next, and it’s a little more refined. It still has a power button, the ESC key is in a bizarre place, but at least the Caps Lock is finally in the normal place. Also, it finally has adjustable feet on the bottom. This is Apples first keyboard to use the membrane style mechanism, rather than individual mechanical switches. So, the keys feel and sound very different. And as always, it has an ADB connector on each side.

Unfortunately, it still had the strange arrow keys. Yep. Same thing with this. Oh, the Caps Lock is in the right spot. That’s kind cool. Kind of brings back some memories. Makes me want to…go out and buy one. Not too crazy about the... horizontal arrows that would -- make it a little that difficult to navigate. The only thing with this keyboard is that the keys are a little mushy. 

You don’t quite know -- when you’ve pressed it. Very . Very clunky. The arrow keys are -- But if I tried to do that without looking, I would definitely mess that up. DAVID: Okay, so this is a bit of an unusual keyboard; it opens up to form an ergonomic keyboard. The arrow keys are somewhat better, but still out of place. This is also the first Apple keyboard to come with volume controls on it.

Notice a smaller power button, and it still has no function keys and a weird ESC key. The Caps Lock is finally in a light-up style, and you do get adjustable feet. As usual, you can connect the mouse to the keyboard, or optionally, you can connect this extra keypad that came with the keyboard, and then the mouse connects to the keypad. And finally, you do get an inverted T arrow key arrangement. And believe it or not, all these little buttons are the function keys. I have no idea what the purpose is behind this little plastic cover that comes off, and the keypad also has adjustable feet. Its monstrosity. I think this one’s supposed to split apart.

You don’t see anything like this very often. I think I’d have to hang myself with my belt if I had to use this. I like this keyboard. Because of its novelty. Well, surprisingly I could use it. Yeah. I was gonna say.  could use it like this, but I still, though -- Even if it didn’t split apart like this, it would actually it’s pretty bad. I like the way the keys feel. And that’s the ESC key?

They sort of switched up their arrows a little bit. You got up and down in the correct place, and side to side, they’re sort off. DAVID: Okay, so this was Apples more professional-style keyboard. It looks a lot like an IBM-style keyboard from that time period. It has a proper arrow key arrangement, and maybe the only Apple keyboard ever to have Print Screen and Scroll Lock buttons. It has a power button, and the Caps Lock button is in the right place, but the light is up at the top like a PC keyboard. This is also probably the first Apple keyboard with a permanently attached cable.

Notice it has this cable management system on the back so that you could move the cable to one side or the other. Also, the cable is unusually long -- measuring out to about 6½ feet. The mouse actually attaches to a weird hidden compartment on the bottom of the keyboard. And it also has adjustable feet. I have no clue what that’s for. Okay, inversed T for the arrows. For everything that you want on it, if it is big though. Really big. I can actually type on this one. Again, I don’t like the noise, but, I can at least use it.

But I like the arrows being like that, and -- - And the number pad?

Everything’s -- That’s normal. Normal, yeah.

Hey, guys, its David.

You know, with fact checking, or just information that needs to go in, cause often, you know, I need help sometimes just finding the information to make this stuff accurate and interesting. And so, I really look forward to having you guys help with it.

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