The Apple Adjustable Keyboard is an

ergonomic keyboard An ergonomic keyboard is a computer keyboard designed with ergonomic considerations to minimize muscle strain, fatigue, and other problems. Features The common QWERTY keyboard layout is credited to the mechanical typewriter designed by C. Latham ...

introduced by Apple Computer, Inc. in 1993 for the

Macintosh The Mac (known as Macintosh until 1999) is a family of personal computers designed and marketed by Apple Inc. Macs are known for their ease of use and minimalist designs, and are popular among students, creative professionals, and software en ...

family of

personal computer A personal computer (PC) is a multi-purpose microcomputer whose size, capabilities, and price make it feasible for individual use. Personal computers are intended to be operated directly by an end user, rather than by a computer expert or tec ...

s. The keyboard attaches to the computer via the

Apple Desktop Bus Apple Desktop Bus (ADB) is a proprietary bit-serial peripheral bus connecting low-speed devices to computers. It was introduced on the Apple IIGS in 1986 as a way to support low-cost devices like keyboards and mice, allowing them to be connecte ...

port. The last Apple computer released compatible with this keyboard without using a USB to ADB adapter was the Power Macintosh G3 (Blue and White), as it was the last one with the Apple Desktop Bus. The Apple Adjustable Keyboard came with contoured plastic wrist rests, and a separate

keypad A keypad is a block or pad of buttons set with an arrangement of digits, symbols, or alphabetical letters. Pads mostly containing numbers and used with computers are numeric keypads. Keypads are found on devices which require mainly numeric in ...

with

function key A function key is a key on a computer or terminal keyboard that can be programmed so as to cause an operating system command interpreter or application program to perform certain actions, a form of soft key. On some keyboards/computers, function ...

s and arrow keys. This was the third and last time Apple offered a separate

numeric keypad A numeric keypad, number pad, numpad, or ten key, is the palm-sized, usually-17-key section of a standard computer keyboard, usually on the far right. It provides calculator-style efficiency for entering numbers. The idea of a 10-key nu ...

. Unlike its predecessors, it was not sold separately. The keyboard also included volume buttons and a record button on the right side of the keyboard. It was hinged at the top, allowing the user to adjust the angle between the right and left sides of the keyboard. The split came between the key pairs: 5/6, T/Y, G/H, and B/N. The space bar floated midway between the two parts. The keyboard uses

Alps SKFS The Alps () ; german: Alpen ; it, Alpi ; rm, Alps ; sl, Alpe . are the highest and most extensive mountain range system that lies entirely in Europe, stretching approximately across seven Alpine countries (from west to east): France, Swi ...

switches, which provide tactile feedback with a slightly "clicky" feel. Apple Adjustable Keyboard With Key Switch Exposed

References

External links

Apple Adjustable Keyboard Service parts
at Sun Remarketing
Apple Adjustable Keyboard
TidBITS article
Apple Adjustable Keyboard keymap diagrams

Apple Sued For Ergonomic Keyboard
TidBITS article

{{Apple hardware before 1998 Macintosh keyboards Computer-related introductions in 1993

See also

References

External links