The Apple Extended Keyboard (AEK, model M0115) is a keyboard that was first sold separately alongside the

Macintosh II The Macintosh II is a personal computer designed, manufactured, and sold by Apple Computer from March 1987 to January 1990. Based on the Motorola 68020 32-bit CPU, it is the first Macintosh supporting color graphics. When introduced, a basic s ...

and SE starting in 1987. It was replaced in 1990 by the Apple Extended Keyboard II (AEKII, model M3501) which was pre-packaged with Apple Professional Desktops starting with the

Macintosh IIsi The Macintosh IIsi is a personal computer designed, manufactured and sold by Apple Computer, Inc. from October 1990 to March 1993. Introduced as a lower-cost alternative to the other Macintosh II family of desktop models, it was popular for hom ...

. Both versions were very similar, differing primarily with the addition of adjustable height legs in the AEKII and other minor changes. Both used

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 connec ...

(ADB) to connect to the host computer, with ports on either side to allow

daisy chain Daisy chain may refer to: * Daisy chain, a garland created from daisy flowers * Daisy chain (climbing), a type of strap * Daisy chain (electrical engineering), a wiring scheme * Daisy chain (fishing), a type of fishing lure * Daisy chain (kno ...

ing of another input device, typically a

computer mouse A computer mouse (plural mice, sometimes mouses) is a hand-held pointing device that detects two-dimensional motion relative to a surface. This motion is typically translated into the motion of a pointer on a display, which allows a smooth ...

trackball A trackball is a pointing device consisting of a ball held by a socket containing sensors to detect a rotation of the ball about two axes—like an upside-down ball mouse with an exposed protruding ball. Users roll the ball to position the on ...

. In 1994, Apple would begin shipping the AppleDesign Keyboard (M2980) which featured only one ADB port and which used rubber dome switches rather than Alps Electric switches. This, in turn, led to a market for 3rd party keyboards that replicate some of the AEK feel, with Matias' line of Tactile Pro and Quiet Pro keyboards perhaps being the most notable.

Unique features

Among the features that make this keyboard unique are: * A separate

power key The power key, or power button, is a key found on many computer keyboards during the 1980s and into the early 2000s. They were introduced on the first Apple Desktop Bus keyboards in the 1980s and have been a standard feature of many Macintosh k ...

using a different key cap. * Caps Lock Key that physically locks down when activated * Alps Electric Co. brand mechanical key switches * Large spacing between keys, especially the top function keys and others. * The width of the keyboard matches the width of the

. * The height allows it to fit under the "chin" of the

Macintosh SE The Macintosh SE is a personal computer designed, manufactured, and sold by Apple Computer, from March 1987 to October 1990. It marked a significant improvement on the Macintosh Plus design and was introduced by Apple at the same time as the Mac ...

. * Two small cylinders project vertically from the top of the keyboard on either side of the

function keys 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, funct ...

. These were used to hold templates with application-specific key guides.

Design

The original Apple Extended Keyboard's case was sloped upward towards the rear so that when viewed from the side it formed a continuous convex curve. The case extended downward to sit on the desk, so it provided considerable internal volume. The case also had a significant amount of empty space at the rear, behind the top row of keys. This made for a relatively large and heavy case. The plastic of the case shell below the keyboard section on top was serrated, a common detail found on many Apple products of the era. Unlike previous Macintosh keyboards, the key layout was very similar to the

IBM PC AT The IBM Personal Computer/AT (model 5170, abbreviated as IBM AT or PC/AT) was released in 1984 as the fourth model in the IBM Personal Computer line, following the IBM PC/XT and its IBM Portable PC variant. It was designed around the Intel 80 ...

's keyboard, in order to improve usability of

MS-DOS MS-DOS ( ; acronym for Microsoft Disk Operating System, also known as Microsoft DOS) is an operating system for x86-based personal computers mostly developed by Microsoft. Collectively, MS-DOS, its rebranding as IBM PC DOS, and a few oper ...

programs (run via emulation or coprocessor board). The II used an updated design that looked like a backward S when viewed from the side, starting relatively flat to the surface, sloping upward through the section where the keys were situated, and then flattening out again at the back where the function keys were placed. The case did not extend down under the keyboard as much, instead, it was raised off the desk by an adjustable foot at the back. This design was lighter than the original at but otherwise similar in size. The design patent for the Extended Keyboard II (D335,228) was filed on November 15, 1990. In 1988 Apple Ireland commissioned Design ID, an industrial design consultancy based in Limerick, to assist with the development of the Extended Keyboard II. Original concepts were by Bryan Leech and Peter Sheehan. For the final proposal quieter key mechanisms were sourced, tested and specified, an adjustable foot was incorporated in the base and the keys were positioned to conform to European ergonomic standards. The ‘S curve profile’ matched the curving terraced key layout and was central to delivering the ergonomic improvements - aesthetics and function in a simple visual gesture. The first working prototype of the Extended Keyboard II was produced at Design ID by Richard Howe, Donal Ryan and John Fitzgerald.

Steven Peart Stephen or Steven is a common English first name. It is particularly significant to Christians, as it belonged to Saint Stephen ( grc-gre, Στέφανος ), an early disciple and deacon who, according to the Book of Acts, was stoned to death; h ...

of frogdesign was responsible for supplementary industrial design work and DFMA ( Design for Manufacture and Assembly). Dexter Francis (Apple Peripheral Products Group) was the Apple in-house project lead/product designer.

References

A Tale of Two Keyboards: Apple Extended Keyboard II vs IBM Model M

Has ‘the Best Keyboard Apple Ever Made’ Been Resurrected?

External links

The Legendary Apple Extended Keyboard (Lowendmac.com)
{{Apple hardware before 1998 Macintosh keyboards Computer-related introductions in 1990

Unique features

Design

See also

References

External links