Found a nice Apple Extended Keyboard at a local junk shop today!

Huxley · Dec 9, 2022

No crazy story here, but still: Stopped into my favorite local junk store while I was out running errands today, and I snagged an Apple Extended Keyboard, one of the greatest mechanical keyboards ever made along with a classic Apple mouse. The keyboard needs a little cleanup but otherwise looks totally solid. I've been a longtime fan / advocate for the later Apple Extended Keyboard II, but a lot of folks swear that this earlier version is actually superior, so I'm excited that I'll now get to do my own vintage-mechanical-keyboard-bakeoff!

Huxley

Juror22 · Dec 9, 2022

That is terrific! Great find (and price!) and you're right, a superior keyboard - you'll see.

croissantking · Dec 9, 2022

Juror22 said:
That is terrific! Great find (and price!) and you're right, a superior keyboard - you'll see.

Curious but how comes its better than the II?

olePigeon · Dec 9, 2022

@croissantking It's just personal preference. The original AEK used clicky Alps SKCM switches. The AEKII was a tiny bit smaller, and while some the early keyboards still had clicky switches, Apple had eventually switched over to the more quiet Alps SKCL switches. Linear or clicky, they're both fantastic keyboards, but a lot of people (myself included) prefer the clicky kind.

It's just so satisfying.

Huxley · Dec 9, 2022

Thanks guys! Given the different switches, I might do a side-by-side comparison video using my good microphone - would be a fun addition to my retro-tech YouTube channel!

Huxley

croissantking · Dec 9, 2022

I used to have an AEKII but I (foolishly) threw it away. I'd fancy one of the original ones now (I never used the height adjustment) but they seem less common.

joshc · Dec 9, 2022

Nice find. The height adjustment on the AEKII is prone to becoming a bit stiff/unreliable. I’d love an AEK but have yet to find one.

rollmastr · Dec 10, 2022

joshc said:
The height adjustment on the AEKII is prone to becoming a bit stiff/unreliable.

Easily fixed by a good clean.

joshc · Dec 10, 2022

rollmastr said:
Easily fixed by a good clean.

Is it? Never managed to get one working well and I’ve been through a lot of those keyboards. What’s the secret?

rollmastr · Dec 10, 2022

Disassemble, soak in soapy water, scrub, dry, reassemble. Both of my AEK IIs were completely seized up and the mechanism works like new again after that treatment.

macinbot · Dec 10, 2022

Huxley said:
... my retro-tech YouTube channel!

Subscribed!

rollmastr said:
Disassemble, soak in soapy water, scrub, dry, reassemble. Both of my AEK IIs were completely seized up and the mechanism works like new again after that treatment.

All of this, plus I rinse everything again with isopropyl alcohol (and also use an electronics grade blower to dry everything out). And lube the switches after washing!

macinbot · Dec 10, 2022

Huxley said:
... my retro-tech YouTube channel!

Subscribed!

rollmastr said:
Disassemble, soak in soapy water, scrub, dry, reassemble. Both of my AEK IIs were completely seized up and the mechanism works like new again after that treatment.

I add in an isopropyl alcohol rinse for circuit boards and electronics after the wash and rinse. Helps release the water. Also use an electronics rate air blower to flush liquid out, but not strictly necessary.

And lube switches.

Found a nice Apple Extended Keyboard at a local junk shop today!

Huxley

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Juror22

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croissantking

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olePigeon

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Huxley

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rollmastr

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