AppleDesign Keyboard: Worst Keyboard Ever?

[sadmanonatrain]

Hello all,

What do you think of the AppleDesign Keyboard?

I first used one with a Performa 5200 and it is was such a disappointment; it was a large step down from the Extended Keyboard I/II.

Typing on one was an unusual experience as the membrane (Alps?) was very spongy with a high key travel. I was like prodding a firm pillow!

Mine met an untimely fate I cut off its ADB cable and dumped it into a skip!

What experiences have you had with this keyboard?

 

[uniserver]

Yep, i'm not a fan of the ADK

very cheap

 

[Trash80toHP_Mini]

Duo.

 

[techknight]

This may sound weird, I like the appledesign, My favorite keyboard as I like the high keytravel. I dont like the EKII for some reason. Yes its cheaper, But eh...

 

[CelGen]

A keyboard is a keyboard.

 

[techknight]

eh... If you insist... But yea the PB Duo is pretty bad...

 

[commodorejohn]

Ever is a pretty stark qualifier; try some of the dreaded "chiclet keyboards" on, say, the TRS-80 CoCo or the IBM PCjr, or worse yet, the vile little membrane keyboards of the cheapest-of-the-cheapest "home computers" like the Magnavox Odyssey² or the Timex-Sinclair 1000, and the AppleDesign will feel like blessed, luxurious relief by comparison. But yeah, compared to the awesomeness that was the Extended Keyboard II (second only to the IBM Model M for hands-down best keyboard I've ever used,) it really was quite a step down.

 

[Trash80toHP_Mini]

The AppleDesign is usable, not horrlble and for the most part it has aged better than many Apple KBDs . . .

. . . like that awful Adjustable, neither of mine has reliable keswitching any longer.

It's time for an Alps or Cherry driven Apple Adjustable Redux in this collector's domain. [}] ]'>

 

[MacJunky]

compared to the awesomeness that was the Extended Keyboard II (second only to the IBM Model M for hands-down best keyboard I've ever used,)

I would actually say as far as keyswitches gobest to worst)

IBM Model F

IBM Model M

Cherry MX green&blue

generic buckling spring knockoffs

Alps

rubberdome boards

I have had the fortune of not being forced to use some of the worst keyboards out there.. but my old Apple USB keyboards and the one in my AIIc have certainly not worn out gracefully and are horrid to type on.

 

[LCGuy]

I've got a fleet of AppleDesign Keyboards. It should be known that there are two different flavours:

- The older type, which I believe is from around 1994 - 1996ish. This one actually has quite a nice feel to it and doesn't have a recessed part of the caps lock key. All but one of mine are these, and I like them.

- The newer type, which I believe is from around 1997 - 1998ish. This one has a recessed part of the caps lock key next to the 'a' key, and feels a lot cheaper than the older type. I have one of these and aren't the biggest fan of it.

That said...there's much, much worse keyboards. Including most newer keyboards that come bundled with PCs.

 

[Scott Baret]

Check the place of manufacture. Mexican-built keyboards of any variety (in the Apple lineup) are notoriously mushy. I've noticed this with both the AppleDesign and Apple Keyboard II. Look for one built in Malaysia and your experience will be better.

However--the worst keyboard ever title goes to the ones AST used with their Advantage computers in the mid-90s. It makes even the worst example of a Mexican AppleDesign tolerable.

 

[techknight]

my Appledesign keyboard is from Thailand.

 

[Dimitris1980]

I have one Apple Design Keyboard which i got it with a powermac 7500. For me it is nothing special. Just a simple keyboard that you can do your job. I wanted sth better and i got the Apple M3501 keyboard. It is one of the best keyboards i have ever worked.

 

[Trash80toHP_Mini]

I haven't had a single AppleDesign KBD break down to date, whereas my AEK2 needs work and both Apple Adjustable KBDs are unusable, being notoriously unreliable to begin with for that matter.

Gotta love that long, uncoiled ADB cord on the ADK. Faint praise issues aside, if it had ADB ports on both ends, ADK would be of the best of the Dome Switch KBDs I've ever used. The center mount pass thru sometimes makes the Rodent's tail a bit too short.

 

[Charlieman]

As MacJunky wrote, Apple's USB keyboards are much worse than the AppleDesign. All the G3 era kbs that I used on a daily basis succumbed to dead keys (intermittent operation rather than complete failure).

HP make reasonably budget keyboards (PS2 and USB) to accompany their business class PCs. The kbs have a rigid frame giving them a pleasant feel. They do not match the IBM or Apple aircraft carrier models but are "good enough".

 

[ovalking]

It seems like the ADK was made in many places.

I have a 1996 one from Thailand. This one is used regularly and is quite nice for typing.

Also, a 1994 one of unspecified origin. Nasty to type on, and several of the keypad keys require a hefty stab to work. This came supplied with a P475 when new.

And at work, another 1994, this one from Czech Rep. Not used much, so won't comment on performance.

All 3 of these have the stepped Caps Lock.

I like the Exteneded II for typing but the footprint's a bit big for some desks.

I have several 'Apple Keyboards' (first supplied with SE I recall). I quite like these and use them regularly but am finding increasing problems with keys physically sticking down.

The Apple Keyboard II is another. I like the indented ADB sockets, but this is not so great for typing, and the esc key is not in the right place.

I like the design of the USB keyboard (first supplied with iMac) - compact, yet lots of keys. But again, not great for typing.

I recently got a Pro Keyboard. Not tried it yet, but the lack of power key is annoying.

Another thing about the USB keyboards - the dimples are in the wrong place (F&J instead of D&K). Annoying for a long time ADB touch typist.

 

[NJRoadfan]

The dimples are usually on F and J. Apple was "different" from everyone else.

I checked and found that I actually have both variants of the ADK. The newer one with the stepped caps lock key is noticeably worse. Deskthority has photos of both varients. Chances are the Alps Electronics one without sliders is the mushy version.

http://deskthority.net/wiki/AppleDesign_Keyboard

The AEKII is still my preferred ADB keyboard, although the Apple IIgs keyboard is nice as well.

 

[ovalking]

>http://deskthority.net/wiki/AppleDesign_Keyboard

Ah, that helps with the identification.

>I have a 1996 one from Thailand. This one is used regularly and is quite nice for typing.

This is white between the keys and 8 screws on the bottom, so assume NMB type.

>Also, a 1994 one of unspecified origin. Nasty to type on, and several of the keypad keys require a hefty stab to work. This came supplied with a P475 when new.

>And at work, another 1994, this one from Czech Rep. Not used much, so won't comment on performance.

These are black between the keys and 2 screws, so assume ALPS type.