Who has a modern mechanical USB keyboard the feels like an AEK? Not interested in doing the ADB to USB thing.
Apple Extended Keyboard [AEK Numero Uno] - Great Keyboard? Or *Greatest* Keyboard?
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The ADK would be more palatible if they'd used the Mitsumi switches from the M0487 keyboards. Some are tolerable as I mentioned earlier, others are as bad as a M7803. The DataDesk keyboards, while decent for typing were ugly as sin. An IBM model M looks nicer. My chemistry instructor in college had two IIsi machines set up with the DataDesk boards. Whenever I used one of them, I swapped the A9M0330 that was on the IIgs in the chem lab to it. Felt much better.
Agreed. It's absurd next to a compact Mac… but I likes it. But also, I line up two or three of them and use a WootSwitch so it looks a little less out of place.
I enjoy the AEKs for the T arrows, mostly. I prefer the mechanism on the M0115 but both are nice as long as they are not rubber domes. If I'm pressed for space, my go to in the orange alps A9M0330. Absolutely nothing wrong with the M0116 though. Solid.
I haven't a lot of experience with modern mechanicals. I only have a Keychron QMax Q1 Gatreon Red switches. Love the sound and feel of it. Haven't tried using the Wombat to see how I like it.
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Matias makes mechanical keyboards with switches that feel very similar to the Alps ones in the AEK II. They've had some reliability issues, but I love my Ergo Pro with the "quiet click" switches.
No other keyboard can really exactly match the feel, since the original switches aren't made anymore and the keycaps have a unique profile. A little crazy, but I took the parts from a very dead AEK II and made an "Alps64" board to save on desk space with my SE.
I'm not a keyboard snob, and I'm fine with basically anything as long as it's not total mush, but I do have to admit that, after using an AEK II on my daily driver via a Drakware ADB to USB adapter, I do like it.
Then I spilled some liquid into it. Twice.
It still works, but I thought I'd set it aside and use a more-or-less disposable PC keyboard until i can get around to giving it a good clean.
And I agree with @Joopmac , that "Alps64" keyboard @cy384 put together looks so good, that Apple could've almost produced it in 1990!
It somewhat resembles the IIgs keyboard, actually, but smaller and without some of the extra keys (the IIgs KB had a numpad and arrow keys, I think? It's been awhile since I've looked at one, so I don't remember).
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Then I spilled some liquid into it. Twice.
It still works, but I thought I'd set it aside and use a more-or-less disposable PC keyboard until i can get around to giving it a good clean.
And I agree with @Joopmac , that "Alps64" keyboard @cy384 put together looks so good, that Apple could've almost produced it in 1990!
It somewhat resembles the IIgs keyboard, actually, but smaller and without some of the extra keys (the IIgs KB had a numpad and arrow keys, I think? It's been awhile since I've looked at one, so I don't remember).
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The M0116 is obviously the correct answer. Orange alps, not full sized. Perfection. Stop looking at the arrow keys!
Yup. Agreed there.
Original AEK is the best to me. Had one...sold it, missed it, just bought another.
I grew up using a typewriter. I still miss appropriate tactile feedback of the Caps Lock key on every keyboard that came after the AK/AEK II. That is why I never picked an ADK. My favourites are Apple's Keyboard II (for excellent looks with a reasonable footprint) and Extended Keyboard II (for typing, also as a reliable tool to dismantle inferior computer peripherals). Modern ADB to USB interface adaptors rock. Would love to use a black AK II with QWERTZ layout. I do have a super rare original NeXT ADB-Keyboard with QWERTZ layout in the same size, pristine condition, and actually all keys working properly. Wanna swap, anyone?
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