Mac Plus keyboard and mouse options

[Spacerog]

eBay prices on Mac Plus keyboards are out of control not to mention the mice. Are there any other options? Less expensive sources? Was at VCF East this past weekend but no one had any.

I did find a PS2 to Mac Plus keyboard dongle by TinkerBoy but it's $50!

Open to suggestions.

 

[Frobozz]

I mean, it's not cheaper than eBay real keyboard mouse, but it does let you use any USB keyboard with your Mac or Lisa.

USB4VC: USB Inputs on Retro Computers! by dekuNukem on Tindie

USB Keyboard/Mouse/Gamepads on Vintage Computers!

www.tindie.com

Comes out to $100.96 for base board, old Mac board, Mac keyboard cable, Mac mouse cable. you bring usb mouse/keyboard.

 

[Frobozz]

I don't have one yet, but it's on my wishlist. As far as I know, they work just fine.

 

[cheesestraws]

wrt mice, how confident are you with hacking stuff about? The pre-ADB Mac mouse interface is just an ordinary quadrature mouse interface, of the kind that an awful lot of mice use internally (before they're converted into whatever other protocol is used). The quadrature interface is basically just the raw signals out of the IR sensors in an ordinary ball mouse or trackball. So, given a more modern pointing device, you may well be able to hack it. Here's an example I did on another forum (for a different computer that uses quadrature mice). This is probably the cheapest way of getting a functioning mouse if you are up for a bit of an experiment.

The deluxe option is @demik's Quack, which lets you use a bluetooth mouse, which is frankly just silly :-D

 

[jasonfortheworld]

I haven't found anything besides the tindie and Tinkerboy adapter. I was hunting for 3 sets of the keyboards and mice, and the best I was able to do was about $100 per set. Definitely sucks right now, but at least replacement cables aren't too expensive.

 

[Frobozz]

I see mice for $30. I saw one of those non-Apple pre-ADB keyboards for a sale a while ago, but not sure what it went for.

There was also an adapter from back in the day that let you use ADB keyboards/mice with your Plus/512/128, but I've never seen one except in magazine ads.

 

[nathall]

Somewhere, I have a 3rd party keyboard for the Plus. I don’t even remember the make. I’ll try to find it tomorrow and post a pic. It’s basically a PC-AT style keyboard, F keys and all, with a Plus connector.

 

[Spacerog]

Considering the popularity of build your own mechanical keyboards they has to be a market for a 'new' Mac Plus keyboard.

 

[Frobozz]

There is a new Mac 128 M0110 keyboard, but haven't seen a M0110a keyboard remake.

 

[s_pupp]

If you can find a MacPro Plus keyboard by Key Tronic, it will work with a Mac Plus, any Mac with an ADB port, and (with the help of a USB adapter like the BMOW Wombat or a Griffin iMate) a computer with a USB port.

 

[dv-]

Considering the popularity of build your own mechanical keyboards they has to be a market for a 'new' Mac Plus keyboard.

This is actually pretty doable but if you can find a “broken” Plus keyboard and steal the circuitry, it’s easier.

The main issue is that new switches and stuff don’t all line up perfectly with the holes on the board, so you end up needing some bits and pieces.

I bought a broken keyboard a while ago with the intention of converting it but I was able to fix it, so that’s on hold.