Apple Keyboards

A significant portion of Apple keyboards were manufactured by Alps Electric. However, after the Apple Extended Keyboard II (M3501), Apple instead started shipping keyboards with either rubber dome or hybrid switch designs. These rubber dome keyboard were replaced with scissor switch keyboards which were virtually identical in design to the switches used in many MacBook-series laptops.

Alps-produced Apple Keyboards

​Apple part no. M0110, M0120 and M0110a

The Apple M0110 keyboard was introduced and shipped with the original Macintosh in 1984. Unlike many other keyboards at the time, the keyboard lacked any kind of arrow keys, as Steve Jobs believed that the mouse would be used for all navigation on the Macintosh. It also lacked a numeric keypad, which was sold separately as the Apple M0120. Like other numeric keypads on other keyboards, it included arrow keys, but they were arranged in a different format than the typical "diamond" shape featured on most keyboards at the time. The later M0110a integrated the numeric keypad into the main keyboard and added arrow keys to the keyboard. 

​All three keyboards featured Alps SKCC Tall Cream switches unique to these three boards, but M0110a keyboards manufactured in Japan or Malaysia featured Mitsumi Standard Mechanical switches. All three boards feature a latching switch for the caps lock key.

​Apple Desktop Bus Keyboard

The Apple Desktop Bus Keyboard (A9M0330) featured a significantly different layout and profile from all three of the original Macintosh keyboards. This keyboard introduced a new "snow white" design language. Alps-made keyboards feature dye-sublimated PBT keycaps and Alps SKCM Orange switches, with an Alps SKCL lock switch for the caps-lock key. Many aspects of the layout, including the placement of the CONTROL key and the L-shaped enter key, bear resemblance to the layout of the IBM Model F AT.

 Unlike the previous Macintosh keyboards which used an RJ11 telephone cable, the Apple Desktop Bus Keyboard, as the name implies, used the proprietary Apple Desktop Bus interface (ADB). This interface differed from the more common DIN connector at the time, as it allowed for daisy-chaining of different devices, making it possible to connect an ADB mouse to the computer through an ADB keyboard. The connector is identical to that of the S-video connector and the S-video capable is fully compatible with all Apple keyboards featuring an ADB interface.

​Apple Standard Keyboard and Apple Extended Keyboards

The Apple Standard Keyboard (M0116) was introduced in 1987 and offered a sturdier design compared to previous models. It featured an identical layout to the Apple Desktop Bus Keyboard, but was also offered in other layouts for different localizations, including a variant with an ISO-style layout, the M0118, and an Arabic version in the form of the M0117. These keyboards featured Alps SKCM orange or SKCM salmon switches with an Alps SKCL lock switch for the caps-lock key.

​The Apple Extended Keyboards featured a layout nearly identical to that of the IBM Model M, but included to "command" keys and a power button next to the navigation light cluster. The first member of the family, the M0115, featured a "swooping curve" case design, and the second member of the family, the M3501, featured a "wave" case design and also included an adjustable foot, which was managed via a slider on the back of the case. Unlike tradiitonal flip-out feet on other keyboards, this slider allowed for customization of the angle of the keyboard. M0115 keyboards featured Alps SKCM orange and SKCM salmon switches. Very early M3501 keyboards featured SKCM salmon switches, but the vast majority of M3501 keyboards featured either Alps SKCM Cream Dampened or Alps SKCM White Dampened. These tactile switches featured dampeners integrated into the slider design, aiding in silencing both the downstroke and upstroke of the keypress.

​Rubber Dome Keyboards and Hybrid Design

Apple Adjustable Keyboard (M1242)

Introduced in 1993 as an ergonomic option using Alps SKFL switches, the keyboard featured an adjustable "split" mode which allowed the user to choose what angle to type at, along with accompanying palmrests which could be clipped on. The keyboard was criticized for its flimsy construction and lower-quality switches.

​Newton Keyboard (X0044)

Released in the mid-1990s for the Apple Newton, providing an alternative input method to handwriting recognition.

​AppleDesign Keyboard (M2980)

A major redesign featuring curving lines to match Apple's new product style. This keyboard succeeded the Apple Extended Keyboard II, and featured various rubber dome designs, including NMB dome with slider switches.

​Twentieth Anniversary Macintosh Keyboard (M3459)

Bundled with the Twentieth Anniversary Macintosh in 1997, it featured a PowerBook-like form factor and was the last ADB keyboard produced by Apple.

Apple USB Keyboard (M2452)

Released with the iMac in 1998, it became the standard for Macintosh models, featuring translucent plastics (uncharacteristic of Apple normally) and an integrated keypad.

​Our Opinion and Take on Apple's Keyboards

For us, it's difficult to assess how much Apple’s keyboards contributed to the popularity of its devices as a whole. Many argue that its reputation as *the* flagship computer maker and the connectivity across iPhones and Macs have made it so that the quality of the keyboard does not greatly impact the success of the product with regard to the company’s profits.

 However, there are a few areas in which Apple undoubtedly shines through on their input devices. For one, they have made numerous ventures into improving the UX of their keyboard design, sometimes in unorthodox ways. The introduction of features like adjustable height (as seen in the Apple Extended Keyboard II) and ergonomic layouts (as seen in the Apple Adjustable Keyboard) reflects an awareness of the importance of user comfort and health. While much of this experimentation isn’t present in current models, they pioneered the development of the more eccentric ergonomic 3rd party keyboard designs we see today.

​Beyond this, Apple boasts an admirable attention to their keyboard’s aesthetic quality. From the beige, utilitarian designs of early models to the sleek, aluminum enclosures of later iterations, Apple keyboards have consistently reflected the company's design ethos of simplicity, elegance, and minimalism. Their early adoption of wireless connectivity via Bluetooth also helped set the stage for a new era of decluttered desktop workstations, heightening the appeal of the company’s simple, clean design that so many other tech players have attempted to emulate.

 Recent Controversies and Issues

This being said, a few notable issues regarding the Apple keyboards have cropped up over time. These include:

 Butterfly Mechanism Problems: The butterfly mechanism used in some MacBook keyboards was criticized for being prone to failure due to issues like dust ingress, leading to stuck or unresponsive keys. Apple faced several lawsuits and eventually redesigned the keyboard.

1. Lack of Repairability: Many of Apple's keyboards, especially those in laptops, have been criticized for being difficult to repair or replace. The tightly integrated design often requires extensive disassembly, and some components are glued in place, making DIY repairs challenging.

2. Key Travel and Tactile Feedback: Some users have expressed dissatisfaction with the shallow key travel and lack of tactile feedback in Apple's chiclet and butterfly keyboards, preferring the feel of traditional mechanical keyboards.

3. Price: Apple keyboards, especially wireless and Magic Keyboard variants, are often priced at a premium compared to third-party alternatives, which can be a point of contention for budget-conscious consumers.