Apple Apple Extended Keyboard vs Apple Macintosh Plus Keyboard (M0110A)

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Apple Extended Keyboard compared with Macintosh Plus Keyboard (M0110A)
AppleApple Extended KeyboardAppleMacintosh Plus Keyboard (M0110A)
Overview
Released1987January 1986
Typing
LayoutFull sizeFull size
SwitchesMechanicalMechanical
BacklightNoneNone
Keys labelled forMacMac
Touch IDNo–
SwitchesAlps SKCM Orange or Salmon mechanical switches in M0115 variants, identified by Deskthority.Apple's Technical Procedures identifies Alps and Mitsumi mechanical switch versions of the Macintosh Plus keyboard, with their own boards and non-interchangeable replacement switches. Deskthority's exact M0110A inspection also documents a Taiwan-made SMK switch variant; this is a production variant, not a separate keyboard generation. Caps Lock uses a mechanically locking switch.
Key travel–Exact-model key travel and actuation force were not recovered from the maker's published sources and remain omitted; figures from the earlier M0110 keyboard engineering specification are not transferred.
Keycaps–Individual keycaps and country-specific legends; Apple's service parts list distinguishes beige and smoke-coloured keycap sets. Legend production differs between switch variants, as documented by Deskthority; a single construction is not asserted for every M0110A.
LayoutsApple's July 1987 product sheet lists 105 keys, including a numeric pad, 15 function keys, six editing keys and inverted-T arrows.Apple's original Macintosh Plus specification sheet lists 78 keys for the US layout, software-mapped keys and two-key rollover. International and Japanese layouts are production configurations; the illustrated primary photograph shows the US layout, with its large Return key and separate numeric keypad.
Special keysF1–F15; the case marks F1–F4 for undo, cut, copy and paste, though Apple says these actions were not assigned by default.Built-in numeric keypad with Clear, arithmetic keys and Enter; four arrow keys, Command, Option and mechanically locking Caps Lock. No function row, Escape or Control keys. The keyboard's layout is distinct from later ADB models.
Connections and battery
Connects byCableCable
PowerCableCable
ReceiverApple Desktop Bus cable; Apple's product sheet says another ADB input device can be chained through the keyboard.Detachable four-wire cable with modular RJ-11-type connectors carrying ground, clock, data and +5 V. Apple's shared hardware reference describes a synchronous serial interface with the computer initiating communication. This is not ADB or USB, and an ordinary telephone cord is not a substitute for the correctly wired keyboard cable.
Battery life detail–Powered through the +5 V keyboard cable; no battery is required. A keyboard-only maximum current is not established by the recovered sources.
Works withAny Apple personal computer with an ADB interface, according to Apple; the product sheet names the Macintosh SE and II.Apple's hardware reference explicitly states compatibility with the Macintosh Plus and the earlier Macintosh 128K, 512K and 512K enhanced keyboard ports. Modern computers need a separate suitable protocol converter. Application support for the added keys is distinct from electrical compatibility.
Design
Weight1600 g1200 g (better)
Width × depth × height486 × 188 × 56.4 mm395.4 × 146 × 65 mm
Size–Apple's original press specification sheet gives width 395.4 mm, depth 146 mm, height 65 mm and weight 1.2 kg for the keyboard. Its later shared hardware reference rounds the width to 395 mm; the more precise original maker value is retained here.
MaterialsBeige plastic enclosure with fixed slope.Separate plastic top and bottom housing with individual mechanical switches and keycaps. Apple's service guide documents different switch boards and replacement housing parts rather than one uniform internal construction.
ColoursBeige.Beige and later platinum housing options are documented in Apple's service parts list. They are cosmetic configurations; the original press photograph is monochrome and does not establish a colour for the pictured unit.
In the boxApple's order list includes the keyboard and cable, referral card and limited warranty statement.Detachable keyboard and connection cable supplied with the Macintosh Plus. January 1986 availability follows Macworld's historical timeline stating Apple released the Macintosh Plus that month; 16 January's introduction is not asserted as an exact first-sale day. An exact separate keyboard retail date was not recovered.

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