Apple Apple Keyboard (M0116) vs Apple Apple Keyboard II

Every spec side by side, from each maker's published figures.

Better figure, where one is clearly better

Apple Keyboard (M0116) compared with Apple Keyboard II
AppleApple Keyboard (M0116)AppleApple Keyboard II
Overview
Released19871990
Typing
LayoutFull sizeFull size
SwitchesMechanicalMembrane
BacklightNoneNone
Keys labelled forMacMac
Touch ID–No
SwitchesMechanical Alps switches; Deskthority's exact-model inspection documents tactile SKCM Orange and Salmon production variants and a mechanically locking SKCL Caps Lock switch. Switch variants and language layouts are not separate hardware generations.Deskthority documents Mitsumi rubber-over-membrane and SMK spring-over-membrane variants of model M0487.
Key travelExact-model key travel and actuation force are not published in the recovered maker documents and remain omitted.–
KeycapsDeskthority documents dye-sublimated PBT keycaps with an ABS space bar; these material identifications come from specialist inspection, not Apple's product sheet. The legends use Apple's bottom-left italic layout.–
LayoutsApple's March 1987 product sheet lists 81 keys, including the numeric pad and four cursor-control keys. The pictured US M0116 has a large Return key, Control to the left of A and Caps Lock at the lower-left corner. The related international M0118 layout moves these keys; it is a language-layout option, not a different generation.Apple's M0487 specification lists 81 keys, including an 18-key numeric keypad and four cursor keys.
Special keysEscape, Control, Command, Option, locking Caps Lock and a separate power key. The four arrow keys sit in one row below the right Shift key; there is no F-key row. Apple's hardware reference explicitly distinguishes this keyboard from the larger Apple Extended Keyboard.Apple explains that Caps Lock and Control moved relative to the preceding M0116, while the space bar became longer.
Connections and battery
Connects byCableCable
PowerCableCable
ReceiverDetachable Apple Desktop Bus cable and two bidirectional ADB ports; either port connects upstream, with the other able to connect a mouse or another compatible input device. ADB is different from both USB and the earlier Macintosh Plus keyboard's synchronous serial port.Detachable 1 m Apple Desktop Bus cable; Deskthority identifies two bidirectional ADB ports.
Battery life detailPowered over the ADB connection; no battery is required. A keyboard-only current requirement was not recovered and remains unpublished.–
Works withApple's product sheet specifies any Apple personal computer with an ADB interface and names the Macintosh SE and Macintosh II. Modern computers require a suitable separate ADB converter; none is included here.Any Apple computer with an ADB interface, according to Apple's specification; Apple says it shipped with the Macintosh Classic and LC.
SoftwareApple's product sheet advertises a separately packaged remapping desk accessory for assigning menu commands or text strings to a key or combination; it is not listed among the keyboard's supplied items.–
Design
Weight1000 g890 g (better)
Width × depth × height418 × 142 × 44.5 mm405 × 151 × 32.5 mm
SizeApple's exact M0116 product sheet gives width 418 mm, depth 142 mm, height 44.5 mm and weight 1 kg. Third-party measurements of surviving examples are not substituted for the maker's figures.–
MaterialsSeparate moulded enclosure, mechanical switch board and individual keycaps, visible in the original product photograph and specialist exact-model inspection.Beige plastic housing with two rear tilt legs.
ColoursThe recovered original maker product photograph is monochrome; an exact factory colour description was not recovered.Beige.
In the boxApple Keyboard and cable, referral card and limited warranty statement in Apple's M0116 order list; the computer and mouse are separate. Apple's March 1987 price list introduces the keyboard without a future availability note, while April 1987 University of Minnesota ordering information names the M0116 in available Macintosh SE configurations. An exact first-sale month or day is not established, so year precision is retained.Apple's M0487LL/A packing list includes the keyboard, 1 m ADB cable, instruction sheet and warranty card.

More comparisons