Apple Apple USB Keyboard (1998)

Apple USB Keyboard (1998)

Released August 1998

The original iMac's wired USB keyboard, with a numeric keypad, a computer power key and two ports for USB accessories.

Layout: Full size
Switches: Membrane
Backlight: None
Battery: –
Connects by: Cable
Weight: –

Specifications

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Typing

Layout: Full size
Switches: Membrane
Backlight: None
Keys labelled for: Mac
Touch ID: No
Switches: Rubber dome over membrane, identified by Deskthority.
Layouts: Apple documented ANSI, ISO and JIS variants. The photographed Bondi Blue example has an ISO layout.
Special keys: Apple documented 82 keys, including 12 function keys, a numeric keypad and four inverted-T arrow keys; a power key could turn on the iMac.

Connections and battery

Connects by: Cable
Power: Cable
Works with: Designed for the 1998 iMac's USB ports; Apple's developer note says other USB keyboards could be used with the computer.

Design

Materials: Translucent Bondi Blue plastic casing with black keys on the original iMac version, documented by Museums Victoria.
Colours: Bondi Blue on the original iMac version; later iMac versions had other matching colours.
In the box: Supplied with the original 1998 iMac, according to Apple's iMac specification sheet.

Pros and cons

Pros

Numeric keypad and separate arrow keys
Two USB ports for low-power peripherals
Keyboard power key can turn on the original iMac

Cons

No separate full-size navigation cluster
No backlight or wireless connection

Closest rivals

Model	Layout	Switches	Backlight	Battery	Connects by	Weight	Released
AppleApple Pro Keyboard (2000)	Full size	Membrane	None	–	Cable	–	Jul 2000
AppleAppleDesign Keyboard	Full size	Membrane	None	–	Cable	1200 g	Apr 1994
AppleApple Keyboard (2003)	Full size	Membrane	None	–	Cable	–	May 2003

Newer model: Apple Pro Keyboard (2000).

Sources

Photo: collections.museumsvictoria.com.au

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