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geekhack Community => Keyboards => Topic started by: legodt on Sat, 14 September 2013, 00:51:22

Title: I just found an AppleDesign Keyboard with NMB sliders
Post by: legodt on Sat, 14 September 2013, 00:51:22

What are NMB sliders like compared to other switches? Are they worth using or are they just junky rubberdomes with a sleek package? Is it worth cleaning this keyboard for daily use over my cherry brown board? How the heck would I convert this weird deprecated apple connector to USB?

Title: Re: I just found an AppleDesign Keyboard with NMB sliders
Post by: terran5992 on Sat, 14 September 2013, 02:42:43

Id say its better than a rubber dome.

Perhaps you could get an adapter ?

Title: Re: I just found an AppleDesign Keyboard with NMB sliders
Post by: Findecanor on Sat, 14 September 2013, 03:07:01

They are rubber domes (http://deskthority.net/wiki/AppleDesign_Keyboard#Gallery).

Title: Re: I just found an AppleDesign Keyboard with NMB sliders
Post by: fohat.digs on Sat, 14 September 2013, 08:42:56

The ADB cable requires a converter like the Griffin iMate.

My experience is that Design keyboards with detached cables have nice Alps-compatible keys, and the ones with attached cables do not.

If they do, keep the caps and throw the board away.

Title: Re: I just found an AppleDesign Keyboard with NMB sliders
Post by: Daniel Beardsmore on Sat, 14 September 2013, 09:47:33

http://deskthority.net/wiki/AppleDesign_Keyboard — detailed shots of both the Alps and NMB versions.

Both of mine (one Alps, one NMB) have attached cables with a routing channel that I only just spotted. The switches suck, and the keycaps are of no use for anything.

I don't know of one with a separate cable — got a reference for that?

Title: Re: I just found an AppleDesign Keyboard with NMB sliders
Post by: fohat.digs on Sat, 14 September 2013, 10:55:31

Quote from: Daniel Beardsmore on Sat, 14 September 2013, 09:47:33

I don't know of one with a separate cable — got a reference for that?

No, I just know that I bought a couple like that at junk stores, kept the caps, and tossed the boards.

I had bought at least one of the good ones before I bought one with attached cable - I did not bother pulling a cap until I got home. Since then, I have examined several and only found one more detachable cable/Alps-compatible.

Title: Re: I just found an AppleDesign Keyboard with NMB sliders
Post by: Daniel Beardsmore on Sat, 14 September 2013, 12:39:31

These ones with the detachable cable, were dome switches with Alps mount sliders?

Title: Re: I just found an AppleDesign Keyboard with NMB sliders
Post by: fohat.digs on Sat, 14 September 2013, 15:48:51

I believe so. It has been a while.

Title: Re: I just found an AppleDesign Keyboard with NMB sliders
Post by: legodt on Sat, 14 September 2013, 16:15:37

Thank you all for the info. Back into storage with this one!