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geekhack Community => Keyboards => Topic started by: olivier.nyc on Fri, 15 November 2013, 01:07:29

Title: will this vintage keyboard work on a modern mac ?
Post by: olivier.nyc on Fri, 15 November 2013, 01:07:29
looking to buy the computer on ebay for $50 just to get the keyboard...
but will it be compatible with today's OSX & USB ?

I am not even sure what type of connector it is. Was USB even invented then ?  ;D

http://www.ebay.com/itm/VINTAGE-APPLE-MACINTOSH-M5011-SE-FDHD-DUAL-FLOPPIES-MOUSE-KEYBOARD-W-WRIST-RESTS-/131041692664?pt=US_Vintage_Computers_Mainframes&hash=item1e82b18bf8
Title: Re: will this vintage keyboard work on a modern mac ?
Post by: JoeUser on Fri, 15 November 2013, 01:31:34
This is the keyboard port used on the back of the Mac in question:

(http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/c/cb/Mac_lc_keyboard_port.jpg)

So the question is: Does YOUR Mac have this port? If not then no it won't work. Can't seem to find anything relating to old school Mac keyboard port to USB adapter either.

Sooo...yeah. I'm going to say this is a no-go. Don't take my word for it though, see what others have to say. I do know the Mac K/B port is NOT a PS/2 port...might be compatible though?
Title: Re: will this vintage keyboard work on a modern mac ?
Post by: olivier.nyc on Fri, 15 November 2013, 01:40:42
this is the logo for ADB. so it must be Apple Desktop Bus.

looks like something like iMate might work...

(http://griffintechnology.com/sites/default/files/imagecache/support_119x119/imate_med.jpg)

if anyone had any success with this, please share. thanks.
Title: Re: will this vintage keyboard work on a modern mac ?
Post by: JoeUser on Fri, 15 November 2013, 02:15:42
Yep, the iMate has the correct port...so maybe it'll work after all? With the adapter of course! :thumb:
Title: Re: will this vintage keyboard work on a modern mac ?
Post by: rowdy on Fri, 15 November 2013, 03:32:22
There is also this (http://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=14290.0).
Title: Re: will this vintage keyboard work on a modern mac ?
Post by: Hellmark on Fri, 15 November 2013, 08:02:11
If you get an ADB to USB adapter, it'll work just fine.