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geekhack Community => Keyboards => Topic started by: elservo on Sun, 18 April 2010, 15:05:29

Title: Just got an AEKII, Halp?
Post by: elservo on Sun, 18 April 2010, 15:05:29

Hey everybody, just went to a warehouse sale and got a free Apple Extended Keyboard II.  White Alps switches are under the keys and it's overall very solid and pleasant to use, but QUESTIONS!  

Got it for free because it didn't have a cord, plus I'm cute.  

My questions though are what do I need to get this to work on my MacBook?  I've heard the word "iMate" getting thrown around.  Since I have no cords at all with it, what all do I need to get to get it working?

Pics below for porn purposes.


(http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2685/4532357680_9fa26ce4f4_o.jpg)

(http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4034/4532358756_209b0e3226_o.jpg)

(http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4048/4532364118_761feb7ed8_o.jpg)

(http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4024/4531881591_6b0af0e94f_o.jpg)

Title: Just got an AEKII, Halp?
Post by: ch_123 on Sun, 18 April 2010, 15:14:43

Technically it has "Cream" sliders, which are dampened black Alps. Some examples are definitely white in colour, but I pretend those don't exist, because it confuses people with the 'real' white Alps which are much better.

The cables should be relatively common off eBay or from anywhere dumping out old Macs. Specifically, you're looking for an ADB cable. You will then need an ADB to USB adapter - the Griffin iMate.

Nice find btw - all the AEK IIs I find are in horrible condition due to yellowing.

Title: Just got an AEKII, Halp?
Post by: elservo on Sun, 18 April 2010, 15:21:24

http://cgi.ebay.com/Macintosh-ADB-Y-Cable-brand-new_W0QQitemZ190385756405QQcmdZViewItemQQptZLH_DefaultDomain_0?hash=item2c53e018f5

Will that work?  I see an iMate I'm gonna bid on as well.

Title: Just got an AEKII, Halp?
Post by: ch_123 on Sun, 18 April 2010, 15:26:17

Not sure about something described as a "Y cable"...

EDIT: Clumsy me, wrong link, here you go -

http://cgi.ebay.com/Apple-Mac-Macintosh-Keyboard-Cable-4-pin-MM-ADB-NEW_W0QQitemZ290192791585QQcmdZViewItemQQptZLH_DefaultDomain_0?hash=item4390d69821

Title: Just got an AEKII, Halp?
Post by: elservo on Sun, 18 April 2010, 15:30:24

Awesome.  Good price too.  Just gonna buy it now instead of waiting and forgetting about it.  No buy it nows on iMates, which sucks, but I'll throw a bid down unless someone here has a spare they want to sell me.

Title: Just got an AEKII, Halp?
Post by: elservo on Sun, 18 April 2010, 15:50:27

Oh, will that other thing not work?

Title: Just got an AEKII, Halp?
Post by: ch_123 on Sun, 18 April 2010, 15:53:33

The other one was an extender cable... The description was ambigious, and it was only when I looked at the picture that I noticed that it was a male-to-female connector, not male to male...

I hope I didn't cause you to buy the wrong one because I linked the wrong thing >.<

Title: Just got an AEKII, Halp?
Post by: elservo on Sun, 18 April 2010, 15:56:17

It's fine no worries.  I'm just emailing the guy and asking if I can just cancel that order.  I asked if he could just send the item you linked the second time instead.  It's the same price so that shouldn't be a big deal.

Title: Just got an AEKII, Halp?
Post by: didjamatic on Sun, 18 April 2010, 16:02:16

Get the imate posted in classifieds here.  I was going to but seller doesn't take paypal.

Title: Just got an AEKII, Halp?
Post by: elservo on Sun, 18 April 2010, 16:12:07

Thanks my peeps!  Most helpful forum ever.  I added a pic of the switch, for those interested.

Title: Just got an AEKII, Halp?
Post by: D-EJ915 on Sun, 18 April 2010, 18:04:01

btw ADB cables are the same as s-video ones which most people have laying around so you can use that with it

Title: Just got an AEKII, Halp?
Post by: elservo on Sun, 18 April 2010, 19:10:12

They're the same as S-Video cables?  You people are freaking legit.  LEGIT.  Now if I only had a really old Macintosh to test this on.  

Just gave her a thorough cleaning.  Rubbing alcohol and a lint-free cloth for the keys.  Took about an hour, and my fingers got all pruned, but the keys are gleaming.  Even used Crest Mega-White 2000 or something on the case, and it worked a little.  The case hadn't yellowed too much, but it looks a little closer to its original color now.

Kind of excited because this is my first vintage find.  Would have lost my mind if it were a Model M, but I'll use this one at home and let my Filco Blues serve me at work.

I just wish Megaweapon took paypal, because 30 with shipping included for the iMate is a good price, and he's obviously a fellow MST3K fan because Megaweapon was the best character in episode 501, but I just don't like dealing outside paypal these days.


[edit:  So pumped to have finally found a mechy out in the wild!  I kinda feel like a member of the forum now.]

Title: Just got an AEKII, Halp?
Post by: iMav on Sun, 18 April 2010, 22:26:42

Quote from: elservo;173334

[edit:  So pumped to have finally found a mechy out in the wild!  I kinda feel like a member of the forum now.]

Well then...let me be the first to re-welcome you.  Welcome to geekhack!  :)

Title: Just got an AEKII, Halp?
Post by: ch_123 on Mon, 19 April 2010, 03:40:26

Quote from: lehua768;173379

Specifically, you're looking for an ADB cable. You will then need an ADB to USB adapter - the Griffin iMate.

(http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3057/2367515373_515ff7a325.jpg)