Apple Extend Keyboard (not AEK II) finally in service

[patrickgeekhack]

I am glad to report that I can finally start using my AEK. I am typing this message on it. It took me a few days to clean it and I am starting to regret not having bought more than one ADB adapter when they were relatively cheap. The Belkin ADB adapter works very well.

While it took me a little while to really like the AEK II, I can see why some people like the AEK a lot. The only complaint I have is the lack of height adjustment, because I like my keyboard to be either flat or negatively sloped when used on keyboard trays.

I also find it to be a bit louder than my AEK II but way quieter than my IBM Model M. No surprise here. Therefore, I think my coworkers would prefer that I use the AEK rather than my Model M. The latter is so loud, that I tend to use it sparingly at work.

[patrickgeekhack]

I need to get one of these some day; it should be a rite of passage for any keyboardlover just as much as trying out a Model-M.

I have been looking out for one but would rather acquire one that has been cleaned/lubed by someone who knows what they are doing rather than one that has been sitting in a pile for who knows how long.

I think it's hard to find one which is nicely cleaned. If you do, price may be high. That said, I don't think the switches need to be lubed if they are fairly clean. Mine was fairly dirty, yet the keys are still very smooth.

Good luck in your quest.

[patrickgeekhack]

I have to admit that I am a bit wary of applying lube to keyboards for two reasons. First, I once tried to apply silicone grease to make my Customizer a bit quieter. This killed the sould of the keyboard. And second, I think any lube will collect the dust. I maybe wrong, but that's what I think.

I also have to say that the orange Alps keys don't suffer the "have to hit key right in the middle" problem as some black Alps do (example: AT-101W). They still feel better when the keys are pressed right in the centre, but if you hit them a bit off-centre, they still feel pretty smooth.

[hasu]

Orange Alps is nice!
It is one of my favorite switches as well as dampened white Alps.

I'd suggest trying a dry lube with PTFE instead of grease. At least it doesn't collect dust 'cause it's dry as the name implies And for one I don't think it kills the switch feel.
I'm typing this on my AEK, which is not cleaned and lubed yet but still nice. I think it'll get better with getting lubed.

[patrickgeekhack]

Orange Alps is nice!
It is one of my favorite switches as well as dampened white Alps.

I'd suggest trying a dry lube with PTFE instead of grease. At least it doesn't collect dust 'cause it's dry as the name implies And for one I don't think it kills the switch feel.
I'm typing this on my AEK, which is not cleaned and lubed yet but still nice. I think it'll get better with getting lubed.

I think I've been luck with my AEK and AEK II so far. The AEK II was quite clean besides the keys having to be cleaned. Inside the keyboard, there was only some dust, but no breadcrumbs. The AEK was a bit more dirty. I had to open a couple of keys to remove dust.

[fohat.digs]

I like the AEK much better than the AEK2, those dampened switches are kind of weird to me.

I don't currently have an AEK, and if I went to the trouble to mess with each switch individually, I would probably not be willing to sell it.

If anybody wants to try an AEK2 cheap, I have one that I will sell that has not been cleaned or tested for $10 + shipping.

It is not bad overall, all the keys seem to click properly, but I sold my ADB-to-USB adapter along with the AEK.

[patrickgeekhack]

I like the AEK much better than the AEK2, those dampened switches are kind of weird to me.

Dampened Alps switches do take some getting used to. I like them at first, then went through a frustrating phase, and then started to like them quite a lot. Once I found the right angle, and the right amount of force to apply, they felt great. I like mine AEK II a little bit negatively sloped. I usually put a piece of cardboard under the keyboard.

[mr_a500]

I like the AEK much better than the AEK2, those dampened switches are kind of weird to me.

Yes. To me, the AEK2 feels like a rubber dome. The original AEK is smoother and has a "chocky" feel.

I really like orange ALPS and I used to use an AEK (with SGI keycaps) as my main keyboard, but the left arrow key started to jam (ruining my scores in SuperTuxKart), so I switched back to my old AT Model F. It's so much more precise. (although loud as hell)

[patrickgeekhack]

Yes. To me, the AEK2 feels like a rubber dome. The original AEK is smoother and has a "chocky" feel.

I really like orange ALPS and I used to use an AEK (with SGI keycaps) as my main keyboard, but the left arrow key started to jam (ruining my scores in SuperTuxKart), so I switched back to my old AT Model F. It's so much more precise. (although loud as hell)

Why don't you swap the Left arrow key with the power key?

[mr_a500]

Why don't you swap the Left arrow key with the power key?

I could swap all over the place if I wanted to, but I just realized that I like the Model F better. The only thing stopping me from using the Model F on my Mac before was not being able to use the numeric keypad arrows and remap Apple-specific keys like Command, Eject and Power. Now that I figured that out and have all the keys I need, I don't want to go back to the AEK.

[patrickgeekhack]

I was so excited to use my keyboard at work today, but was suprised to notice how loud it was. Of course, using a loud keyboard between Christmas and New Year is usually not a good idea. Many of my coworkers are off and the office is therefore quieter than usual. As a result the keyboard seems to be much louder.