Apple IIGS Keyboard (A9M0330) question

[macguy80]

Hi,

Can anyone tell me what keyswitch this model used? It seems to be at least slightly different in terms of feel and sound from its Macintosh counterpart of its day, the Apple Standard Keyboard (M0116). I assume it is some Alps switch, but I don't know which.

Thanks!

[rowdy]

A bit of info here: http://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=7832.0

[macguy80]

A bit of info here: http://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=7832.0

Thanks!

[vivalarevolución]

I own both versions of the Apple IIGS or Apple Desktop Bus keyboard.  Your version, the made in Taiwan version, has white switches made by SMK.  They are the non-clicky version of the Monterey blue switches, also made by SMK.

I love this board because I remember using it as a youth in my elementary school.  Unique keycaps and great switches.  Pretty solid as well, except for those case warping issues discussed in that linked thread.

[macguy80]

I own both versions of the Apple IIGS or Apple Desktop Bus keyboard.  Your version, the made in Taiwan version, has white switches made by SMK.  They are the non-clicky version of the Monterey blue switches, also made by SMK.

I love this board because I remember using it as a youth in my elementary school.  Unique keycaps and great switches.  Pretty solid as well, except for those case warping issues discussed in that linked thread.

There's another version? How does it differ, and what should I look for to get one (if I should one day be so lucky)? I thought there was only a single IIgs keyboard. Of course, when I got my IIgs, that was before I knew or cared about keyswitches.

Yes, the keycaps are amazing. I don't know why Apple didn't continue that aesthetic (unless you count the prior IIc and IIc+ that came after the IIgs)

I can remember in middle school, our computer class had 4 IIgs's with AppleColor RGB, and the rest were IIe's with monochrome Apple Monitor II's. Every few weeks, the teacher would rotate who got to use the IIgs's.

I have a ROM 3 IIgs. I just wish I could find an AppleColor RGB to complete my IIgs setup... so rare on ebay, except as part of the occasional complete system. I suppose another IIgs wouldn't be so bad...except for the shipping

[vivalarevolución]

I own both versions of the Apple IIGS or Apple Desktop Bus keyboard.  Your version, the made in Taiwan version, has white switches made by SMK.  They are the non-clicky version of the Monterey blue switches, also made by SMK.

I love this board because I remember using it as a youth in my elementary school.  Unique keycaps and great switches.  Pretty solid as well, except for those case warping issues discussed in that linked thread.

There's another version? How does it differ, and what should I look for to get one (if I should one day be so lucky)? I thought there was only a single IIgs keyboard. Of course, when I got my IIgs, that was before I knew or cared about keyswitches.

Yes, the keycaps are amazing. I don't know why Apple didn't continue that aesthetic (unless you count the prior IIc and IIc+ that came after the IIgs)

I can remember in middle school, our computer class had 4 IIgs's with AppleColor RGB, and the rest were IIe's with monochrome Apple Monitor II's. Every few weeks, the teacher would rotate who got to use the IIgs's.

I have a ROM 3 IIgs. I just wish I could find an AppleColor RGB to complete my IIgs setup... so rare on ebay, except as part of the occasional complete system. I suppose another IIgs wouldn't be so bad...except for the shipping

I cannot remember the part#, but the other Apple IIGS board was made in Japan and has whiter keycaps.   It has Orange Alps switches, the lightest of Alps switches in my opinion.  Also, I tend to believe the Japanese factory had better QC.

To find the Made in Japan version, just look for that on the back label.

[Daniel Beardsmore]

Apparently 658-4081 is the part number for the orange Alps version.