Tommy Thomas looks at some of the finest keyboards built for personal computers – past and present.

• The Legendary Apple Extended Keyboard, 2006.10.13. Introduced in 1987, this extended keyboard was well designed and very solidly built. It remains a favorite of long-time Mac users.
• Apple’s Extended Keyboard II: Sequel to a Legend, 2006.10.19. A look at Apple’s slightly smaller Extended II keyboard with slightly softer key action – but still built like a tank.
• More Features of Apple’s Extended Keyboard II, 2006.11.13. The earlier article on the Extended Keyboard II overlooked some useful features. Readers explain what we missed.
• Avant Prime: Rebirth of the Legendary Northgate OmniKey Keyboard, 2006.12.13. Although Northgate went out of business in the 1990s, their justly famous OmniKey keyboard is now produced by CVT – and it’s as good as ever.
• IBM Model M: The One True Keyboard, 2009.05.12. Many consider the IBM Model M keyboard the finest computer keyboard ever made. Here’s why.

Other Articles on Low End Mac About Keyboards

• The iMac Keyboard’s Missing Keys, Dan Knight, The iMac Channel, 1998.08.02. Several keys from the Extended Keyboard have gone missing on the iMac’s small USB keyboard.
• MicroSpeed KB105M ADB Mac Keyboard, Dan Knight, Mac Musings, 1998.09.06. A top quality keyboard for ADB Macs and pre-ADB Macs.
• Macsense UKB-600 Keyboard, Dan Knight, Mac USB & FireWire, 1999.07.27. “…the Macsense keyboard feels more robust, most solid, more substantial than the Macally [iKey].”
• Adesso Nu-Form USB Keyboard, Dan Knight, Mac USB & FireWire, 1999.10.04. Ergonomic keyboards aren’t for everyone, and this one has some pluses and minuses.
• Macally iKey USB Keyboard, Dan Knight, Mac USB & FireWire, 1999.10.25. A good extended keyboard alternative to Apple’s original USB keyboard.
• Acer Aspire 6511-AH USB Keyboard, Dan Knight, Mac USB & FireWire, 1999.12.14. “I couldn’t believe it – a US$19 USB extended keyboard! At that price, it was worth a try.” (It’s 2016, and this USB PC keyboard is still in occassional use.)
• Logitech Cordless Elite Duo Wireless USB Mouse and Keyboard, Dan Knight, Mac USB & FireWire, 2002.10.10. Except for not supporting Mac OS 9, this is an excellent keyboard. (The mouse finally gave out after about 10-12 years of daily use. The keyboards are just fine in 2016, although some of the keycap markings are worn off.)
• Has ‘the Best Keyboard Apple Ever Made’ Been Resurrected?, Charles W Moore, Miscellaneous Musings, 2005.01.03. A look at the Matias Tactical Pro USB Keyboard.
• Kinesis Contour Keyboard Looks Odd but Is Surprisingly Relaxing and Comfortable, Charles W Moore, Miscellaneous Ramblings, 2005.04.18. An unconventional ergonomic design that just works.
• Matias OS X and USB 2.0 Keyboards Reviewed, Charles W Moore, Miscellaneous Ramblings, 2006.01.03. Two USB 2.0 keyboards designed specifically for Macs – with a solid feel.
• Goldtouch Fully Adjustable Ergonomic Keyboard for Mac Users, Charles W Moore, Miscellaneous Ramblings, 2006.12.19. An ergonomic keyboard adjustable in three dimensions.
• IBM Model M: The Best Computer Keyboard Ever, Andrew J Fishkin, Best Tools for the Job, 2007.01.15. Most of today’s keyboards are cheap, mushy crap that won’t hold up over time. Compared to them, the 20-year-old IBM Model M keyboard must come from a completely different universe.
• Microsoft’s Sturdy, Low Cost Wireless Keyboard Is Ideal for Typing, Andrew J Fishkin, Best Tools for the Job, 2007.01.23. If you’re looking for a good keyboard for typing on, the $50 Microsoft Wireless Optical Desktop 1000 keyboard and mouse are probably the best you’ll find for the money.
• IBM Model M and Apple Extended II Among the Best Computer Keyboards Ever, Tommy Thomas, Welcome to Macintosh, 2007.01.29. Interview with Brandon of clickykeyboards.com, who discusses keyboard design and why two (IBM Model M, Apple Extended II) stand apart from the crowd.
• The Best Alternatives to Apple’s USB Keyboards, Charles W Moore, Miscellaneous Ramblings, 2007.12.10. The Kensington SlimType and i-Rocks KR-6810M alternatives to Apple’s USB keyboards.
• Kensington Ci70 Wireless Keyboard and Mouse Excellent for Field and Desktop Use, Charles W Moore, Miscellaneous Ramblings, 2008.06.09. A compact wireless keyboard with a numeric keypad, which Apple’s Wireless Keyboard lacks.
• Logitech diNovo Edge Bluetooth Keyboard Complements Modern Macs, Charles W Moore, Miscellaneous Ramblings, 2008.12.08. Superbe build quality and gorgeous looks set the deNovo Edge apart from the pack.
• Return of the Best Computer Keyboard Ever?, Charles W Moore, Miscellaneou Ramblings, 2009.03.02. Are the Unicomp keyboards worthy successors to the legendary IBM Model M keyboard?
• Goldtouch Go! Travel Keyboard: Ergonomics for the Road Warrior, Charles W Moore, ‘Book Value, 2009.09.14. “…this is a highly engineered, quality constructed piece of equipment, and if it eases your typing pain, you’ll probably deem it an investment in productivity through prevention and hence cheap at the price.”
• diNovo Mac Edition a Top Quality Keyboard, Charles W Moore, Miscellaneous Ramblings, 2010.02.15. Logitech’s compact extended keyboard looks great in black and is of top quality.
• Macally iKeySlim: Great Feel and USB 2.0, Dan Knight, Low End Mac Reviews, 2010.11.18. A $30 USB keyboard with an excellent feel. (We’re still using it daily at Low End Mac headquarters in 2016.)
• WASD V1 Top Quality Keyboard, Tommy Thomas, The Review Vault, 2013.08.31. This is a worthy successor to the IBM Model M.
• Adesso Intellimedia Pro Mac Ergonomic Keyboard, Dan Knight, Mac Musings, 2014.07.21. Looking at a ergonomic keyboard introduced over a decade ago – it even has a dedicated Sherlock key!

For more articles by Tommy Thomas, go to the Welcome to Macintosh index.

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