Apple USB Keyboard

1998 · iMac era Accessories

Introduced

1998

Original OS

Mac OS

Colors

Bondi Blue, Graphite, and five fruit colors (Blueberry, Grape, Lime, Strawberry, Tangerine)

1976

1984

1998

2001

2007

2020

2026

Pre-Mac

Mac era

iMac era

iPod era

iPhone era

Silicon

Connectivity

USB2 downstream USB 1.1 ports

Software

Original OSMac OS

KeyboardFull-size USB keyboard with integrated numeric keypad, enhanced inverted-T cursor keys above keypad, Power button (top right), built-in retractable/adjustable support leg; 97 keys plus Power button

Included peripheralsBundled with the iMac (1998)

Identifiers

Model N°M2452

Lifecycle

Introduced1998

Discontinued2000

History

The ADB era lasted until 1998, when Apple released its first USB keyboard for the iMac. It had the same dimensions as the Keyboard II, which was marketed in 1986. However, unlike the Keyboard II, the USB Keyboard featured all keys (except 6) in standard sizes.

Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Apple_keyboards · Wikipedia

Trivia

• In 1998 Apple transitioned from ADB to the new USB standard with the iMac keyboard, maintaining the same dimensions as the Keyboard II from 1986, demonstrating how effective that design was even after 12 years. • The USB Keyboard for iMac in 1998 was the first true Apple keyboard with standard-sized keys, since the previous model had many keys of various sizes. • A little-known curiosity: despite the radical technological change from ADB to USB, Apple kept the keyboard's external proportions almost identical, a gesture of design continuity that characterized the brand's philosophy.

D228

D238 · APPLE HERITAGE MUSEUM · LUGANO

D241