Apple II

This article requires additional photographic illustration — undocumented types, plus photos of the computers for good measure

Apple ][, Apple ][ Plus and Apple ][ Europlus (hereafter "II" for readability) are microcomputers from Apple.

Apple II/II Plus/II Europlus keyboards

Manufacturer	Datanetics Alps Electric The Keyboard Company
Layouts	Proprietary
Keyswitches	Datanetics DC-50 series Alps SKCC series ITT snap-action array
Interface	Proprietary
Introduced	1977–1982
Precedes	Apple IIe

Keyboards

The known keyboard types are listed below.

Datanetics

The original keyboard followed on from Datanetics keyboards made for the Apple 1, using Datanetics DC-50 series switches.<ref name="Willegal-II"/> Datanetics keyboards were used in the II and II Plus. The keyboard part number is 606-0117.

These use DC-51-31 for most keys, and a single DC-51-35 switch somewhere, most likely for space bar. The reset switch is has a 9 oz spring and appears to be a custom part with no Datanetics part number. The reset indicator is an immovable switch of part DC-51-90, and bears an incandescent lamp under first a standard Datanetics spherical illuminated keycap, and later a flat keycap.

Alps

Apple's Level II Service Reference Manual refers to these keyboards as "Apple II Switchable Keyboard", and they use KBB-series switches. Pictures of these computes show Alps SKCC Series, so the reason for "KBB" is not known; "SKCC" has been repeatedly demonstrated in known part numbers. The keyboard is illustrated in the service manual but the switches are too poorly reproduced to make out. The keystem height adapters are 0° or 12° degrees depending on whether sculptured or "low profile" keycaps were used; the model with "low profile" keycaps is part 606-0118, and the model with sculptured keycaps is part 606-0650 (one higher than that of the RFI-compliant keyboard below).

The keycaps were sourced from B&M.

ITT

ITT snap-action array was selected to provide an RFI-compliant keyboard. These keyboards were sourced from the The Keyboard Company. The Level II Service Reference Manual refers to this module as the "Contact Array Keyboard". The version with sculptured keycaps is part 606-0649.

Blue PCB example

This keyboard is damaged. Most noticeably, one of the mounting bars has been snapped off. There is also a missing key position as well as dislodged leaf springs.

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  Keyboard module, top view
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  Keyboard module, bottom view without PCB
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  Keyboard module, side, angled view
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  Slider detail, front
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  Slider detail, side
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  Components: strengthening bar, matrix and controller PCBs, insulating layer, array layer, top layer, and keycaps and other ancillary parts
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  Top layer; purpose unknown, but it may be an RFI shield
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  Insulating layer between the snap-action array and the PCB
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  Controller daughterboard, top; the ICs are dated 1981
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  Controller daughterboard, bottom
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  Actuator leaf
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  Single key components
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  Single key components
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  Single key components
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  Bottom (without PCB)
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  Bottom (without PCB), from rear
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  Bottom (without PCB), from left side
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  Bottom (without PCB), from right side
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  PCB, top
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  PCB, top, left side
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  PCB, top, right side
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  PCB, bottom
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  Production label on PCB

Cream PCB example

This keyboard is stamped "TKC", indicating that it was manufactured by The Keyboard Company. The Keyboard Company became the Apple Accessory Products Division (APD), and this model of keyboard has also been found with "APD" production labels on it.<ref name="fritter" />

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  In place, bottom view

External links

• ftp.apple.asimov.net — Apple II and Apple II-Plus Level II Service Reference Manual (Pre-Release Version) (1981)

References

<references> <ref name="Willegal-II">Mike's Hobby Home Page — Apple II</ref> <ref name="fritter">Applefritter — Help disassembling and reassembling late model II plus keyboard</ref> </references>