Six keys from a 2003 PowerBook G4 keyboard.

The Command key

The Option key

The term Apple keyboard is used to refer to any computer keyboard designed for the Apple Macintosh and its associated Mac OS. Its keyboard layout differs from others, including the IBM PC keyboard, mainly in its modifier and other special keys: Six keys detached from a PowerBook G4 keyboard. ... Six keys detached from a PowerBook G4 keyboard. ... 2003 (MMIII) was a common year starting on Wednesday of the Gregorian calendar. ... The PowerBook G4 is a series of notebook computers that was manufactured, marketed, and sold by Apple Computer between 2001 and 2006. ... Image File history File links Download high-resolution version (1608x1200, 131 KB) Apple Command key fr:User:Quark67 File links The following pages on the English Wikipedia link to this file (pages on other projects are not listed): Command key Apple keyboard ... Image File history File links Download high-resolution version (1608x1200, 131 KB) Apple Command key fr:User:Quark67 File links The following pages on the English Wikipedia link to this file (pages on other projects are not listed): Command key Apple keyboard ... Image File history File links Download high-resolution version (1338x1239, 128 KB) Apple Option key fr:User:Quark67 File links The following pages on the English Wikipedia link to this file (pages on other projects are not listed): Option key Apple keyboard ... Image File history File links Download high-resolution version (1338x1239, 128 KB) Apple Option key fr:User:Quark67 File links The following pages on the English Wikipedia link to this file (pages on other projects are not listed): Option key Apple keyboard ... It has been suggested that IBM PC keyboard be merged into this article or section. ... The first Macintosh computer, introduced in 1984, upgraded to a 512K Fat Mac. The Macintosh or Mac, is a line of personal computers designed, developed, manufactured, and marketed by Apple Computer. ... This article or section does not cite its references or sources. ... Computers and other typing devices offer many different keyboard layouts for inputting data in different languages. ... It has been suggested that this article or section be merged into Computer keyboard. ... In computing, a modifier key is a special key on a computer keyboard that modifies the normal action of another key when the two are pressed in combination. ...

• The Command key, used in most Mac keyboard shortcuts.
• The Option (Alt) key for special characters and shortcuts (in conjunction with the Command key); also an Alt key in Unix or Windows environments.
• Additional function keys (F13 through F15 or F16) instead of Print Screen/SysRq, Scroll Lock, and Pause/Break. On keyboards with 16 function keys, F13 was placed above Delete/Backspace.
• A "Clear" key instead of a Num Lock key on models with numeric keypads, which were always used for numerals.
• An "Equals" key added to the numeric keypad.
• A "Help" key instead of an Insert key.
• Two delete keys: both Backspace and the forward delete key are called "Delete". The forward delete key has a symbol (⌦) to differentiate it from the backward delete key.
• Starting with the Pro Keyboard, Four keys — volume up, volume down, mute, and eject — above the numeric keypad where status indicator lights are on many IBM PC keyboards.
• On Apple Desktop Bus keyboards, a power key (▷), used to turn on computers that supported it (and to type the Mac three-finger salute). It was placed in the upper left or upper right (in line with the function keys on keyboards that had them, otherwise above the other keys). The key was replaced with a more conventional power button on early USB keyboards, and eliminated completely on the Pro Keyboard.

Up until 1998, Apple keyboards were beige. The release of the original iMac introduced the semi-translucent style of colored plastic laptop sized keyboard that was used until 2001. In July 2000, they replaced it with the full-sized Pro Keyboard, with black keys and a clear back. Coinciding with the introduction of the G4-based iMac in 2002, Apple started making its keyboards white. On the Bluetooth wireless keyboard, Apple removed the adjustable feet from the back of the keyboard, giving it a solid base. This design was later quietly introduced on the wired version. The Command key The Command key, known as the open-Apple key in documentation previous to the Apple Macintosh family of computers, is a modifier key present on Apple keyboards. ... A keyboard shortcut (also known as an accelerator key, shortcut key, or hotkey) is one or a set of keyboard keys that, when pressed simultaneously, perform a predefined task. ... The Option key, also known as Alt key is a modifier key present on Apple Macintosh keyboards. ... The Alt key on a modern Windows keyboard The Alt key on an IBM PC keyboard is the key located immediately to either side of the Space bar, used to change (alternate) the function of other pressed keys. ... A 102-key PC US English keyboard layout with the function keys in orange. ... A 102-key PC US English keyboard layout with the print screen key marked in red. ... SysRq or SysReq (short for System Request) is a key on keyboards for PCs that has no standard use. ... Scroll Lock is a key (with an associated status light) on most modern desktop computer keyboards. ... The break key is a special key on computer keyboards that no longer has a well-defined purpose. ... Num Lock is a key on the numeric keypad of most keyboards, used to switch that pad between number entry and arrow keys. ... This is a disambiguation page — a navigational aid which lists other pages that might otherwise share the same title. ... The Insert key (often abbreviated to INS) commonly found on keyboards is mostly used to switch between the two main modes of entering text on a computer. ... Backspace is the keyboard key that originally pushed the typewriter head one position backwards, and in modern computer displays moves the cursor one position backwards and deletes the preceding character. ... The user pressing the delete key on a Macintosh On computer keyboards, the delete key (sometimes shortened Del), should, during normal text editing, discard the character at the cursors position, moving all following characters one position back towards the freed place. ... Early ADB device Apple Desktop Bus (or ADB) is an obsolete bit-serial bus for connecting low-speed devices to computers. ... Power management keys placed in the top row, with the keys at that place and below moved down one row. ... In computing, the three-finger salute is a jocular term for the keyboard combination that forces a soft reboot, brings up the process manager (on Windows, BeOS or Mac OS X) or a jump to ROM monitor. ... The correct title of this article is . ... The correct title of this article is . ... Bluetooth logo Bluetooth is an industrial specification for wireless personal area networks (PANs). ...

The Macintosh keyboards are a reminiscent of the keyboards used for the Apple II decades ago. The first Macintosh computer, introduced in 1984, upgraded to a 512K Fat Mac The Macintosh, or Mac, is a line of personal computers designed, developed, manufactured, and marketed by Apple. ... The Apple II was one of the most popular personal computers of the 1980s. ...

Compatibility

Apple's USB keyboards are compatible with Windows computers; the Command key works as the Windows key, the Option key as the Alt key, the Help key as the Insert key, and the Clear key as the Num Lock key. The volume keys function as they would on a Macintosh, and the eject key has no function.

The additional function keys placed where the Print Screen/SysRq, Scroll Lock, and Pause/Break keys are on most IBM PC keyboards (F13/F14 through F15/F16) do not work as those keys in Windows without a special driver. Apple has since released a driver, though it is only available bundled with Boot Camp. A 102-key PC US English keyboard layout with the print screen key marked in red. ... SysRq or SysReq (short for System Request) is a key on keyboards for PCs that has no standard use. ... Scroll Lock is a key (with an associated status light) on most modern desktop computer keyboards. ... The break key is a special key on computer keyboards that no longer has a well-defined purpose. ... Boot Camp is a software assistant made available by Apple Computer that assists users in installing Microsoft Windows XP Service Pack 2 (both Home and Professional Editions) on Intel-based Macintosh computers. ...

The USB keyboard can also be used on PlayStation 2 game consoles. However, one requires an extension if using the black or white keyboards, or one of the older colored keyboards if it was made for an early iMac. The PlayStation 2 (PS2) ) is Sonys second video game console, the successor to the PlayStation and the predecessor to the PlayStation 3. ... The correct title of this article is . ...

The USB keyboard is also combined with a USB hub of two ports. This would be a handy feature for using a USB flash drive and other devices, but the keyboards hub can't provide enough power for all flash drives, and it's speed is limited. A USB hub A USB hub is a hub device that allows many USB devices to be connected to a single USB port. ... Ports on the Apple iBook (Early 2003) In computer hardware, a port serves as an interface between the computer and other computers or devices in the form of an electrically wired outlet on a piece of equipment into which a plug or cable connects. ... A USB drive, shown with a 24 mm U.S. quarter coin for scale. ...

Criticism

A frequent complaint is that Apple's current line of keyboards frequently collect a large number of food crumbs, hair, and dust. While most keyboards also collect these same particles in everyday situations, the clear base and white plastic of Apple's keyboards make the particles very noticeable*.^{[citation needed]}

Users have also complained about the cheap feel* of the white keyboard compared to its black cousin, which is still quite popular in many circles.

Other users have complained that there is a particularly high incidence of unwanted key stroke repeats.

(*Both the crumb -problem, and the feel have improved with the new white (not adjustable) keyboards.)^{[citation needed]}

Images

• Apple.com Keyboards
• Apple Developer Connection 12-in Powerbook G4 Keyboard