In Praise of Apple’s Original Extended Keyboard

Speaking of classic Apple keyboards, Thomas Brand argues that Apple’s short-lived original Extended Keyboard is superior to its successor. We had a few at my college newspaper, and it definitely had a different feel and sound, but I never preferred them.

As for Brand’s speculation regarding substandard key switch tomfoolery being at the heart of my slight preference for my first Extended II over the replacement I’m now using, I’m nearly certain that’s not the case. I think what I liked about my first one is that it was broken in — I think the key switches get better with age (until they break). I’ve since obtained another near-cherry Extended II, and I don’t like the feel of that one as much as this one, and this one is starting to feel more like my beloved original one with the broken E key.

★ Monday, 16 April 2012