Replacing a keyboard for older mac

I see lots of them at GoodWill and other 2 nd. hand outlets. And my local (Seattle) computer recycling store has an Apple Expert on staff, and he has all the Apple stuff in one section, under his control. Standard Apple K/B's go from $5 to $10. And as reliable as they are, it would be hard to find one that's got any problems. I have 3, I got them all used and they all work perfectly.

Great advice from Wayne... can't add anything! 🙂

You might try an eBay search on the keywords: Apple wired USB keyboard new. A wireless keyboard is likely to have minimum system requirements.

Good luck.

E. g.:

http://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_from=R40&_trksid=p3989.m570.l1313&_nkw=Apple+wir ed+USB+keyboard+new&_sacat=See-All-Categories

It's not that hard to dis-assemble and clean them. Spills and dust / dirt can foul the contacts very easily. ... If your on the 3rd. in 7 yrs., it sound like contamination is the problem. ... I would suggest a soft K/B cover from some one like Comp U Cover, for the common M2452 K/B it was about $17 at my front door. ..... You can use Electro kleen (spendy) or 90% rubbing alcohol (low H2o content, and cheap), dry all parts with hair dryer before re-assembly. This works for TV remotes as well.

Fodofan 35

I have settled for a Matias USB 2.0 keyboard, except you need 2 x USB 2.0 to drive that keyboard. It's quite a solid beast. http://www.amazon.com/Matias-USB-2-0-Keyboard-Black/dp/B000BWFSJU

I would be concerned that most 3 rd. party K/B's won't do key commands for many diagnostic and control functions like pram reset, open firmware, safe boot, install OS functions. Just a word of caution for non Apple K/B's. .... If you go for a 3 rd. party K/B's, keep a genuine Apple board around for these tasks.

I use a Macally iKeySlim keyboard http://www.macally.com/en/product/ArticleShow.asp?ArticleID=256

You can get a new one for a reasonable price http://tinyurl.com/7dw8yf8

 Cheers, Tom 😉

You can always purchase this keyboard

http://store.apple.com/us/product/MB110LL/B?fnode=MTY1NDA1Mg&s=topSellers

Nice board, quiet, works quite well!

I have a PowerPC G4 Mac running OS X 10.5.8 and this keyboard works with a keyboard software update.

This one doesn't fit FrodoFan35's requirements for 10.4.11, as it's for 10.6 and above. Reading the Reviews of it's users, it does not get even a favorable rating by those using it.

http://store.apple.com/us/product/MB110LL/B?fnode=MTY1NDA1Mg&s=topSellers

From what I read about it, I would not buy it, rated a bad buy. ..... Besides being wrong for FrodoFan35's specs. .... not the answer for him.

This keyboard DOES work with PPC Macs , but just wasn't aware that it doesn't run on 10.4, though.

Works with 10.5 just fine, though.

It is still working on my powerPC G4 running 10.5.8.

Oh well,

Sorry 'bout that

:(

In the Apple store, there are 1249 reviews of this keyboard and most with a 3 or 4 star rating.

This has the extended keyboard layout, is light and quiet.

Been working great for me since it came out at 3-4 years, ago, though.

You could always get a USB Windows® KB, Windows key = Mac CMD key, Alt= Mac Option key.