Isidore Isou
Level 1 (4 points)
Desktops

Q: Apple ext. Keyboard DIY Compact Mod

Hey

I am looking for a compact keyboard for Mac, aka TKL Keyboard. It is very rare and very expensive. So I though of cutting my Apple ext. Keyboard. Would it work ? Would the keyboard still be usable ? Hope I don't sound to crazy.

Thanks !

 

apple-DIY.jpg

Mac mini, OS X El Capitan (10.11.2)

Posted on Sep 6, 2016 1:54 AM

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Isidore Isou

Q: Apple ext. Keyboard DIY Compact Mod

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  • by John Lockwood,Helpful

    John Lockwood John Lockwood Sep 6, 2016 3:01 AM in response to Isidore Isou
    Level 6 (9,165 points)
    Servers Enterprise
    Sep 6, 2016 3:01 AM in response to Isidore Isou

    It would be extremely unlikely to work if you did this. The main part of the keyboard is a giant circuit board linking all the keys to the controller chip and sockets. It is almost certain that if you chopped off part of it like you propose that some or all the remaining keys would not work as some of the connections on that circuit board would no longer be connected.

     

    If it helps remember that it is possible to use a PC USB keyboard with a Mac and possible the layout and size you want might be easier to find in a PC form.

  • by Isidore Isou,

    Isidore Isou Isidore Isou Sep 6, 2016 3:03 AM in response to John Lockwood
    Level 1 (4 points)
    Desktops
    Sep 6, 2016 3:03 AM in response to John Lockwood

    That's what I was afraid of.

    Even in PC world TKL "gaming" keyboards are expensive. Can't figure why there's not a production oriented model available.

    Thanks

  • by lllaass,

    lllaass lllaass Sep 6, 2016 7:29 AM in response to Isidore Isou
    Level 10 (187,512 points)
    Desktops
    Sep 6, 2016 7:29 AM in response to Isidore Isou

    Have you looked at bluetooth KBs?

    There are many small ones available

  • by Rudegar,

    Rudegar Rudegar Sep 6, 2016 7:51 AM in response to Isidore Isou
    Level 7 (28,299 points)
    Wireless
    Sep 6, 2016 7:51 AM in response to Isidore Isou

    need not be a mac keyboard I use a ms natural keyboard as my main keyboard both in osx and in windows