Input · The Beige Era · 1986
Apple Desktop Bus Keyboard
ADB keyboards helped standardize Mac input for more than a decade, daisy-chaining keyboards, mice and other devices through one small connector.
Standard keyboard for the ADB era.
Apple Extended Keyboard (1987)
Apple Desktop Bus Keyboard: key facts
When was the Apple Desktop Bus Keyboard released?
The Apple Desktop Bus Keyboard arrived in 1986. Apple discontinued it in 1990.
How much did the Apple Desktop Bus Keyboard cost?
The Apple Desktop Bus Keyboard launched at $129 in 1986, about $377 in today’s money (approximate, US CPI).
What specs stand out?
Key specs: ADB.
Why does the Apple Desktop Bus Keyboard matter?
Standard keyboard for the ADB era.
Full specifications
| CPU | — |
|---|---|
| Cores | — |
| Memory (RAM) | — |
| Storage | — |
| Display | — |
| GPU | — |
| Ports | ADB |
| Weight | Varies by model |
| Dimensions | ADB keyboard |
| Operating system | Driver/firmware support |
| Released | 1986 |
| Discontinued | 1990 |
| Launch price | $129 |
How the Apple Desktop Bus Keyboard compares to today
Launched at $129 in 1986, about $377 in today’s money (approx., US CPI).
Method note: clock comparisons use frequency only; price conversions use US CPI.
Sources
Specs checked against Apple technical specifications archive, EveryMac, Mactracker, Wikimedia Commons image credits.
Related Input models
Open the Apple Desktop Bus Keyboard in the interactive archive →
Last updated: 2026-08-11