deskthority

I'm posting some pics for wiki purposes but this may be of interest to some. In particular, the locking Caps Lock is unique for the wiki and the SMK version is not yet documented.

Pics of the SMK version:

Apple Desktop Bus SMK keyboard - Some key caps removed


Apple Desktop Bus SMK keyboard - SMK switches exposed


Apple Desktop Bus SMK keyboard - Close up of locking SMK key switch on left


Apple Desktop Bus SMK keyboard - Keyboard controller


Apple Desktop Bus SMK keyboard - Keyboard assembly rear


Apple Desktop Bus SMK keyboard - Rear keyboard label

Here are pics of the same keyboard in the usual orange Alps version.

Apple Desktop Bus Orange Alps - key caps removed


Apple Desktop Bus Orange Alps - Keyboard mechanism front


Apple Desktop Bus Orange Alps - Keyboard mechanism back


Apple Desktop Bus Orange Alps - Alps 12K625C marking


Apple Desktop Bus Orange Alps - Apple logo on PCB


Apple Desktop Bus Orange Alps - Keyboard controller


Apple Desktop Bus Orange Alps - Orange key switches, white Caps lock switch


Apple Desktop Bus Orange Alps - Caps lock unlocked


Apple Desktop Bus Orange Alps - Caps lock locked


Apple Desktop Bus Orange Alps - Keyboard back


Apple Desktop Bus Orange Alps - Rear label

I highly recommend swapping the keycaps between the two boards. The keycaps on the SMK board have “fat” stems which cause the keys to bind on the upstroke on SMK switches, but the keycaps on the Alps board do not cause this problem for SMK switches, nor do the SMK keycaps cause this problem on Alps switches. You might need to also swap some of the stabilizers or stabilizer clips.

I made a thread on this many moons ago. But your pictures are much better than mine.

Also, I swapped in the clicky Blue SMK switches. Great feel.