Mysteries of the Griffin iMate and the Apple Extended Keyboard II
The author restored a vintage Apple Extended Keyboard II using a Griffin iMate adapter, which initially failed but worked after replacing a hidden battery, exploring ADB and USB technology intricacies.
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The article discusses the author's experience with a vintage Apple Extended Keyboard II and a Griffin iMate Universal ADB to USB Adapter. The keyboard, known for its mechanical ALPS switches, was found in a cupboard after years of neglect. The author cleaned and restored it but faced challenges connecting it to a modern laptop due to the keyboard's ADB interface, which requires a USB adapter. The iMate, produced by Griffin Technology from 1998 to 2008, initially worked intermittently but ultimately failed to maintain a connection, leading the author to investigate further.
Upon disassembly, the author discovered an undocumented CR1225 button cell battery within the iMate, which is believed to assist in powering on certain Macintosh models. After replacing the dead battery with a CR1220, the iMate functioned correctly. The article delves into the technical aspects of the iMate's circuitry, including its use of a Cypress microcontroller and the peculiarities of ADB and USB power signaling. The author speculates on the battery's purpose and the design choices made by Apple when transitioning from ADB to USB, highlighting the complexities of vintage technology.
- The Apple Extended Keyboard II is valued for its mechanical switches and durability.
- The Griffin iMate adapter was designed to connect ADB devices to USB but may have compatibility issues.
- An undocumented battery in the iMate is believed to assist with power-on functions for certain Macintosh models.
- The author successfully restored the iMate's functionality by replacing its dead battery.
- The article explores the technical intricacies of ADB and USB signaling in vintage Apple devices.
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- There is a discussion about the technical details of battery compatibility, with some commenters clarifying the differences between battery types.
- Several users express curiosity about alternative solutions, such as the BMOW WOMBAT adapter.
- Comments reflect a mix of nostalgia and appreciation for the keyboard's quality and feel, with some sharing personal experiences.
- Some users question the author's initial assumption that the keyboard was faulty rather than the adapter.
- There are mentions of the limitations of the iMate adapter and its performance with modifier keys.
12 commentsA CR1220 cell is by definition not the same thickness as a 1225.
CR = Lithium cell, round
12 = 12mm diameter
25 = 2.5mm height/thickness
> Worse, I'm already kind of dissatisfied with the iMate - it doesn't distinguish left and right for Alt/Shift/etc.
IIRC, the keys were indistinguishable at the ADB hardware level. The iMate is probably not at fault.
Again IIRC, there was also a hard limit of either one or two regular keys held down at one time, plus any combination of modifier keys. Maybe the limit was one key for pre-ADB and two keys for ADB?
I had no intention of learning about ADB or crazy Apple USB power-on hacks but here I am having had a great time while doing just that.
10/10 would recommend and now this blog is on my reading list.
That said, the quality is junk. Each $250 keyboard lasted me one year, no longer. That said, even with the high price and low service life, the Matias Pro is so much more comfortable than any other keyboard that I still consider it a good value for the money.
I took it to a retro computer meet a few days ago, connected to a SiDi128 FPGA device running the Minimig Amiga core - caused a few double-takes!
I used one of these for a while, but then switched from an AEK2 to a M13, and a Belkin USB/PS2 adapter which has been going solid now for 24ish? years.
A USB so slow it can't even handle a keyboard smoothly?
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