Apple’s Adjustable Keyboard makes it for an odd, but cool iPad keyboard

22 years apart, the Apple iPad, and the Apple Adjustable Keyboard may seem like an odd combination, even according to Twitter user Kevin, who has managed to pair the two devices. With that said, the vintage keyboard manufactured by Apple in 1993, is surprisingly responsive and capable of interfacing with a modern iPad, through a relatively simple adapter chain, which includes an ADB to USB adapter, and a USB to Lightning port adapter.

The result is a 100% functional input, which also includes the connected numeric pad accessory.

Apple Adjustable Keyboard was initially introduced as an ergonomic solution to address the issue of carpal tunnel, a common injury experienced in the workplace. The keyboard was capable of splitting in such a way as to create an ergonomic configuration allowing for a better typing experience, without forcing the user’s wrists into an unnatural position.

The practicality of this design is leaps and bounds behind its geek-appeal. While the peripheral was praised for its ergonomic benefit, its design didn’t receive similar praises, mostly due to the fact that its sheer size demanded far too much real estate on a typical desk.

The Power Macintosh G4 was the last Apple computer supporting the Apple Desktop Bus connector used by the Apple Adjustable Keyboard.

Trivia:

The fact that this vintage keyboard works may be surprising to some, but the truth is, just about any wired keyboard capable of interfacing with an iPad Lightning port, via a USB adapter, will work just fine, for basic typing, with the exception of special switches and customized controls, like volume controls, or the Mac key/Windows key. The hardware required by the iPad to recognize typing input, is not different than your average PC or Mac. On the other hand, pointing devices are on a different plainfield, as cursors on a multitouch device work a lot differently, making a mouse rather useless, when fingers, or a stylus can do a much better job.