KembaraXtra-Computer Terms – Apple Extended Keyboard:
The Apple Extended Keyboard is a full-size keyboard designed for use with several Macintosh computers, including the Macintosh SE, Macintosh II, and Apple IIGS. It contains 105 keys and was the first Apple keyboard to include function keys, commonly labeled F1 through F15, which had previously been absent from earlier Macintosh keyboards. The inclusion of these keys addressed a common criticism that Macintosh systems lacked the programmable function keys widely used on IBM personal computers and compatible systems. In addition to the function keys, the Apple Extended Keyboard introduced improvements in layout, additional control keys, and indicator lights, making it more similar in appearance and functionality to the enhanced keyboard design used on IBM PCs. These changes improved compatibility with cross-platform software and expanded the keyboard’s usefulness for professional and technical users.