ADB keyboards and mice
The Apple Desktop Bus (ADB) was a proprietary bidirectional serial bus designed by Apple Inc. for connecting low-speed input devices like keyboards, mice, and graphics tablets to Macintosh and Apple IIGS computers. Renowned for its daisy-chaining capability, it allowed multiple peripherals to…
Key facts
- First appeared
- 1986
- Category
- technology
- Problem solved
- ADB solved the problem of 'port sprawl' and inconsistent peripheral connections by providing a single, standardized, and intelligent serial bus for multiple low-speed input devices. Before ADB, each peripheral typically required its own dedicated, often proprietary, port, leading to cable clutter and complex device management for users and developers.
- Platforms
- NeXTstation, NeXT Computer, Apple IIGS, Macintosh computers (Macintosh SE through beige Power Macintosh G3)
Related technologies
Notable users
- Apple Inc.
- Logitech
- Kensington
- NeXT Inc.
- Wacom