Apple Desktop Bus Mouse

The Apple Desktop Bus Mouse (ADB Mouse) is a computer mouse introduced by Apple in 1986, designed to connect via the proprietary Apple Desktop Bus (ADB), a bit-serial peripheral interface for low-speed devices like mice and keyboards. It featured the 'Snow White' design language with a…

Key facts

First appeared
1986
Category
technology
Problem solved
Replaced proprietary serial ports (DE-9 and RJ11) with a unified, daisy-chainable bus supporting up to 16 low-speed devices like mice and keyboards without hubs, reducing port clutter, enabling hot-plugging, and simplifying peripheral management on Macintosh and Apple IIGS systems.
Platforms
Apple IIGS, NeXT computers (limited), Macintosh SE (1987+), Macintosh II series

Related technologies

Notable users

  • Apple Inc.
  • NeXT Computer users
  • Macintosh users (1986-1999)