Where to find mouse and keyboard for Mac Plus

March 30, 2004 5:47 PM

I picked up an abandoned Mac Plus on the sidewalk yesterday, for sentimental reasons. It boots, expecting a floppy. I haven't tried booting it fully yet, but it should work. The screen is wonky, but fixable.

Anyhow, I need to locate a mouse and keyboard, since it lacks them - and it predates ADB (which I do have). Is there an easy (and cheap) source for this, or should I just prowl computer "junk" stores and thrift stores?
posted by O9scar to Computers & Internet (11 answers total)

Sun Remarketing has long been a good source of obsolete hardware for Mac aficionados. But these days you may find better prices on eBay.
posted by jjg at 5:52 PM on March 30, 2004

The word "extortion" comes to mind when looking at Sun Remarketing's price list. I got my Mac Plus for $5 at a yard sale -- the idea of paying $100 for just a keyboard is crazy.
posted by xil at 6:07 PM on March 30, 2004

Try this: go the the newsroom of a college newspaper. If it's anything like the dozen or so I've been in, there are piles of outdated Mac peripherals everywhere. Plus, you can easily trade weed or concert tickets for junk they don't use. Seriously.
posted by ColdChef at 6:39 PM on March 30, 2004

cpused might be able to help.
posted by dobbs at 7:08 PM on March 30, 2004

Maybe try looking through lowendmac?
posted by milovoo at 8:16 PM on March 30, 2004

It's already been said, but Ebay should always be an option when you're looking for...stuff.
posted by Slimemonster at 12:56 AM on March 31, 2004

don't you just need a serial mouse and keyboard? Kensington still sells serial mice, and i bet keyboards too.
posted by amberglow at 6:11 AM on March 31, 2004

Two words: Fish Tank
posted by bondcliff at 7:23 AM on March 31, 2004

amberglow: The keyboards and mice for extremely old Macs (the original Mac and Mac Plus) use a serial interface, but not the same one as PCs use. So PC serial mice and keyboards won't work.
posted by xil at 1:37 PM on March 31, 2004

I did this once. The Mac Plus had the keyboard and mouse thankfully. But I've gotten rid of the thing, else I'd send you mine. You will have a bitch of a time finding a System 6 Floppy (it's the most recent one that works, System 7 disks are easy, but they won't work) -- even on eBay. Good luck.

Since it's just for fun, plug it into the wall and let the little disk and question mark blink and blink.
posted by zpousman at 1:39 PM on March 31, 2004

Response by poster: Actually, Apple gives out 6 and 7, so that isn't a problem. And I still have the use of a PowerMac with a floppy drive.

Also, I might have a lead on (free) Plus peripherals. Thanks for the pointers.
posted by O9scar at 5:56 PM on March 31, 2004