USB keyboard extension cable

[macstatic]

I need a USB keyboard extension cable (I believe one came with my 2010 Mac Pro, or possibly my wired extended keyboard), but I need another such cable for another Mac, but can't find it on the Apple store's website. Are they no longer for sale, or weren't these cables available to buy on their own to begin with?

(image source: eBay.com)

I see they're available on eBay, but I prefer buying something locally to avoid the import taxes and usually slow shipping. Are such cables generic, or just something Apple supplied? I ask because I haven't found similar cables in the usual PC outlets.

 

[BrianBaughn]

Have you checked your local office supply stores?

 

[xraydoc]

I need a USB keyboard extension cable (I believe one came with my 2010 Mac Pro, or possibly my wired extended keyboard), but I need another such cable for another Mac, but can't find it on the Apple store's website. Are they no longer for sale, or weren't these cables available to buy on their own to begin with?

View attachment 2129079 (image source: eBay.com)

I see they're available on eBay, but I prefer buying something locally to avoid the import taxes and usually slow shipping. Are such cables generic, or just something Apple supplied? I ask because I haven't found similar cables in the usual PC outlets.

Unless it's some kind of special keyboard, any USB extension cable should work.

 

[macstatic]

Yeah, you guys are right. They're actually available from regular PC dealers, but obviously not the typical USB cable, so it was harder to look up.
@xraydoc: no, nothing special, just for use with an Apple wired keyboard.
A white extension cable would be nice though -does Apple still sell them?

 

[xraydoc]

Yeah, you guys are right. They're actually available from regular PC dealers, but obviously not the typical USB cable, so it was harder to look up.
@xraydoc: no, nothing special, just for use with an Apple wired keyboard.
A white extension cable would be nice though -does Apple still sell them?

If it's for an older model Apple keyboard, take a close look at the USB plug at the keyboard cable's end. Some of the old Apple keyboards had a metal notch that prevented the use of standard extension cables and required the Apple-specific extension cable (see pic). They stopped doing this a while ago, but I'm not sure how old your keyboard is.

 

[macstatic]

Thanks for sharing that info, xraydoc 👍
I certainly had never heard about it before and I checked both Macs' extended wired keyboards. Indeed, both of the keyboard cables had a groove (to match the notch) and the Apple extension cable that I have for one of my Macs has a notch as well.

Correct me if I'm wrong, but isn't the problem the other way round? In other words: the Apple extension cable (with a notch) will only allow Apple keyboards (which has a matching groove on its cable connector), while the Apple keyboards (with the groove in the connector) should fit any extension cable. Seems a little strange that Apple would do this. Were they trying to prevent people from plugging anything else into their extension cable?

 

[xraydoc]

Thanks for sharing that info, xraydoc 👍
I certainly had never heard about it before and I checked both Macs' extended wired keyboards. Indeed, both of the keyboard cables had a groove (to match the notch) and the Apple extension cable that I have for one of my Macs has a notch as well.

Correct me if I'm wrong, but isn't the problem the other way round? In other words: the Apple extension cable (with a notch) will only allow Apple keyboards (which has a matching groove on its cable connector), while the Apple keyboards (with the groove in the connector) should fit any extension cable. Seems a little strange that Apple would do this. Were they trying to prevent people from plugging anything else into their extension cable?

You're correct. Problem would be other way around. Duh. That's what I get for posting before drinking my coffee.

 

[macstatic]

👍
I'll just get a generic quality extension cable from somewhere else then. I've found that Startech (a reputable quality brand -as far as I know, and my experience with products I've bought by them in the past) has a few, in different lengths like this one:

(image source: startech.com)

I see there's even "active" extension cables which I believe is some built-in circuitry which allows the keyboard/mouse to be very far (10 or 20m) from the computer, but not something I need to be concerned about in this case (1m or 2m will do).
I can't find any stores selling those Apple extension cables. Apple have probably stopped selling them because they've gone all wireless these days, so I'll probably order one of those Startech ones.

I'm still scratching my head as to where I got the Apple branded one which I use with my 2010 Mac Pro -if it came with the computer or the Apple extended keyboard....

 

[Fishrrman]

Don't overthink this.
All you need is a "USB extension cable".
Really, nothing more than that.
Just about any cable will do.

 

[macstatic]

True, but learning about the notch in Apple's extension cable that xraydoc informed about is useful to know about:
In addition to extending the keyboard cable it could be useful to have another USB extension cable for attaching iPads or whatever for synchronizing, backups etc.
That way any wear to the Mac Mini's USB connectors will be kept to a minimum
And the Apple extension cable won't work for that.

 

[EugW]

Get a USB 3 extension cable from a reasonable brand, and keep it reasonably short if it’s a passive cable.

Cheap no-name USB 2 extension cables, esp. if long, can be problematic, if you ever decide to use it for charging or data transfer.

 

[MBAir2010]

I. might have one ii will never use, I can check on this soon, within an hour if you need one.