USB Alternative
Apple Desktop Bus (ADB)
Apple Desktop Bus is a legacy Apple peripheral interface used mainly for keyboards, mice, and other low-speed Macintosh input devices.
Overview · Comparison · Use cases · Articles
Related: PS/2 · Bluetooth · Serial Ports
Apple Desktop Bus overview
Review ADB’s role in classic Macintosh systems, including its keyboard-and-mouse focus, daisy-chain topology, host connection, and replacement by USB on later Macs.
| Technology | Apple Desktop Bus (ADB) |
|---|---|
| Primary purpose | Low-speed peripheral connectivity, especially keyboards and mice |
| Typical host | Classic Macintosh and Power Macintosh systems |
| Topology | Multiple ADB devices could be daisy-chained from one host port on supported Macs |
| Typical devices | Keyboards, mice, and other Apple-compatible input peripherals |
| USB relationship | USB replaced ADB as Apple moved to a broader industry-standard peripheral interface |
| Current status | Legacy; relevant mainly for vintage Apple hardware |
Sources: Apple Power Macintosh G3 technical specifications and Apple Power Macintosh 7200/120 technical specifications.
Apple Desktop Bus comparison
Compare ADB with USB for peripheral range, topology, hot plugging, platform support, power, and the transition from a Macintosh-specific bus to a general industry standard.
| Factor | Apple Desktop Bus | USB |
|---|---|---|
| Primary role | Legacy Apple keyboard, mouse, and low-speed peripheral bus | General-purpose peripheral, data, charging, and supported display connection family |
| Platform scope | Primarily classic Apple Macintosh hardware | Cross-platform industry standard |
| Device topology | Supported daisy-chaining of multiple ADB devices | Uses host ports and hubs to attach multiple devices |
| Hot plugging | Not designed around modern USB-style plug-and-play use | Designed for plug-and-play peripheral attachment |
| Peripheral range | Mostly input and other low-speed devices | Input, storage, audio, cameras, printers, networking, charging, and many more device classes |
| Best fit | Maintaining vintage Macintosh systems and original peripherals | Modern general-purpose peripherals and replacement keyboards or mice |
Sources: Apple Power Macintosh G3 technical specifications and USB-IF USB4.
Apple Desktop Bus use cases
See where ADB still makes sense for vintage Macs and original peripherals, and when USB or Bluetooth is the better modern option for keyboards and mice.
| Use case | Why ADB fits | Better modern option |
|---|---|---|
| Vintage Macintosh | Original hardware may provide ADB as its native keyboard and mouse interface | Keep ADB when preserving the original system |
| Original Apple keyboard | Classic keyboards may require an ADB host or compatible converter | USB keyboard for modern computers |
| Original Apple mouse | ADB preserves compatibility with period-correct Macintosh hardware | USB or Bluetooth mouse on modern systems |
| Retro computing setup | Using native ADB keeps the system close to its original configuration | ADB-to-USB conversion when interoperability matters more than originality |
| New computer setup | ADB has no practical role on current general-purpose computers | USB or Bluetooth |
Apple Desktop Bus articles
Browse USB Cafe guides about modern keyboards, mice, hubs, and peripheral connections that cover the device roles USB inherited from older buses such as ADB.
