Strong Man SMK-88
 | |
| Part number | SMK-88EM/JM |
|---|---|
| FCC ID | KM988KKB88 |
| Branding | Mac/PC mini PRO |
| Manufacturer | Strong Man |
| Product family | Compact |
| Layouts | compact, ANSI |
| Keyswitches |
Cherry MX Black Cherry MX Blue |
| Interface | USB |
| Years of production | 1993-2008 |
| Precedes | DSI Modular Mac |
| Price | ~ $50-100 |
Contents
Introduction
The SMK-88 is is an out-of-production compact computer keyboard, built primarily for the Mac that also works with Windows (Windows 95 through Windows 7) and Sun. It was manufactured by Strong Man primarily for DSI. The keyboard is also known by several other names or spellings, such as, SMK88, Sun 88, MAC/PC mini PRO, DSI Mac Mini, Mac Mini Keyboard, and so on.
Description
Having an extra (dedicated) media keys column, the SMK-88 doesn't exactly fit the 75% keyboard category although it's closest to it in size and functionality. Historically, that dedicated media keys column moved from the keyboard's right side to the most left column of keys on the keyboard around 2007. The move caused difficulties for many users to mistake the media keys for the modifiers while typing. The "successor" keyboard, DSI Modular Mac, continued with the same layout.
FCC ID# confusion
The SMK-88 back plate contains this FCC ID: KM988KKB8861 -- this is a wrong FCC ID and it doesn't exist in FCC ID database. Interestingly, the same wrong (nonexistent) FCC ID is on the back plate of Strong Man KB-8861. The correct FCC ID for the SMK-88 is KM988KKB88.
Switches
All SMK-88 keyboards come with Cherry MX switches. Most frequently used was the linear black switches, followed by the clicky blue switches.
Full specs
| Model name: | SMK-88 |
| Model #: | SMK-88EM/JM |
| Switch name: | Cherry MX |
| Dimensions: | 336 × 143 × 25 mm / 13.25 × 5.6 × 1 inches |
| Weight: | 907 g / 2 lbs |
| Case/keycaps colour: | White/white |
| Keycap mount: | Cherry MX mount |
| Interface: | PS/2, usually USB |
| Cable: | fixed (1372 mm / 54 inches) splits into 2 USB connectors |
| USB connectors | "Silver" USB 1.1 for keyboard functionality "Gold" USB 2.0 for the pass-through port |
| Buily-in USB ports: | 1 pass-through port |
| Media control keys: | Yes (dedicated) |
| Embedded numpad: | Yes (Fn + F7)
|
| DIP switch: | No |
| Backlit: | No |
| Included: | none; plain unbranded OEM box |
| Full OS support: | Mac, Windows |
| Compatible with: | Sun |
Gallery
Front/top view
Back label
KB left half
KB right half
Keycaps and black Cherry MX
top front view/USB ends
Top sideview/USB pass-through port
Size compare: SMK-88 (bottom)/HHKB2Pro (top)
External links
- 123Macmini.com – SMK-88 Compact Mac Keyboard (New and Old layout)
- Deskthority – SMK-88 (a.k.a.: Sun 88; MAC/PC mini PRO; DSI Mac Mini)
- Geekhack – SMK-88 Compact Mac Keyboard review
