This article has been archived and is no longer updated by Apple.

At some time in Apple's history it was decided to put the "bumps" on the D and K keys while some other computer companies use the F and J keys. With the release of the PowerBook G3 Series, Apple moved the bumps to the F and J keys.



Apple engineering has indicated there is no standard, such as ISO or ANSI that specifies which keys should have these "bumps," or that they should have the "bumps" at all.



Recent Apple keyboards have had some other differences, with the bumps changed to raised lines at the lower edge of the key.



A Summary of Apple Keyboards:



- Apple Keyboard : bumps on D and K

- Apple Design Keyboard : raised lines on D and K

- Apple Extended Keyboard : bumps on D and K

- Apple Extended Keyboard II : bumps on D and K

- Apple Adjustable Keyboard: bumps on D and K

- Newton Keyboard: raised lines on F and J



These changes have been a source of some frustration for a touch typist accustomed to the "bumps" being on the F and J keys on other types of keyboards, or to a long-time Macintosh user expecting the bumps to be on the D and K keys.



A possible solution is to swap keycaps. The keycaps on the keys can be carefully pried up and off the keyswitch and then swapped over to the other keyswitches. This will mislabel the key, although to a touch typist it will "feel" right. You may be able to re-lable the key with press-on lettering used for graphic design.



Note: Prying off the keycaps voids the keyboard's warranty.

