Gateway AnyKey

"AnyKey" redirects here. For the stock phrase in command prompts, see Any key.
Gateway AnyKey
A Gateway AnyKey keyboard, manufactured circa 1994
Part no.2189014 (prefix)[1]
BrandingGateway 2000
ManufacturerMaxi Switch
FeaturesReprogramability (key remapping and macros)
LayoutsStandard 101-key layout plus 23 additional keys (124 total)
KeyswitchesRubber domes
KeycapsDye-sublimated (white/grey keycaps) or pad-printed (black) PBT
InterfacePS/2, AT
Introduced1991
Discontinuedc. 1998

The Gateway AnyKey is a programmable computer keyboard that was sold exclusively[2] by Gateway 2000, Inc., as an option for some of their desktop computers. Introduced in the spring of 1991,[3] the keyboard was manufactured in at least five known versions and incarnations by Tucson, Arizona–based Maxi Switch, Inc., a subsidiary of the Lite-On Technology Corporation.[4] It was also sold by Maxi Switch themselves, as the ProKey II (later the ProKey 124).[5][6] The AnyKey proved popular, especially among power users and computer programmers, and soon gained a cult following.[7] The AnyKey is no longer manufactured, Gateway having discontinued it by 1998 at the latest.

The AnyKey keyboard is easily distinguished from other generic keyboards by its wide footprint—20 inches (51 cm)—necessitated by an extra double column of function keys on the left side, a unique eight directional arrow keys as opposed to the traditional inverted T, and a quartet of extra keys directly above the numeric pad that control the programmable aspects of the keyboard. They are labeled "Program Macro", "Suspend Macro", "Repeat Rate", and "Remap", reading left to right. All versions of the AnyKey are white or very light gray with some keys (notably the programming keys, extra function keys, and arrows) in a darker gray.

  1. ^ Olacsi, Gary S.; Robert J. Beaton (1997). "A New Force-displacement Metrology for Keyboards". Proceedings of the Human Factors and Ergonomics Society: Annual Meeting. 1. Human Factors and Ergonomics Society: 637 – via ProQuest.
  2. ^ Maybury, Rick (March 9, 2004). "Faqs! Facts! Fax!". The Daily Telegraph: 33 – via ProQuest.
  3. ^ Marburg, Robert (April 15, 1991). "Gateway 2000 Unveils Low-cost 286, 386SX PCs". PC Week. 8 (15). Ziff-Davis: 29 – via Gale.
  4. ^ Brown, Bruce (August 1991). "Gateway's Haute Couture Mini Desktop". Computer Shopper. 11 (8). SX2 Media Labs: 356 et seq – via Gale.
  5. ^ Schneider, Paul (August 21, 1992). "'Custom' keyboard hits market". Arizona Business Gazette. 112 (34). Gannett Company: 8 – via Gale.
  6. ^ Goldsborough, Reid (February 7, 1997). "In search of the perfect keyboard". News and Messenger: B8 – via Newspapers.com.
  7. ^ Cite error: The named reference fastest486s was invoked but never defined (see the help page).