Grey keyed Amstrad CPC 464

[beaker]

Are they grey keyed 464s rare? Just wondering if it's worth a trip to Cork to pick this one up?
http://www.adverts.ie/other-computers/amstrad-cpc-464-games-accessories/2128047

[Joss]

For me it is like a Schneider CPC with an AMSTRAD chassis ... but I think other people in this forum will give you a better answer .....

[robcfg]

Funny, it looks like a CPC464 with a Schneider CPC keyboard and tape drive.


Though as far as I remember, the Schneider ones have a QWERTZ keyboard instead of a QWERTY one.


Anyway, seems like a good lot to get, with lot of games.


That's my two cents 

[00WReX]

From various things I have read over the years this is my understanding of the "grey keyed" 464's (may not be correct).

These are essentially the later model 464 German Schneider models.

As I understand it, when the Schneider / Amstrad relationship finished towards the end of the CPC's life the remaining grey keboards were shipped in Amstrad badged cases...mostly still in Germany but from things I have read some of them were shipped around europe, I suppose just to use up the stock.

I have only seen them in the UK and I think Spain, but only the odd one.

Not sure on how rare they are...but they must be considerably rarer than the normal "coloured" 464 keyboard.

I also picked up a grey keyed "Amstrad" 464 earlier in the year (from the UK) and I'm pretty sure they never officially made it to Australia.

Here is a Schneider badged "grey key" 464 that sold in Germany a few days ago.

Amstrad / Schneider CPC 464 Computer / 8-Bit Homecomuter | eBay

[00WReX]

Just did some more web searches....and found what I basically said on the wiki...

Keyboard Versions - CPCWiki

Thats probably were I remembered it from.

[Gryzor]

Yup, you got that right It's an Amstrad-marketed one. Though, to be 100% sure you would need to check the expansion port - if German it should not be an edge connector.


What Robcfg said about the QWERTZ keyboard does ring a bell, though the photos in the wiki are QWERTY as well?


So, it's probably Germany stock that's found its way back to Ireland. €100 is a normal price, especially considering all those games. I'd go for it, but don't expect it to be anything that'll fetch you $$$ down the road!

[00WReX]

Yup, you got that right It's an Amstrad-marketed one. Though, to be 100% sure you would need to check the expansion port - if German it should not be an edge connector.

One thing that has me interested is the mention of the expansion ports...

What you mentioned I have also read before, but I have an early Schneider 464 (tall key version) and a Schneider 664 (and a couple of 6128's)
and only the 6128's have the centronics connectors & internal shielding. The 464 & 664 are just the usual edge connectors.

Is anyone able to confirm for sure ?

One thing I just thought of is that both the 464 & 664 were purchased from Holland (although so was one of the 6128's...all from same seller)
not sure if being from Holland makes a difference ??

I believe Schneider also distributed the CPC's in Holland but maybe they just used the English motherboards on the 464 /664 

Cheers,
Shane

[MaV]

You are quite right. The Schneider CPC 464 and 664 had only edge connectors.

[beaker]

Thanks for the information and advice. It would be nice to have in the collection - I think I'll have a chat to the chap and see if we can work something out

[00WReX]

Looks like they also made it to Italy...

Here's one currently on ebay Italy.

RETRO PC AMSTRAD-CPC 464+MONITOR ORIGINALE+JOYSTICK+5 GIOCHI+ISTRUZIONI | eBay

beaker did you follow up the one you had your eye on ?

Cheers,
Shane

[Gryzor]

Boy does it look boring

[00WReX]

Haha, Yeh...everytime I see one of these ( even  when I get my one out ) it feels like I'm looking at an old black & white photo.

[MoodyM]

I had a CPC464 here in the UK, Amstrad branded, colour monitor, grey keys.

[Gryzor]

Did you buy it in the UK?

[Devilmarkus]

Around 1990 Schneider gone away from Amstrad, and Amstrad itself sold the CPCs here in Germany labeled "Amstrad" and grey keys...
I think this is such a, for export designed, CPC 464 from 1991 (I got the same here)

[ivarf]

Around 1990 Schneider gone away from Amstrad, and Amstrad itself sold the CPCs here in Germany labeled "Amstrad" and grey keys...
I think this is such a, for export designed, CPC 464 from 1991 (I got the same here)

For about 10 years ago I bought a grey keyed Amstrad CPC 464. I think it was from UK. It had an standard Amstrad CPC edge connector

[Bryce]

All 464s have edge connectors, there are no Centronics connector 464s.

Bryce.

[Devilmarkus]

All 464s have edge connectors, there are no Centronics connector 464s.

Same for the CPC 664.
The only edge connected CPC was the 6128 (And later the Plus)

[Bryce]

Same for the CPC 664.
The only edge connected CPC was the 6128 (And later the Plus)

You mean "The only Centronics Schneider was the 6128"

Bryce.

[ivarf]

All 464s have edge connectors, there are no Centronics connector 464s.

Bryce.

No Schneider CPC 464s with centronic connectors either?

[Bryce]

No, the Schneider 464 has edge connectors.

Bryce.