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General Category => Amstrad CPC hardware => Topic started by: beaker on 23:06, 25 September 12

Title: Grey keyed Amstrad CPC 464
Post by: beaker on 23:06, 25 September 12
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 (http://www.adverts.ie/other-computers/amstrad-cpc-464-games-accessories/2128047)
Title: Re: Grey keyed Amstrad CPC 464
Post by: Joss on 23:48, 25 September 12
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 ..... ::)
Title: Re: Grey keyed Amstrad CPC 464
Post by: robcfg on 23:50, 25 September 12
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  ;)
Title: Re: Grey keyed Amstrad CPC 464
Post by: 00WReX on 02:40, 26 September 12
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 (http://www.ebay.de/itm/271059550490?nma=true&si=gtWnJamODOpwieHYctH2%2FPiacS0%3D&rt=nc&_trksid=p4340.l2557&orig_cvip=true)
Title: Re: Grey keyed Amstrad CPC 464
Post by: 00WReX on 08:14, 26 September 12
Just did some more web searches....and found what I basically said on the wiki...

Keyboard Versions - CPCWiki (http://www.cpcwiki.eu/index.php/Keyboard_Versions)

Thats probably were I remembered it from.
Title: Re: Grey keyed Amstrad CPC 464
Post by: Gryzor on 09:18, 26 September 12
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!
Title: Re: Grey keyed Amstrad CPC 464
Post by: 00WReX on 09:42, 26 September 12
Quote from: Gryzor on 09:18, 26 September 12
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
Title: AW: Grey keyed Amstrad CPC 464
Post by: MaV on 12:07, 26 September 12
You are quite right. The Schneider CPC 464 and 664 had only edge connectors.
Title: Re: Grey keyed Amstrad CPC 464
Post by: beaker on 23:26, 26 September 12
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 :)
Title: Re: Grey keyed Amstrad CPC 464
Post by: 00WReX on 04:45, 08 October 12
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 (http://www.ebay.it/itm/RETRO-PC-AMSTRAD-CPC-464-MONITOR-ORIGINALE-JOYSTICK-5-GIOCHI-ISTRUZIONI-/160886019686?pt=Retrocomputer&hash=item25758dd666)

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

Cheers,
Shane
Title: Re: Grey keyed Amstrad CPC 464
Post by: Gryzor on 11:30, 08 October 12
Boy does it look boring :D
Title: Re: Grey keyed Amstrad CPC 464
Post by: 00WReX on 13:29, 08 October 12
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.
Title: Re: Grey keyed Amstrad CPC 464
Post by: MoodyM on 10:22, 24 June 14
I had a CPC464 here in the UK, Amstrad branded, colour monitor, grey keys.
Title: Re: Grey keyed Amstrad CPC 464
Post by: Gryzor on 17:50, 26 June 14
Did you buy it in the UK?
Title: Re: Grey keyed Amstrad CPC 464
Post by: Devilmarkus on 22:53, 26 June 14
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)
Title: Re: Grey keyed Amstrad CPC 464
Post by: ivarf on 08:44, 27 June 14
Quote from: Devilmarkus on 22:53, 26 June 14
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
Title: Re: Grey keyed Amstrad CPC 464
Post by: Bryce on 09:33, 27 June 14
All 464s have edge connectors, there are no Centronics connector 464s.

Bryce.
Title: Re: Grey keyed Amstrad CPC 464
Post by: Devilmarkus on 09:41, 27 June 14
Quote from: Bryce on 09:33, 27 June 14
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)
Title: Re: Grey keyed Amstrad CPC 464
Post by: Bryce on 09:57, 27 June 14
Quote from: Devilmarkus on 09:41, 27 June 14
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.
Title: Re: Grey keyed Amstrad CPC 464
Post by: ivarf on 10:37, 27 June 14
Quote from: Bryce on 09:33, 27 June 14
All 464s have edge connectors, there are no Centronics connector 464s.

Bryce.
No Schneider CPC 464s with centronic connectors either?
Title: Re: Grey keyed Amstrad CPC 464
Post by: Bryce on 12:13, 27 June 14
No, the Schneider 464 has edge connectors.

Bryce.
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