USB retro keyboards

Gryzor · 07:51, 25 October 13

Tynemouth Software Retro Computer Accessories by TynemouthSoftware

Expensive, but nice...

sigh · 10:07, 25 October 13

Nice indeed - but no CPC or MSX>

C64 looks the most useful as it has the F keys.

Gryzor · 10:16, 25 October 13

Well, technically you are correct, but a breadbin c64 is awful, ergonomically speaking. The c model was much better, but you can't do much typing on the first edition, F-keys or not F-keys.

I'd love to pair one of these with my media player in the living room - no worrying about ergonomics and f-keys there

Bryce · 10:34, 25 October 13

I can't think of anything worse than using a ZX rubber keyboard on a PC! But they might be useful for Raspberry Pi users that are running ZX/C64 emulators?

Bryce.

Gryzor · 10:36, 25 October 13

The Atari 400 was not much better (but was much more beautiful!)

robcfg · 11:00, 25 October 13

I have to say that the sound and feel of my Atari 800XL's keyboard is unmatched to date

The idea of these keyboards is nice, but so damn expensive....

Gryzor · 11:02, 25 October 13

The 800 is a totally different beast, and yes it's lovely!

Yeah they are expensive; hope he doesn't gut functioning machines to make them. I guess each takes its own methodology to be produced?

Bryce · 12:00, 25 October 13

I assume he has just created a small PIC/AVR PCB that can be configured to scan and read different matrix keyboards and translates them into USB packets. The same PCB with different firmware is probably in each keyboard.

The 800XL is easily one of the best 8-bit keyboards around, although the BBCs come close too (if they didn't keep breaking down). The 400 was as terrible as the ZX81.

Bryce.

The Last Bandit · 12:01, 25 October 13

Its a waste of original hardware. Wonder how many of these were just picked up at carboots and the like cheap only to be gutted..

beaker · 12:40, 25 October 13

He does say on the site:

"I repair and refurbish a lot of classic 1980's computers, but every now and then, I get ones that cannot be repaired. This is a way of giving them a new life. I only make these from dead computers, no working Spectrum's were harmed in the making of these keyboards!"

I like the idea that if they're too far gone, at least they're getting a second life as a novelty item.

beaker · 12:55, 25 October 13

Quote from: Bryce on 12:00, 25 October 13
although the BBCs come close too (if they didn't keep breaking down).

Don't worry, you're Elk to be still works perfectly

[attach=2][attach=3][attach=4]

Bryce · 13:16, 25 October 13

Don't forget to send me all those little bits of plastic so that I can glue it back together later

Bryce.

00WReX · 13:42, 25 October 13

Wow, that Electron is in a sorry state...

But on the bright side, I do like your toothbrush holder

Not to mention how I admire your dedication to your retro computer room...don't even have to leave it to brush your teeth

Cheers,
Shane

beaker · 14:38, 25 October 13

That's Parcel2Go delivery service for you

Fortunately we got compensation for it. Somehow the other one and the Plus 1 arrived in perfect condition despite being in the same box.

[attach=2]

Got a few Koalas floating around as well from a cheap tourist tat shop in Brisbane

They're guarding the toothbrush so no one else uses it

sigh · 16:43, 25 October 13

CPC 6128 keyboard layout would be brilliant!

Never used an 800XL but that keyboard layout doesn't at all impress me like the 6128.

joska · 17:02, 25 October 13

Quote from: Bryce on 12:00, 25 October 13
I assume he has just created a small PIC/AVR PCB that can be configured to scan and read different matrix keyboards and translates them into USB packets. The same PCB with different firmware is probably in each keyboard.

This can be done relatively easy with a Teensy 2+. I have converted an Atari Stacy keyboard to USB this way.

TFM · 17:30, 25 October 13

Quote from: beaker on 12:40, 25 October 13
He does say on the site:

"I repair and refurbish a lot of classic 1980's computers, but every now and then, I get ones that cannot be repaired. This is a way of giving them a new life. I only make these from dead computers, no working Spectrum's were harmed in the making of these keyboards!"

So we can be glad not to see CPCs there.

beaker · 18:00, 25 October 13

Eh? Oh bugger....

[attach=2]

Gryzor · 18:03, 25 October 13

A 6128 or a 464 would be great, but these are way too long... maybe find something to do with the tape/disk area?

TFM · 18:09, 25 October 13

Well, maybe you can use them as a space for napkins. [nb]Which you will need when crying out the eyes, when watching a CPC getting abused for a PC.[/nb]

beaker · 18:55, 25 October 13

It's a British machine, so somewhere to rest your cuppa tea...

MacDeath · 20:22, 25 October 13

are those real old machines refurbished or are those replicae ?

I mean, you don't waste a piece of history jujst to get a fancy USB keyboard...

Would be like to cut La Joconde into pieces to get fancy bookmarks to me.

Of course you can with a speccy...

Bryce · 21:15, 25 October 13

Quote from: Gryzor on 18:03, 25 October 13
A 6128 or a 464 would be great, but these are way too long... maybe find something to do with the tape/disk area?

It's just begging to have a USB 3.5in drive or maybe even a USB 8in1 card reader. Something the PC can use.

Bryce.

The Last Bandit · 22:41, 25 October 13

Just stick in a pico ITX or Raspberry PI and be done with it

sigh · 11:41, 26 October 13

Quote from: Bryce on 21:15, 25 October 13
It's just begging to have a USB 3.5in drive or maybe even a USB 8in1 card reader. Something the PC can use.

Bryce.

Exactly!
Even a hardrive caddy, CD drive would be equally cool.

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USB retro keyboards