First prototype mini keyboard

Dani · Post by **Dani** » Sat Feb 06, 2021 4:09 pm

This looks great!

ErRoNeUs · Post by **ErRoNeUs** » Thu Mar 11, 2021 10:24 pm

On 12/2/2020 at 3:30 PM, EMwhite said:

I just sprung for the WASK Keyboards $205'er (brown). Hoping to team it up with a C=Key kit I just received to use with my 128 project; maybe this will be the kick in the arse I need to do something useful with the Commander x16 virtual environment instead of watching this forum incessantly for news of the HW actually being released.

Regardless, it's beautiful looking. Also bought two CBM logo keys which hopefully will fit.

Where might I buy such a key or set of keys? I want one too! I also bought the WASD keyboard and also the USB version of the Periboard (409H) for use with my theC64mini. The WASD keyboard works 100% fantastic on my mini! The Periboard is actually better, in my opinion for the purposes but I still like the WASD keyboard very much and it just needs the C= key to make it more complete.

ErRoNeUs · Post by **ErRoNeUs** » Thu Mar 11, 2021 10:26 pm

On 12/3/2020 at 11:55 PM, Perifractic said:

On 12/3/2020 at 3:02 PM, DusanStrakl said:

I am proud daily user of Deluxe keyboard for almost a year now and it works great.

I noticed that mini keyboard has one more key the "FN" at bottom left that does not exist on Deluxe version. Any special reason/plans for that?

This will likely offer local control of keyboard functions if/where applicable but isn't transmitted to the machine, similar to the Fn key on a laptop.

That's way Fn cool! Any news on potential availability of the Periboard version? Would love to buy a few!

Perifractic · Post by **Perifractic** » Thu Mar 11, 2021 11:59 pm

Glad you’re excited! As per the rules please don’t ask for updates. We’ll announce things when ready [emoji106]?️

Perifractic, X16 Visual Designer
http://youtube.com/perifractic

Matej · Post by **Matej** » Fri Mar 12, 2021 12:34 am

So good looks nice. Can enter be green or blue or yellow? I like Acorn Archimedes keyboard and color keys. Its beautiful. I use cherry small keyboards on my PC so I am happy with it!

EMwhite · Post by **EMwhite** » Fri Mar 12, 2021 3:14 am

YAKO - yet another keyboard option. The Cherry G84-4100 PS2/USB Keyboard 83-Key TKL Mechanical Industrial Keyboard Gray

Because my WASD Commander keyboard does not ‘do’ PS/2 (*see below), I picked up a low profile, mechanical (aka switch based) keyboard for my VT510.

Here it is next to my WASD for comparison.

It’s middle of the road, cost wise, has a very similar feel to the Cherry Brown switches I had my WASD built with, and based on reviews, is recommended... BUT:

Layout is slightly quirky, no CBM graphic chars obviously, is very lightweight compared to the WASD.

On the ‘+’ side, the switches feel very very good.. not quite AS good as full travel Brown but close.

I didn’t want the Windows logo anywhere near mine (I know), and wanted white to match my light color (yellow’d !!^{%|*#**+) terminal so it cost me $69.29 USD w free shipping (knock $5-$10 off If you tolerate Windows and don’t mind, or prefer Black)

Here is a pic against my VT, perfect for the intended use, in my space constrained lab (Retr0brite treatment coming in the early summer)

My recommendation is that this is a great keyboard but the ‘built-for’ kbd that is the primary subject of this thread is probably a better choice unless you want to part with $200+ for the WASD.

*having used my WASD w various emulators, it’s always worked perfectly over USB. Having tried it with PS/2 for the first time left me cursing mad. Turns out WASD neglected to flash the firmware with the correct version. They apologized and gave me a link to an update but no Windows in my home and no Mac, Linux, Plus/4, C16, C128, or SX-64 or Apple II+ package so this will have to wait.

So word to the fortunate, check and/or Flash your kbd before the day that your X16 arrives... the last thing you will want after this wait is to have to wait more if your kbd doesn’t support PS/2.

Perifractic · Post by **Perifractic** » Fri Mar 12, 2021 3:37 am

YAKO - yet another keyboard option. The Cherry G84-4100 PS2/USB Keyboard 83-Key TKL Mechanical Industrial Keyboard Gray
Because my WASD Commander keyboard does not ‘do’ PS/2 (*see below), I picked up a low profile, mechanical (aka switch based) keyboard for my VT510.
Here it is next to my WASD for comparison.

It’s middle of the road, cost wise, has a very similar feel to the Cherry Brown switches I had my WASD built with, and based on reviews, is recommended... BUT:
Layout is slightly quirky, no CBM graphic chars obviously, is very lightweight compared to the WASD.
On the ‘+’ side, the switches feel very very good.. not quite AS good as full travel Brown but close.
I didn’t want the Windows logo anywhere near mine (I know), and wanted white to match my light color (yellow’d !!^{%|*#**+) terminal so it cost me $69.29 USD w free shipping (knock $5-$10 off If you tolerate Windows and don’t mind, or prefer Black)
Here is a pic against my VT, perfect for the intended use, in my space constrained lab (Retr0brite treatment coming in the early summer)

My recommendation is that this is a great keyboard but the ‘built-for’ kbd that is the primary subject of this thread is probably a better choice unless you want to part with $200+ for the WASD.

*having used my WASD w various emulators, it’s always worked perfectly over USB. Having tried it with PS/2 for the first time left me cursing mad. Turns out WASD neglected to flash the firmware with the correct version. They apologized and gave me a link to an update but no Windows in my home and no Mac, Linux, Plus/4, C16, C128, or SX-64 or Apple II+ package so this will have to wait.
So word to the fortunate, check and/or Flash your kbd before the day that your X16 arrives... the last thing you will want after this wait is to have to wait more if your kbd doesn’t support PS/2.

Sorry to hear that they dropped the ball on this. I’m sure they would send you a replacement with a correctly flashed firmware if you requested it.

Perifractic, X16 Visual Designer
http://youtube.com/perifractic

TomXP411 · Post by **TomXP411** » Fri Mar 19, 2021 12:26 am

I'm noticing that the Home/PgUp/PgDn/End configuration has become very popular as of late... and it's different than the Home/End/PgUp/PgDn configuration on my Kinesis keyboard.

Anyway, that's a nice looking keyboard. I need a small, inexpensive keyboard for my video rig. I was going to use my old Commander keyboard (which has been replaced by a Velocifier wireless kb), but I like that Cherry....

TomXP411 · Post by **TomXP411** » Fri Mar 19, 2021 7:38 pm

And @perifractic

I'm wondering if you guys can reconsider offering the bare keycap set from WASD. I'd buy another 2 sets right now if they were available...

Perifractic · Post by **Perifractic** » Sat Mar 20, 2021 3:14 am

And@perifractic
I'm wondering if you guys can reconsider offering the bare keycap set from WASD. I'd buy another 2 sets right now if they were available...

Let me enquire with them and see if that’s a possibility.

Perifractic, X16 Visual Designer
http://youtube.com/perifractic