Ultra Rare Timex Sinclair 1000 (ZX-81) with BLACK Keyboard?
Posted: Mon Oct 05, 2020 7:34 am
I have picked this up for 40 $ on eBay ("untested" of course - I knew I would have to work on it...). This time I also had to replace 2 keyboard matrix diodes (first time I had to do this). The usual "cut off and re-insert" method didn't work with the keyboard connector, as the break in the cable was too close to the keyboard membrane. Hence, I came up with this solution (attached) which works nicely and should also be longer lasting.
Over the years, I have fixed, resold, and kept ~ 20 ZX-81 / Timex 1000, but never saw one like this! Question: how rare is this version with the black keyboard? It must be an early US model (its a Revision 1 motherboard, with the hand-drawn curvy traces). Usually I don't spend so much time trying to salvage the old membrane keyboards (given that there are new replacements available), but this black one seems so rare that it seemed worth the effort.
Anybody else has such a Timex 1000 / ZX-81 or knows more about these? It was made in Portugal. Thanks!
Over the years, I have fixed, resold, and kept ~ 20 ZX-81 / Timex 1000, but never saw one like this! Question: how rare is this version with the black keyboard? It must be an early US model (its a Revision 1 motherboard, with the hand-drawn curvy traces). Usually I don't spend so much time trying to salvage the old membrane keyboards (given that there are new replacements available), but this black one seems so rare that it seemed worth the effort.
Anybody else has such a Timex 1000 / ZX-81 or knows more about these? It was made in Portugal. Thanks!
), this one also has ridges around the keys!