Page 1 of 1
Mechanical keyboard?
Posted: Sun Apr 23, 2023 12:05 am
by okto
Has anyone ever tried to build a mechanical replacement keyboard for the Z88?
Re: Mechanical keyboard?
Posted: Mon Apr 24, 2023 12:11 am
by Jbizzel
It would be cool, and very possible.
The z88 isn't that dissimilar from a spectrum to my mind.
I think the keyboard is good already though. I mean, I used it to type on in anger, and it is perfectly reasonable.
Re: Mechanical keyboard?
Posted: Mon Apr 24, 2023 5:09 pm
by Fecn
There is always the other route to a mechanical keyboard... using the emulator on a PC.
Personally I love the Z88's keyboard, but I can understand the need to have a path avaiable for an alternative replacement. One of my Z88 keyboards has gone soft around the enter and cursor keys which causes accidental key presses more often than I'd like. Getting two presses of 'Enter' when you only wanted one becomes annoying very quickly.
Re: Mechanical keyboard?
Posted: Mon Apr 24, 2023 6:37 pm
by Chris_68
Hi,
This is for ZX81 and not Z88, could still be useful though if someone like to design for Z88
https://www.zx81keyboardadventure.com/2 ... s-and.html
Re: Mechanical keyboard?
Posted: Mon Apr 24, 2023 11:23 pm
by Jbizzel
I think the case design would make it easy for a PCB to be made. You would need the 6 screw hole mounts that connects the keyboard to the case.
On the z88 the keyboard is basically also the front of the case.
Re: Mechanical keyboard?
Posted: Tue Apr 25, 2023 12:14 am
by okto
Thanks for the replies!
To be fair, I haven't typed on one personally--my Z88 is still on its way to me--but I have a Toughbook with a rubber keyboard and it's an absolute nightmare to type on, so I assumed similar from the Z88. Sounds like that may not be the case, but I think a mechanical keybed would be a fun DIY project all the same, and more options is always better, right?
Re: Mechanical keyboard?
Posted: Tue Apr 25, 2023 11:45 am
by Jbizzel