INTRODUCTION and DESCRIPTION
Recently, I bought two non-ADB NeXT keyboards. One with the standard US ANSI layout (small horizontal rectangular Return key) and one with the reverse-L Return key. There are also European-layout versions of the keyboard.
These keyboards have doubleshot keycaps that are white on black. Some appear to be cream on black, and a few are triple-shot with white/cream on black and front legends that are green on black. The Command keys are doubleshot green on black.
The US ANSI version has undamped cream Alps switches with text legends. The one with the reverse-L Return has black Alps switches with symbolic legends on some of the modifiers. I got the reverse-L version mostly for the symbolic keycaps and spare parts.
The NeXT keyboard has a pleasing form factor with a fairly standard full-size layout except for the absence of the F-key row and 5 media keys instead of the top 6 in the navigation island. The top row of the NumPad has a Backquote/Tilde key instead of NumLock, and the right column of the NumPad has 1.00x Minus and Plus keys along with a 2.00x Enter key. The bottom row of the main typing area is Winkeyless (of course!) with a 9.00x spacebar and no space between the 1.50x modifiers or between the modifiers and spacebar. The single Control key is to the right of the "A" key. There is no CapsLock key -- this function was otherwise activated on the NeXT keyboard and called "AlphaLock". The Shift keys are windowed and illuminated with LEDs when AlphaLock is on.
HASU CONVERTER
The NeXT keyboard cannot be used with a contemporary computer and USB interface without an appropriate converter. Fortunately, Hasu has produced the physical converter and the code to enable it to work.
https://github.com/tmk/tmk_keyboard/tree/master/converter/next_usbCurrently, I have the converter plugged into the end of the stock mini-DIN5 cable, but I am considering installing it inside the keyboard case along with a flush-mount micro-USB connector in order to have a detachable standard keyboard cable.
Naturally (for me), I have programmed the converter in a HHKB-like layout. I use the Right Alt key as Fn. The converter works beautifully, thanks to the industry and genius of Hasu.
IMPRESSIONS
Although the NeXT keyboard is essentially full-size, it gives the impression of being compact. It measures 17.75 x 5.50 inches (45.1 x 14.0 cm) and weighs 2.67 lb (1.21 kg). This fairly hefty weight in a relatively compact package helps make the board feel dense and sturdily built. In comparison, my black Dell AT101W measures 18.5 x 8.25 inches (47.0 x 20.9 cm) and weighs 3.11 lb (1.41 kg).
The case is black and agreeably simple in design; the only branding is a small colorful NeXT cube logo centered on the top bezel. Unfortunately, the smooth finish of the keyboard readily picks up and shows fingerprints. Moreover, the black keycaps conspicuously display wear according to frequency of use, resulting in prominent uneven shine on a given cap that is inconsistent across the board. Because of the marked shine on the caps, especially on my US ANSI version, I swapped most of the modifiers for the less-worn caps on the L-shaped Return version. In addition, given that I usually prefer typing on PBT, I also swapped out the stock alphanumeric caps with those from a Granite SBI board.
Although I cleaned the case thoroughly with detergent, when I followed up by wiping it down with 70% (v/v) isopropyl alcohol, the wipes continually picked up a black color, as if the alcohol were dissolving black pigment from the plastic. The upper and lower sections of the case are separated by a rubber gasket that must be aligned carefully before tightening the 7 screws that hold the two sections together. Although I am careful about not stripping threads, the case plastic seemed fairly soft, as I ended up stripping the threads in two of the mounting posts at the center and rear of the keyboard. I remedied this by inserting thin-walled screw anchors in these two posts.
Typing sound and feel are good to excellent. The undamped cream Alps are not as crisp as blue or white Alps, but they are smooth and provide more than adequate tactile feedback without the somewhat mushy feel of damped switches. I bottom out all my keystrokes, and the NeXT chassis furnishes a fairly solid sounding board that is not as solid as my Northgate Omnikey 101 but not as hollow as my Leading Edge DC-2014. The feel is definitely lighter and more resilient than that of my custom 60% with tactile brown Alps in a stainless steel plate. Some of the keys exhibit pinging, but I do not find this sufficiently objectionable to be a deal-breaker.
The long spacebar was initially a bit loud and rattly, but after lubing the stabilizer and putting foam pads on the top plate directly under the stabilizer inserts, it became acceptably quiet. At first, I had considered swapping the slider with one from a Matias Quiet switch, but this no longer seems necessary.
Considering the fairly low current prices of these keyboards and even allowing for the extra cost and work of a Hasu converter, the NeXT non-ADB keyboard is a reasonably good value. Within a stylish compact format, it provides a fairly standard layout that includes most of the keys of a full-size keyboard except for the top F-key row and one key in the navigation island. Despite some shortcomings noted above, I recommend this keyboard, and I intend to add it to my keyboard rotation.
