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geekhack Community => Keyboards => Topic started by: AmigaDisk on Fri, 14 June 2024, 02:50:19

Title: Amiga 500 keyboard
Post by: AmigaDisk on Fri, 14 June 2024, 02:50:19

I had an Amiga 500 computer back in 1987-1993 ish (yes I'm that old)
Loved that machine. And the keyboard was pretty great

Does anyone know what kind of keycaps and switches the Amiga 500 had/has?
Or some other info

Title: Re: Amiga 500 keyboard
Post by: Rhienfo on Fri, 14 June 2024, 03:10:51

From the deskthrority page about the amiga 500 they seemed to have hi tek "space invader" switches or Mitsumi hybrid switches.

From looking it seemed that early versions had the space invaders and the later, more common varients had the mitsumi switches.

Not too sure about those mitsumi switches but space invaders are pretty good.

Title: Re: Amiga 500 keyboard
Post by: AmigaDisk on Fri, 14 June 2024, 03:18:36

Thanks
Is that rubber domes?
I seem to recall the amiga 500 switches feel as rubber dome + still a bit mechanical. Not sure, long time ago ;)

Title: Re: Amiga 500 keyboard
Post by: Rhienfo on Fri, 14 June 2024, 03:30:56

Quote from: ohm-ish on Fri, 14 June 2024, 03:18:36

Thanks
Is that rubber domes?
I seem to recall the amiga 500 switches feel as rubber dome + still a bit mechanical. Not sure, long time ago ;)

Space invader switches are fully mechanical, but from watching a review of the mitsumi hybrids they have a rubber "foot" attached to the switch slider and rubber pads on the slider as well, so yours was probably the mitsumi hybrids one. I'll link the review which includes the talk about the switches.

Title: Re: Amiga 500 keyboard
Post by: Surefoot on Fri, 14 June 2024, 14:16:36

I did have one of the Amiga 500 with Space Invader switches and indeed that keyboard was excellent, certainly gave me the taste for perfect linear switches.
Then I had the 1200 with the Mitsumi rubber domes and this was quite a letdown in comparison.

Title: Re: Amiga 500 keyboard
Post by: Findecanor on Fri, 14 June 2024, 16:31:36

Quote from: Rhienfo on Fri, 14 June 2024, 03:30:56

Space invader switches are fully mechanical, but from watching a review of the mitsumi hybrids they have a rubber "foot" attached to the switch slider and rubber pads on the slider as well, so yours was probably the mitsumi hybrids one. I'll link the review which includes the talk about the switches.

The Mitsumi "hybrid" switches in Amiga 500 keyboards where the ones with coiled metal springs under the keycaps for return force. The mushiness comes from the foot of conductive rubber at the bottom of each slider.

The separate keyboards for Amiga 2000, 3000 and 4000 were ones with rubber sleeves instead of springs.

Title: Re: Amiga 500 keyboard
Post by: AmigaDisk on Sun, 16 June 2024, 05:53:25

I don't remember the details. So long ago
Maybe it had the mitsumi hybrids, dunno.
I still loved the keyboard