geekhack
geekhack Community => Keyboards => Topic started by: neo on Wed, 06 April 2011, 01:33:33
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Commodore 64 (http://www.commodoreusa.net/CUSA_C64.aspx)
(http://geekhack.org/attachment.php?attachmentid=16678&stc=1&d=1302071475)
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I want those caps. I guess its time to write them and see if theyll sell sets of caps seperately.
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I want those caps. I guess its time to write them and see if theyll sell sets of caps seperately.
Looking at your avatar, it must been your grandfather who used a Commodore 64 in its time!
For the key cpas: You can hope for Round 4, maybe we include brown keys like in the pic...
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The commodore 64 had mechanical switches?
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The commodore 64 had mechanical switches?
Think so. But definitely not Cherry Blues. By the way, I really dislike the layout on this new thing.
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They went to all that trouble making the layout similar to the C64, but they didn't put the symbols on the key edges. Those keys better at least be doubleshot.
Then there's this:
(http://i.imgur.com/VmM9D.png)(http://i.imgur.com/H4VIl.png)
They couldn't make the optical drive and card reader fronts match the case? Really brings down the look.
Good switch choice (nobody was particularly in love with the C64 keyboard feel) however I would definitely not agree with their claim that "no expense has been spared".
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What was the original C64 keyboard like? I had one (the white/beige facelift model, not the cool looking breadbin original) and I remember the lovely keycaps but not the key feel.
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i wish they made a BS version.
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I sort of want.. but it's too much of a novelty item to spend my money on.
Perhaps if they would sell a set of the keycaps.
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Looks like if you want those keycaps, you're stuck buying the $250 "barebones" version, which is only a case/keyboard.
On the bright side, one could probably do a better job matching the drive/card reader bezels themselves, as well as use some nicer hardware.
Does look a bit thick, though. I can't imagine typing on it without a fairly substantial wrist rest.
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I can't imagine typing on it without a fairly substantial wrist rest.
This thing needs a keyboard-drawer !
Better ergonomics and you don't have all the cable-clutter on your desk ..
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What was the original C64 keyboard like? I had one (the white/beige facelift model, not the cool looking breadbin original) and I remember the lovely keycaps but not the key feel.
I seem to recall lots of key binding, awkward ergonomics, that sort of thing.
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just testing my sig :)
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thanks
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commodore 64 keyboard was/is @$$
but it was mechanical
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I seem to recall lots of key binding, awkward ergonomics, that sort of thing.
I was too young to know any better, then :)
Looked great though.
This new one needs more spherical spherical keycaps.
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i begun programming on a c64.
I feel young :-(
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thanks
Your sig is pretty annoying.
Anyway, FWIW I emailed Commodore USA LLC and they told me that the keyboard has Steel Plate-mounted Cherry blue switches with full NKRO.
Yay!
(http://images1.memegenerator.net/ImageMacro/6267562/I-literally-use-NKRO.jpg?imageSize=Large&generatorName=Retarded-Girl-Original)
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Cool, but grossly overpriced (http://www.commodoreusa.net/CUSA_C64Select.aspx).
$250 for the keyboard/case combo only? Ouch.
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$250 for the keyboard/case combo only? Ouch.
You talking about RF?
Oh, I get it.
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The I/O port faceplaces on the sides of the original C64 are black too. http://www.classiccmp.org/dunfield/c64/index.htm (http://www.classiccmp.org/dunfield/c64/index.htm) The original Commodore 'spared plenty of expenses'.
Typing on a brand new Leopold otaku... love it. Though those Commodore keycaps are very interesting too....
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Welcome to GeekHack!
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Thanks! I by because I figured geekhack would have the scoop on which cherries this thing had. I started on a C64 in 1985... it's funny, in my mind it's still sleek-looking, but now from the photos it looks like something off the cover of ASF. Ditto the tactile quality of the keyboard.
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I always admired the C64 keyboards. It was custom manufactured for those computers. I don't know if it was mechanical or not but I suspect it was.
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What was the original C64 keyboard like? I had one (the white/beige facelift model, not the cool looking breadbin original) and I remember the lovely keycaps but not the key feel.
I recently bought two c64s, and, when I got them, I was surprised at how cheap they feel. The whole unit is light, platsicy, and feels mostly hollow.
The keyboard feels similarly cheap. It could be mechanical with some type of spring, but all the c64 keyboards I've used feel mushy, unsatisfying, and don't give me that classic computing feeling that old PC keyboards provide. By putting MX Cherry Blues in the "remake" (just a netbook inside a custom case), they're improving on the original keyboard in every way except the caps. I don't see the point of using a c64 emulator in a custom case if you have no visual indication about the true keymapping.
That being said, there's absolutely no flex in the c64 keyboard, and the layout and keycaps are certainly unique. Not only are there two to four symbols on nearly every key, the tops are dished (except for the spacebar). The only other notable thing I can think of is that the "SHIFT LOCK" key actually locks, giving it a nice analog to typewriters.
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The keyboard switch is much like a foam-and-foil switch, only with an arc of conductive rubber instead of foam and foil.
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I find blues an odd choice. You would think blacks, clears, or even browns, before blues in a C64.
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Yes, I agree that Blues are a noble but odd choice. The original C-64 (and VIC-20 and C-128 and older PET systems) all had silent, sculpted keyboards on them.
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Anyone else intrigued by this computer? It's a bit underpowered for the price but SO cool looking and definitely has some pluses like the built-in cherry blue keyboard and hdmi out, usb ports, etc.
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Its certainly expensive for what it is. I had a Vic 20 and the keyboard wasn't anything special then. The new 64 has Blues so it might be OK.
I'm just like everyone else, I want those brown keycaps!
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Anyone else intrigued by this computer? It's a bit underpowered for the price but SO cool looking and definitely has some pluses like the built-in cherry blue keyboard and hdmi out, usb ports, etc.
Same, it's so rad. Can't justify it right now with two keyboards in the mail and two vacations soon, but possibly in the future. It'd look sweet next to my antique typewriter... Gahh, GeekHack will one day be the death of my wallet.
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If I had money to blow like water, which I don't, I'd buy this thing as a salute.
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I dunno, I'm content with one of the twenty or so Commodore 64 emulators and one of my modern Cherry Blue or Brown keyboards.
I used to troll Toys R Us stores to play with C64 and C128 computers. They were not a good value then, and they certainly are not now.
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I might've just figured out who OEMs their keyboard. Does anyone know for certain?
Edit: Scratch that, I know who it is.
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I'm a huge retrocomputing nerd, and I was reading about this just the other day.
I want one, but not bad enough to actually pay the asking price.
I think the price is reasonable considering all the bespoke components, but I still wouldn't hand over the cash.
It seems a little bit like a solution to a non existant problem.