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geekhack Community => Other Geeky Stuff => Topic started by: didjamatic on Sat, 26 December 2009, 20:54:54

Title: Texas Instruments TI-99/4A Keyboard?
Post by: didjamatic on Sat, 26 December 2009, 20:54:54

My first "computer" was a Texas Instruments TI-99/4A.  I haven't gone to try to dig it out of my parents basement yet, but wondering if anyone knows what kind of keyboard it had.

TI-99/4A in Beige
(http://www.mainbyte.com/ti99/computers/ti_beige_larger.jpg)

In Black
(http://www.mainbyte.com/ti99/computers/ti_pic_computer.jpg)

The TI-99/4A had what they called a "full travel" keyboard and was advertised as an enhancement over the previous version.
(http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3189/2730459637_f073267d98.jpg)

The first TI-99/4 had a "chiclet" keyboard:
(http://www.mainbyte.com/ti99/computers/ti994_angled.jpg)

Bill Cosby approves of the 99/4A
(http://computermuseum.50megs.com/images/ti-reclame.jpg)

Title: Texas Instruments TI-99/4A Keyboard?
Post by: didjamatic on Sat, 26 December 2009, 20:58:01

I found this page (http://www.mainbyte.com/ti99/keyboard/keyboard.html) that says TI used several manufacturers to produce their keyboards, but I suppose they could still have had one switch specification that all OEMs used.

(http://www.mainbyte.com/ti99/keyboard/keyboard_front.jpg)

Title: Texas Instruments TI-99/4A Keyboard?
Post by: iMav on Sat, 26 December 2009, 21:22:16

That was my first computer as well.  (a silver/black TI-99/4a)

Title: Texas Instruments TI-99/4A Keyboard?
Post by: ricercar on Sat, 26 December 2009, 21:49:19

My first computer was an IMSAI 8080A.

(http://geekhack.org/attachment.php?attachmentid=6705&stc=1&d=1261885544)

By the time the TI99 was around, I'd moved on to a Timex Sinclair.

(http://geekhack.org/attachment.php?attachmentid=6707&stc=1&d=1261885619)

My first hack was to place a real keyboard on it, a mechanical switch keyboard to replace the membrane thing. I had the Sinclair running on the new keyboard for a whole day before I shot +12V up the chip select and fried the sucker. grr.

Title: Texas Instruments TI-99/4A Keyboard?
Post by: didjamatic on Sun, 27 December 2009, 00:24:21

@imav... Awesome, mine was the beige model, not quite as cool as the silver/black.  But I did have the silver voice synthesizer module :)

@ricercar...I'm jealous of that IMSAI 8080, that gives you major geek cred

Title: Texas Instruments TI-99/4A Keyboard?
Post by: didjamatic on Sun, 27 December 2009, 08:51:12

I created a "first computer" thread here (http://geekhack.org/showthread.php?p=145546#post145546).  It will be interesting to see what people post.

Title: Texas Instruments TI-99/4A Keyboard?
Post by: ricercar on Sun, 27 December 2009, 11:02:50

Quote from: webwit;145543

Show Image

(http://)

Is that a computer or a pack of gum?

Title: Texas Instruments TI-99/4A Keyboard?
Post by: InSanCen on Sun, 27 December 2009, 13:18:57

Quote from: webwit;145543

My first computer. Does anyone remember if it was clicky and full travel? cough

That is still a contender for the worst keyboard ever. I've said it on here before, and I stand by it now. Even at the time, I remember hating it. The +2 and +3 (I still have the latter) were almost like going from a Logitech dome to a Cherry in comparison.