Author Topic: Does anyone know anything about the IBM JX keyboard? (Read 6539 times)

ch_123 · « **on:** Wed, 18 August 2010, 19:23:49 »

I have contacted Sandy, the Master, about this, but whilst waiting for his reply, I thought I'd bounce it around here.

IBM Japan's equivalent of the PCjr was the IBM JX, which was also sold in Australia and New Zealand. The JX was actually a relatively successful design, and one of the advantages it had over the PCjr has a decent keyboard -

As you can see, there were two versions of the keyboard - a compact one that was IR only, and a fullsize one that was either IR or detachable cable. From the pic with the removed keycap, it looks vaguely like a white Alps (bare in mind that this was a good few years before the white Alps that we know went into production) and I'd bet that the half height keys are the same half-height green slider switches that were in the PC Convertible keyboard that someone took apart a few weeks ago.

So, anyone know anything? =P

ch_123 · « **Reply #1 on:** Thu, 19 August 2010, 12:21:03 »

Sandy provides.

The compact keyboard may be using an old-style linear Alps switch, although it is hard to tell given the poor resolution of the above picture.

microsoft windows · « **Reply #2 on:** Thu, 19 August 2010, 12:23:55 »

I see it's got green ALPS switches.

That layout is horrible at best though.

ch_123 · « **Reply #3 on:** Thu, 19 August 2010, 13:22:05 »

I contacted the website from which I got the picture with the exposed key, might be able to get a higher res one to make a positive ID.

ch_123 · « **Reply #4 on:** Thu, 19 August 2010, 13:27:44 »

From Sandy -

Another difference between these machines and the PCjr was that whereas the PCjr was marketed as a home computer/console, the JX was marketed as a cheap PC for educational and small business use.

microsoft windows · « **Reply #5 on:** Thu, 19 August 2010, 13:30:33 »

Got a speedy 8088 in there!

EverythingIBM · « **Reply #6 on:** Thu, 19 August 2010, 13:39:28 »

That's a really nice keyboard (the computer is too -- but, I'm getting sick of having computers I can't use due to lack of software).

It's like a mix between an model F XT and a dolch!

Although some appear to be Japanese, and others just english based... very interestesting.

ch_123 · « **Reply #7 on:** Thu, 19 August 2010, 13:43:50 »

As pointed out, they were also sold in Australia and New Zealand.

microsoft windows · « **Reply #8 on:** Thu, 19 August 2010, 19:30:04 »

Are those 3½" drives in that computer there in the illustration?

EverythingIBM · « **Reply #9 on:** Thu, 19 August 2010, 20:44:00 »

Quote from: microsoft windows;214740

Are those 3½" drives in that computer there in the illustration?

I think they actually are...

But 8" is awesomeness.

itlnstln · « **Reply #10 on:** Fri, 20 August 2010, 07:04:31 »

Quote from: EverythingIBM;214761

I think they actually are...

But 8" is awesomeness.

My GF thinks I'm awesome, too.

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Author Topic: Does anyone know anything about the IBM JX keyboard? (Read 6539 times)