Mechanical keyboard?

Discussion forums for users of the Cambridge Z88 Portable Computer
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okto
Posts: 23
Joined: Sat Apr 22, 2023 7:48 am

Mechanical keyboard?

Post by okto »

Has anyone ever tried to build a mechanical replacement keyboard for the Z88?
Jbizzel
Posts: 64
Joined: Thu Apr 23, 2020 6:58 pm

Re: Mechanical keyboard?

Post by Jbizzel »

It would be cool, and very possible.

The z88 isn't that dissimilar from a spectrum to my mind.

I think the keyboard is good already though. I mean, I used it to type on in anger, and it is perfectly reasonable.
Fecn
Posts: 8
Joined: Fri Mar 10, 2023 5:08 pm

Re: Mechanical keyboard?

Post by Fecn »

There is always the other route to a mechanical keyboard... using the emulator on a PC.

Personally I love the Z88's keyboard, but I can understand the need to have a path avaiable for an alternative replacement. One of my Z88 keyboards has gone soft around the enter and cursor keys which causes accidental key presses more often than I'd like. Getting two presses of 'Enter' when you only wanted one becomes annoying very quickly.
Chris_68
Posts: 16
Joined: Fri Jan 20, 2023 8:05 am

Re: Mechanical keyboard?

Post by Chris_68 »

Hi,

This is for ZX81 and not Z88, could still be useful though if someone like to design for Z88
https://www.zx81keyboardadventure.com/2 ... s-and.html
Jbizzel
Posts: 64
Joined: Thu Apr 23, 2020 6:58 pm

Re: Mechanical keyboard?

Post by Jbizzel »

I think the case design would make it easy for a PCB to be made. You would need the 6 screw hole mounts that connects the keyboard to the case.

On the z88 the keyboard is basically also the front of the case.
okto
Posts: 23
Joined: Sat Apr 22, 2023 7:48 am

Re: Mechanical keyboard?

Post by okto »

Thanks for the replies!

To be fair, I haven't typed on one personally--my Z88 is still on its way to me--but I have a Toughbook with a rubber keyboard and it's an absolute nightmare to type on, so I assumed similar from the Z88. Sounds like that may not be the case, but I think a mechanical keybed would be a fun DIY project all the same, and more options is always better, right?
Jbizzel
Posts: 64
Joined: Thu Apr 23, 2020 6:58 pm

Re: Mechanical keyboard?

Post by Jbizzel »

https://cambridgez88.jira.com/wiki/x/p4AZB

Keyboard matrix diagram here...
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