Corona Portable PPC-400 keyboard - Gundam style!

[snuci]

Here's the keyboard from a Corona Portable PPC-400 keyboard that I cleaned up. This is from a portable computer that was from 1984 and had Hi-tek original linear key switches from before they merged with NMB. The key switches are known as Space Invaders or Gundam key switches. These early ones are particularly shapely with very plain key cap mounts.

Terrycherry posted one almost identical with a different name but since I had this open, I figured I'd post. These key switches do look pretty cool and are actually quite good.

Here are some pics:

Corona PPC-400 - keyboard

Corona PPC-400 - keyboard.jpg (250.91 KiB) Viewed 7423 times

Corona PPC-400 - keyboard mechanism front

Corona PPC-400 - keyboard mechanism front.jpg (302.41 KiB) Viewed 7423 times

Corona PPC-400 - keyboard mechanism back

Corona PPC-400 - keyboard mechanism back.jpg (305.11 KiB) Viewed 7423 times

Corona PPC-400 - key switches

Corona PPC-400 - key switches.jpg (366.04 KiB) Viewed 7423 times

Corona PPC-400 - key switches close up

Corona PPC-400 - key switches close up.jpg (326.44 KiB) Viewed 7423 times

Corona PPC-400 - key switch profile

Corona PPC-400 - key switch profile.jpg (279.24 KiB) Viewed 7423 times

Corona PPC-400 - keyboard controller

Corona PPC-400 - keyboard controller.jpg (282.35 KiB) Viewed 7423 times

Corona PPC-400 - keyboard markings

Corona PPC-400 - keyboard markings.jpg (304.61 KiB) Viewed 7423 times

Corona PPC-400 - case exterior

Corona PPC-400 - case exterior.jpg (205.04 KiB) Viewed 7423 times

Corona PPC-400 - case interior

Corona PPC-400 - case interior.jpg (203.25 KiB) Viewed 7423 times

Corona PPC-400 - case marking

Corona PPC-400 - case marking.jpg (267.06 KiB) Viewed 7423 times

Corona PPC-400 - key caps

Corona PPC-400 - key caps.jpg (232.56 KiB) Viewed 7423 times

Corona PPC-400 - keyboard profile

Corona PPC-400 - keyboard profile.jpg (271.69 KiB) Viewed 7423 times

[seebart]

Ahh more space invader action today, Chyros will like this. Very nice. Yes these are the early original design (with the bigger opening). They're all pretty rare IMO.

http://deskthority.net/wiki/NMB_Hi-Tek

[Chyros]

Ah, a 725, I have one of those too . Mine has the later NMB-design Space Invaders though, as it's from 1985 instead. Lovely board, nice pictures!

[Redmaus]

Looks like a grinning cyclops

I also really like those lock LED's

[Engicoder]

I picked a Corona Portable as extra baggage when I bought an IBM 5150 last year. It doesn't boot and I haven't had time to tinker with it. It also has an NMB keyboard, but mine uses the later one, square eye, white space invaders. It looks like the same PCB, but case is a later version with a plastic back (same as Philips 2812). The date on the keyboard is 25/9/1985.

[terrycherry]

snuci, you're so nice to share this rare one! I'm glad you haven't the lost keycaps.
I don't know this old portable PC has Gundam switch like TAVA PC keyboard.
This Gundam switch is the greatest switch on almost NMB switches. I love it so much!
My keyboard is the one of TAVA PC keyboard definitely when I compared to your PPC-400 keyboard.(And I had compared my keyboard PCB with the TAVA PC brand keyboard too)
My TAVA PC keyboard almost same as yours except of screw parts, label of PCB, MFD on front case and big size of the words on switch shell.(but same as the space bar)
Your MFD on front case proved my judgement is right! The triangle nearing the number on back case is the date code.
And one thing I want to confirm: Did your keyboard have the 3types of spring on these key?


Engicoder: You're the same case to proved my mind. The TAVA PC and Corona PPC-400 series of keyboard with Gundam eye switch had released in 1983.11 to mid1985.
And hope you to share your NMB keyboard.

To see the full history of NMB switches released, please see this replied.(It was the old update. I almost fulfill the latest released date of nearly 45 variants of NMB switch. Will share next month.)
http://deskthority.net/keyboards-f2/hi- ... 35-30.html

[vivalarevolución]

That key layout looks familiar...

[stratokaster]

Ah! It's not surprising that those switches are nicknamed "Gundam switches". I wonder how they feel in daily use.

[Chyros]

Can someone explain where the Gundam thing comes from? xD

[stratokaster]

Can someone explain where the Gundam thing comes from? xD

https://www.google.com.ua/search?q=gund ... uit+gundam

[Chyros]

Can someone explain where the Gundam thing comes from? xD

https://www.google.com.ua/search?q=gund ... uit+gundam

Ah, I see. Yeah, now that you mention it xD .

[terrycherry]

Sandy said that.
http://sandy55.fc2web.com/keyboard/nmb_hitek_sw.html
And I was finding this switch(dot eye with new shell) on which keyboard for year.
I believed it could be released in 1985 to 1992. I have a wild thinkg of the Symbolics 365407 keyboard have it. Because I have never seen this keyboard pull out all the keycaps.
I hope snuci's collection have this one.

[snuci]

I hope snuci's collection have this one.

I'll take a look.

[Engicoder]

My assumption is that this was the first version of the switch to follow the "Gundam" style, and that it was quickly replaced with the square hole versions. As such I would expect to find it on a board from late 84 or early 85.

[terrycherry]

Please look this switch(with new shell) carefully.
What is old shell and new shell? (there are lots of variant here but I don't have time to tell them again. I"ll upload all photos use for the next month NMB Hi-Tek post)For example

01_(Linear)old shell.png

(Linear)old shell

12_(Linear & Clicky)new shell(no logo).png

(Linear & Clicky)new shell(no logo)

I confirmed all the 1984 till early1986 made NMB-Hi-tek switch having the old shell surely(linear or tactile are same, except the latching and LED variants). Example: TAVA PC keyboard series, Corona PPC-400 keyboard, PHILIPS P2812 series(1985-1986) and other that year made keyboard.

In 1985, there have switch with the new shell first and mount on the big keys only.(Enter, Shift)
Example: TeleVideo series keyboard(1985.01 to 1993), AQ659ZAT series, RT-101+series, PHILIPS P2812 series(1985-1986)
After1986, the switch with the new shell on all keys.
Like the rare switch I said on the last replied. So I strongly said there's no 1984 keyboard with that switch.

[Chyros]

My RT-102 I'm typing on right now has the newer shell, but still has the logo on it .

[snuci]

How does the white plastic cover come off? I tried when I was taking pictures but I was worried about damaging the key switch.

[Chyros]

How does the white plastic cover come off? I tried when I was taking pictures but I was worried about damaging the key switch.

If you mean the slider, be careful. The contact hands might getbent or damaged, and the spring is liable to jump into orbit and never come back again D; .

[terrycherry]

How does the white plastic cover come off? I tried when I was taking pictures but I was worried about damaging the key switch.

See my video:
https://youtu.be/x-fv0G8t7_8
Safety to pull out the slider_1(Linear only): Holding with your finger on the top of slider and use the keycap puller. This is the lever method.

https://youtu.be/zh4a1mdftmE
Safety to pull out the slider_2(Linear only): Use the lever method with puller but more force.(For the slider is hard to take out)

[snuci]

I thought I saw another keyboard with similar "space invaders" switches. It was a Commodore Amiga 2000 keyboard.

I figured I'd check all of the external Amiga keyboards I had while I was at it so here are some quick pics:

Amiga 1000

Amiga 1000.jpg (154.4 KiB) Viewed 7185 times

Amiga 2000

Amiga 2000.jpg (129.98 KiB) Viewed 7185 times

Amiga 3000

Amiga 3000.jpg (137.05 KiB) Viewed 7185 times

Amiga 4000

Amiga 4000.jpg (138.01 KiB) Viewed 7185 times

I should check my built-in keyboards too.

[terrycherry]

I love to see more about your Amiga 1000 with that switch!
The Amiga 500 having the yellow one NMB Hi-tek.
Did you have this unknown keyboard(PN：3515274 keyboard). It also has the NMB Hi-tek.

01.jpg (118.38 KiB) Viewed 7173 times

[snuci]

I love to see more about your Amiga 1000 with that switch!

I'll have to check if it's a Mitsumi switch. I'll take some pics and post.

The Amiga 500 having the yellow one NMB Hi-tek.

Mine does not have those switches. I checked. Maybe mine has a newer manufacture date.

Did you have this unknown keyboard(PN：3515274 keyboard). It also has the NMB Hi-tek.

I don't have that keyboard but it does look like an Ampex clone VT220 keyboard The two top end pieces swivel into feet which I always thought was pretty cool.

[terrycherry]

Thanks to tell me. This keyboard was AMPEX 230 type1Keyboard(pciture showed above) and my 3 of unknown keyboards are the AMPEX 230+ Keyboard.
The 1984-1986 made Ampex 210 keyboard and Ampex 210+ keyboard maybe having the gundam eye switch or the white dot eye(with new shell)!