HP 9830A - Vintage Cherry M7?

[snuci]

Here is an HP 9830A calculator. It is classed as a calculator because of HP had existing sales channels for scientific calculators but not yet one for personal computers. This was first released in 1972 yet this particular model is from 1975. This is based on minicomputer technology much like the IBM 5100 was based on their minicomputer technology. More info in this HP can be found on Wikipedia here.

The keyboard mechanism is made by HP but contains early Cherry switches and the thickest double shots I've experienced. These actually give quite a "thock" when typing. Unfortunately, it is non-functional so I have to do some restoration on it. I can't get any closer without damaging something and these, apparently, cannot be opened non-destructively so these are the best pictures I could come up with.

HP 9830A - computer

HP 9830A - computer.JPG (306.87 KiB) Viewed 3772 times

HP 9830A - complete computer with printer (no key caps)

HP 9830A - complete computer with printer (no key caps).JPG (182.63 KiB) Viewed 3772 times

HP 9830A - key caps removed

HP 9830A - key caps removed 2.JPG (313.5 KiB) Viewed 3772 times

HP 9830A - keyboard mechanism top

HP 9830A - keyboard mechanism top.JPG (202.83 KiB) Viewed 3772 times

HP 9830A - keyboard mechanism bottom

HP 9830A - keyboard mechanism bottom.JPG (294.14 KiB) Viewed 3772 times

HP 9830A - Cherry key switches

HP 9830A - Cherry key switches.JPG (317.47 KiB) Viewed 3772 times

HP 9830A - Cherry key switches alternate view

HP 9830A - key switches alternate view.JPG (357.87 KiB) Viewed 3772 times

HP 9830A - single Cherry keyswitch

HP 9830A - single Cherry switch.jpg (240.64 KiB) Viewed 3772 times

HP 9830A - keyboard mechanism markings

HP 9830A - keyboard mechanism markings.JPG (412.49 KiB) Viewed 3772 times

HP 9830A - key switch mounting on PCB

HP 9830A - key switch mounting on PCB.JPG (254.19 KiB) Viewed 3772 times

HP 9830A - key stem shape.JPG

HP 9830A - key stem shape.JPG (238.92 KiB) Viewed 3772 times

HP 9830A - thick double key caps

HP 9830A - thick double key caps.JPG (259.64 KiB) Viewed 3772 times

[zslane]

Lovely. Back when spherical meant spherical!

[LewisR]

Back when real designers wore lab-coats!

I love it! Thanks for sharing.

[terrycherry]

Very impressive share post! The switches should be the M7 1st gen/M6.
I got some keyboard with Cherry M7 and M5 switches but not Tee mount.
I still doing some work to declare which PN on Cherry catalog for what M7/M6/M5variant switch.(I know 3 different year of Cherry catalog having the wrong details and PN about that but the pictures are true.)

I have some question to ask:
1. Are all switches have the same pressing force?(no switch pressed heavier than others)
2. I hope you can disassemble one switch. I found the safe way to broke the base lock and it can assemble again without glue. I will take the video for you tonight.

[bocahgundul]

That thicc keycaps doe

[snuci]

I have some question to ask:
1. Are all switches have the same pressing force?(no switch pressed heavier than others)
2. I hope you can disassemble one switch. I found the safe way to broke the base lock and it can assemble again without glue. I will take the video for you tonight.

I am a terrible judge of weight but I think they are all the same. Even the small "function" keys are the same switches. The modifiers that are 2u use two working switches so they are naturally a little stiffer because you are pressing down on two switches at the same time.

I won't take this one apart because of the value of the computer. This is earlier than the IBM 5100 which is IBMs first "personal" computer. If I ever find another keyboard with these switches, I'll consider it. Sorry about that.

[HuBandiT]

Nice! This was the first computer I started learning computer-taming on back in 1979, and, coincidentally, wanting to re-experience its keyboard design is what led me to DT the first place!

Here is some more info on it: http://www.hpmuseum.org/hp9830.htm

Any chance you could co-operate with some of the new (spherical) keycap design projects to lend a few of the keycaps to them for scanning? Or at least take a few very detailed, (near) ortoghonal photographs on graph paper?

[XMIT]

I really like that END OF LINE key. I can't help but think of a Tron reference.

If I were looking for a new user name, that would be a great one...

[snuci]

Nice! This was the first computer I started learning computer-taming on back in 1979, and, coincidentally, wanting to re-experience its keyboard design is what led me to DT the first place!

Thank you. Glad I could help with some pics.

Here is some more info on it: http://www.hpmuseum.org/hp9830.htm

Trust me. I've combed over everything I could find on the net but thanks for the URL just the same.

Any chance you could co-operate with some of the new (spherical) keycap design projects to lend a few of the keycaps to them for scanning? Or at least take a few very detailed, (near) ortoghonal photographs on graph paper?

I have cooperated with another project with some of my beam spring caps but I do need to trust that they will come back because these caps are not easily replaced (if at all). Let me know the project details and we can discuss via PM.

I really like that END OF LINE key. I can't help but think of a Tron reference.

If I were looking for a new user name, that would be a great one...

Personally, I liked the "Execute" key cap myself

[seebart]

Snuci, this is how much I like the HP 9830A :

deskthority-f17/post-your-deskthority-h ... -2040.html

[snuci]

Snuci, this is how much I like the HP 9830A :

deskthority-f17/post-your-deskthority-h ... -2040.html

Very cool. Thanks Seebart!