Mechanical keyboards with a retro aesthetic

[PeterC]

*edit to correct a spacing error in some keys*
So Commodore fans are going to get a rather nice looking C64 themed 10 keyless mechanical keyboard courtesy of the people at 8BitDo https://www.8bitdo.com/retro-mechanical-keyboard-c64/

This got me thinking about a modern keyboard that is similarly Acorn themed, I know there is not a market for it as the ex user base and therefore potential customers are limited but it allowed me to adapt something I've been thinking about over the last few years, using 8BitDo's layout and general themes.

I guess it could have the moniker: UK80S Classroom.

Moving on from that idea, I still have the muscle memory, even after 35 years of not having used a BBC Micro in the flesh, of needing to have the * symbol accessible near the right shift key, especially when using emulators so came up with this Frankenstein ISO/ANSI layout with the minimum amount of extra key caps by:
- Moving the * to top left of the right shift key above the single quote, transposing it with the @.
- Making the left shift 1.25U to get an extra key in the row.
- Move the #~ key above the Enter key.
- and of course starting the function keys at 0.
Still no Copy key though.

I'd call it something like the "Ours go to eleven" variant.

Well it was an amusing diversion if nothing else.

Peter

[rps102]

So Commodore fans are going to get a rather nice looking C64 themed 10 keyless mechanical keyboard courtesy of the people at 8BitDo

This got me thinking about a modern keyboard that is similarly Acorn themed, I know there is not a market for it as the ex user base and therefore potential customers are limited

If you like your function keys red and the break key on the right perhaps there is a USB keyboard for you after all?
Sprow.

[PeterC]

If you like your function keys red and the break key on the right perhaps there is a USB keyboard for you after all?

Thanks. it's not just the colours, those SA profile key caps 8BitDo are using are really nice too.

If I ever win the lottery I might get in touch with Signature Plastics and inquire about getting a custom set, but even their off the shelf SA key cap profile sets are north of $100 for a full set, so heaven only knows what a full set in custom colours plus special keys would cost.

Peter

[jgharston]

Grrr.... why won't Wikipedia images display?

Edit: Ah ha! Fixed it!

[jgharston]

I prefer keyboards with a bit more edging around them, like this, also ECMA23 layout:

[leenew]

Here is my daily driver:

Lee.

[1024MAK]

Bright orange keys, not to my taste, sorry, no thank you...

Mark

[leenew]

I know what you mean!
I wanted red (obviously), but couldn't find one at the right price...
It is nicely 'clacky' though...

Lee

[baz4096]

I'm surprised nobody has mentioned this?

https://shop.elesar.co.uk/index.php?rou ... duct_id=60

[Arcadian]

I'm surprised nobody has mentioned this?

https://shop.elesar.co.uk/index.php?rou ... duct_id=60

They have

[baz4096]

Bah! So they have, thanks Dave. Have been so behind on Stardot stuff, I skimmed this thread and totally missed that one. Drat!

I'll try redeem myself by mentioning that Simulant were taking pre-orders/register interest in retro themed keyboards, but Archimedes style (amongst a few others):

https://www.simulant.uk/shop/register-i ... -keyboards

[jgharston]

And if you want a Windows driver to give you the ECMA23 layout, here we are:
https://mdfs.net/Docs/Comp/Keyboard/Layout/ECMA23.zip

Get out your craft knife and Letraset(tm) transfers, install, enjoy!