New Amiga motherboards from Jens

[kolla]

And again, my initial mentioning of amiga keyboard was in the context of the new A1200 cases that may come soon. A series of new colourful A1200 cases, a brand new A1200 motherboard - only thing missing is a new keyboard. I am ok as I have some A1200 keyboards set aside, and with some luck there will be new key caps sets in fancy new colours too, which I will buy a bunch of to replace old worn out and broken ones

[spudje]

The people behind the new cases said they consider making new keyboards too if the case project is successful.

[kolla]

Not new keyboards, but keyboard caps sets, to replace the ones on an original A1200 keyboard.

[Mr.Flibble]

Originally Posted by kolla

Not new keyboards, but keyboard caps.

No, they're also looking at new keyboards if there is enough interest:

[kolla]

Really? Cool!

[Mr.Flibble]

Yep

I wonder if they could expand to A4000 keyboards, or at least make the guts compatible - possibly via an additional daughterboard to add the controller logic..

[Arnie]

We just need new affordable membranes for the A1200 keyboard really. New key caps would be good too.

[brett71]

Are the US and UK (or other language) keyboards essentially the same aside from the keycaps?

[Jope]

For the A1200, yes. They all have the same switch tray, membrane and keycap count.

[clebin]

Originally Posted by Jope

For the A1200, yes. They all have the same switch tray, membrane and keycap count.

Presumably the A500+ too, as it has the blank key next to Return. Can that key be used for anything on UK models?

Chris

[Predseda]

And another blank key next to Lshift.

[Mrs Beanbag]

Originally Posted by clebin

Presumably the A500+ too, as it has the blank key next to Return. Can that key be used for anything on UK models?

Chris

you can map any key to anything you want with a custom keymap

[delshay]

Originally Posted by voxel

who sees that with all the remaining chips gone like that there is no way to repair the old REAL Amigas now ???

That's why my motherboard(s) has sockets for the main chipset(s) and all the supporting chips that can be socketed (A1200). I can swap most of the chips with-in seconds.

I desolder old chips from non working motherboard & test them on-a-fly.

[delshay]

Originally Posted by BarryB

No external floppy connector is the deal breaker!

I think this socket should stay, there are some classic software that needs it, plus its still cool with my golden image drive with built in track counter.

Another cool thing is LED changing colour when read/writing, I hard hacked this into the A1200 motherboard years ago (for internal floppy drive).

it maybe a good idea to add a switch also on the motherboard, so that internal floppy can take PC type floppy drive direct, other than doing the hack inside the floppy drive itself.

[delshay]

Originally Posted by Mrs Beanbag

indeed... let's not unnecessarily overcomplicate an already daunting project. A 3.5mm jack instead of phono output is a perfectly reasonable change, though.

This would be nice, I already done this years ago, it also support internal sound card (Prelude clockport) 2x 3.5 jacks replacing phono sockets (hardware hack).

[delshay]

Originally Posted by sardine

agreed!! crippled and designed to sell more products on top.

cpu should be built in, the same 14mhz 020 will do but with a simm socket for easy addition of fast ram for most users who just want a simple 1200 with good compatibility and whdload (but that would kill aca sales though)

flicker fixer / scandoubler built in

IDE header

optional extras
USB, Network, RTG, ACA1260 (if possible) for those who find the 020 with fast ram not enough.

I think SO-DIMM socket will be a better option.

[delshay]

Originally Posted by duga

Or a PS/2-port for external standard keyboards.

I already have this, done this years ago also. Its a hack/clone.

I use a USB mouse all the time, I also have a wireless mouse with four out of five buttons working. I did this this on a revision 2B motherboard where I can switch boards from USB back to the old 9 pin socket. Its the small PCB that can be detacted from the main motherboard (revision 2B only).

[Mrs Beanbag]

my plan was to make a new Amiga keyboard out of Cherry MX switches, which has the advantage that the keycaps are standard... of course not compatible with classic Amiga keycaps, but if it cuts costs... well it won't cut costs, because Cherry MX switches ain't cheap. But at least you'd get Cherry MX switches.

[kolla]

I understand Cherry MX switches are important for you

[Jope]

Cherry MX is overrated. Tactile Mitsumi Hybrid switches are where it's at! Oh wait, we already have those in most big box Amiga keyboards, no need to change! Yay!