Commodore Amiga 1200
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 | |
| Branding | Commodore Amiga |
|---|---|
| Manufacturer | Mitsumi |
| Keyswitches | Mitsumi KPR Type (Linear Mitsumi hybrid switch) |
| Price | €32.14 (replacement) |
The Commodore Amiga 1200 computer has the keyboard integrated within its enclosure.
Like the Amiga 600 but unlike other Amigas, the controller is not part of the keyboard assembly. Instead a part of the keyboard membrane extends as a cable to a connector on the computer's main logic board which houses both controller and host interface.
Indicator LEDs for Power and HD and FDD activity are in the top/right corner of the keyboard area but on a separate circuit board that is not part of the keyboard assembly.
Like other Amiga keyboards made by Mitsumi, keycaps are made of ABS and vintage examples can be very yellow, more so than the computer's enclosure. All legends are printed. The Caps Lock key is double-shot with clear plastic only for its LED window.
Availability
Original keyboards came installed inside the computer.
Original
New-old-stock replacement keyboards have been available from e.g. AmigaKit.
A replacement "hard membrane" in form of a thin circuit board is available from Retro Ready and Serdan. It has a small circuit board to go into the ribbon cable connector, which is supposed to last longer. It also fits some Amiga 500's with Mitsumi switches.
Aftermarket computer cases and keycaps have been offered by A1200.NET in crowdfunding campaigns. Cases have been improved to better suit aftermarket mods. Both cases and keycaps have been offered in several colour options, including black with white letters.
Mechanical replacement
- The Kipper2K from Amiga on the Lake has Cherry MX Brown switches. Prototypes shown have lacked stabilisers for the longer keys, instead using additional switches for the Space Bar. Original ISO layout. There is also a version for the Amiga 500
- KA 59 — Mechanical keyboard for Amiga 1200. ISO layout with 6.25u space bar and six modifier keys on the bottom row.
- Adam Eberbach has A1200KB project files on Github under a MIT license. MX switches. Original ISO layout.
- Sergiusz' had a limited edition of keyboards made. The web site is private. ISO layout with 6.25u space bar but not the same bottom row layout as KA 59.
- A1200.net has a mechanical keyboard, work in progress. Original ISO layout.
Mods
There have been several desktop and tower conversion kits of the Amiga 1200.
An external keyboard could be used with the Ateo adapter which clipped directly onto the keyboard microcontroller.
Checkmate in the UK has a crowdfunded Amiga 3000-like desktop computer case on Kickstarter. As part of the run, a sheet metal keyboard case for Amiga 500 and 1200 is also on offer. After the run, it will be available separately in white and black.
Gallery
Swedish/Finnish layout with vertical Return key. The keycaps have been retr0brighted but the case has not.
Slider plate with Mitsumi sliders. The Caps Lock key has a different narrow slider to allow room for the indicator LED. Keys 1.5 u and wider have elevated pads on the sides that keycaps touch when bottoming out. The keyboard came without left Shift stabiliser (1.75 u).
Mitsumi hybrid switch membranes, comparing Amiga 1200 (top) to late Amiga 500 (bottom).
Mitsumi hybrid switch sliders, comparing Amiga 1200 (top) to late Amiga 500 (bottom).
See also
Other Amigas with integrated keyboards:
Other Amigas from the same generation:
