Commodore Amiga 500
This article is a stub. You can help Deskthority by expanding it.
 |
This article requires additional photographic illustration — Need more photos of the Mitsumi version(s), and the caps lock and space bar switches for the Hi-Tek version |
 | |
| Branding | Commodore Amiga |
|---|---|
| Manufacturer | Hi-Tek, Mitsumi |
| Keyswitches |
Hi-Tek Series 725 Mitsumi hybrid switch |
Commodore Amiga 500 and Amiga 500+ computers had the keyboard integrated in the computer's enclosure. The controller is part of the keyboard and talks the same serial protocol as stand-alone keyboards for e.g. the Commodore Amiga 2000.
Uniquely among the Amiga keyboards, the controlled board also has the computer's Power and FDD activity LEDs.
Contents
Hi-Tek Series 725 version
This version is recognisable by the left Amiga key having a "Commodore" logo instead of the common "Amiga" legend. There is also a rivet visible in-between the Del and Help keys. Keycaps are made of PBT and don't yellow.
Early Amiga A500 keyboard
Early Amiga A500 keyboard showing Space Invaders key switches
Serial/model number from an early Amiga A500 keyboard
Mitsumi KPR Type
Most Amiga 500s and presumably all Amiga 500+ have keyboards with linear Mitsumi "hybrid switches".
Keycaps are made of ABS and vintage examples can be very yellow, more so than the computer's enclosure. Keycaps with LED windows are double-shot with clear plastic, but all legends are printed.
Late model Amiga. The keycaps have yellowed much more than the case which has a slight yellow tinge even on the inside where it was not exposed to sunlight.
The Caps Lock key switch (blue slider) is different from the others (black slider) to provide room for its indicator LED.
Mitsumi hybrid switch sliders. Top: Amiga 1200, bottom: late Amiga 500. The blue sliders are from Caps Lock switches, with narrow as opposed to square base.
Samsung spring-over-membrane
Recognisable by the keycaps having square corners whereas other Amiga 500 keycaps have rounded corners. The most unusual type, supposedly made by Samsung. The switches have a plunger and a spring over two membranes.[1] The keycap mount is rectangular, somewhat in-between a Mitsumi and Alps-mount.[2]
Availability
Commodore Amiga 500 computers came with an integrated keyboard installed.
Original
An aftermarket computer cases and keycaps are offered by A1200.NET, originally in a crowdfunding campaign that ended mid-May 2018. They are available in other colours than the original, and the cases have enhancements not in the original.
A replacement "hard membrane" in form of a thin circuit board for Mitsumi switches is available from Retro Ready and Sordan. It also fits the Amiga 1200.
Mechanical replacement
- The Kipper2K from Amiga On The Lake is a replacement keyboard kit with Cherry MX Brown switches. Original ISO layout. Prototypes shown have lacked stabilisers for the longer keys, instead using additional switches for the space bar. There is also version for the Amiga 1200.
- (2023-07) A1200.net has a prototype in progress that will use Mitsumi switches that support original keycaps.
Mods
Several kits have been available through the years for modding the Amiga 500 into a desktop or tower case, with the keyboard in a separate enclosure.
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.
See also
Other Amiga computers with integrated keyboards:
The other Amigas from the same generation:
- Commodore Amiga 2000 — Contemporary with Amiga 500
- Commodore Amiga 3000 — Contemporary with Amiga 500+
References
- ↑ Adrian's Digital Basement on Twitter — I’m trying to figure out what kind keyboard this #Amiga 500 has. Posted 2021-12-29. Retrieved 2024-04-18.
- ↑ The Belgian Amiga Club — Amiga Keyboard types Posted 2021-03-14. Retrieved 2024-04-18.
