Maxi Switch vintage linear
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 | |
| Manufacturer | Maxi Switch |
|---|---|
| Switch type | Linear |
| Sense method | Metal contact |
| Switch mount | Plate mount |
Maxi Switch vintage linear refers to a series of switches that are virtually identical to SMK J-M0404 series. The only confirmed difference (besides the colours) is that they have been found with "Maxi" branding on the base instead of "SMK".[1]
In most cases, the base of the switch including the plate clips are blue instead of black, which provides a good indication that the switches are Maxi Switch instead of SMK. However, a keyboard made for the Commodore PET does indeed have largely black switch bases.[2] This keyboard is shown in full-page adverts inside the PET, but no photographs of this seem to exist, and Commodore used chiefly Mitsumi for their full-travel keyboards. This Maxi Switch keyboard is referred to as an external add-on component elsewhere.[3] The significance of this is in dating this keyboard, and relating the SMK and Maxi Switch timelines, especially considering the uncharacteristic black switch bases.
Switches intended for long, large and wide keys can have either a beige[1] or a brown top[4] — this follows on directly from the SMK practice, where these keys were denoted by Apple as "low friction". Heavier switches used for space bars and occasionally other keys have a pale blue stem, as seen on the Xerox 928-900451.
It remains unknown whether these are SMK clones, or whether SMK made them for Maxi Switch (as appears to be the case with NEC vintage linear where SMK made the accompanying PCB) or whether SMK sold the tooling to Maxi Switch. A tooling sale seems unlikely considering the degree of crossover between SMK and Maxi Switch in 1984, and Maxi Switch vintage linear may be older.
Keyboards
- Commodore PET keyboard (Maxi-Switch [external])[2]
- Geomet 200 (years: 1984)[1]
- Hewlett-Packard 9826[5]
- Intelligent Systems Corp. 101894[6]
- Kaypro replacement keyboards (years: 1984)[4]
- Xerox 928-900451
Gallery
Black switch
Brown switch used for larger keys
Locking switch
Pale Blue switch used for space bars
Switch disassembled
Switch with top removed
Leaf mechanism
Leaf mechanism disassembled
Branding underside
From left to right: Cherry MX, Maxi Switch and Alps springs
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 Geomet 200 (Wayback Machine) Dated 2012-04-13. Archived 2018-07-24.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 Deskthority — Maxi Switch S/N 749-199 / Commodore PET add-on external keyboard Posted 2016-09-20. Retrieved 2024-03-24.
- ↑ Daves Old Computers — Commodore PET Retrieved 2024-03-24.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 Deskthority — Vintage find: 2 NOS Maxi-Switch Kaypro replacement keyboards (note 2024-03-23: pictures are gone)
- ↑ Recycled Goods — Hewlett Packard 9826 HP All In One Computer As-Is Retrieved 2024-03-24.
- ↑ Deskthority — Intelligent Systems Corp - newly discovered Maxi Switch Vintage Linear board Posted 2021-03-11. Retrieved 2024-03-24.
