Testing: OmniKey 1

OmniKey, also written Omni Key and Omnikey, is a series of keyboards from Northgate Computer Systems.

There are several major "generations" of OmniKey keyboards:

• Not labeled "OmniKey." Before the production of the OmniKey models, Northgate badged keyboards from several companies, most notably Focus Electronics, Monterey, and Silitek.
• "Gen 1": OmniKey/102 (1988-1989), vendor code 111. This model has the golden metal label in the left top corner of the keyboard. Approximately 75% of these keyboards were made with Alps SKCM blue switches and the rest with SKCM white.
• "Gen 2a": OmniKey/102 and OmniKey/PLUS (July 1989-January 1990), vendor code 222. The PLUS had additional keys in the navigation cluster, including a key labeled OMNI. The detachable cable was introduced on these models. The PLUS also had two ADB (Apple Desktop Bus) ports in addition to the PS/2 port.
• "Gen 2b": OmniKey/102, OmniKey/PLUS, OmniKey/ULTRA, OmniMac/ULTRA, OmniKey/101 (two versions, the I, which had a keyboard layout closer to the IBM Model M, and the N, which had a smaller footprint than the 102) (January 1990 to April 1991), vendor codes 333 and 777.
• "Gen 3": OmniKey/102, OmniKey/ULTRA, OmniKey/ULTRA-T, OmniKey/101, vendor code 20017 (April 1991-March 1993?).
• "Gen 4a": OmniKey/102P, OmniKey/ULTRA-TP, OmniKey/101, Evolution, vendor code 20017. White SKBM (simplified) Alps. Fully programmable. Attached cable. Pad-printed keycaps.
• "Gen 4b": Avant Stellar and Avant Prime, sold under the Creative Vision Technologies name. Equivalent of Ultra-TP and 101P. The Avant Stellar was also available in black!

See: Northgate OmniKey series

create a new page