[Coco] CoCo Keyboards...

[Christopher Smith]

I agree, for a system that isn't stored in the original case.  For one that is, that complicates matters.  Getting a new keyboard that would fit in the old case without having to attack it with a dremel may be difficult. :)  I guess there are a couple of interesting options in this respect, but nothing quick and easy that I can think of.

Chris

----- Original Message -----
> From: "Al Hartman" <alhartman6 at optonline.net>
> To: "CoCoList for Color Computer Enthusiasts" <coco at maltedmedia.com>
> Sent: Monday, October 7, 2013 3:33:41 PM
> Subject: [Coco] CoCo Keyboards...
> 
> I’ve been thinking for the last couple of days, and just wanted to
> say this.
> 
> If one were to try to make a replacement keyboard for the CoCo,
> unless one could do it in a Chinese or Korean factory in the many
> thousands, one could never do it as cheaply as Tandy sold those
> Deluxe Keyboards for.
> 
> The $50.00 that Cloud9 charges for their PS/2 adapter is quite
> reasonable given that all the third party keyboards back in the day
> sold for $59.95 and up. I think I paid $79.95 for my HJL.
> 
> Lets say the PC board to mount the keys on costs about $7 to make. A
> CoCo keyboard has 53 keys at a minimum without the CoCo 3 function
> keys.
> 
> If one could buy each key station for .25 each, you’re looking at
> about $13 in keys, not including labor to solder and test them. Then
> the cable from the keyboard to the CoCo has to cost something, and
> then some kind of metal back plate to stiffen the keyboard. We are
> getting close to $25 – $30 in parts plus labor. At least at the
> small quantities the CoCo market would currently support. And there
> has to be some profit if only to cover returns and bad units.
> 
> The Cloud9 adapter has macro abilities, and you can use any kind of
> keyboard you want with 12 function keys rather than just 3.
> 
> 
> I’m looking for keyboards from old broken CoCo’s myself. But, if I
> had the money – the Cloud9 adapter IS a good solution.
> 
> There’s just so much neat stuff I don’t have the money or the room
> for.
> 
> “You can’t have everything, where would you put it?” – Stephen Wright
> 
> -[ Al ]-
> 
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-- 
Christopher Smith
Systems Engineer, Wolfram Research