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rbanffy 2 days ago [-]
A //e version would be nice.
One thing I always wanted to do is an Apple II-like keyboard that could be connected to anything emulating a II or II+ (or a Teletype - same layout). Lot of the “experience” hinges on the physical object more than the perfect pixels on the screen.
unimplmntd_trap 2 days ago [-]
This my project :) I specifically avoided the //e for reasons of needing to replicate the custom PLD chips.
On the physicality, what do you think about the keyboard part? Do you think a USB Apple II keyboard would be a good idea?
unimplmntd_trap 2 days ago [-]
Oh definitely. I had to go with an RGB keyboard and some generic keycaps for this build, but it definitely was a compromise. Otherwise the keyboard would have been more expensive than everything else combined…
rbanffy 2 days ago [-]
Is building a keyboard so expensive?
Shouldn't it be a PCB, switches, close-enough keycaps, and a tiny controller? I'm imagining a 3D printed case, with screw inserts and supports for the board on the bottom part. I never designed a keyboard though, but if it's prohibitively expensive, this throws a wrench on a bunch of retro keyboard projects I have.
unimplmntd_trap 1 days ago [-]
It depends on what you'd consider "expensive", for mine the keycaps were £25, plus the keyboard itself (Epomaker EP84) was £21 secondhand. I think you'd be starting at £150 if you were to design one from scratch, and that's at the low end.
rbanffy 1 days ago [-]
That’s painful. Are there standard PCBs with placement for Cherry switches that cover the most common arrangements (such as 65%, TKL, and such)? From there it’d be just the board, the switches, and the controller, with case being 3D printed.
I guess I have to learn how to design keyboards and do something about this project.
One thing I always wanted to do is an Apple II-like keyboard that could be connected to anything emulating a II or II+ (or a Teletype - same layout). Lot of the “experience” hinges on the physical object more than the perfect pixels on the screen.
Anyway, someone’s already done that here: https://www.applefritter.com/content/uncle-bernies-replica-2...
On the physicality, what do you think about the keyboard part? Do you think a USB Apple II keyboard would be a good idea?
Shouldn't it be a PCB, switches, close-enough keycaps, and a tiny controller? I'm imagining a 3D printed case, with screw inserts and supports for the board on the bottom part. I never designed a keyboard though, but if it's prohibitively expensive, this throws a wrench on a bunch of retro keyboard projects I have.
I guess I have to learn how to design keyboards and do something about this project.