Re: Detachable Keyboard?

[mjmahon@aol.com (Michael J. Mahon)]

Mike Maginnis wrote:

>On 3 Jan 2005 09:02:59 GMT, Roger Johnstone <rojaws@orcon.net.nz>
>wrote:
>
>>In <p4lht0lacs7a06mmrp29osu8n9b79fcdoj@4ax.com> Mike Maginnis  wrote:
>>> I found this keyboard at a local thrift store in a box of otherwise
>>> mundane Apple parts.  Anyone have any details on it?
>>> 
>>> http://tarnover.org/images/Hardware/detachable_keyboard/
>>
>>I remember seeing them advertised way back when. They were an external 
>>keyboard kit which worked by removing the keyboard from your Apple IIe, 
>>placing it in the keyboard enclosure provided, and then plugging the 
>>cable back in to the keyboard socket on the motherboard. They also came 
>>with a plate to cover the hole left on the front of the IIe case where 
>>the keyboard was removed.
>
>Thanks.  I suppose I'll be returning to the store this evening then,
>to see if they've got the plate you mentioned.  Maybe some
>documentation socked away in the books area, too.  This is the first
>I've seen anything like this for the IIe; I wonder why it wasn't more
>popular...

It was not cheap, and a detached keyboard was apparently not
that high on most Apple user's priority lists.

It's electronically trivial, being just an extension cable.  Mechanically
it is more difficult, because of aesthetics and the form factor of the
Apple keyboard.

And speaking of aethestics, the Apple //e looks like an amputee with
the metal cover where the keyboard belongs.  ;-(

I wouldn't be difficult to parallel two keyboards, so that you could
have your cake and eat it...

-michael

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Home page:  http://members.aol.com/MJMahon/