Differences

This shows you the differences between two versions of the page.

--- keyboard:apple_newton_x0044 [16 Dec 2023 00:05] – Explained how assembly can be separated from top cover sharktastica
+++ keyboard:apple_newton_x0044 [20 Dec 2023 21:04] (current) – Add Switches section sharktastica
@@ Line 7: / Line 7: @@
 | **Designation** | Model M6-1 |
 | **Manufacturer** | [[Lexmark]]\\ [[Key Tronic]] |
-| **Switch** | [[switch:IBM_Buckling_Sleeve|IBM buckling rubber sleeve over membrane]] |
+| **Switch** | [[switch:IBM_Buckling_Sleeve|IBM buckling rubber sleeve]] |
 | **Sense method** | Conductive membrane assembly |
 | **Protocol** | Serial, Mini-DIN-8 connector |
@@ Line 31: / Line 31: @@
 === Assembly ===
-The top cover piece and the internal keyboard assembly are secured to each other via a series of clips around the perimeter of the piece. The assembly can be separated from the top cover by prying until the assembly is free from the clips, but it should be noted that these clips can break easily. The internal assembly design is typical of an M6/M6-1 keyboard and is a sandwich of four layers:
+The top cover piece and the internal keyboard assembly are secured to each other via a series of clips around the perimeter of the piece. The assembly can be separated from the top cover by prying until the assembly is free from the clips, but it should be noted that these clips can break easily. The clips have been observed to have broken without opening the keyboard, so flexing the keyboard is also another possible concern. It appears this weakness was identified during production as keyboards with main IC chip date-codes closer to 1997 have on their bottom case piece two raised stalks that hold up the assembly whereas ones with date-codes closer to 1995 do not.
+The internal assembly design is typical of an M6/M6-1 keyboard and is a sandwich of four layers:
   - The **barrel plate** sits at the top and is used for guiding individual key-switch components (the buckling sleeve rubber elements and barrel slider actuators) to their correct position above the membrane assembly's contact points. The barrel plate is shared between [[ANSI]] and [[ISO]] layout keyboards.
@@ Line 43: / Line 45: @@
 :keyboard:shark_x0044_keytronic_assembly_bottom.jpg
 :keyboard:shark_x0044_lexmark_nub_hole.jpg
+</gallery>
+=== Controller ===
+The X0044 is unique amongst M6/M6-1 keyboards in that it's a discrete keyboard, so it also gets a discrete controller card. It has a Motorola SC423134P integrated controller that is copyright of Lexmark 1995. [If it was ever published] no specsheet for this IC has been located thus far.((https://www.pda-soft.de/keyboard_disassemble.html)) It appears the last four digits of the IC's serial number (the last line silk-screened on the chip) are a year and week date code, which is presently the only way an X0044 keyboard can be dated since the keyboard's rear label only has a copyright date.
+Besides the IC, the controller card PCB notably has two FFC connectors for the membrane assembly (an 11-pin socket for key-matrix columns and a 7-pin socket for key-matrix rows) and a 6-pin JST PH-style socket for the keyboard-to-PDA cable. The PCB has 3 possible screw holes although only two are utilised.
+<gallery>
+:keyboard:shark_x0044_keytronic_bottom_underside.jpg
+:keyboard:shark_x0044_lexmark_ic.jpg
+:keyboard:shark_x0044_keytronic_ic.jpg
 </gallery>
 === Switches ===
+Being an M6-1, the X0044 uses IBM "buckling rubber sleeve" tactile key-switches, an IBM "Quiet Touch" technology used by a significant subset of the IBM Model M keyboard family for high-tactility applications that don't require audible clicking and for the most part need to be relatively (especially by '90s standards) low-profile. Like its closest relatives, the IBM ThinkPads 500 and 510Cs, the X0044's small size mandated smaller sleeve elements and lower key-travel than most other IBM Model Ms with buckling sleeves. The sleeve size is dubbed "medium gauge"; such sleeves typically have a diameter of ~11mm and provide ~2.5mm travel.((https://sharktastica.co.uk/wiki?id=ibmbucklingsleeve#Gauges)) The sleeves are typically clear and translucent.
+<gallery>
+:keyboard:shark_x0044_lexmark_sleeves_exposed.jpg
+</gallery>
 === Keycaps ===
@@ Line 55: / Line 75: @@
 :keyboard:shark_x0044_keytronic_1u_underside.jpg
 :keyboard:shark_x0044_keycap_printing.jpg
+</gallery>
+==== Connectivity ====
+The X0044 has a small cable terminating in an 8-pin Mini-DIN plug. This plug is the same used for Apple LocalTalk but that is as far as the similarities go. The signal is a serial connection (asynchronous, positive logic, 9600-baud, least bit first). Several converters for connecting X0044s to modern PCs exist, including using TMK((https://web.archive.org/web/20231220200934/https://github.com/themav/tmk-keyboard-newton)) and QMK((https://web.archive.org/web/20231220201638/https://github.com/cheer4u-code/qmk_firmware/tree/1391d43a8c0747fd569e886c2e87140eba812b74/keyboards/converter/newton_usb)) firmware and independent efforts such as the Newton Keyboard Enabler.((https://web.archive.org/web/20231220201144/https://github.com/sarnau/NewtonKeyboardEnabler))
+<gallery>
+:keyboard:shark_x0044_lexmark_plug.jpg
 </gallery>
@@ Line 61: / Line 89: @@
 <gallery showcaption>
 :keyboard:shark_x0044_keytronic-a.jpg
-:keyboard:shark_x0044_lexmark_ic.jpg
-:keyboard:shark_x0044_keytronic_ic.jpg
 :keyboard:shark_x0044_cover.jpg
-:keyboard:shark_x0044_lexmark_plug.jpg
 </gallery>
-{{tag>keyboard:sense-contact keyboard:oem-keytronic keyboard:oem-lexmark keyboard:protocol-serial keyboard:keycaps-padprint}}
+{{tag>keyboard:sense-contact keyboard:oem-keytronic keyboard:oem-lexmark keyboard:protocol-serial keyboard:keycaps-padprint keyboard:layout-ansi keyboard:layout-iso}}