Unknown SMK J-M0404 Board!

The Laptop Lagger · 19 Apr 2024, 11:55

Dear reader!

Been a minute since I've written anything here, but I recently gained a unique new additon to my messy collection.

Known simply as "Protech KEY BOARD" by the badge, with the numbers KB6150 on the bottom, this board includes black Vintage SMK Linear switches. In a, slightly unconventional, AT layout.

Below some pictures, it's currently in use as my daily driver at work. I might, however, tear it down for pictures later.
Do also note that it is scarily mint for the suspected age of this board. (I reckon 1987 circa?)

: 20240419_112737.jpg (2.17 MiB) Viewed 2175 times

Spoiler:

AndyJ · 20 Apr 2024, 15:04

Huh. Given the AT-style key arrangement in the main block and lack of the twinned alt keys alongside the spacebar, I'd bet it was made to look like the "standard" DEC layout, instead of IBM's "weird" AT layout, before IBM's "enhanced" 101-key keyboard jumped onto the DEC bandwagon.

From the keyboard connector, I'm assuming the board was intended to work with an IBM clone.

Does it have an AT/XT switch?

The Laptop Lagger · 23 Apr 2024, 08:26

AndyJ wrote: ↑
20 Apr 2024, 15:04
Huh. Given the AT-style key arrangement in the main block and lack of the twinned alt keys alongside the spacebar, I'd bet it was made to look like the "standard" DEC layout, instead of IBM's "weird" AT layout, before IBM's "enhanced" 101-key keyboard jumped onto the DEC bandwagon.

From the keyboard connector, I'm assuming the board was intended to work with an IBM clone.

Does it have an AT/XT switch?

It does indeed have an AT/XT switch! I did however note that even on AT protocol it doesn't seem to play nice with my "dumb" AT to PS/2 adapters, so I'm using an active converter to use it.

AndyJ · 24 Apr 2024, 05:44

That's not all that unusual, unfortunately.

The Laptop Lagger · 24 Apr 2024, 07:59

Anyway beyond all that the board is near mint and absolutely lovely to use, has quite a pingy ring to it (not unlike that found in an Alps SKCL board) which I quite enjoy