NMB Keyboards revamp

[Engicoder]

I am interested in revamping the NMB Keyboards section. Right now it really only discusses one generation of NMB keyboards. In my travels, and collecting, I have discovered that there are essentially 5 generations of NMB keyboards with respect to case design.

Generation 1:
Thick plastic top case (Keytronic XT or IBM AT style)
Black back plate (metal or plastic)

Gen1-Front (Large).JPG (231.19 KiB) Viewed 3336 times

Gen1-Rear (Large).JPG (287.37 KiB) Viewed 3336 times

Generation 2:
Thinner top case (Keytronic XT or IBM AT Style)
Biege rear cover with Keyboard and Mouse cable openings.

Gen2-Front (Large).JPG (241.44 KiB) Viewed 3336 times

Gen2-Rear (Large).JPG (191.2 KiB) Viewed 3336 times

Generation 3:
Model M style, upper case.
Rear cover has cable routing channel

Gen3-Front (Large).JPG (264.75 KiB) Viewed 3336 times

Gen3-Rear (Large).JPG (217.77 KiB) Viewed 3336 times

Generation 4:
Flat G80-3000 style case
This generation includes the well known RT-8255 keyboards

Gen4-Front (Large).JPG (219.64 KiB) Viewed 3336 times

Gen4-Rear (Large).JPG (166.69 KiB) Viewed 3336 times

Generation 5:
Reduced footprint compared to Gen 4.

Gen5-Front (Large).JPG (234.4 KiB) Viewed 3336 times

Gen5-Rear (Large).JPG (175.32 KiB) Viewed 3336 times

My plan is to rework the landing page for NMB Keyboards to have this summary information. Then have a separate page for each generation that details variants, switches used, and known model/part numbers.

Does these seem like a reasonable approach?

Note: Switch, pcb and even keycap design overlap the timeline of these case generations independently. As such case design seems like good starting point for differentiation and identification. Ultimately a Gantt chart style graphic could be used to document the overlap between components over time.

[seebart]

Sounds good to me, go for it!

[terrycherry]

Thanks to create the new page and update for the NMB Hi-tek switches. And I support the switch name called Hi-tek 725 series. Sounds reasonable for that!
That what I want to do that you sorting 5 gen for the 725 series keyboard, I glad to see it.
Thanks for Engicoder and Daniel Beardsmore updated the wiki!

[Chyros]

I saw a couple of wiki edits you made on this ealier, should be very good! A very nice collection if they're all yours . The Gen 5 ones appear to be somewhat rare, I don't see them very often at all.

[jacobolus]

There are also some other designs not included in this list, like the 122-key battleship boards, various terminal keyboards, and keyboards made for particular computers (Amiga, Symbolics, etc.). Not sure where those fit in the scheme.

[seebart]

There are also some other designs not included in this list, like the 122-key battleship boards, various terminal keyboards, and keyboards made for particular computers (Amiga, Symbolics, etc.). Not sure where those fit in the scheme.

True, I own a Commodore PC-5/PC-10 that is a NMB Hi-TEK Part.No 112581 REV A:

IMGP9307.JPG (963.46 KiB) Viewed 3191 times

photos-f62/cherry-g80-0530-commodore-pc ... =commodore

[Engicoder]

I think they should be considered NMB/Hitek OEM keyboards as is done for the keyboards. So the normal wiki method of a page for the keyboard along with a link to the NMB OEM keyboards makes the most sense. As far as the 122, I need to add that to the Gen 4 when I get a chance.

[terrycherry]

Sort them to the other 725 series keyboard for the specific layout or keyboard design is an advice.

[seebart]

I think they should be considered NMB/Hitek OEM keyboards as is done for the keyboards. So the normal wiki method of a page for the keyboard along with a link to the NMB OEM keyboards makes the most sense. As far as the 122, I need to add that to the Gen 4 when I get a chance.

Yeah agreed, thanks for your work sofar! I'll add mine if that's OK.