Podworld PDC-101

[ar_ch]

Fairly interesting board found recently.

• Layout; large Enter, window-keyless with duplicate pipe keys in place, similar to the Focus FK-8000 KeyCal(but with default mapping/left keycap)
• Dated 25-02-89 -warranty sticker on back-plate.
• Seems to have the same style large flip-out feet with cable holder as the Focus FK-727 and the Northgate OmniKey*, but in black and without rubber.
• Keycaps appear to be double-shot ABS?
• Switches seem to be the same "O"-series KPT-like switches noted in a similar board, under the same FCC ID.*
  >They have the same seemingly random "OXX" markings as above, but are all "OBX"*
  >They are black with pink sliders, are clicky and quite loud, and are fairly uniform except for the TAB key which is quiet -likely due to malfunction.
• 'Solid' feeling construction, with metal back-plate.
• 5pin DIN
• Possibly a typo in the FCC ID — according to the FCC, there is no "HEW" grantee.
• Works well, appears to have no faults and is pleasant to use.
  >I'm not accustomed to using an older board, some of the keys seemed to need 'waking up' but work consistently now after some use.

The wiki entry for the FCC ID
The only reference I could find to a board with the same case (mx-black clones)

Thank-you 'Compgeke' and 'Daniel Beardsmore' for assistance identifying the board.

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[Mattr567]

Interesting board.

Certainly appears to be a FK-555 clone.

[seebart]

Welcome to DT ar_ch!

Interesting board.

Certainly appears to be a FK-555 clone.

Indeed, we have the Podworld 292 on file, not sure if this is a variation of that switch but it may well be.

wiki/Podworld_292

[Daniel Beardsmore]

Interesting — it has a PD label on the back in the same format (albeit not the same typeface!) as the label on the matching keyboard with [wiki]ProWorld Cherry MX clone[/wiki]s:

https://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=46705

I've seen that style of label before (in the style of the one on the ProWorld keyboard) but I seem to recall that it's normally just digits. In Asian abbreviation, "PD" could denote either "ProWorld" or "PodWorld".

[seebart]

Interesting — it has a PD label on the back in the same format (albeit not the same typeface!) as the label on the matching keyboard with [wiki]ProWorld Cherry MX clone[/wiki]s:

https://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=46705

I've seen that style of label before (in the style of the one on the ProWorld keyboard) but I seem to recall that it's normally just digits. In Asian abbreviation, "PD" could denote either "ProWorld" or "PodWorld".

Not the first time asian manufacturers had variations on their name, reminds me of Unitech:

It is possible this is one of many instances where this company goes back and forth on how to spell its own name (Unitech or Unitek). There also seems to be a pattern (at least in the past) of Unitek consistently using two different OEMs for different switches implementations like Dah Yang for Cherry MX implementations, and Nan Tan Computer Co.

[Daniel Beardsmore]

Also:




So, the manual for the SKB-5150C (with ProWorld switches) lists alternative PDC model numbers, and the PCB is marked "PD".

It does therefore appear that ProWorld and PodWorld are related or the same.