deskthority

I just picked up this HP 2644A terminal keyboard because it looked neat. I believe it is from 1975 based on the date code and the timeline from the HP computer museum. Other than that I don't know anything about it. Maybe someone here has an idea what kind of switches it might have. I likely won't have it in my possession for about a week.

http://hpmuseum.net/display_item.php?hw=240
Here is an example of a restored keyboard.
http://www.juliepalooza.com/sl/hp2644a.htm

Nice one, it may have the Hi-Tek linear type switch:

wiki/Hi-Tek_linear

http://terminals-wiki.org/wiki/index.php/HP_2640A

seebart wrote: Nice one, it may have the Hi-Tek linear type switch:

It should have early Cherry key switches. I have the same keyboard. I thought I had already posted pics somewhere but I guess not.

snuci wrote:

seebart wrote: Nice one, it may have the Hi-Tek linear type switch:

It should have early Cherry key switches. I have the same keyboard. I thought I had already posted pics somewhere but I guess not.

Seeing is believing. Looking foreward to your pictures, Im assuming you do not mean your HP 9830A.

seebart wrote: Seeing is believing. Looking foreward to your pictures, Im assuming you do not mean your HP 9830A.

No, I don't mean the 9830A. After some searching, I recall why I never took pictures. Haata already did. This keyboard should have ITW magnetic valve switches. Pictures are here: https://www.flickr.com/photos/triplehaa ... 8986/page1

snuci wrote:

seebart wrote: After some searching, I recall why I never took pictures. Haata already did. This keyboard should have ITW magnetic valve switches. Pictures are here: https://www.flickr.com/photos/triplehaa ... 8986/page1

Ha! Both of us got it wrong, but Im pretty sure I had a look at Haatas before also. I had a chance to buy one of these ages ago but passed it up at the time...

seebart wrote: Ha! Both of us got it wrong, but Im pretty sure I had a look at Haatas before also. I had a chance to buy one of these ages ago but passed it up at the time...

Technically, only one of us is wrong. If I recall, it has one lone Cherry switch and that was the one I remembered Look at the "Reset Terminal" key. No idea why it is a Cherry switch. Maybe the gold cross point was quicker than the magnetic valve? That's pure speculation. We'll confirm when JP! get's hers. Nice terminal!

Maybe reset terminal bypasses the keyboard logic circuitry, and consequently needs to be a simple pushbutton without any complex drive electronics requirements. Magnetic valve switches have to go through the controller to function.

snuci wrote:

seebart wrote: Ha! Both of us got it wrong, but Im pretty sure I had a look at Haatas before also. I had a chance to buy one of these ages ago but passed it up at the time...

Technically, only one of us is wrong. If I recall, it has one lone Cherry switch and that was the one I remembered Look at the "Reset Terminal" key. No idea why it is a Cherry switch. Maybe the gold cross point was quicker than the magnetic valve? That's pure speculation. We'll confirm when JP! get's hers. Nice terminal!

HP keyboard.JPG

No because I clearly remember seeing one of these with Hi-Tek modular switches years ago, but your dogmatism makes me apathetic to this, just the type of attitude I dont need more of.

See, this is why you're supposed to document things on the wiki, then such pointless arguments become impossible.

Daniel Beardsmore wrote: See, this is why you're supposed to document things on the wiki, then such pointless arguments become impossible.

Inherently the sensible approach which is often not possible, like I wrote I never bought or physically saw it which makes all this worthless. Apart from that this is not an "argument" to me, just not enough substance here.

seebart wrote: Inherently the sensible approach which is often not possible, like I wrote I never bought or physically saw it which makes all this worthless. Apart from that this is not an "argument" to me, just not enough substance here.

Sorry seebart. My "only one of us is wrong" comment was meant to be playful. I only have one keyboard of thousands; maybe tens or hundreds of thousands. Who knows if they didn't produce these for a number of years and then switch to Hi-Tek at some point? I don't know so you won't get an argument from me. I will document mine and, if different, I hope JP! will document this one. I just have a lot of vintage computer projects at this time so I'm slower than my usual slow pace.

Thanks everyone for the comments. I will post some pictures in a few days and of course make sure things make it to the wiki.

snuci wrote:

seebart wrote: Inherently the sensible approach which is often not possible, like I wrote I never bought or physically saw it which makes all this worthless. Apart from that this is not an "argument" to me, just not enough substance here.

Sorry seebart. My "only one of us is wrong" comment was meant to be playful. I only have one keyboard of thousands; maybe tens or hundreds of thousands. Who knows if they didn't produce these for a number of years and then switch to Hi-Tek at some point? I don't know so you won't get an argument from me. I will document mine and, if different, I hope JP! will document this one. I just have a lot of vintage computer projects at this time so I'm slower than my usual slow pace.

No offence taken! I was primarily angry with myself because I can not remember when and where I saw that HP 2644A. Looking foreward to more on both of your HP's.

Just got this keyboard today. I was expecting a cross style key mount.

Don't think I've seen that mount on an ITW switch before — reminds me of the keystems in [wiki]Tokai MM9 series[/wiki].

JP! wrote: Just got this keyboard today. I was expecting a cross style key mount.

Haha nice another variation! HaaTa's has the cross style key mount. What is that metal bit in the center of that keycap? Come on let's see some more pics JP!

This metal thing looks like a retaining ring, possibly to stabilize the mount and prevent it from splitting?

Nuum wrote: This metal thing looks like a retaining ring, possibly to stabilize the mount and prevent it from splitting?

Right. Pretty massive retaining ring. Of course this HP is a "massive" keyboard!