Datalux SpaceSaver

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Datalux SpaceSaver series

FCC ID	HE829NMICA (Microtype MT-1; 1988)
Branding	"microtype", Datalux
Layouts	ANSI-derived custom
Keyswitches	MEI T-15 series, Cherry ML
Interface	USB Previously, AT/XT switchable and PS/2
Introduced	Ca. 1988
Discontinued	Yes
Price	$130 basic $195 with GlidePoint (2012)
Website	www.datalux.com/products/keyboards/

The Datalux SpaceSaver, introduced circa 1988 as the Mechanical Enterprises Microtype Space-Saver Keyboard (styled as "microtype"), was a long-standing family of compact keyboards from Mechanical Enterprises (MEI) and its successor, Datalux. Three form factors were available: desk model, tray model, and panel model; each form factor supported an optional Cirque GlidePoint trackpad in place of the central navigation cluster.

An infrared wireless version was available in the form of the nVIEW Toteboard.

The SpaceSaver series is discontinued. The SpaceSaver Keyboards by Datalux: Product End of Life Notification page does not cite a date of publication or date of discontinuation, but information from Devlin suggests that it would have been somewhere between 2013 and 2014, based on an estimate of when they stopped manufacturing the internals. Datalux were only able to say that the product is superseded by a new model; no information about the SpaceSaver series is believed to remain in existence at Datalux.

Description

All three variants conserve width by placing the function keys, navigation cluster and number pad behind the alphanumeric area in four rows: the keyboards trade width for depth. Keycap spacing is standard 0.750″ (19.05 mm), but row spacing is reduced to 0.625″ (0.588 mm) to compensate for having nine rows instead of the usual six.

All three types use flat profile keycaps; the tray and panel versions are completely flat, while the desk model has an ergonomic ramped backplane that elevates the rear half of the keyboard in line with its space-saving arrangement.

Datalux SpaceSaver keyboards have been made with both MEI and Cherry ML switches. There is a general preference of the ML switches over the MEI switches in terms of feel.

On XT/AT switchable models, the keyboard protocol was selected using a jumper under the 1 key. Later models were USB.

Models

Model codes are five characters, with the following possible meanings:

SIGUC

S

Subfamily — M (desk), T (tray), C or P (panel)

I

Interface — U (USB), O or I (non-USB; the letters do not correspond to PS/2 vs XT/AT)

G

GlidePoint — G or P (has GlidePoint), R or D (has navigation cluster); no known explanation for the differences

U

Uncertain; typically 'U' (US English?), but also 'G' on a German MORGW model so this may indicate layout

C

Colour — W (white), C (charcoal); 'B' is assumed to be "black", but it's not adequately clear from photos on the Web whether this is true

Known models

The following table lists all models currently on sale or researched. The list is not exhaustive.

Subfamily	Model	Central area	Colour	Connector	Layout	Switches
Panel	PURUC	Navigation cluster	Charcoal	USB
Desk	MUPUC	GlidePoint	Charcoal	USB		ML
Desk	MUPUW	GlidePoint	White	USB		ML
Desk	MURUC	Navigation cluster	Charcoal	USB		ML
Desk	MURUW	Navigation cluster	White	USB		ML
Tray	TUPUC	GlidePoint	Charcoal	USB		ML
Tray	TUPUW	GlidePoint	White	USB		ML
Tray	TURUC	Navigation cluster	Charcoal	USB		ML
Tray	TURUW	Navigation cluster	White	USB		ML
Desk	MOGUC	GlidePoint	Charcoal	—
Panel	CIDUC	Custom keys	Charcoal	XT/AT	English	MEI
Panel	POGUC	GlidePoint	Charcoal	PS/2 and serial	English
Desk	MORUW	Navigation cluster	White	PS/2	US English	MEI
Desk	MORUC	Navigation cluster	Charcoal	PS/2		MEI
Desk	MODUW	Navigation cluser	White	PS/2	US English	MEI
Desk	MORGW	Navigation cluster	White	PS/2	German
Desk	MIRUW	Navigation cluster	White	5-pin DIN (XT/AT)	US English	MEI
Tray	TIDUB	Navigation cluster	Black?	5-pin DIN (XT/AT?)
Tray	TORUC	Navigation cluster	Charcoal	PS/2
Tray	TIRUC	Navigation cluster	Charcoal	XT/AT
Tray	TORUB	Navigation cluster	Black?	XT/AT
Tray	TOGUW	GlidePoint	White	PS/2 and serial	US English	MEI

Gallery

• 

  BYTE magazine advert from 1992

MORUW

Datalux-branded MORUW with MEI switches.

• 

  Front view.

• 

  Raised enter key.

• 

  Curved case design.

• 

  White MEI switch.

• 

  Horizontal comparison with standard key size.

• 

  Vertical comparison with standard key size.

POGUC

Datalux-branded POGUC; switch type is not known.

• 

  Top

• 

  Panel form factor, with lip

• 

  Rear label

• 

  PS/2 plug, for the keyboard

• 

  Serial plug, for the GlidePoint trackpad

Trivia

Several models of the Datalux SpaceSaver were used as props for the 2nd and 3rd seasons of the TV-show Seaquest DSV. Some were in the submarine Seaquest itself, most notably on its bridge. Others were on computer control stations for undersea colonies that the Sequest visited.