Difference between revisions of "Noppoo Choc Mini"

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{{TODO photo|more=true|reason=White and LED backlit pictures needed, and photos of revised layout}}
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{{infobox dkeyboard
 
{{infobox dkeyboard
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|title= Noppoo Choc Mini
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| pn          = Choc-84
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| pn = Choc-84
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| image name  = Noppoo_Choc_Mini_Front.jpg
−
| branding =  
+
| fcc          =
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| manufacturer     = [[Noppoo]]
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| branding     =  
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| switch = [[Cherry MX]]
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| manufacturer = [[Noppoo]]
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| layouts = 84-key ANSI
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| switch       = [[Cherry MX]]
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| interface = [[USB]]
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| keycaps      = [[Keycap_printing#Laser-etched|Laser-etched]] [[POM]] (original model)
−
| weight = Unknown
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| layouts     = 84-key [[ANSI]]
−
| years = Unknown
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| interface   = [[USB]]
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| price = ~80 USD
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| weight       = 1.6 lbs (~730 g)
 +
| years       =  
 +
| price       = ~80 USD
 +
| features    = [[Backlit keyboard|Backlighting]], integrated numeric keypad, caps lock/control reversal
 +
| rollover    = [[Rollover, blocking and ghosting|NKRO]]
 +
| power draw  = 9 mW
 
}}
 
}}
  
−
The '''[[Noppoo]] Choc Mini''' is a compact, 84-key layout keyboard based on the US ANSI layout.
+
The '''[[Noppoo]] Choc Mini''' is a compact, [[Backlit keyboard|backlit]] 84-key layout keyboard based on the US ANSI layout.
 +
 
 +
==Versions==
 +
There are several versions of this keyboard available.
 +
* Black
 +
* White
 +
* Black, LED Backlit
 +
 
 +
There are also at least two different US ANSI layouts. The layout pictured below has the following keys in the far-right column: Switch Lock, Pause/Print Screen, Page Up/Home, Page Down/End, Delete/Insert, and right arrow. The non-backlit model alphanumeric legends are laser etched with gold-coloured text. The newer layout changed the far-right column to: Delete/Switch (Lock), Home, Page Up, Page Down, End, and right arrow. Insert is moved to the Fn layer of F12. The non-backlit model alphanumeric legends of this version have white text. Additional changes exist besides those in the far-right column, but that column saw the majority of the alterations. The change appears to have been made by February 2012.<ref name="Feb2012change" />
  
 
==Keys==
 
==Keys==
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The Keys are [[Keycap_printing#Laser_Engraving|laser engraved]] and made of [[POM]]. The color of the legends is golden for the basic layer, light-blue for the integrated numpad keys, red for the media control keys and green for the switch lock, which exchanges the function of the Capslock and Control keys. Interesting to note, the modifier and other keys do not use symbols but text to describe their function.
+
Early versions of the Choc Mini used [[Keycap printing#Laser etching|laser-etched]] [[POM]] keycaps, with golden coloured legends for the primary layer. This was changed to white text, which may also be laser etching.
−
The keyboard does not have extra LED's but windows with LED's in the key itself.
 
  
−
The spacebar also sports a '''Noppoo''' branding in form of the company logo and text.
+
The front printing is split into several colours: sky blue for num lock and the integrated numeric keypad; magenta for insert, Windows key lock, and the media controls; white for scroll lock, and green for switch lock, which swaps caps lock and control keys (with a dedicated LED). The modifier keys use only text for their legends. Status LEDs are provided by windowed keycaps.
  
−
Due to the filled laser engraving used, the keys are very susceptible to wearout. See pictures for references.
+
The space bar also sports a '''Noppoo''' branding in form of the company logo and text.
 +
 
 +
The laser-etched keys of the original version are very susceptible to staining, as illustrated below.
  
 
==Rollover==
 
==Rollover==
−
This Keyboard features [[Rollover,_Blocking_and_Ghosting#n-Key_Rollover|N-Key Rollover]] over USB. It achieves this by emulating a USB Hub and 3 separate USB Keyboards.
+
This keyboard features [[Rollover, blocking and ghosting#n-Key_Rollover|N-Key Rollover]] over [[USB]]. It achieves this by exposing two separate keyboard interfaces over the USB port, which works ''similarly to'' as if there had been a USB hub with two keyboards attached.<ref name="ghtheflowingash"/>
  
−
Works on:  
+
==Compatibility==
−
* PC
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This keyboard works on [[Microsoft Windows]] and [[Linux]].
 +
 
 +
The Noppoo doesn't work on Apple [[macOS]] and iOS without workarounds:
 +
* Setting the keyboard in PS/2 mode and use a [[Converter|PS/2-to-USB converter]].
 +
* Use '''thefloweringash''''s Kernel Extension [https://github.com/thefloweringash/iousbhiddriver-descriptor-override IOUSBHIDDriverDescriptorOverride] and KeyRemap4MacBook.
 +
 
 +
The technical reasons for the problems with Apple products are two:
 +
1. It uses a report format which Apple's parser has a problem with.
 +
2. It supports only low-speed USB, which has a report size limit of 8 bytes. To get around that limit for NKRO, it uses two HID interfaces but of which only one carries the modifiers, and Apple's HID class driver does not combine modifiers from different keyboards.<ref name="ghtheflowingash"/>
 +
 
 +
See also [[NKRO-over-USB issues]].
 +
 
 +
==Gallery==
 +
The following pictures date from 2011, prior to the layout changeover in 2011 or early 2012. This version used natural colour laser-etched legends.
  
−
==Pictures==
 
 
<gallery widths=150px caption="Noppoo Choc Mini 84">
 
<gallery widths=150px caption="Noppoo Choc Mini 84">
−
File:Noppoo_Choc_Mini_Front.jpg|Front view on the Noppoo Choc Mini.
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File:Noppoo_Choc_Mini_Front.jpg     | Front view
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File:Noppoo_Choc_Mini_Top.jpg|Top view on the Noppoo Choc Mini.
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File:Noppoo_Choc_Mini_Top.jpg       | Top view
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File:Noppoo_Choc_Mini_Good_Key.jpg|Shows a key with low wear.
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File:Noppoo_Choc_Mini_Good_Key.jpg   | Laser etching in good condition
−
File:Noppoo_Choc_Mini_Bad_Key.jpg|Shows a key with high wear.
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File:Noppoo_Choc_Mini_Bad_Key.jpg   | Stained laser etching
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File:Noppoo_Choc_Mini_Key_Detail.jpg|Detail on the Filled Laser Engraving
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File:Noppoo_Choc_Mini_Key_Detail.jpg | Laser etching detail
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File:Noppoo_Choc_Mini_Window_Key.jpg|Shows a window key.
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File:Noppoo_Choc_Mini_Window_Key.jpg | Windowed keycap
 
</gallery>
 
</gallery>
  
−
[[Category:Keyboards]]
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==References==
−
[[Category:Noppoo Keyboards]]
+
<references>
 +
<ref name="Feb2012change">Deskthority — [http://deskthority.net/photos-videos-f8/noppoo-choc-mini-t1927.html Noppoo Choc Mini {{sq|Red Backlight}}]</ref>
 +
<ref name="ghtheflowingash">Geekhack — [https://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=24672.0 Noppoo Choc Mini on MacOS]. Posted by '''thefloweringash''' on 2011-12-06. Retrieved 2019-03-21</ref>
 +
</references>
 +
 
 +
[[Category:Noppoo keyboards]]
 +
[[Category:Keyboards with Cherry MX switches]]
 +
[[Category:Contemporary keyboards]]
 +
[[Category:75% keyboards]]
 +
[[Category:Backlit keyboards]]
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[[Category:List of all keyboards]]

Revision as of 21:56, 2 February 2020

Template icon--Illustration.png This article requires additional photographic illustration — White and LED backlit pictures needed, and photos of revised layout
Noppoo Choc Mini
Noppoo Choc Mini Front.jpg
Part number Choc-84
Manufacturer Noppoo
Features Backlighting, integrated numeric keypad, caps lock/control reversal
Layouts 84-key ANSI
Keyswitches Cherry MX
Keycaps Laser-etched POM (original model)
Interface USB
Power draw 9 mW
Rollover NKRO
Weight 1.6 lbs (~730 g)
Price ~80 USD

The Noppoo Choc Mini is a compact, backlit 84-key layout keyboard based on the US ANSI layout.

Versions

There are several versions of this keyboard available.

  • Black
  • White
  • Black, LED Backlit

There are also at least two different US ANSI layouts. The layout pictured below has the following keys in the far-right column: Switch Lock, Pause/Print Screen, Page Up/Home, Page Down/End, Delete/Insert, and right arrow. The non-backlit model alphanumeric legends are laser etched with gold-coloured text. The newer layout changed the far-right column to: Delete/Switch (Lock), Home, Page Up, Page Down, End, and right arrow. Insert is moved to the Fn layer of F12. The non-backlit model alphanumeric legends of this version have white text. Additional changes exist besides those in the far-right column, but that column saw the majority of the alterations. The change appears to have been made by February 2012.[1]

Keys

Early versions of the Choc Mini used laser-etched POM keycaps, with golden coloured legends for the primary layer. This was changed to white text, which may also be laser etching.

The front printing is split into several colours: sky blue for num lock and the integrated numeric keypad; magenta for insert, Windows key lock, and the media controls; white for scroll lock, and green for switch lock, which swaps caps lock and control keys (with a dedicated LED). The modifier keys use only text for their legends. Status LEDs are provided by windowed keycaps.

The space bar also sports a Noppoo branding in form of the company logo and text.

The laser-etched keys of the original version are very susceptible to staining, as illustrated below.

Rollover

This keyboard features N-Key Rollover over USB. It achieves this by exposing two separate keyboard interfaces over the USB port, which works similarly to as if there had been a USB hub with two keyboards attached.[2]

Compatibility

This keyboard works on Microsoft Windows and Linux.

The Noppoo doesn't work on Apple macOS and iOS without workarounds:

The technical reasons for the problems with Apple products are two: 1. It uses a report format which Apple's parser has a problem with. 2. It supports only low-speed USB, which has a report size limit of 8 bytes. To get around that limit for NKRO, it uses two HID interfaces but of which only one carries the modifiers, and Apple's HID class driver does not combine modifiers from different keyboards.[2]

See also NKRO-over-USB issues.

Gallery

The following pictures date from 2011, prior to the layout changeover in 2011 or early 2012. This version used natural colour laser-etched legends.

  • Noppoo Choc Mini 84

  • Front view

  • Top view

  • Laser etching in good condition

  • Stained laser etching

  • Laser etching detail

  • Windowed keycap

References

  1. ↑ Deskthority — Noppoo Choc Mini [Red Backlight]
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 Geekhack — Noppoo Choc Mini on MacOS. Posted by thefloweringash on 2011-12-06. Retrieved 2019-03-21
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