From: utzoo!decvax!harpo!npoiv!npois!cbosgd!djb
Newsgroups: net.micro.pc
Title: Re: new keyboard for IBM PC
Article-I.D.: cbosgd.3134
Posted: Thu Feb 17 10:44:55 1983
Received: Tue Feb 22 07:45:50 1983
References: <2825@utzoo.UUCP>

	An outfit called Qubie also makes a PC-compatible keyboard with 
basically the same improvements (reasonable key lay-out, LED indicators on 
"caps lock" and "num lock", "return" in the usual spot, "enter" key over by
the numeric key pad instead of the gargantuan "+" key, and familiar key 
labels instead of bizarre symbols).  Qubie wants $199 for their keyboard.

	I don't know about the Qubie, but the Key Tronic unit (called the
KB5150, since 5150 is the official IBM product number for the PC) also
has some internal differences.  The space bar lacks the stubborn resistance
of the IBM's space bar.  Also, the KB5150 has a different tactile feel,
since it uses much lighter springs under the key cap, lowering the key 
resistance to 1.5 ounces (vs. 3 ounces for the IBM keyboard).  The KB5150 
doesn't click like the IBM PC keyboard.  And the KB5150 uses a positive force
tactile feel which maintains a constant resistance until the moment of
contact (the IBM keyboard uses breakover tactile feel, in which the pressure
builds up as the key is depressed, drops at the operation-threshold point,
and then decreases at the end).  The word is a skilled touch typist can pick
up a few extra strokes by using the KB5150 instead of the IBM keyboard.

	Now if we can just get IBM to sell us a PC without their keyboard
as part of the package...

	David Bryant   Bell Labs   Columbus, OH   (614) 860-4516
	(cbosg!djb)