27 Mar
2001
27 Mar
'01
5:29 p.m.
Yes, the 5155 does have an RJ11-like keyboard
connector. It plugs into a
socket on the front of the case which is wired to a 5 pin DIN plug, which
is then plugged into the normal keyboard connector on the (XT) motherboard.
I would've thought they'd have just extended the XT connector
to the front of the machine using a similar type cable instead of
making sure that the only keyboard usable on the 5155 is that
specific one, at least without a bit of work.
One thing that many manufacturers did that Apple
didn't was make the
cable difficult to detach from the keyboard. By having it fixed at one
end, you couldn't replace it (easily) with a telephone cable.
I'm glad that all of the keyboards with that connector that I
have all are detachable. Makes replacement that much easier if
there's a problem. All of the ones I mentioned previously are
detachable at the keyboard, including my DECmate II, which I forgot
used the same type. It takes a bit more work to get the cable off
though since it runs through a little channel on the bottom of the
keyboard after it is connected.
Yes, if the locking clip catches on another cable
(cables seem to tangle
in the most amazing ways), it breaks off :-(. Horrible little connector.
Especially when you pack them into a box for movement.
Wrapping them around the keyboard lessens this somewhat but I dislike
doing that since it stretches the cable out of shape.
Jeff
--
Collector of Classic Microcomputers and Video Game Systems:
Home of the TRS-80 Model 2000 FAQ File
http://www.geocities.com/siliconvalley/lakes/6757