Zenith ZKB-2

ZKB-2
Branding	Zenith Data Systems
Manufacturer	Alps Electric?
Features	Keystroke buzzer (switchable)
Keyswitches	Alps SKCL Green; Alps SKCL Yellow; Mitsumi miniature mechanical; Alps SKCL Cream (spacebar); Alps SKCL Grey (spacebar)
Switch mount	Plate mount
Keycaps	Doubleshot ABS
Interface	XT, AT 5 Pin DIN
Introduced	1986?

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Description[edit | edit source]

The Zenith ZKB-2 is an XT/AT compatible keyboard sold by Zenith Data Systems using linear variants of the Alps SKCL/SKCM series plate mounted switches or Mitsumi miniature mechanical switches.

Keystroke Buzzer[edit | edit source]

The ZKB-2 has a piezo keystroke buzzer which emits a short beep/chirp with every keystroke. This feature can be toggled on or off by pressing Alt + ~ (tilde).

Switches[edit | edit source]

Linear variants of the Alps SKCL/SKCM series are used in the ZKB-2. Alps SKCL Green or Alps SKCL Yellow switches are used for all keys except the space bar which uses the stiffer Alps SKCL Grey linear switch. Also a version with Mitsumi miniature mechanical switches exists.<ref>Keyboard with manufacture date April 1989: https://www.ebay.com/itm/123671650959/</ref>

Layout[edit | edit source]

The layout is based on the standard 101 key ANSI layout with a few variances. The "Enter" key resembles a square "J" occupying the normal enter position and 1u directly above. The "]}" key is elongated to 1.5u and the "\|" key is relocated as a 1u key to the right of a shortened 1.75u right shift. The Ctrl and Alt keys are 1.75u. The altered keys are highlighted below.