Editing Hi-Tek Series 725 first generation (section)

==Description==
First generation keyboards have 4 major components, the upper case, the switch assembly, the rear cover and the cable.

===Upper case===
The upper case is a single piece of thick, molded plastic with a beige, textured coating. The base plastic is white with a slightly yellow tint. The case has 8 threaded bosses. The bosses at the top and bottom of the case are use to attach the rear cover. The 4 shorter bosses on the sides of the case are used to attach the switch assembly. Early models had threaded brass inserts while later models had the screws threaded directly into the plastic. The top edge of the case features a series of half round protrusions that may be for strengthening. A single cable port is located about a quarter of the way in from the right hand side of the case. The feet are black plastic. A pigtail like spring holds each foot in place and supports two positions.

===Rear cover===
The rear cover is essentially flat with a "V" shaped trough that runs the laterally a few centimeters below the top edge. The cover is black. Early models have rear covers made of painted steel while some later models feature molded black plastic with a slight texture. The early models also have a pair of grounding screws which are not present on later models.

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====Markings====  
A 4 digit date code is stamped in white paint on the rear cover. The format of the date code is MMYY. Most also have a 5 or 6 digit serial number sticker affixed to the rear cover. Later models may have a part number sticker listing part number, revision and code. At least on example has a "Made in Taiwan" sticker.
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===Cable===
The coiled cable is approximate 1 meter long and stretches up to 2 meters comfortably. It has a molded DIN 5-180 connector on the PC end and a 6 pin header on the PCB end. A rectangular block is molded onto the cable where it exits the case. This block fits into a molded boss in the upper case that provides retention to prevent the cable movement. Cables in both black and white/beige and known to exist. Early cables have 5 conductors and a separate protective ground lead which attached to on of the screws that connect the rear cover to the upper case. Later cables have 6 conductors but lack the ground lead. Later cables are also thicker than earlier cables and have a larger diameter coil.
Some models replaced the cable with a RJ-11 modular jack which mounted in the same location as the cable.

===Switch assembly===
The switch assembly consists of the PCB, switches, key caps and switch plate. The switch plate is constructed of stamped steel with a thin, painted finish. The ends of the plate are bent to mount to the upper case using 4 screws. The pcb is double sided. The switches are [[Hi-Tek Series 725|725 series]]. Later models switched from a Toshiba microcontroller to Mitsubishi.

===Switches===
First generation keyboards used white, one eye, linear switches. There were two variants. Early keyboards used the very first 725 series switch, often referred to as the "Gundam" switch due to its similarity to the head of a [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gundam  Gundam] from Japanese anime. Gundam switches are distinguished by the curved contact opening. Later keyboards used the more common variant with a rectangular contact opening and square eye.

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File:NMB Hi-Tek -- original design.jpg | Gundam
File:NMB Hi-Tek white.jpeg            | Common one-eye
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===Keycaps===
The keycaps are made of PBT with dye-sublimated legends. They have cylindrical tops and sculpted profile. Early XT versions used an ABS spacebar as is evidenced by yellowing. Later models and future generations used a PBT spacebar.