Editing Zenith ZKB-2

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{{infobox dkeyboard
| name         = ZKB-2
| image name   = Zenith ZKB-2 top view.JPG
| pn           = 
| fcc          = 
| branding     = [[Zenith Data Systems]]
| manufacturer = [[Alps Electric]]?
| switch       = [[Alps SKCL Green]]<br>[[Alps SKCL Yellow]]<br>[[Mitsumi miniature mechanical]]<br>[[Alps SKCL Cream]] (spacebar)<br>[[Alps SKCL Grey]] (spacebar)
| keycaps      = [[Double-shot moulding|Doubleshot]] [[ABS]]
| layouts      = 
| features     =  Keystroke buzzer (switchable)
| interface    =  XT, AT 5 Pin DIN
| weight       = 
| introduced   = 1986?
| price        = 
| switch mount = [[Plate mount]]
| rollover     = 
}}

==Description==
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====
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===
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===
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.
<gallery widths="400">
File:Zenith-163-73-Layout.JPG
</gallery>

==August 1987 SKCL Green==
<gallery widths="250" heights="187">
File:Zenith ZKB-2 AT XT switch.JPG                       | AT XT switch
File:Zenith ZKB-2 Alps SKCL Green doubleshot keycaps.JPG | Alps SKCL Green and doubleshot keycaps
File:Zenith ZKB-2 back view.JPG                          | Back view
File:Zenith ZKB-2 badge.JPG                              | Rear label; 163-40-2 appears to be the part number
File:Zenith ZKB-2 PCB.JPG                                | PCB
File:Zenith ZKB-2 metal backplate.JPG                    | Metal backplate
</gallery>

==June 1990 SKCL Yellow==
<gallery widths="250" heights="187">                         
File:Zenith ZKB-2 June1990 front.jpg                     | Front, [[Alps SKCL Yellow]]
File:Zenith ZKB-2 June1990 detail.jpg                    | Notice the revised Zenith Data Systems "tree" logo.
File:Zenith ZKB-2 June1990 back.jpg                      | Back with badge and production stickers   
</gallery>

==See also==

*[[File:Zenith-Professional-101-Keyboard.pdf]]

==External links==

[[Category:Zenith keyboards]]
[[Category:Keyboards with Alps SKCL/SKCM switches]]
[[Category:List of all keyboards]]
<references />