Commodore Amiga 2000

Amiga 2000 keyboard
Part number	Cherry: G80-0879, G80-0904, G80-0922, G80-0924
FCC ID	n/a
Branding	Commodore Amiga
Manufacturer	Cherry, Hi-Tek, Mitsumi
Features	NKRO
Layouts	97/98 Key US, DE, DK, and many more
Keyswitches	Cherry MX Black; Hi-Tek Series 725; Mitsumi KKQ Type
Interface	Amiga proprietary
Price	n/a (included with System)

The Commodore Amiga 2000 is a computer in the Commodore Amiga series. The Amiga 2000 is perhaps the Amiga model that has had the most keyboard revisions.

Keyboards[edit | edit source]

The connector is a 5-pin DIN plug. The pins are 1:Clock, 2:Data, 4:Ground, 5:+5V. Pin 3 in not used.<ref name="pinouts" />

Cherry versions[edit | edit source]

This keyboard (in a few variants) was the first generation of keyboards to ship with the Amiga 2000. It was also the first with the "full-sized" Amiga layout that was used later for all later models, except the (compact) Amiga 600. Among Amiga collectors, the keyboard fetches high prices and is highly sought after, due to its rarity. The keyboard was only in production for the first batch of Amiga 2000 computers (1986–1987)^{[Citation needed]} and was later replaced by a more cost efficient foam and foil variant made by Mitsumi.

The Cherry keyboards are from Cherry G80 series, with Cherry MX switches and double-shot keycaps,<ref>English Amiga Board — Keyboard pictures — photo #3 actually shows double-shots keycaps</ref> with a Cherry MX Linear Grey for the space bar. The Amiga keycaps are pad printed. Diodes are fitted for N-key rollover. The keycaps are originally featured a slightly lighter almond and light grey colour scheme than the default Cherry scheme.

These keyboards can be recognised by the gaps between the Amiga keys and the space bar.

The keyboard features a 1-unit windowed Caps lock key with a red LED beneath. The US variant has a "big-ass" Return key that mounts over two switches: the same as the ISO Return and the key next to it.

Disassembly[edit | edit source]

Two case variations have been identified: with either six clips or eight screws on the bottom side. Unfastening them should give access to the keyboard PCB inside. <ref name="hschid">hschid's blog — Amiga 2000A Tastaturen. Dated 2017-09-01. Retrieved 2018-04-16</ref>

Gallery[edit | edit source]

Heavily yellowed US layout keyboard
US layout, numeric keypad detail
Cherry G80-0904 with German QWERTZ layout
Swedish/Finnish ISO layout
Danish layout
Backside with 6 clips to open the case
PCB
Cardboard shielding behind the PCB connected with a wire to ground
Case top removed
Cherry MX Linear Grey under space bar. Note the lighter colour and diode
Label on topside of PCB with part number
Stabilizer and MX Black switches
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Left Amiga A
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Right Amiga A

Known variants[edit | edit source]

G80-0879HAU (US-layout, PCB-mounted MX blacks) ??
G80-0904HAD (DE-layout, PCB-mounted MX blacks) ??
G80-0922 (FI/SE-layout, PCB mounted MX blacks)
G80-0924 (DK layout, PCB-mounted MX Black)

Hi-Tek version[edit | edit source]

The Hi-Tek keyboard used linear Hi-Tek Series 725 switches,<ref>Reddit — Just got an Commodore Amiga 2000 Keyboard. What switches are those and how can I connect it to my pc?</ref> weighted at around 55 cN and with short key travel. The Amiga keys are black. There is a rivet that can be seen in the gap in-between the Del and Help keys. On some NMB keyboards, the left Amiga key has a Commodore logo on it instead of an italicized A. Some keyboards have switches with yellow sliders, others white.

Gallery[edit | edit source]

Switches View
Top View

Mitsumi version[edit | edit source]

The Mitsumi version uses tactile Mitsumi KKQ Type switches with blue sliders. The keycaps were made from ABS and yellowed more easily than the earlier Cherry keycaps. Mitsumi keyboards can be told apart from the Hi-Tek keyboards by the decimal point on the numeric keypad not being aligned with the 0 key symbol's baseline, but being higher up.

To accommodate the integrated LED, the caps lock switch is linear.