Editing Commodore Amiga

{{TODO photo|more=true}}
{{infobox Company
| company_name     = Commodore-Amiga, Inc.
| company_logo     = [[File:Amiga_Logo_1985.svg|200px]]
| vector_logo      = 
| company_type     = Subsidiary
| parent           = Commodore Business Machines
| foundation       = 1985
| defunct          = 1994
| founder          =
| location_city    = West Chester, PA
| location_country = United States
| key_people       = [http://www.commodore.ca/history/people/irving_gould.htm Irving Gould] (Chairman),<br> [http://www.commodore.ca/commodore-history/mehdi-ali-the-end-of-commodore/ Mehdi Ali] (President)
| industry         = Computer hardware
| revenue          =
| operating_income =
| market cap        = 
| net_income       = 
| num_employees    =
| homepage         =
}}

The Commodore '''Amiga''' is a computing platform, introduced by [[Commodore International|Commodore]] in 1985 after it had purchased ''Amiga Inc''.

The classic Amiga used the Motorola MC680x0 family of processors and a custom chip set which gave it good graphics and sound capabilities (for the time) at a low cost. Its proprietary operating system had a windowing system and was one of the first for home computers to have preemptive multitasking. It was considered before its time when it arrived but much behind when Commodore folded in 1994.

The platform still has a small but very dedicated user community which has produced different expansions, emulators and follow-up systems.
This is an input device wiki, so the focus of this article is on Amiga keyboards and mice.

==Common features of Amiga keyboards==
* What makes the Amiga keyboard layout stand out the most are the two '''''[[Amiga key|A]]'''''[[Amiga key|miga key]]s at each end of the [[space bar]]. The right is used for command shortcuts and the left for the windowing-system.

* ANSI Amiga keyboards have a backwards-L ("Big-Ass") [[Return key|Return key]] where as ISO keyboards have a vertical Return key. Compared to PC keyboards, ISO has not one but two additional keys: one next to left Shift and one next to a vertical Return key. All variations have a small [[Backspace key]].

* The layout has both a [[Control key|Ctrl key]] and a [[Caps Lock]] key to the left of 'A' on the home row. Unlike the PC the (only) Ctrl key is seldom used in GUI based programs and is used mainly in terminal emulators, the command console and ''Micro Emacs'' which was included.

* The [[Caps Lock]] key has a LED in it to indicate Caps mode. This is the only keyboard LED. On computers with LEDs in the top/right corner or on the right near the keyboard, those LEDs are actually for power and FDD and (on Amiga 600 and 1200) HDD activity, and are on separate circuits.

* There are Cursor keys, with [[Delete key|Del]] and [[Help key|Help]] keys above them. Shift+''cursor'' is used to move the cursor to beginning of line, end of line, page up and page down, so special navigation keys for those tasks are not needed. Text selection using the keyboard is typically modal, initiated with the key combination ''Amiga''-B and ended with ''Amiga''-X (Cut) or ''Amiga''-C (Copy).

* There are two [[Alt key|Alt]] keys, both functioning as second-level ''Shift'' (like the [[Alt Gr key|Alt Gr]] key on PC, or the [[Option key|Option]] key on Macintosh), on the bottom left and bottom right corners of the main typing area.

* [[Escape key|Esc]] key and ten [[function key]]s.

* All Amiga keyboards except the one in the [[Commodore Amiga 600|Amiga 600]] have a [[numeric keypad]]. Starting with the [[Commodore Amiga 2000|Amiga 2000]], the numpad also has '''+''', '''*''', '''/''', as well as left and right brackets. The added keys, different layout and side printed legends make it more compatible with the layout in the common [[IBM Enhanced  Keyboard]], which was relevant for PC emulation.

* Only [[Commodore Amiga 2000#Cherry_versions|Cherry-made Amiga 2000 keyboards]] have diodes for [[N-key rollover]]. The others have the same [http://amigadev.elowar.com/read/ADCD_2.1/Hardware_Manual_guide/node017A.html keyboard matrix, published in the ''Amiga Hardware Reference Manual''] so that software developers would be able to design around [[Rollover,_blocking_and_ghosting#Blocking|blocking key]] combinations.<ref name="elowaradcd_limitations">AmigaOS 3.5 Developer Docs — Amiga Hardware Reference Manual: Interface hardware: The Keyboard: 
[http://amigadev.elowar.com/read/ADCD_2.1/Hardware_Manual_guide/node019E.html Limitations of the Keyboard]. Retrieved 2018-04-18.</ref> (The seven modifier keys are outside the matrix, each with a dedicated line).

== External Amiga keyboards ==
Most external Amiga keyboards have been found with tactile switches.
The exceptions are the [[Commodore Amiga_2000#Cherry versions|Cherry-made versions]] that instead have linear [[Cherry MX Black]].

===Amiga 1000===
{{Main|Commodore Amiga 1000}}

The first Amiga's keyboard is significantly different than those of later Amiga models.
The cursor keys are in a star configuration (instead of "inverse-T"), there are homing bumps on the D and K keys (instead of dished F and J keys), and the numeric keypad is smaller.

It also fits in a dedicated "keyboard garage" underneath the desktop computer's case.

===Amiga 2000===
{{main|Commodore Amiga 2000}}

Three variants have been identified:
# With Cherry MX Black, and double-shot Cherry keycaps
# With tactile NMB switches, and dye-sublimated PBT keycaps
# With tactile [[Mitsumi KPQ Type|KPQ]] type [[Mitsumi hybrid switch]]es, and pad-printed ABS keycaps

=== Amiga 1500, Amiga 2500 ===
Late variations of the Amiga 2000.

=== Amiga 3000 (T) ===
{{main|Commodore Amiga 3000}}
External. Linear [[Mitsumi KPR Type|KPR]] no sleeves, spring only or Tactile [[Mitsumi KPQ Type|KPQ]] type [[Mitsumi hybrid switch]]es with rubber sleeves under the keycaps.
The keyboard case had been updated with stripes on top reminding of the cooling vents on the Amiga 500.

The connector is the same DIN-plug as for the [[#Amiga 2000|Amiga 2000]].

=== CDTV ===
{{Main|Commodore CDTV}}
Basically a black version of the Amiga 3000 keyboard, but with a mini-DIN connector using a custom pinout.

=== Amiga 4000D ===
Similar to the Amiga 3000 keyboard. The case is white (not beige) and has (yet) another connector.

The connector is a 6-pin mini-DIN with pin-out: 1:Data, 3:Ground, 4:+5V, 5:Clock. Pins 2 and 6 are not connected.<ref name="pinouts"/>

=== Amiga 4000T ===

The Amiga 4000T returns to the same DIN-plug as for the [[#Amiga 2000|Amiga 2000]].

Case design is identical to the [[#Amiga 4000D|Amiga 4000D]], but most just have "Amiga" and not the Commodore Logo.  The majority of Amiga 4000Ts were produced after Commodore's bankruptcy by Amiga Technologies.

=== Amiga CD32 ===
Anthracite case and keys with black modifiers, plus the "Amiga CD32" logo.<ref>Amiga.org &mdash; [http://www.amiga.org/forums/showpost.php?p=576540&postcount=14 Is there a genuine CD32 keyboard?]</ref>

The connector is the same 6-pin mini-DIN as for the Amiga 4000, except that the keyboard port also doubles as a serial port. Pins 2 and 6 are used for RS-232 transmit and receive, respectively.<ref name="pinouts"/>

== Integrated Amiga keyboards ==
These are inside the computer's case above the logic-board.
Where as most external Amiga keyboards have tactile feel, most integrated Amiga keyboards have linear feel.

[[Commodore Amiga 500|Amiga 500]] keyboards have Power and FDD activity LEDs on a circuit board together with the keyboard controller in the keyboard assembly.
Inside the Amiga 600 and 1200, the controller is instead on the main logic-board and Power, FDD and HD activity LEDs are on a separate board.

=== Amiga 500 (+) ===
{{Main|Commodore Amiga 500}}
[[File:A500-full-keyboard.jpg|thumb|250px|Early Amiga 500 keyboard]]

Like the Amiga 2000, the Amiga 500 has also come in multiple revisions.

[[Early Amiga 500 keyboards|Early models]] have [[Hi-Tek Series 725]] "Space Invader" switches like the Amiga 2000 keyboard.<ref>Amibay — [http://www.amibay.com/showthread.php?46689-Help-Key-and-white-quot-space-invaders-quot-switch Help Key and white "space invaders" switch]</ref>

Most Amiga 500s have linear [[Mitsumi KPR Type|KPR]] type [[Mitsumi hybrid switch]]es with coiled springs under the keycaps.

=== Amiga 1200 ===
{{Main|Commodore Amiga 1200}}
Linear [[Mitsumi KPR Type|KPR]] type [[Mitsumi hybrid switch]]es with coiled springs under the keycaps. The membrane extends as a ribbon cable to a connector on the main logic board where the controller is located.

=== Amiga 600 ===
{{Main|Commodore Amiga 600}}
More compact layout that omitted the numeric keypad. The cursor keys and the '''Help''' and '''Del''' keys have moved left and the '''Esc''' key is 1.25 units wide.
Most Amiga 600 are believed to have [[Mitsumi hybrid switch]]es.

== Replacement keyboards ==
''See individual pages for [[Commodore_Amiga_500#Availability|Amiga 500]], [[Commodore Amiga 600|600]] and [[Commodore_Amiga_1200#Availability|1200]]''.

== Conversion kits ==
It was not unusual to convert an [[Commodore Amiga 500|Amiga 500]] into a desktop or tower form factor with external keyboard. The keyboard had a serial cable to header pins on the motherboard making this possible. Several kits were made and sold for this purpose.

The ''Checkmate A1500'' was one such conversion kit sold in the UK. Commodore released the ''Amiga 1500'' to prevent the cheaper Amiga 500 with Checkmate's kit from taking sales from the Amiga 2000.
In 2019, Checkmate released a follow-up: the ''Checkmate A1500 plus'', with an option for an external [https://www.checkmate1500plus.com/Products.aspx?id=354 keyboard case in sheet metal].

The ''[http://www.bigbookofamigahardware.com/bboah/product.aspx?id=1341 Infinitiv]'' kit from Micronik, converts instead an [[Commodore Amiga 1200|Amiga 1200]] into a minitower system with an external keyboard enclosure.

== Other Amiga keyboards ==
The AmigaOne platform supports common [[PS/2 interface|PS/2]] keyboards and mice.

== Keyboard interface ==
All Commodore Amiga keyboards use the same serial protocol, but there are a few different connectors.

* Amiga 1000 has a 4P4C modular connector.
* Amiga 2000, 3000 and Amiga 4000T keyboards use a 5-pin DIN-plug.
* Desktop Amiga 4000 has a 6-pin mini-DIN plug. The DIN and Amiga 4000 mini-DIN pin assignments are the same as for [[AT keyboard interface|AT]] and [[PS/2 interface|PS/2]], so any passive adaptor between AT and PS/2 should work as adaptor.
* [[Commodore CDTV]] keyboards have a 5-pin mini-DIN, not compatible with the Amiga 4000.
* The Amiga 500 has a cable connected to the motherboard and can be adapted or rebuilt to use an external keyboard.
* The [[Commodore Amiga 1200|Amiga 1200]] and [[Commodore Amiga 600|600]] have serial communication only between components on the motherboard so any adaptor would have to be a [[Keyboard controller|controller]] or emulate a matrix, respectively.

==Keyboard adapters==
===Other keyboard to Amiga===
* The [http://www.vesalia.de/e_lyra.htm Lyra] is a converter that allows a PS/2 keyboard to be connected to an Amiga. There is a version for the Amiga 1200 and a version for Amiga 2000/3000/4000/CDTV/CD32.
* The [http://www.vesalia.de/e_pckey.htm PC-Key] is an interface device for the Amiga 1200 and 600, allowing them to use an external Amiga keyboard or a PS/2 keyboard.
* The [http://amigakit.leamancomputing.com/catalog/product_info.php?products_id=1282 Sum] adapter enables connecting a [[USB]] HID keyboard to the [[Commodore Amiga 1200|Amiga 1200]].

===Amiga keyboards to USB===
The options below require more or less hacking.

* The [http://www.vesalia.de/e_keyrahv2.htm Keyrah] is a controller that replaces the motherboard in the Amiga 600 and 1200 (also the Vic 20, Vic 64 and 128). It has two digital joystick ports and USB out. Joysticks are emulated as key presses.
* [https://www.tindie.com/stores/tynemouthsw/ Tynemouth Software] has different adapter boards for installation into Amiga 1200/600 and 500 enclosures.
* [http://forum.arduino.cc/index.php?topic=139358.0 AMIGA 500/1000/2000 Keyboard Interface]. Firmware for an Arduino Leonardo, allowing an external Amiga keyboard to be connected via USB to a modern computer.
* [http://ezhid.sourceforge.net/amikbd.html EzHID Amiga Keyboard Firmware] for the Cypress' EZ-USB (AN2131) chip. The firmware has support for other input devices.

== Controller ports ==
All Amiga models came with two [[Atari_interface|Commodore 64-compatible DE-9 controller ports]].
In addition to support for light pen and various game controllers, there was also
dedicated hardware for a [[Bus mouse#Commodore_Amiga_and_PC|bus mouse]] in each port.

[[Image:Amiga Mouse.jpg|thumb|right|250px|Original "tank" mouse supplied with the Amiga 1000 and later the Amiga 500 and 2000]]
A two-button ball mouse was included as standard with every Amiga running AmigaOS, for its graphical user interface. Amiga Unix, the Amiga 3000UX mouse and some third-party mice used a third mouse button.
A second Amiga mouse is used only in some two-player games, but the second port's circuitry could also be used for rotary controllers such as steering wheels.

=== Mouse usage ===
If the right mouse button is pressed a menu bar appears at the top of the screen. A menu item is selected by releasing the right button when hovering the pointer above it. Releasing the mouse button elsewhere cancels.

Third-party utilities were available that replaced (or complimented) the menu bar with a pop-up menu underneath the mouse pointer.

After having booted into AmigaOS, it supported [[mouse keys]] as combinations with the two [[Amiga key]]s.

Aftermarket mice in the late '90s added a scroll wheel and up to three more buttons.

=== Mouse models ===
The "Tank mice" for the Amiga have an angular exterior similar to the Commodore 1350 and 1351 "tank mice" for the [[Commodore 64]], but they differ in their [[Atari interface#Mice and trackballs|signals]]. All Amiga mice are [[Bus mouse|bus mice]].

* Tank mouse with angled connector only for the Amiga 1000.<ref name="rdvA1000mouse">Ramond de Vrede's retro collection: [https://retro.ramonddevrede.nl/commodore-amiga-1000-mouse/ Commodore Amiga 1000 Mouse]. Retrieved 2022-10-19.</ref>
* Tank mouse (Amiga 500, 2000). "1352". 
* Tank mouse version 2: "313254-01"
* Amiga 3000 "pregnant" mouse. Ridge at edges between buttons. The ball is in the middle.<ref name="zimmers3000">Zimmers.net—[http://www.zimmers.net/cbmpics/jmice4.html Commodore/Amiga A3000 "Pregnant" Mice]. Retrieved 2018-07-13</ref>
* Amiga 3000 UX mouse. This has three buttons for use with Amiga Unix.<ref name="zimmers3000"/>
* Wireless infrared CDTV mouse. "CD 1252".<ref name="zimmersCDTV">Zimmers.net—[http://www.zimmers.net/cbmpics/jmice5.html Commodore 1252 & 1253 Mice]. Retrieved 2018-07-13</ref>
* Wired CDTV mouse, 1253. Apparently inspired by the [[Microsoft mouse (3rd gen)|1987 Microsoft mouse]]: the ball has moved forward and the buttons are larger.<ref name="zimmersCDTV"/>. Narrower in front and the left button is wider than the right.
* Amiga 600/1200/4000 mouse. Similar to 1253 but off-white like the computers it was bundled with.
* Amiga 600 mouse. Both buttons are the same size. Ball forward.
* Amiga CD32 mouse. Like the 1253 but grey and the Amiga CD³² logo printed on top.
* Amiga Technologies Mouse. A different design branded by Amiga Technologies who had bought Commodore assets after [[Commodore]] had folded. Narrow in the middle with a dimple in the left button, and the new "Amiga" logo printed on it.

===Retro mice===
''TheA500 Mini'' from Retro Games Ltd in the UK is an upcoming "mini retro console" resembling the [[Commodore Amiga 500|Amiga 500]]. It comes with a matching "Tank" mouse that talks USB<ref name="thea500mini">Retro Games Ltd—[https://retrogames.biz/thea500-mini The A500 MINI]. Retrieved 2021-09-19</ref> but it is smaller than the original.
The mouse is also available to order separately.

There exist optical kits for the "tank" mouse, but those remain [[Bus mouse#Commodore Amiga|bus mice]] for genuine Amiga computers.

==See also==
* [[Atari interface]] — Every Amiga had two of these ''Controller ports'' for mouse and joystick/s.
* [[Atari ST]] — This computer was the Amiga's biggest competitor at the time.

==References==
<references>
<ref name="pinouts">[http://l8r.net/technical/t-keyboard.shtml Amiga Keyboard Pinouts] on l8r.net. Retrieved on 2018-01-04</ref>
</references>

[[Category:Commodore keyboards]]
[[Category:Computers]]
[[Category:Keyboards with Cherry MX switches]]
[[Category:Keyboards with Mitsumi switches]]
[[Category:Keyboards with NMB switches]]
[[Category:Vintage keyboards]]
[[Category:List of all keyboards]]