Launching the DM41X

[grsbanks]

The wait is over and the DM41X is available to order!

The hardware is the same as the DM42 except that the keyboard has been re-designed for a much more pleasant and more reliable action (new DM42 units also ship with this new hardware).

Some more information, such as specs and pricing, along with the ability to order is on the new SwissMicros website at https://www.swissmicros.com

To mark the occasion, this forum is no longer the "DM41X Beta Unit" forum but now the DM41X forum.

[Dave Britten]

Out of curiosity, are these designed in such a way to accommodate keyboard overlays that will remain in place like the HP 41?

[Walter]

Almost, Dave, almost. The frame has three slots on either side where tongues of the overlay can slide in.

[Dave Britten]

Almost, Dave, almost. The frame has three slots on either side where tongues of the overlay can slide in.

Nice, some modules would really benefit from being able to slap on a custom overlay. I wonder if there's any laser-printer-safe plastic that could be used and cut with a small hobby knife.

[toml_12953]

Almost, Dave, almost. The frame has three slots on either side where tongues of the overlay can slide in.

Almost? What does that mean? Either it can or it can't, no? Are the slots too narrow to fit standard overlays? If so, maybe a thinner material could be used. We could scan the original overlay onto the new material.

[Walter]

Almost, Dave, almost. The frame has three slots on either side where tongues of the overlay can slide in.

Almost? What does that mean? Either it can or it can't, no? Are the slots too narrow to fit standard overlays? If so, maybe a thinner material could be used. We could scan the original overlay onto the new material.

AFAIK, HP-41C overlays are held down at bottom and top of the keyboard. DM4x overlays are held down at left and right. Thus 'almost'. If you want the exact dimensions, look up the WP43S Reference Manual.

[rprosperi]

To remove all doubts, yes the new DM41X and DM42 have the same 3 slots on the left and right sides for retention of an overlay.

Regarding thickness, in addition to some dimension no doubt specified in the 43S manual, they will accept an overlay tab of the thickness of one of the overlays that Michael Fehlhammer has been selling in recent years, but not 2 of them. This is a more predictable 'spec' than commenting on classic period overlays, as those came in many different materials and thicknesses.

[EM41]

Now I am curious what is on the backside. (I will order one anyway).

[grsbanks]

Now I am curious what is on the backside. (I will order one anyway).

[rprosperi]

Godwin is much quicker than I am.

I wrote:

"Good point! I'll get right on that with our crack staff....

But to ease the tension it's a large (taking up nearly the full back) image of the Alpha keyboard, not unlike the image on the back of a 41CX, but adjusted for the improved keyboard layout on the DM41X. This was done using the same laser engraved PVD process as the "SwissMicros" on the back of the DM42, so they aren't simply printed in a way that can wear off from use."

While he posted a photo...