Launching the DM41X

Discussion around the SwissMicros DM41X calculator
grsbanks
Posts: 1122
Joined: Tue Apr 25, 2017 11:23 am
Location: Preston, Lancs, UK
Contact:

Launching the DM41X

Post by 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.

Image
There are only 10 kinds of people in the world: those who understand binary and those who do not.
Dave Britten
Posts: 137
Joined: Wed Jun 14, 2017 9:27 pm

Re: Launching the DM41X

Post by 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?
User avatar
Walter
Posts: 3070
Joined: Tue May 02, 2017 11:13 am
Location: On a mission close to DRS, Germany

Re: Launching the DM41X

Post by Walter »

Almost, Dave, almost. The frame has three slots on either side where tongues of the overlay can slide in.
WP43 SN00000, 34S, and 31S for obvious reasons; HP-35, 45, ..., 35S, 15CE, DM16L S/N# 00093, DM42β SN:00041
Dave Britten
Posts: 137
Joined: Wed Jun 14, 2017 9:27 pm

Re: Launching the DM41X

Post by Dave Britten »

Walter wrote:
Fri Sep 25, 2020 7:28 pm
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
Posts: 795
Joined: Wed May 03, 2017 7:46 pm
Location: Malone, NY USA

Re: Launching the DM41X

Post by toml_12953 »

Walter wrote:
Fri Sep 25, 2020 7:28 pm
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.
Tom L

Some people call me inept but I'm as ept as anybody!
DM10L SN: 059/100
DM41X SN: 00023 (Beta)
DM41X SN: 00506 (Shipping)
DM42 SN: 00025 (Beta)
DM42 SN: 00221 (Shipping)
WP43 SN: 00025 (Prototype)
User avatar
Walter
Posts: 3070
Joined: Tue May 02, 2017 11:13 am
Location: On a mission close to DRS, Germany

Re: Launching the DM41X

Post by Walter »

toml_12953 wrote:
Fri Sep 25, 2020 7:44 pm
Walter wrote:
Fri Sep 25, 2020 7:28 pm
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.
WP43 SN00000, 34S, and 31S for obvious reasons; HP-35, 45, ..., 35S, 15CE, DM16L S/N# 00093, DM42β SN:00041
rprosperi
Posts: 1703
Joined: Mon Apr 24, 2017 7:48 pm
Location: New York

Re: Launching the DM41X

Post by 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.
--bob p

DM42: β00071 & 00282, DM41X: β00071 & 00656, DM10L: 071/100
EM41
Posts: 192
Joined: Mon Mar 30, 2020 12:10 am
Location: Overijssel Netherlands

Re: Launching the DM41X

Post by EM41 »

Now I am curious what is on the backside. (I will order one anyway).
HP41C (2x), HP41CV, HP41CX, DM41X β, DM41X, DM42, HP11C, HP48G, HP97
grsbanks
Posts: 1122
Joined: Tue Apr 25, 2017 11:23 am
Location: Preston, Lancs, UK
Contact:

Re: Launching the DM41X

Post by grsbanks »

EM41 wrote:
Fri Sep 25, 2020 9:39 pm
Now I am curious what is on the backside. (I will order one anyway).
Image
There are only 10 kinds of people in the world: those who understand binary and those who do not.
rprosperi
Posts: 1703
Joined: Mon Apr 24, 2017 7:48 pm
Location: New York

Re: Launching the DM41X

Post by 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...
--bob p

DM42: β00071 & 00282, DM41X: β00071 & 00656, DM10L: 071/100
Post Reply