Improved DM41X keyboard

Discussion around the SwissMicros DM41X calculator
grsbanks
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Improved DM41X keyboard

Post by grsbanks »

A lot of work has gone into improving the keyboard on production units of the DM41X as this was the Achilles' Heel of these machines.

The new generation of keyboards has been completely reworked. The keys have been redesigned to press on the domes differently and the domes themselves are of a new design.

This brief video shows how responsive the keyboard is now: https://youtu.be/OaKvP8-2iB0
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WillMarchant
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Re: Improved DM41X keyboard

Post by WillMarchant »

Great news! Will there be an upgrade kit for the beta units? Or should we plan on buying a production unit?
grsbanks
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Re: Improved DM41X keyboard

Post by grsbanks »

We're looking at what we can do for an upgrade kit. Several ideas are being tossed around at the moment and we need to narrow it down to one or maybe two options that make economical sense for everyone and that don't require too much technical skill.
There are only 10 kinds of people in the world: those who understand binary and those who do not.
EM41
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Re: Improved DM41X keyboard

Post by EM41 »

From a collectors point of view buying a second one makes more sense.
Since I live in two countries I need two anyway :-)
HP41C (2x), HP41CV, HP41CX, DM41X β, DM41X, DM42, HP11C, HP48G, HP97
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Walter
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Re: Improved DM41X keyboard

Post by Walter »

grsbanks wrote:
Tue Sep 22, 2020 11:16 am
The new generation of keyboards has been completely reworked. The keys have been redesigned to press on the domes differently and the domes themselves are of a new design.
Will this design affect the DM42 as well, i.e. will also the DM42 be allowed to profit from it?
WP43 SN00000, 34S, and 31S for obvious reasons; HP-35, 45, ..., 35S, 15CE, DM16L S/N# 00093, DM42β SN:00041
rprosperi
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Re: Improved DM41X keyboard

Post by rprosperi »

Walter wrote:
Tue Sep 22, 2020 3:05 pm

Will this design affect the DM42 as well, i.e. will also the DM42 be allowed to profit from it?
Yes. Profit indeed. :D
--bob p

DM42: β00071 & 00282, DM41X: β00071 & 00656, DM10L: 071/100
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Walter
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Re: Improved DM41X keyboard

Post by Walter »

rprosperi wrote:
Tue Sep 22, 2020 3:54 pm
Walter wrote:
Tue Sep 22, 2020 3:05 pm

Will this design affect the DM42 as well, i.e. will also the DM42 be allowed to profit from it?
Yes. Profit indeed. :D
I appreciate it. Is there anything like a schedule?
WP43 SN00000, 34S, and 31S for obvious reasons; HP-35, 45, ..., 35S, 15CE, DM16L S/N# 00093, DM42β SN:00041
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Dan Simpson
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Re: Improved DM41X keyboard

Post by Dan Simpson »

I had a new DM42 shipped to me on September 16. My fingers are crossed hoping that it has the new keyboard.
My Collection: HP-55, HP-67 (Teenix Mod), HP-15C, HP-16C, HP-41CV, HP-41CX, SY41-CL, DM41X, DM42, HP-42S, HP-48G, HP-71B, HP-75C, HP-86B.
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akaTB
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Re: Improved DM41X keyboard

Post by akaTB »

Good to know!
So my second 41X will have a better keyboard.

Well done guys!
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pcscote
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Re: Improved DM41X keyboard

Post by pcscote »

What a wonderful news!

The video convinced me to buy a production unit and if upon testing it, the unit really works, then more units will find a new home.

If you changed the domes and the keyboard to get that kind of results, I do not see what types of upgrades you are looking for DM41X beta and for DM42 without changing both. If you offer DIY kit for the technical skilled and send the unit back to SM for the other users, you cover both side of the spectrum and you make everybody happy. If made available, I will upgrade my DM42 (1st gen unit with a vey high % of missed keys) and my DM41X beta unit.

Sylvain

PS: is it possible to buy a DM16L LCD part ?
One of my unit was bleeding badly, I somewhat corrected it with heat, but still there is some bleeding left that would love to get rid of.
Thanks!
[DM1x/DM1xL/DM41/DM41L/DM41X/DM42]
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