07-11-2017, 09:41 PM
(This post was last modified: 07-11-2017, 09:41 PM by MarkHaysHarris777.)
I was finally able to extract the keyboard module from the prototype pinebook base case ! This was a painstaking process made almost hair-pulling impossible due to all of the plastic rivets holding not only the keyboard module, but also the module shield ! I included a standard evo plus SD card from Samsung for relative size correlation; obviously top and verso. This appears to be the same module as the 14" released version, with the minor exception that the menu button has the ominous Microsoft Logo ; the mark of the beast. The pic top right has the module laid out over a sheet of white paper so the rivet marks can be seen more clearly.
In the pic above the height of the key-travel is highlighted. The bubble domes are quite high, and the module is not sealed; in other words, the bubble dome is not the typical 'sheet' of domes, rather each key button is an individual bubble dome. Consequently, if anything goes on this keyboard (dust or moisture) its going to end up inside the unit. There is a metallic shield under the keyboard (also plastic riveted) which will catch dust and moisture as long as the unit is left laying flat!
The pic above shows the "Y" key button top cap removed with an LED back-light coming in from the bottom of the module. Clearly visible is the nylon scissor jack cap top support ( which keeps the key level during transit ) as well the rubber bubble dome. The domes on this keyboard module are fairly large and quite tall; which is why they work after all ! Because the bubble dome is tall the scissor jack can keep the key button level for good key press contact regardless of where the key is hit, corner or center.
The next step in this project is to connect the keyboard to my pinebook and see whether the typing improves. I suspect that it will; the next decision will be whether to attempt to remove the module from my pinebook and swap out the prototype keyboard; after all I can swap the dreaded Microsoft Logo key , and assuming the layout dimensions are the same then all I have to do is find a good way to redo the plastic rivets-- at this point I'm considering tiny droplets of 30 minute epoxy resin.
marcushh777
please join us for a chat @ irc.pine64.xyz:6667 or ssl irc.pine64.xyz:6697
( I regret that I am not able to respond to personal messages; let's meet on irc! )
please join us for a chat @ irc.pine64.xyz:6667 or ssl irc.pine64.xyz:6697
( I regret that I am not able to respond to personal messages; let's meet on irc! )