Building NuXT 2.0

[mrarkus]

I have finally ordered my NuXT 2.0. While I've done few 5150 and 5160 restorations, I want to get this set up as a programming rig, to see what I can achieve with a 9.55MHz V20 and Trident VGA. I am planning on what to get, and would like to hear some suggestions:

1. What case have you found that has at least a 5.25 external bay, but hopefully 3.5 as well? Small, hopefully with glass side panel for extra cheesiness... So far I have found these:
https://www.in-win.com/en/computer-chassis/em-series/USA
2. Any new PS/2 keyboards that don't suck? I've purchased a few different ones from Amazon and they all seem to be of the $5 quality.

Thanks for any input, looking to build that perfect little XT demo machine...

 

[Eudimorphodon]

Any new PS/2 keyboards that don't suck? I've purchased a few different ones from Amazon and they all seem to be of the $5 quality.

It's a long shot, but has anyone tried those cheap cherry-clone gamer keyboards with a USB to PS/2 adapter? I suspect their controllers don't support PS/2 mode (for a long time a lot of USB keyboards did actually support those passive adapters as an undocumented feature even if they didn't come with the adapter) but it'd sure be nice if they did.

I'd try myself but I've apparently lost every single one of those adapters. Spent 20 minutes pawing through boxes looking for one a few months ago.

 

[HoJoPo]

1. Using PC part picker, the Rosewill Ranger-M mini tower mATX case is about the only one with a side window and both 5.25 and 3.5 external bays.

2. Unicomp still sells PS/2 keyboards, including the Model M: https://www.pckeyboard.com/page/category/UKBD PS/2 adds $3 to the price of the keyboard, you can get a genuine buckling spring model M in a black case (matching modern PC hardware) for $107. They also have the Classic buckling spring in PS/2 interface for $99: https://www.pckeyboard.com/mm5/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Product_Code=UB40446

 

[DDS]

2. Unicomp still sells PS/2 keyboards, including the Model M: https://www.pckeyboard.com/page/category/UKBD PS/2 adds $3 to the price of the keyboard, you can get a genuine buckling spring model M in a black case (matching modern PC hardware) for $107. They also have the Classic buckling spring in PS/2 interface for $99: https://www.pckeyboard.com/mm5/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Product_Code=UB40446

My wife has been using a Unicomp Model M with the PS/2 cord for a few years. It has even been dropped on the floor more than once. Still works like a champ. Occasionally the key caps get popped off for a session in the ultrasonic jewelry cleaner. But other than that, it kinda just works.

 

[Plasma]

It's not small, but I really like the Chenbro SR209 for its retro styling.

Leopold FC900R is a nice hefty mechanical keyboard that supports both USB and PS/2. Get the blue switches if you like clicky keys.

 

[mrarkus]

It's a long shot, but has anyone tried those cheap cherry-clone gamer keyboards with a USB to PS/2 adapter? I suspect their controllers don't support PS/2 mode (for a long time a lot of USB keyboards did actually support those passive adapters as an undocumented feature even if they didn't come with the adapter) but it'd sure be nice if they did.

I'd try myself but I've apparently lost every single one of those adapters. Spent 20 minutes pawing through boxes looking for one a few months ago.

My main PC keyboard is Logitech Pro tenkeyless with Cherry Blue switches, and unfortunately it's a no-go for PS/2. I've also tried a Razer mechanical keyboard, and it didn't work either...

1. Using PC part picker, the Rosewill Ranger-M mini tower mATX case is about the only one with a side window and both 5.25 and 3.5 external bays.

2. Unicomp still sells PS/2 keyboards, including the Model M: https://www.pckeyboard.com/page/category/UKBD PS/2 adds $3 to the price of the keyboard, you can get a genuine buckling spring model M in a black case (matching modern PC hardware) for $107. They also have the Classic buckling spring in PS/2 interface for $99: https://www.pckeyboard.com/mm5/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Product_Code=UB40446

1. Unfortunately it's not really a window, just a little mesh screen. Otherwise a decent case.
2. Thanks, ordered! Now I need to find a clean way to replace that ugly logo!

It's not small, but I really like the Chenbro SR209 for its retro styling.

Leopold FC900R is a nice hefty mechanical keyboard that supports both USB and PS/2. Get the blue switches if you like clicky keys.

I like the case, thanks! For the keyboard, if I am spending the "big" bucks, I really need 101 keys.

 

[Hak Foo]

Why not pick a full-ATX case-- even if you don't need the space, it gives you more options to choose from.

Definitely the sort of thing you could go second-hand on, because you won't necessarily need some of the modern features (82 fan mounts) of the most recent generation of cases?

My modern-XT is in a Lian-Li PC-60 because I had it handy-- grabbed it then realized "there's no way I can get decent thermals putting a modern Ryzen box in it without ripping it to shreds, destroying the clean materials and lines that were why we fell in love with those cases in the first place".

 

[mrarkus]

Why not pick a full-ATX case-- even if you don't need the space, it gives you more options to choose from.

Definitely the sort of thing you could go second-hand on, because you won't necessarily need some of the modern features (82 fan mounts) of the most recent generation of cases?

My modern-XT is in a Lian-Li PC-60 because I had it handy-- grabbed it then realized "there's no way I can get decent thermals putting a modern Ryzen box in it without ripping it to shreds, destroying the clean materials and lines that were why we fell in love with those cases in the first place".

I just think that putting an XT in a full-size case is a bit silly. If I could find an AdLib clone in slim for factor, I'd love to get a slim desktop case. Alas, I'm stuck with full-size card, and I can't give up my AdLib...