behines
Member
I am new to TI-99, would really appreciate advice.
Short Question
I have two TI-99/4A systems, both working.
Which should I keep?
More Info
My first TI-99 was the beige system that I bought a month ago. When I got it home, the Mitsumi keyboard originally didn't work. None of the keys responded at all.
With isopropyl alcohol and a conductive ink pen, I have fully restored the keyboard. Studying the schematics and doing the math, I computed that any key contact that closes with under 244 ohms resistance should work. I have managed to get all the contacts down to 30 ohms or less.
BUT... I have read many posts online that vilify the Mitsumi keyboard. I've read that even if you fix it, it will eventually die again. Of course, I could rehabilitate it again as before, but
In contrast, the system with the "black" keyboard had a couple of bouncy keys, but a few blasts of contact cleaner seem to have fixed those keys right up. It seems like it will last forever (at least relative to my lifespan). But the keyboard has a heavy feel compared to what we're used to today. (I can't overemphasize how silky smooth the Mitsumi keys feel. A joy to type on.)
TL;DR
I bought the beige system at an estate sale, knowing nothing about TI-99's, but excited to learn about this vintage system. (I grew up on TRS-80's in the 1980's but have been interested to learn more about TI-99.). When I got it home and hooked it to a TV, it appeared to work, but I couldn't type anything.
Then I read about the much-hated Mitsumi keyboard. So I bought another TI-99 "untested", that had the black keyboard, with the intent of harvesting the keyboard. But when I tried it out, shockingly, the "untested" system seems to work flawlessly. So I am not inclined to "harvest" anything from it.
At that point, I thought, "well what the heck" and dug into the Mitsumi keyboard and understanding it. And I was able to get it working great again. (If anyone wants to know more about that process and thinks it worthwhile, prod me and I will post details. It's not that hard.)
So now I have two systems. Superficially, from a simple usability standpoint, I prefer the beige system. Whereas aesthetically, the silver-and-gray system wins. (Although not by much. Atari 800 also went with a beige, so in my mind it's thematic.)
I want to keep one system. My heart is with the Mitsumi beige, but... What Would You Do in my situation?
Short Question
I have two TI-99/4A systems, both working.
- One is the original "metal" system, with the aluminum case and the black keyboard.
- One is a "beige" system, with the Mitsumi membrane keyboard.
Which should I keep?
More Info
My first TI-99 was the beige system that I bought a month ago. When I got it home, the Mitsumi keyboard originally didn't work. None of the keys responded at all.
With isopropyl alcohol and a conductive ink pen, I have fully restored the keyboard. Studying the schematics and doing the math, I computed that any key contact that closes with under 244 ohms resistance should work. I have managed to get all the contacts down to 30 ohms or less.
BUT... I have read many posts online that vilify the Mitsumi keyboard. I've read that even if you fix it, it will eventually die again. Of course, I could rehabilitate it again as before, but
- It's annoying to have to do that
- Eventually I might "clean away" the carbon contacts altogether, and have nothing left.
In contrast, the system with the "black" keyboard had a couple of bouncy keys, but a few blasts of contact cleaner seem to have fixed those keys right up. It seems like it will last forever (at least relative to my lifespan). But the keyboard has a heavy feel compared to what we're used to today. (I can't overemphasize how silky smooth the Mitsumi keys feel. A joy to type on.)
TL;DR
I bought the beige system at an estate sale, knowing nothing about TI-99's, but excited to learn about this vintage system. (I grew up on TRS-80's in the 1980's but have been interested to learn more about TI-99.). When I got it home and hooked it to a TV, it appeared to work, but I couldn't type anything.
Then I read about the much-hated Mitsumi keyboard. So I bought another TI-99 "untested", that had the black keyboard, with the intent of harvesting the keyboard. But when I tried it out, shockingly, the "untested" system seems to work flawlessly. So I am not inclined to "harvest" anything from it.
At that point, I thought, "well what the heck" and dug into the Mitsumi keyboard and understanding it. And I was able to get it working great again. (If anyone wants to know more about that process and thinks it worthwhile, prod me and I will post details. It's not that hard.)
So now I have two systems. Superficially, from a simple usability standpoint, I prefer the beige system. Whereas aesthetically, the silver-and-gray system wins. (Although not by much. Atari 800 also went with a beige, so in my mind it's thematic.)
I want to keep one system. My heart is with the Mitsumi beige, but... What Would You Do in my situation?
