25 Mar 2016, 17:35

Cherry PCjr MX - keyboard Cherry PCjr MX - keyboard.JPG (317.95 KiB) Viewed 3235 times

Cherry PCjr MX - back Cherry PCjr MX - back.JPG (201.77 KiB) Viewed 3235 times

Cherry PCjr MX - key caps removed Cherry PCjr MX - key caps removed.JPG (297.59 KiB) Viewed 3235 times

Cherry PCjr MX - back of PCB Cherry PCjr MX - back of PCB.JPG (343.42 KiB) Viewed 3235 times

Cherry PCjr MX - MX blacks Cherry PCjr MX - MX blacks.JPG (304.75 KiB) Viewed 3235 times

Cherry PCjr MX - PCB markings Cherry PCjr MX - PCB markings.JPG (329.45 KiB) Viewed 3235 times

Cherry PCjr MX - view of space bar area and no LEDs Cherry PCjr MX - view of space bar area and no LEDs.JPG (347.19 KiB) Viewed 3235 times

Cherry PCjr MX - space bar MX black switch Cherry PCjr MX - space bar MX black switch.JPG (243.3 KiB) Viewed 3235 times

Cherry PCjr MX - red dot on space bar MX black switch Cherry PCjr MX - red dot on space bar MX black switch.JPG (254.52 KiB) Viewed 3235 times

Cherry PCjr MX - ICs and dates (mid-late 1984) Cherry PCjr MX - ICs with dates.JPG (348.13 KiB) Viewed 3235 times

I recently posted a couple of Cherry solid-state capacitive keyboards here and here and bought this one thinking that I was going to get another to see which of the two switches was more common (out of three keyboards in total). Turns out, it's a different type, even thought the internal construction is very similar (aside from the wireless difference).I believe this is a Cherry brand IBM PCjr computer replacement keyboard. It has IR built in (hence the need for the batteries) but also has an RJ-11 interface (like an old phone plug). A switch on the back of the keyboard indicates it switchable from "Jr" to "Sr". There is no IBM PCsr unless they are referring to the IBM PC? Unfortunately, I don't have the RJ11 cable to try it. Now I just have to find an IBM PCjr.This keyboard features early Cherry MX Black switches from mid-1984. They are really smooth. You will notice the space bar is also MX Black but the back side reveals a red dot that is only on the space bar key switch. I might have to take that apart as see what's inside.The construction is almost identical to the two Cherry capactitive XT keyboards linked above except for the wireless IR and rear plate holes for the switch and battery cover. It is so close that I tried to fit it into the outer shell of one of the other XT keyboards but it is taller and a hair wider. This keyboard also has 84 keys vs 83 keys but uses an almost identical keypad footprint.You may notice that the Caps lock key cap and some others have red indicator LED windows. These are non-functional because there are no LEDs behind them. This particular keyboard also has thin double-shot key caps marked "DCS 1-1". I think they may be PBT but I'm not sure what the numbering means. Being from 1984, this would be before Signature Plastics.I'm surprised these keyboards are not more prevalent because the IBM PCjr chicklet keyboard and their IR keyboard were not hits. This keyboard is quite amazing compared to those. It must have been costly, originally. Anyway, here are some pics: