Spectrum 128 Keypad - Appearance

Use the Spectrum 128 style menu below to navigate to the various sections detailing the keypad.

Appearance

The keypad is similar in appearance to the Spectrum 128 casing with the same style of keys. Its measures 82mm by 150mm by 18mm deep, it has the same distinctive embossed parallel lines across it with the raised Sinclair logo in the top left hand corner and has four tiny circular rubber feet on its base.

The keypad connects to the Spectrum 128 via a 350mm long coiled cable emanating from the top left hand edge of its casing. The cable begins with a 100mm flat section followed by 220mm of coiled cable of diameter 13mm and ends with 30mm of flat cable at the plug. The case is held together by six screws. The top two screws are 10mm in length and the other four are 8mm in length. The screw positions are inset by 1mm.

Sinclair's ZX Spectrum 128 Software and Peripherals brochure, which lists recommended software and hardware products, includes a section on the keypad and this has been reproduced below.

This advert raises the question of whether some UK models were produced since at least one prototype must have existed in order for it to be photographed. It can be seen that the design is very similar to the Spanish model but with differences in some of the key legends, namely DEL for BORR., TOGGLE for INSERTAR and ENTER instead of the arrow symbol. It is likely that the legend CAMBIO on the 0 key of the Spanish model would have been translated as SHIFT.