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FREE: Vintage AlphaSmart Pro Keyboard With Adapter, Manual and Apple ADB to Serial Cable

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Description

The listing, Vintage AlphaSmart Pro Keyboard With Adapter, Manual and Apple ADB to Serial Cable has ended.

Historical AlphaSmart Pro Keyboard w/ adapter & Apple Apple Desktop Bus to Serial converter cable.

* Portable, Battery Powered, Word Processor.
* Runs on two AA batteries of the same type (inc. a fresh set of batteries).
* Includes adapter.
* Compatible with legacy PC (via PS2) & MAC (via ADB).
* Supports 8 different files stored at one time. Files do not erase upon exit.
* Includes original manual.
* Free US shipping.

From Wikipedia:

The AlphaSmart was a keyboarding device that enabled a person to work on the go, much like a laptop computer, but it was strictly for word processing, as it functioned essentially like a simple digital typewriter... Since the AlphaSmart, Dana, & NEO were specialized for limited purposes, they were generally much cheaper than a standard laptop computer. All of these devices were meant to be plugged into an ADB, PS/2, or USB port for transferring the written text into a computer's word processing document for further editing (such as indentation & font preference) or printing if so desired.

The AlphaSmart saved every keystroke directly to the machine's RAM, which was maintained by a battery backup even when powered down. AlphaSmarts could transfer data either by a special program that communicated with the AlphaSmart or by the simpler method of transmitting the keystrokes of the written text as if it were the computer's keyboard. When not transferring text, the AlphaSmart could be used as a standard keyboard.

AlphaSmarts were very popular in schools for their affordability & durability. Elementary schools & high schools used them; & they were particularly popular among special education departments for use by students with graphomotor challenges.

The machines were also popular among journalists & writers, who found them easy to carry & appreciated the full-size keyboard & long battery life.

Questions & Comments

Okay, gotcha. Yeah, I had a good look at the photos of the ports and I remember using connectors like that. I do know there are adapters for that type of thing now, but as you say, not sure how well they work. I have a couple of good friends who could put their heads together with me and figure something out. I also have an older computer that runs a 32 bit processor still, and the website you listed has some good info. I'm fairly confident I could make it work one way or another.

It is similar to what my husband used to use for writing stories when he was in school, and it would be a really nice thing I could give him that I know would mean a lot because he preferred the feel of the older tech equipment to the things available now, even though newer stuff is "more efficient."

Jan 23rd, 2016 at 4:01:49 PM PST by

That sounds like you are doing something very nice for your husband...I can try to help too as IT support is supposed to be my field so if you have questions about the software or operation I might be able to help. here by the way is the manual online:

ftp://ftp.apple.asimov.net/pub/apple_II/documentation/hardware/misc/AlphaSmart%20Pro%20Owner's%20Manual_alt.pdf

Jan 23rd, 2016 at 4:45:37 PM PST by

awesome!! f/w!!

Jan 18th, 2016 at 12:09:40 PM PST by

Thanks! Good luck with bidding if you do.

Jan 18th, 2016 at 12:32:57 PM PST by

i probably will bid..yes..i'm watching for now..but i bet its going to get really up there ;)

Jan 18th, 2016 at 2:37:13 PM PST by

That would be nice. Thanks for the good wishes :-).

Jan 18th, 2016 at 3:09:59 PM PST by

What a coincidense I am picking up more than 50 of these this afternoon from a middleschool. (that will make about 150 total) I am an electronics recycler. Of course I donate $$ to the school. If you don't win here I can sell. You will get your best deal here though. I have never even seen these before. When I was in school we were not even allowed to have a calculator. Besides they cost over $100

Jan 22nd, 2016 at 1:39:16 PM PST by

Thanks for the background. Good luck fencing your steals ha ha ha. These items seem to go for pretty high numbers here considering they are antiques of a sort. I guess people remember using them in school.

Jan 22nd, 2016 at 1:41:43 PM PST by

Do you know if there there adapters that allow for the download of files to newer PC's?

Jan 23rd, 2016 at 2:57:20 PM PST by

No, not off hand. I think I tried with my 64 bit computer and that didn't work. Maybe a 32 bit one would. You might need the now scarce serial or PS2 or Apple Desktop Bus ports on your computer or old Mac.

The downloads are available here (note the page loads very slowly for me):

http://www.renaissance.com/Customer-Center/neo-downloads. I think you have to set up an account first here:

https://www.renaissance.com/loginpages/default.asp?case=1&app=CUSTCENTER&url=%2f%2fCustomerCenter

Jan 23rd, 2016 at 3:21:17 PM PST by

I had a PS2 up until about a year ago, when we gave it away. Kicking myself now. ;)
I'll check out the details. Thank you very much.

Jan 23rd, 2016 at 3:25:43 PM PST by

I think there is a game station called PS2 or Play Station 2. That is not what I was referring to. What I meant was PS/2 ports on old PCs for keyboard and mouse. Nowadays we plug in mice and keyboards in USB ports, but some time back the ports were round. Those were PS/2 ports.

I think you can get PS/2 to USB adapters, but I'm not sure how well they work. You might really need a talented experienced computer expert to help you getting this working with the type of computer you have, as this is kind of a computer antique...

Jan 23rd, 2016 at 3:55:17 PM PST by

I read the manual and had a look at some adapters available. It seems workable, given that I do have some older equipment, and if it isn't sufficient, I can probably get my hands on what I don't have. At the very least, it is worth serious effort.

Jan 23rd, 2016 at 7:36:37 PM PST by

Wow that's impressive, reading the whole manual :-). I was going to include an adapter because I read on page 15 that any one from 9-12 volts DC and 100 milliamps or over, will work. I have several that fit the bill including the one in the picture which got separated spatially from the keyboard in my stuff. Anyway I'll send one along that I have tested and found to power the board correctly.

I also read this interesting article: http://www.groovypost.com/howto/choose-right-power-adapter-charger-phone-laptop/, which says if you have the right voltage and have enough or more than enough amps, the device will run fine and only pull the amount of amps/current it needs.

Jan 23rd, 2016 at 7:44:58 PM PST by

I use to use something like this for school was so much fun.

Jan 11th, 2016 at 11:06:41 PM PST by

Cool. Thanks for commenting :-).

Jan 12th, 2016 at 7:15:51 AM PST by

Vintage AlphaSmart Pro Keyboard With Adapter, Manual and Apple ADB to Serial Cable is in the Computers & Networking | Keyboards & Mice category