---------------------------------------------------------------------------- The Florida SunFlash New "Type 5" Keyboards for the SPARCstation Product Line SunFLASH Vol 44 #28 August 1992 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- **************************************************************************** * * * -New Sun "Type 5" keyboards available for all SPARCstations as of July 1 * * * * -New ergonomic industrial design & "Industry Standard" keyboard layout * * * * -Type 4 U.S. and universal country kits will continue to be available * * * * -New European international Type 5 country kits will begin shipping * * on all European systems July 1, 1992 * * * **************************************************************************** Sun announced the availability of the completely new Type 5 keyboards for the SPARCstation product line beginning July 1, 1992: * the Type 5 Standard layout (PC-101 based layout) * the Type 5 UNIX layout. New improvements plus innovative features and productivity enhancements. * Industry standard extended PC-101 layout including numeric, edit/cursor control pads, and 12 function keys * OPENLOOK 11-key keypad * New "System Control Keys" keypad * International and universal country kit versions available New Alternative Type 5 "UNIX" Version Available: * Same as Type 5 standard, except for 4 keys (ESCape, CAPs LOCK, CONTROL, BACK SPACE) that have modified locations. * Type 5 UNIX layout is not compliant to the "Extended PC-101" industry standard, but offers similar key positions to the existing Type 4 keyboard. * Available in universal (N. American) country kit only New International Type 5 Country Kits: * Type 5 European international country kits begin shipping on European systems July 1, 1992. * Type 4 universal (N. American layout) country kits will continue to be available. The Type 5 keyboard country kits will be available for customer orders to be shipped beginning July 1. FEATURES BENEFITS ======== ======== -Industry standard layout -Reduces user learning time. -Provides common keyboard interface to industry software. -Separate cursor and edit key pad for easy use and improved user productivity. -Alternative UNIX version -Provides customers with a choice to best meet their needs. -Maintains familiar key locations for ESCape, CONTROL, CAPS LOCK, and BACKSPACE keys (like Type 4 keyboard) for technical users. LEDs located on toggle keys -Improved user ergonomics and (CAPS, NUM, SCROLL LOCK and easy to determine key function COMPOSE) status. OPENLOOK and new "System Control Keys" -Ease-of-use keys and application enhancement. New higher reliability keyboard -Improves systems reliability. technology -Quieter, softer key 'touch.' HARDWARE AND SOFTWARE CONSIDERATIONS ------------------------------------ The Type 5 keyboards are supported on all SPARCstations and require Solaris 1.0.1 (SunOS 4.1.2) or later. A software patch CD for SunOs 4.1 and 4.1.1 is available as an option (p/n T5KBD-21). The patch CD contains software to enable the Type 5 keyboard to operate with SunOS 4.1 and 4.1.1 only. Complete instructions and software requirements are detailed in the keyboard product notes. Sun-3 systems do not support the Type 5 keyboard. OPENLOOK applications will be fully compatible with the Type 5 keyboard. For applications not developed specifically for OPENLOOK or do not utilize the keyboard mapping codes included within Solaris 1.0.1 (or later release), the Type 5 keyboard will provide comparable functionality to the Type 4 keyboard (ie. all common keys to Type 4 will function normally). Questions on software compatibility, if not answered by the Type 5 Keyboard Notes, should be directed to supplier of the the software in question. QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS --------------------- Q: Will the Type 5 keyboard be compatible with my current applications? A: Yes. See HARDWARE and SOFTWARE CONSIDERATIONS section above. Q: How are the new "System Control Keys" used? A: The "System Control Keys" are a little bit of the future already planned into the Type 5 keyboard. These keys consist of a power on, audio, and monitor control keys. All the control keys will be supported in a future release of Solaris -- watch for it! The power on key will be supported on SPARCstation 10 and other specified SPARCstations. Q: How do I determine which keyboard to order....Type 5 or Type 5 UNIX? A: The Sun Type 5 Standard keyboard is based on the industry standard "extended PC-101" keyboard layout. This layout is best for customers that desire a consist and familiar keyboard interface to industry standard software applications. The Type 5 UNIX keyboard maintains familiar key locations for ESCape, CONTROL, CAPS LOCK, and BACKSPACE keys (like Type 4 keyboard) for technical users. The Type 5 UNIX keyboard may be preferred by technical users and existing Sun customers familiar with our current Type 3 or Type 4 keyboards. IMPORTANT: Be sure to specify the appropriate keyboard type when placing a system order. Q: Why is Sun offering the new Type 5 keyboards? A: Sun is introducing the Type 5 keyboards to meet the emerging needs of our customers and to continue to lead the industry in system design and product innovation: - offer a industry standard keyboard interface - improve ease-of-use - include future product requirements and enhancements - improve product reliability AVAILABILITY: ------------ The Type 5 keyboard country kits are orderable now with all SPARCsystems to be shipped to customers *after* July 1, 1992. Be sure to specify the appropriate Type 5 keyboard type with each system order (Type 5 standard or Type 5 UNIX). Type 4 U.S. and Universal (N. American layout) country kits will continue to be orderable. US PRICING INFORMATION ---------------------- The following products appear on SPARC End User and Reseller Price List: (see Sun Price List for ordering additional ordering instructions and notes) Replace the box in the Country Kit order number with the appropriate system code from the list below: o Y - IPC o W - SS2 o U - IPX o Q - ELC o F - SS10 o L - Deskside SS600MP Short Order List Discount Same Day Description Number Price Category Service Price ============================================================================== Type 5 country kits available on all SPARCstations July 1, 1992. Country kits must be specified with each system order. Includes system documentation, keyboard, localized power cords and microphone. U.S. & CANADA TYPE 5 KEYBOARD COUNTRY KITS: North American X3500[ ] N/C N/C UNIX X3540[ ] N/C N/C INTERNATIONAL TYPE 5 OPTIONS: N. Amer. Universal X3501[ ] N/C N/C (for all countries other than U.S. & Canada) UNIX Universal X3541[ ] N/C N/C (for all countries other than U.S. & Canada) French* X3502[ ] N/C N/C German X3503[ ] N/C N/C Swiss-German* X3504[ ] N/C N/C Swiss-French* X3505[ ] N/C N/C Swedish X3506[ ] N/C N/C Finnish X3577[ ] N/C N/C UK X3507[ ] N/C N/C Norwegian X3570[ ] N/C N/C Portuguese X3571[ ] N/C N/C Spanish X3572[ ] N/C N/C Danish X3573[ ] N/C N/C Italian* X3574[ ] N/C N/C Netherlands* X3575[ ] N/C N/C Australian X3576[ ] N/C N/C Taiwan X3544[ ] N/C N/C Korean X3545[ ] N/C N/C Japanese X3546[ ] N/C N/C Notes: Type 5 keyboard requires SunOS 4.1.2 (Solaris 1.0.1) or later. Optional software patch T5KBD-21 is available for use with SunOS 4.1 or 4.1.1. Countries marked '*' indicate that these kits currently include a universal (N. American layout) keyboard. Check with your Country/area Marketing Manager for current status. The following products appear on the SPARC End-User and Reseller Price Lists: TYPE 5 System Accessory Kits (for resellers or as an optional item) ---------------------------- Includes keyboard, localized power cords and microphone. No system documentation is included with accessory kits (see price list). Short Order List Discount Same Day Description Number Price Category Service Price ============================================================================== North American X8500 $300 B N/C (U.S. & Canada kit) N. Amer. Universal X8501 $300 B N/C (non-European Countries kit) N. Amer. Universal X8578 $300 B N/C (European Countries kit) UNIX X8540 $300 B N/C (U.S. & Canada kit) UNIX Universal X8541 $300 B N/C (non-European Countries kit) UNIX Universal X8548 $300 B N/C (European Countries kit) French* X8502 $300 B N/C German X8503 $300 B N/C Swiss-German* X8504 $300 B N/C Swiss-French* X8505 $300 B N/C Swedish X8506 $300 B N/C Finnish X8577 $300 B N/C UK X8507 $300 B N/C Norwegian X8570 $300 B N/C Portuguese X8571 $300 B N/C Spanish X8572 $300 B N/C Danish X8573 $300 B N/C Italian* X8574 $300 B N/C Netherlands* X8575 $300 B N/C Australian X8576 $300 B N/C Taiwan X8544 $300 B N/C Korean X8545 $300 B N/C Japanese X8546 $300 B N/C Notes: Type 5 keyboard requires SunOS 4.1.2 (Solaris 1.0.1) or later. Optional software patch T5KBD-21 is available for use with SunOS 4.1 or 4.1.1. Countries marked '*' indicate that these kits currently include a universal (N. American layout) keyboard. Check with your Country/area Marketing Manager for current status. ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ For information send mail to info-sunflash@sunvice.East.Sun.COM. Subscription requests should be sent to sunflash-request@sunvice.East.Sun.COM. Archives are on solar.nova.edu, paris.cs.miami.edu, uunet.uu.net, src.doc.ic.ac.uk and ftp.adelaide.edu.au All prices, availability, and other statements relating to Sun or third party products are valid in the U.S. only. Please contact your local Sales Representative for details of pricing and product availability in your region. Descriptions of, or references to products or publications within SunFlash does not imply an endorsement of that product or publication by Sun Microsystems. John McLaughlin, SunFlash editor, flash@sunvice.East.Sun.COM. (305) 776-7770.