Keyboards and Keyboard Accessories for the ZX81 and TS1000

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The TS1000 keyboard was, unsurprisingly, not the computer’s strongest feature. It required a very specific touch and was finicky.

As a result, aftermarket solutions, from full replacement keyboards to “beepers”, were quite popular among serious hobbyists.

  • "Peel and Stick" Keys (E. H. Enterprises) - Tiny rectangles of self-adhesive foam pads printed with a portion of the legends on the TS 1000 keyboard.
  • Automatic Repeat Function (Kabre Electronics) - Module with built-in self-test LED, automatic and continuous character input.
  • Big-Key Legends (Daydesign) - Dry transfer key cap graphics in red and black; identical to those on the Sinclair keyboard. For use on full size keyboards with standard 1/2″ key caps.
  • Bleeper System (Compusa Corporation) - Gives feedback for keyboard by causing each key press (except shift alone) to produce a distinctive beep. Inserts between the keyboard and computer.
  • Buttonset (Filesixty) - Overlay with moving keys. Fits over existing keyboard and is held in place by adhesive strips. Keys press the membrane keyboard via specially marked dimples on the underside. Keys are color coded and all functions clearly printed. The filesixty buttonset and Secondbase keyboard are the same mechanism. The filesixty has color keys with black printing.
  • Byte Back Keyboard (Byte-Back Co) - Upgraded keyboard with full-size space bar and two shift keys.
  • Chirper (Audiograph Co.) - Improves speed and accuracy of keyboard data entry. The sound varies from a buzzy-chirp to a click and depends on what the computer is doing. Sound is produced when a program runs, so some sound effects can be created. Installs inside computer.
  • ClearTouch (ClearTouch) - A thin transparent keyboard overlay that speeds input and improves accuracy. Lets you feel key positions, yet thin enough not to interfere with typing.
  • Compact Keyboard (Sinclair Place) - Full function keyboard in metal case. Two space keys, full space bar and numeric pad. Single-stroke keys for DELETE, STOP, EDIT and FUNCTION. Shift keys are blue with blue legends for shifted operations. Function key is green; function operations in green. Delete, stop and edit are red. Numeric keys are blue. All other keys and
  • Compact Keyboard (Haven Hardware) - Full sized, uncased. No soldering required. Repeat key included.
  • Complete Keyboard Plans (Spectra Computer Products) - Documentation packet that covers decoding a standard ASCII keyboard, decoding shift keys, reset, and repeat keys, and keyboard beeper.
  • Contact Lens (Warren Imports Group) - Overlay for ZX81/TS1000 keyboard to help with finger positioning.
  • Cricket House Keyboard (Cricket House) -
  • DIY Keyboard (Synchronize) - Full-size, 62-key keyboard with instructions for converting to work with Sinclair computers. Keyboard manufactured by Texas Instruments.
  • dk Keyboard (DK'tronics) - Cased keyboard with 52 keys, 12 of which are on the number pad. Case measures 15 x 9 x 2 1/2″. Computer fits inside (removed from original case). Comes with motherboard to attach RAM and extend expansion bus to rear edge of case.
  • Double "H" Keyboard (Double H Electronics) - Full-size, full-stroke, 53 key, fully assembled, gold contact keyboard for all Sinclair ZX80/ZX81, MicroAce, and TS 1000 computers. Full-length space bar and 2 oversized shift keys for easier typing. Includes plans and schematics for three special circuits you can build to utilize the 12 extra keys: electronic shift-lock, automatic repeat, automatic shift.
  • E-Z Key 40 (E-Z Key) - Replacement flat keyboard with embossing around each switch and three-color legends and graphics. Plug in replacement for original keyboard.
  • E-Z Key 44 (E-Z Key) - 44 key tactile feel keyboard. Includes all graphics and legends. 4 additional keys for edit, delete, quote, function.
  • E-Z Key 60 (E-Z Key) - Large 60 key tactile feel keyboard plugs into same connectors as the existing keyboard on your ZX81, TS1000, TS1500 or TS2000. TS1000 legends and graphics in three colors on the base-molded moving key with alphanumeric characters; 8 automatic shifted keys, 2 shift keys, numeric key pad, 5″ space bar. 60 small calculator-style keys, silk-screened legends
  • EC-11 Custom Enclosure (E-Z Key) - Hammond 11″ sloped case customized for use with the E-Z Key 60 keyboard. 11″ wide x 9″ deep x 3″ high.
  • EC-14 Custom Enclosure (E-Z Key) - Hammond 14″ sloped case customized for use with the E-Z Key 60 keyboard. 14″ wide x 9″ deep x 3″ high.
  • FD 81 Keyboard (Fuller Micro Systems) - Kit.
  • FD System 42 (Fuller Micro Systems) - Keyboard and case. Case measures 8″ x 14″ 2 1/2″. Sinclair fits inside, connects without soldering. Extra shift and newline keys.
  • Innovation 1001 (Innovation) - Tactile overlay, raised keys, labeled in four colors. Overlays existing keyboard.
  • Jigsaw Executive Keyboard (Data-assette) - Fully cased with 44 full stroke keys. Special features include a beep for every key, a repeat key, and a full space bar. An additional shift key and an “ON-OFF” beep and CPU switch.
  • KAYDE Keyboard (Kayde Electronic Systems Ltd.) - Fully cased fully sized keyboard for the TS1000 or ZX81. 40 full stroke keys with all legends printed in 2 colors. Simple soldering of ribbon cable is all that is needed for installation. Repeat key.
  • KD-81 Keyboard (Suntronics) - Full size keyboard conversion. 41 keys with full-size space bar. Allows touch typing. Same key layouts as Sinclair. Two color keytops. Keyboard case holds both keyboard and computer. Commands and graphics spelled out on keytops. Rear cutout allows any RAM to be plugged in.
  • Keyboard (Redditch Electronics) - Full-size 40 key keyboard. Symbols marked in two colors.
  • Keyboard (Synchronize) - Instructions on how to add a full-size keyboard to a ZX80 or 81. Includes instructions to use extra keys for shift lock, automatic shift, automatic repeat and reset.
  • Keyboard (Software House, The) - Complete plans.
  • Keyboard (Zebra Systems, Inc.) - Same key mechanism as used by IBM, Texas Instruments, Hewlett Packard, and others. Full travel, gold inlaid contacts. 40 keys plus space bar. Custom molded enclosure. Sharp TS1000 legends in two colors are easy to read and will never wear off. Connector for numeric keypad. Strikingly similar to the Byte Back Keyboard.
  • Keyboard (Toptronics Company) -
  • Keyboard Audio Tone (TV Service of Cambridge Ltd) -
  • Keyboard beeper (Marex Electronics) -
  • Keyboard Beeper (Zebra Systems, Inc.) - Plugs into expansion port; beeps when a character is accepted by the computer’s keyboard input routine. Expansion connector allows other devices to be connected. Beep can be triggered from Basic.
  • Keyboard Bleeper (Fulcrum Products) - Provides missing feedback. Beep in SLOW and FAST modes. Fits inside case under keyboard or PCB; suits most full size keyboards.
  • Keyboard Bleeper (Kempston Micro Electronics) -
  • Keyboard Conversion Kit (Jameco) - Kit allows the use of either the full-size keyboard or the Sinclair/Timex keyboard. Full-size industrial grade keyboard with 62 keys, 2 p.c. boards, 18″ ribbon cable, DIP socket and 4 rubber feet. The keyboard conversion kit can be mounted in DTE-AK enclosure. A label representing the ZX81/1000 keyboard layout is placed on the enclosure.
  • Keyboard conversion plans (W S M Entertainment) - Plans to convert a full-size keyboard with shift-lock key. Includes parts list, source of materials, directions and working drawings for a wood case to hold keyboard and computer.
  • Keyboard Conversion Plans (JST Enterprises) - Construction/conversion plans with simple joystick interface.
  • Keyboard Enclosure (Full Spectrum, The) -
  • Keyboard Interfaces KBD-1 and KBD-2 (E-Z Key) - Keyboard interface; plugs into the edge connector so that you do not have to open your computer to plug a keyboard in. KBD-1 for TS 1000; KBD-2 for TS 2068. Board component and schematics corrected by Eduardo Fuentes are below in the gallery.
  • Keyboard Kit (Research Application Products) - 73 full size keys with 46 automatically shifted functions, editing/game key row and special graphics section. Double-sided PC board, 3 color silkscreened key legends, parts and instructions.
  • Keyboard Mask (Jameco) - Adhesive overlay for the TS 1000 keyboard. Raised outline around each key aids in positioning. Key labeling is all white with a thick white border around each key.
  • Keyboard Overlay (Frog Software) - Vinyl overlay similar to Kopak design but thinner.
  • Keyboard Sounder (D. Bruce Electronics) - Emits a short beep for keypresses. Models for ZX80 and ZX81.
  • Keyboard Tactile Feedback Overlay (Powell Hargrave) - Clear vinyl keyboard overlay with holes for each key.
  • Keypad (Double H Electronics) - Two different keypads available, matching double H keyboard. Both are assembled but unwired, so you can use them either for numerical keypads or as extra keys.
  • KLIK Keyboard (Kempston Micro Electronics) - Keyboard attaches directly to the TS1000 or ZX81, replacing the existing membrane. Positive response from the keys. All legends marked in 2 colors. Also sold by E. Arthur Brown as the MK II Keyboard.
  • KLIK-2 (Data-assette) - Automatic repeat for the KLIK keyboard.
  • KOPAK Keyboard (KOPAK Creations, Inc.) - Full-size space bar, additional ENTER and extra shift keys. Optional numeric keypad and aluminum case.
  • KP-1 Keyboard Plans (Quest Research Associates) - Step-by-step plans for converting to a full-size keyboard.
  • Kradle (K-2 Electronics) - The Kradle was a keyboard and enclosure upgrade for the ZX-81 and TS 1000. It had 50 calculator-style keys (including a full-size space bar and two shift keys), 64K of RAM and  circuitry to improve tape load/save. The Kradle allowed users to copy the ROM to RAM and then turn the ROM off. Unlike some
  • Memotech Keyboard (Memotech) - High quality standard typewriter keyboard with TS1000 legends. The keyboard is cable connected to a buffered interface which is housed in a standard Memopak case and plugs directly into the back of the TS1000 or other Memopaks. The blue version was available first.
  • MKIV Keyboard (E. Arthur Brown Company) -
  • Plans to build full size keyboard (T. W. Vessels) -
  • Professional Keyboard (Full Spectrum, The) -
  • Professional Keyboard (Sinclair Place) - 52 keys, outlets for MIC, EAR, TV, etc. Manufactured by Indescomp.
  • Professional Keyboard (Gladstone Electronics) - Full-size keyboard plugs into the ZX81/TS1000 circuit board. Comes with standard Sinclair legends on removable key tops, a full-size space bar and seven extra keys, plus edge card connector for adding extra memory. Likely the Dean Electronics keyboard, imported from England.
  • Professional Keyboard Plans (Smuk Enterprises) -
  • Repeat Key Module (Sinclair Place) -
  • Repeating Key Module (Haven Hardware) -
  • Secondbase keyboard (Secondbase) - The filesixty buttonset and Secondbase keyboard are the same mechanism. The filesixty has color keys with black printing. Its the ‘Enter’ key is labeled ‘New Line’ and the 0 is ‘Rub’. The same keys on the Secondbase are labeled ‘Enter’ and ‘Delete’, respectively, and all of its keys are black with white lettering.
  • Shift Lock Module (Kaltek Calculator Technology) - Enables one-finger keying via touch switch to suit user, on/off keyboard. Holds SHIFT active about one second, freeing one hand. Speeds keying; helps handicapped. Module, capacitor and LED fit inside all cases.
  • Shifter board (Jim Houston Enterprises) - Allows you to use the extra keys on a large keyboard.
  • Sounder (KML Incorporated) - Beeps when key is pressed. Fits inside the computer.
  • System Logic KBD-1 Keyboard (Synergistic Design) - Incorporates a 58 key keyboard, 14 additional keys and a full space bar. All symbols are enlarged by 25%. Aluminum and steel construction. The Synergistic Design keyboard shown in their early advertisements was not the product delivered.
  • System Logic KBD-2 Keyboard (Synergistic Design) - The System Logic KBD-2 incorporates a 58 key keyboard; 15 additional keys and a full space bar. All symbols are enlarged by 25% and reproduced onto a white field. Aluminum and steel construction reduces RFI (radio frequency interference). Keyboard features single-stroke/single-entry electronic shift/shift lock and auto repeat. ENABLE prevents unwanted key entries. Connects without soldering.
  • Touch-A-Matic (KOPAK Creations, Inc.) - Vinyl overlay for Sinclair keyboard with punched holes to aid in data entry.
  • Typex/81 Keyboard Overlay (Ganhart/EARTHings) - Allows “touch typing” and improved game playing. Made of clear, self-adhesive vinyl with key-shaped rectangular holes for easy finger positioning and tactile feedback.
  • Walnut case for keyboard (W S M Entertainment) -
  • ZX/TS Touch Tab Overlay (L-P Overlays) - Self-adhesive, black plastic overlay for positive key entry.
  • ZX81 Key-Top Symbols in 3 Colors (MULE Electronics) - Vinyl stickers for standard keycaps, printed in three colors (red, blue and black).
  • ZX81 Keyboard (RAMEX International) - Full size 43 key keyboard with single key selection of Function, Shift Lock and Graphic modes. 2 LED mode indicators. Simple plug-in installation. Fully enclosed. Made by Maplin Electronics.

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