Fourth Generation

Overview

The external appearance of the NMB fourth generation more resembles the popular G8X series of keyboards. Compared to the third generation the fourth is more rectangular. The fourth generation is a 101 key layout.

The fourth generation has an AT/XT switch that can be accessed through the bottom case and protocol selection is marked with a sticker. Molded feet are flush when collapsed into the back of the lower case. When extended they raise the back of the keyboard slightly. Four rubber feet help the keyboard from moving.

This generation introduced the Eaze Erase Keyboard.

The fourth generation of NMB Hi-Tek 725 series keyboards have the following seven main components introduced:

Switches
Keycaps
Upper Case
Mounting Plate
PCB
Back Plate
Cable

Switches

Keycaps

The keycaps are made out of PBT with dye-sublimated legends. The keycaps for the fourth generation include clips on the sides of the keycaps to secure them properly to the switch.

The keycaps on the fourth generation started with stepped caps like the third generation but are rough on the sides like the caps introduced later on in the third generation. The keycaps for the 4th generation with the thicker font are more blue/grey compared to the 3rd generation keyboard keycaps. Afterward, certain boards can be seen with thicker caps but without stepping. Finally, the latest caps became thinner and the same thing can be observed with the font. The stepping was dropped on later keycaps with the thinner font.

This generation introduced the Eaze Erase Keyboard and the thinner font that was used going forward.

See the variants examples.

Upper Case

The upper case is made out of a single piece of beige ABS plastic. The plastic is textured due to the molding process that is used to create the upper case.

Lower Case

The lower case is molded from the same ABS plastic as the upper case. A set of slots are located in the lower case that join the two halves together. The feet that are integrated into the lower case are flush with the lower case when retracted.

Switch Plate

The switch plate is made out of stamped steel. The plate is bent on either so that it can be mounted to the upper case. The plate is painted with a thin layer of black paint. The paint is then protected by a thin layer of oil to prevent rust.

PCB

The PCB is a double-sided PCB with all traces on the backside of the PCB. Earlier keyboards came with a separate daughterboard that hosted the main keyboard controller and additional jumper wires.

Cable

The cable is approximately 1 meter long for the coiled variant and stretches up to 2 meters easily. It contains a molded 5 pin din connector with 6 pin headers using a molex connector on the PCB.

Later, keyboards contained a molded 6 pin PS2 connector with 6 pin headers using a molex connector on the PCB.