Subj : Re: pi500 and pi500+ To : All From : Theo Date : Thu Oct 09 2025 10:35:13 Daniel wrote: > I wish the folks at raspberry pi would sell the motherboards stag for > the 400/500/500+. > > Since they won't, I'msort of exploring the idea of integratingthe mobo > of the 500tomyown keyboard setup than spending $200 for a 500+ with a > nonstandard keyboard with yet another power key. > > A few weeks ago I discovered the 500+ while doing a quick search for > custom pi500 rigs. It diverted my attention, now, for a few weeks. I was > ALMOST sold on getting the 500+ but was reminded aboutthe customized > nature of the keyboard. The power button is a pain in the ass. They tout > being able to replace the keys... But the power button isn't really on > any keycap kits. And the mapping of LED settings isn't on any other > keycap kits either, that i know of. I'm also not a fan of multimedia > mapping on function keys. I like my F keys to be F keys. The 500/500+ keyboards run QMK on a RP2040. So you could just change the mappings in QMK if the particular layout bothers you. Presumably that means you can also rework the LED behaviour if you want too. For the power button, I think it's just a regular sized keycap? Buy an extra unlabelled keycap, or reuse another keycap with a sticker? (do you actually need it to be labelled, or can you just 'know' that button is the power button?) I assume if you buy a full 102/etc key set then there will be some keycaps left over with one you can use for the power key. OK it might have the decimal point or something printed on it, but can you live with that? > If I am going to volunteer a purchase of mechanical keys, Iwant to > replace thecaps at some point. I've effectively talked myself out of the > 500+. But i really fucking hate the 500's keyboard. > > I have work ahead. Seems like a big project to DIY your own thing where some minor tweaks to the existing design might do it. Theo --- PyGate Linux v1.0 * Origin: Dragon's Lair, PyGate NNTP<>Fido Gate (3:633/10) .