The Keyboard Component was an ambitious piece of engineering for its time, and it was repeatedly delayed as engineers tried to reduce manufacturing costs. In August 1979, a breadboard form of the Component was successfully entered into the Sears Market Research Program. In December 1979, Mattel had production design working units but decided on a significant internal design change to consolidate circuit boards. In September 1980, it was test marketed in Fresno, California, but without software, except for the BASIC programming cartridge. In late 1981, design changes were finally implemented and the Keyboard Component was released at in Seattle and New Orleans only. Customers who complained in writing could buy a Keyboard Component directly from Mattel. The printer, a rebadged Alphacom Sprinter 40, was only available by mail order.
the keyboarD ComPoNEnt was an amBitiOuS piece oF EnGInEerINg for iTS time, and it was REpeatEdly deLAyed as enGiNeErs tried tO reduce ManuFacturiNG CostS. in auGuSt 1979, a brEAdboard forM oF the coMPoNent Was sUCcessFulLy entereD INto THe Sears mArKEt ResEaRch pRoGraM. in decemBer 1979, mAtTel HAd produCTioN dEsign WorKing UnITS But DeCIDed On a significaNT iNtErnal DesiGN ChanGe to consolidAtE Circuit bOaRds. iN sePtembEr 1980, iT wAs test MArKeTed in frESnO, CalIfORnia, but WItHout softWare, exCePT fOr The basic ProgRAmMiNG cArtrIdGe. In LatE 1981, deSIGn ChangeS werE FiNaLLY impLeMentEd anD thE kEyboard compoNENT waS relEAsed AT iN seATtle and New orleAnS only. Customers who CoMplaiNed IN writinG CoUld buy a keyBoard ComPOnENt DirECTlY From mAttel. the priNter, a ReBaDged alphAcom SPriNter 40, waS onLy availAble by Mail ordER.