Surprised by rubberdome

[domin8r]

Got some Olivetti boards for cheap and I am REALLY surprised by how nice this rubberdome types!
Also totally love these weird rectangular keycaps and a "stepped" enter and shift

I still prefer my "clicky" boards but would definitely recommend these if you want something cheap and quiet!

[DeltaGunner]

Can you make a pic from the side of the board so we can all see the profile of the keys.

I try not to hate rubber domes too much because I still have to type on them at school. Gotta have to buy a tenkeyless Brown for that.

[The Solutor]

Got some Olivetti boards for cheap and I am REALLY surprised by how nice this rubberdome types!
Also totally love these weird rectangular keycaps and a "stepped" enter and shift

I still prefer my "clicky" boards but would definitely recommend these if you want something cheap and quiet!

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Finally someone who listen what I'm saying.

The olivetti boards are some of the best keyboard available, not just some of the best rubber domes.

[domin8r]

Can you make a pic from the side of the board so we can all see the profile of the keys.

Sure!



The weird thing about the profiles is that the keys in the right part (ins/del bit, arrows, numeric) have a different slope (goes lower)

[The Solutor]

The weird thing about the profiles is that the keys in the right part (ins/del bit, arrows, numeric) have a different slope (goes lower)

The (correct IMO) idea is that the qwerty part mimic a typewriter, while the numpad section mimic a calculator, so the keys are shaped consequently.

BTW I had a very similar board that was all shaped like your numpad

[domin8r]

The (correct IMO) idea is that the qwerty part mimic a typewriter, while the numpad section mimic a calculator, so the keys are shaped consequently.

BTW I had a very similar board that was all shaped like your numpad

That makes sense

[The Solutor]

Have you tried to remove a keycap ?

The keyboard looks like this ?

[ Attachment Invalid Or Does Not Exist ] 24923[/ATTACH]

[domin8r]

Have you tried to remove a keycap ?

The keyboard looks like this ?

(Attachment Link) 24923[/ATTACH]

Ofcourse I tried.. first thing I did when I opened the package was to pull a cap :smile:
The switches look the same but in your pics the domes look greenish and mine are regular white (don't know if that means something)

After typing on it for a bit now I do start to notice it's a heavy switch! (I'll rip-o-meter it when I get a chance)

Rip-o-meter : 78,5 g

[The Solutor]

After typing on it for a bit now I do start to notice it's a heavy switch!

Haven't touched one lately I should have one of them in the basement but buried under other electronics...

BTW they were the alter ego of the IBM model Ms, both built by the two greatest typewriters maker.

So makes sense that both were/are stiffer than the nowadays boards

[The Solutor]

BTW is always "funny" ow any related thread is completely ignored here on GH...

[domin8r]

BTW is always "funny" ow any related thread is completely ignored here on GH...

Yeah, pretty odd really..  Unless it's a Topre I suppose.

[xwhatsit]

How interesting! Not really one for rubber domes (not even Topres ) but it looks like a wonderfully built board. The keycaps are gorgeous! Are they dyesub or doubleshot? The shape of the glyphs suggests doubleshot. Love the font of the CTRL etc.

I own a lovely Olivetti Studio 44 (mine is a rather 60s shade of teal/green though), which is a joy to type on, although obviously doesn't get a lot of use. So mark me down as an Olivetti fan.
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[The Solutor]

How interesting! Not really one for rubber domes (not even Topres ) but it looks like a wonderfully built board. The keycaps are gorgeous! Are they dyesub or doubleshot? The shape of the glyphs suggests doubleshot. Love the font of the CTRL etc.

And the keycaps on the older M24 Keyboard are even nicer with that  blue on gray color.

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Here the americanized version sold with the AT&T brand

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BTW those were microswitch keyboards, rarely seen nowadays because they used a DB9 connector

I own a lovely Olivetti Studio 44 (mine is a rather 60s shade of teal/green though), which is a joy to type on, although obviously doesn't get a lot of use. So mark me down as an Olivetti fan.

Mine is a classic Lettera 32

[ Attachment Invalid Or Does Not Exist ] 24955[/ATTACH]

[xwhatsit]

Ahhh... lucky. I wanted a Lettera 22, but they're hard (and expensive) to come by here. The Studio 44 is a big girl (hardly portable) but very solid and has lovely output quality.

Did Olivetti ever do a mechanical board? Or were they all foil and foam and later rubber dome?

[The Solutor]

Did Olivetti ever do a mechanical board? Or were they all foil and foam and later rubber dome?

I'm not really sure, I haven't seen a single broken Olivetti keyboard, so I haven't opened the older ones.

All I remember is that the m24 keyboard was clicky.

BTW the M10 or the M15 both (built in japan) had almost surely some kind of alps switch

[domin8r]

How interesting! Not really one for rubber domes (not even Topres ) but it looks like a wonderfully built board. The keycaps are gorgeous! Are they dyesub or doubleshot? The shape of the glyphs suggests doubleshot. Love the font of the CTRL etc.]

Yeah the keycaps are awesome! They're not doubleshots but they really show no sign of wear at all!

[zulios]

Hi,

If any french keyboard lover follows this thread and is interested, just seen the same keyboard on leboncoin.
[ Attachment Invalid Or Does Not Exist ] 24985[/ATTACH]
Three of them are sold, they look brand new.

I like their old school style but they seem a bit heavy for my personal taste

[Vocroth]

That looks really good, where can I get that keyboard, or better question, does it sell still?

[domin8r]

That looks really good, where can I get that keyboard, or better question, does it sell still?

I looked around on ebay and such but apparently they aren't offered much. Still trying it but might sell this one if you're interested

[The Solutor]

I looked around on ebay and such but apparently they aren't offered much.

Italy is really full of such boards, but most of the people consider them just old boards.

But I think that Olivetti PC sold well even in France, Germany and UK

[Vocroth]

I would love to get a standart keyboard without windows keys just for gaming, please link me one if you find one


Best Regards

[Mazora]

Would you mind testing/using it for like 1-2 weeks then tell us if its still enjoyable ? Seriously, I've always found robberdomes keyboard enjoyable for couple of hours at the most.

[500_pts]

This has been stated hundreds of times around here. Fresh, new, OR well manufactured rubber domes usually feel pretty great. It just happens that people dont purchase good feeling rubberdomes and settle with stock pc rubber domes (which can be good. This was typed using a coworker's dell keyboard that was sitting around for about two years, and wow, it actually surprised me how tactile it is)

[Mazora]

Dell roberdomes feel crunchy and are indeed pretty tactile, but only for couple months (6 at most ive found here). And even the brand new ones im getting tired of after a day or two.

Its like:
1- get on a dell keyboard ; WOW awesome feeling
2- post on GH about how awesome this RD is.
3- Couple days later, put it aside and never use it again. For some reason its just not enjoyable as much as initially thought

[The Solutor]

Dell roberdomes feel crunchy and are indeed pretty tactile, but only for couple months (6 at most ive found here). And even the brand new ones im getting tired of after a day or two.

Its like:
1- get on a dell keyboard ; WOW awesome feeling
2- post on GH about how awesome this RD is.
3- Couple days later, put it aside and never use it. For some reason its just not enjoyable as much as initially thought

Sorry but what has to do a crap dell board, with the jewel mentioned on the OP ?

[Mazora]

This has been stated hundreds of times around here. Fresh, new, OR well manufactured rubber domes usually feel pretty great. It just happens that people dont purchase good feeling rubberdomes and settle with stock pc rubber domes (which can be good. This was typed using a coworker's dell keyboard that was sitting around for about two years, and wow, it actually surprised me how tactile it is)

So would I be right by saying that for you tactile = good keyboard?

 For me tactile is by no means enough to make a kb a good one.

[Mazora]

Sorry but what has to do a crap dell board, with the jewel mentioned on the OP ?

Ok, I must say I'm really intrigued by the OP's jewel kb. I would like to know how different in feel the OP's keyboard compares with a new traditional (out of the box) robber domes keyboard?  Say, you take the OP's keyboard, you take a new Dell robber domes keyboard and you compare them. Could you enlighten me please on how those two compare each other in feel ?

[domin8r]

Ok, I must say I'm really intrigued by the OP's jewel kb. I would like to know how different in feel the OP's keyboard compares with a new traditional (out of the box) robber domes keyboard?  Say, you take the OP's keyboard, you take a new Dell robber domes keyboard and you compare them. Could you enlighten me please on how those two compare each other in feel ?

Well, I use a Dell at work and the rubberdome keyboard that came with it is absolutely horrible. It feels like you're typing on stiff marshmallows. The Olivetti feels solid, gives good feedback (that I haven't felt on any of the regular rubberdomes I've encountered over the years) and looks great. It's a bit on the heavy side though, so will have see how that works out. Using it off and on with "regular" keyboard at work (clicky MX blue like switches)..

[keyboardlover]

I use a keytronic at work and it feels great!

[The Solutor]

Ok, I must say I'm really intrigued by the OP's jewel kb. I would like to know how different in feel the OP's keyboard compares with a new traditional (out of the box) robber domes keyboard?  Say, you take the OP's keyboard, you take a new Dell robber domes keyboard and you compare them. Could you enlighten me please on how those two compare each other in feel ?

It's hard to tell, its just built by a company that started to made keyboards in 1908 (27 years before IBM), who built its first personal computer in 1963 (13 years before the very first Apple 1).

While dell is just a big assembler of cheap HW.

And you can fell the difference with your finger. And with your calendar given that the only keyboard that can be considered on par for durability is the IBM model M.

Most of the Olivetti keyboards are still working since the 80's and still feel like new.

Until the Italians start with the keyboard fetishism those keyboards are likely available for few euros, so isn't that hard to put your hands on one of them and try yourself.

[Vocroth]

Can someone link where I can get it?

[The Solutor]

Can someone link where I can get it?

Usually they are easier to find in the "annunci" section of the Italian ebay, (no auction, just contact the seller via email like in the GH classified section)

http://annunci.ebay.it/tastiera%20olivetti/

[quadibloc]

I am really astonished by the fact that the keyboard was designed with a contoured main typing area, and a stepped numeric keypad.

That is impressive attention to detail. I'm not certain if it's actually the ideal configuration, however, I will admit.

[TexasFlood]

I use a keytronic at work and it feels great!

Which model, I have a couple, one with an integrated trackball.a

[Vocroth]

Found one in germany for 5€, found another one for 20€ in italian, let's see if they can ship

[The Solutor]

I am really astonished by the fact that the keyboard was designed with a contoured main typing area, and a stepped numeric keypad.

That is impressive attention to detail. I'm not certain if it's actually the ideal configuration, however, I will admit.

They used that scheme even in the older M20 (not IBM compatible, based on the Zilog Z8000)

[ Attachment Invalid Or Does Not Exist ] 25011[/ATTACH]

BTW their attention for the details and design is clearly visible on older products

Like the logos 58 (1973)



Or the divisumma 18 (also 1973)



http://www.moma.org/collection/browse_results.php?criteria=O%3AAD%3AE%3A451%7CA%3AAR%3AE%3A1&page_number=5&template_id=1&sort_order=1

[xwhatsit]

I am really astonished by the fact that the keyboard was designed with a contoured main typing area, and a stepped numeric keypad.

That is impressive attention to detail. I'm not certain if it's actually the ideal configuration, however, I will admit.

 
Yes. Actually I'm looking at the IBM 5251 and IBM 3101 keyboards I have on my desk and they have the same thing going on -- contoured/curved typewriter area and a stepped numpad.

The Model F and Model M don't do it, possibly as a necessary simplification of their construction; they don't use different profiled keys (as on the beamspring boards and these Olivettis), but use a curved backplane. So the whole keyboard is curved.

[The Solutor]

So the whole keyboard is curved.

Or the whole keyboard is scaled, as happen on the M2

[zulios]

I called the seller I mentioned earlier (definitely love its retro style) and ended up in ordering one cause he said to me they are brand new, still in their box.
Should be able to pick it up by mid september, he's on holidays. There are some left if someone is interested, price is 8 euros, french layout. I can take care of the shipping if you are patient, but that may cost more than the keyboard itself...

[domin8r]

I called the seller I mentioned earlier (definitely love its retro style) and ended up in ordering one cause he said to me they are brand new, still in their box.
Should be able to pick it up by mid september, he's on holidays. There are some left if someone is interested, price is 8 euros, french layout. I can take care of the shipping if you are patient, but that may cost more than the keyboard itself...

Awesome price for a NIB! Good find!