Compact ALPS keyboards

[Chloe]

I'm looking for alternatives to the SMK-85. Does anyone know of any other compact (not tenkeyless) keyboards with ALPS switches, preferably without Windows keys? So far I've found these:
Filco FKB-86E
Filco FKB-82PRO
SIIG Minitouch

[lowpoly]

http://geekhack.org/showthread.php?t=617

White clicky. Don't know about real/simplified/fake Alps. I can open a switch if it's important.

[Chloe]

Thanks lowpoly. Are the switches plate mounted in the first one?

[lowpoly]

I have to check when I'm back in the office.

[Chloe]

I found a Korean review of the newer KPT-84. The soldering does not look good and it sounds like there are issues with the switches:
http://translate.google.com/translate?sl=ko&hl=en&ie=UTF-8&u=http%3A%2F%2Fmusecine.textcube.com%2F48

lowpoly, do you know if the plate in the newer KPT-84 is metal or plastic?

[Chloe]

I found a review of the SIIG Minitouch on Kbdmania:
http://translate.google.com/translate?hl=en&ie=UTF-8&u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.kbdmania.net%2Fboard%2Fzboard.php%3Fid%3Duser_review%26page%3D1%26sn1%3D%26divpage%3D1%26sn%3Doff%26ss%3Don%26sc%3Don%26select_arrange%3Dheadnum%26desc%3Dasc%26no%3D1170&sl=ko&tl=en&history_state0=

[bigpook]

I found a review of the SIIG Minitouch on Kbdmania:
http://translate.google.com/translate?hl=en&ie=UTF-8&u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.kbdmania.net%2Fboard%2Fzboard.php%3Fid%3Duser_review%26page%3D1%26sn1%3D%26divpage%3D1%26sn%3Doff%26ss%3Don%26sc%3Don%26select_arrange%3Dheadnum%26desc%3Dasc%26no%3D1170&sl=ko&tl=en&history_state0=

# # Night is deep, shook the heart ..

That must be some keyboard : )

[wellington1869]

# # Night is deep, shook the heart ..

That must be some keyboard : )

Lol. Or at least some night with the keyboard

[sandy55]

2 Filco 'board has a sort of simplified sw.
SIIG is supposed to have real alps. it doesn't have win keys, it has an AT plug.,,
these are usually a good sign for real ALPS ( not always).  The seller is well know to k/b manias
as a guy who handles northgate omnikey and others with ALPS sw.

Seems like Miknitouch has real blue/click sw according to the review in Korean web site,
I often see  Motery international( FKD) 'board with SMK-ish switches.
The reason of Yellow keys at function key line is that function keys are smaller than main keys.
2/3 sized versions were available only in YLW/GRN linear( no space for additional leaf spring inside the sw housing ).
don't know reason of white( or are they cream ) keys below function keys ( =, BS and a key
without printing according to pic in repair com )
If the price is reasonable, I'll go for SIIG.

[lowpoly]

lowpoly, do you know if the plate in the newer KPT-84 is metal or plastic?

Both are plate mounted on plastic.

[Chloe]

Thanks lowpoly. Do you think it makes a difference to the feel and sound?

[Chloe]

The reason of Yellow keys at function key line is that function keys are smaller than main keys.
2/3 sized versions were available only in YLW/GRN linear( no space for additional leaf spring inside the sw housing ).
don't know reason of white( or are they cream ) keys below function keys ( =, BS and a key
without printing according to pic in repair com )
If the price is reasonable, I'll go for SIIG.

Thanks sandy. I am not sure I will like linear feeling Function keys, but I think this has a better layout compared to the SMK-85. IF I get the SMK-85 I will have to cut tracks on the PCB so I can get the layout I want.

[lowpoly]

Thanks lowpoly. Do you think it makes a difference to the feel and sound?

Hard to say, the newer one does have resonances when typing. I was sure to find a metal plate but it was plastic.