keyboards with a little pen 'slot' at the top of them

[QuincyJones]

Why did keyboards have to drop this features - it's a great feature. I'm looking to buy something vintage - what options do I have? None of the modern day tat, just good old keyboards please!

[Halverson]

I'm trying to recall keyboards with such a slot! I do like the idea of a pen holder on my keyboard.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Moistgun]

How much desk space you got?



you could have a ton of pens in this bad boy.

[romevi]

One of the many reasons I prefer wide bezels.
Lipless? More like cool...-less...

[QuincyJones]

no the slot ran along the top of the kb

[romevi]

no the slot ran along the top of the kb

Yes, I know.
I prefer wide bezels on modern keyboards as well because I can put my pen/cils on 'em. Thin cases don't allow that.

[Tactile]

I remember some with that, but don't recall any brands. The ridge along the forehead of the IBM Model M (1391401, et al) works pretty well. A lot of software in those days had the cheat sheet cards which were intended to be stuck up there and maybe keyboard vendors eliminated the slot to give a nice flat surface for those.

[QuincyJones]

something like what's between the f keys and number keys. Though that's a strange place to put it, it was normally above the f keys

[Tactile]

Here's a recent one...

[chyros]

See if you can get a keyboard like my ITT Courier, that practically had a built-in pencil case xD .

[klennkellon]

The Model M and ALPS Bigfoots do.

[y11971alex]

[1391406]

If I needed a pen / pencil tray along the top and didn't have one(a la Model M), I don't see why you couldn't just use the F-keys.

[klennkellon]

If I needed a pen / pencil tray along the top and didn't have one(a la Model M), I don't see why you couldn't just use the F-keys.

Yeah the F keys usually enough for you to rest some pens on, assuming the keyboard has enough bezel and has a very slight tilt towards you.

[Findecanor]

Especially Mitsumi keyboards used to have them. Either as a groove or as two lengthwise bevels.

Show Image

In front of the space bar is a lid to a compartment for storing the user manual. I wonder if it is big enough for storing pens as well...

[QuincyJones]

If I needed a pen / pencil tray along the top and didn't have one(a la Model M), I don't see why you couldn't just use the F-keys.

because when you press the 'f' keys, the pen bounces around and someetimes go flying off the keyboard.

[1391406]

If I needed a pen / pencil tray along the top and didn't have one(a la Model M), I don't see why you couldn't just use the F-keys.

because when you press the 'f' keys, the pen bounces around and someetimes go flying off the keyboard.

Bu**sh*t.

Not a valid vimeo URL

[QuincyJones]

If I needed a pen / pencil tray along the top and didn't have one(a la Model M), I don't see why you couldn't just use the F-keys.

because when you press the 'f' keys, the pen bounces around and someetimes go flying off the keyboard.

Bu**sh*t.

Not a valid vimeo URL

OMGZZZ LOL IT DOESN'T HAPPEN TO ME ON THIS ONE KEYBOARD THEREFORE IT CAN NEVER HAPPEN TO ANYONE ELSE OMGZZLOL BULLSUIT LOL OMGZZZ

[klennkellon]

If I needed a pen / pencil tray along the top and didn't have one(a la Model M), I don't see why you couldn't just use the F-keys.

because when you press the 'f' keys, the pen bounces around and someetimes go flying off the keyboard.

Bu**sh*t.

Not a valid vimeo URL

OMGZZZ LOL IT DOESN'T HAPPEN TO ME ON THIS ONE KEYBOARD THEREFORE IT CAN NEVER HAPPEN TO ANYONE ELSE OMGZZLOL BULLSUIT LOL OMGZZZ

calm down dude

[1391406]

If I needed a pen / pencil tray along the top and didn't have one(a la Model M), I don't see why you couldn't just use the F-keys.

because when you press the 'f' keys, the pen bounces around and someetimes go flying off the keyboard.

Bu**sh*t.

Not a valid vimeo URL

OMGZZZ LOL IT DOESN'T HAPPEN TO ME ON THIS ONE KEYBOARD THEREFORE IT CAN NEVER HAPPEN TO ANYONE ELSE OMGZZLOL BULLSUIT LOL OMGZZZ

Which keyboard have you used that it happens with? In my opinion, it would only happen if you're using your F-keys as punching bags. Anyone can claim anything, though. Like I said, bu**sh*t.

[y11971alex]

[1391406]

Haha.

[y11971alex]

Haha.

5chars only? 

I went through the trouble of uploading a video. 

[1391406]

Haha.

5chars only? 

I went through the trouble of uploading a video. 

That video pretty much says it all. Awesome board, by the way.

[losing_ctrl]

I've got one of those, an Avant Stellar:



The pen/pencil slot at the top does add a bit of vintage charm. On this one you could probably cram three or four writing implements in the slot. These do pop up on ebay once and awhile, including the Avant Prime, which has the pen slot but not the extra set of function keys on the left, so not quite such a battleship.

[mike52787]

I've got one of those, an Avant Stellar:

(Attachment Link)

The pen/pencil slot at the top does add a bit of vintage charm. On this one you could probably cram three or four writing implements in the slot. These do pop up on ebay once and awhile, including the Avant Prime, which has the pen slot but not the extra set of function keys on the left, so not quite such a battleship.

Does that board use Alps SKBM whites like my prime did? Im working on refurbishing it and putting blue alps in it. Sweet board.

[rowdy]

I didn't reaiise how much I'd missed that feature, until I started using Model M keyboards again.  Now I've often got something resting on the top of the keyboard, and do kinda miss it with my other more modern keyboards.

[losing_ctrl]

I've got one of those, an Avant Stellar:

(Attachment Link)

The pen/pencil slot at the top does add a bit of vintage charm. On this one you could probably cram three or four writing implements in the slot. These do pop up on ebay once and awhile, including the Avant Prime, which has the pen slot but not the extra set of function keys on the left, so not quite such a battleship.

Does that board use Alps SKBM whites like my prime did? Im working on refurbishing it and putting blue alps in it. Sweet board.

Are you saying you have one of these and you are working on refurbishing it? If so, when you are done, please post a few pics of the process, I'd love to see what you did, and how it turned out.

To the best of my knowledge, the Avant Prime and Stellar keyboards were built with simplified white Alps, however I am not sure of anything more specific than that. I would love to get the whole official story/history behind this keyboard, more than just a company trying to copy/continue the Northgate Omnikey.

[kolec94]

the only 2 i can think of are a couple old basic lenovo and dell keyboards

[mike52787]

I've got one of those, an Avant Stellar:

(Attachment Link)

The pen/pencil slot at the top does add a bit of vintage charm. On this one you could probably cram three or four writing implements in the slot. These do pop up on ebay once and awhile, including the Avant Prime, which has the pen slot but not the extra set of function keys on the left, so not quite such a battleship.

Does that board use Alps SKBM whites like my prime did? Im working on refurbishing it and putting blue alps in it. Sweet board.

Are you saying you have one of these and you are working on refurbishing it? If so, when you are done, please post a few pics of the process, I'd love to see what you did, and how it turned out.

To the best of my knowledge, the Avant Prime and Stellar keyboards were built with simplified white Alps, however I am not sure of anything more specific than that. I would love to get the whole official story/history behind this keyboard, more than just a company trying to copy/continue the Northgate Omnikey.

here she is. Case is a bit warped from the sun damage, and I gave it a light coat of paint to cover the yelowing. Pulled out the ****ty simplified white switches and am going to replace them with SKCM blues I have on the way via TaoBao. Such a sweet board, northgate build quality with windows keys. 
Here is the original pic from the ebay listing I got it from.

Here it is after being painted.

Ill keep you updated on the progress on this board, its good seeing another avant lover on here.

[chyros]

I've got one of those, an Avant Stellar:

(Attachment Link)

The pen/pencil slot at the top does add a bit of vintage charm. On this one you could probably cram three or four writing implements in the slot. These do pop up on ebay once and awhile, including the Avant Prime, which has the pen slot but not the extra set of function keys on the left, so not quite such a battleship.

Does that board use Alps SKBM whites like my prime did? Im working on refurbishing it and putting blue alps in it. Sweet board.

Are you saying you have one of these and you are working on refurbishing it? If so, when you are done, please post a few pics of the process, I'd love to see what you did, and how it turned out.

To the best of my knowledge, the Avant Prime and Stellar keyboards were built with simplified white Alps, however I am not sure of anything more specific than that. I would love to get the whole official story/history behind this keyboard, more than just a company trying to copy/continue the Northgate Omnikey.

here she is. Case is a bit warped from the sun damage, and I gave it a light coat of paint to cover the yelowing. Pulled out the ****ty simplified white switches and am going to replace them with SKCM blues I have on the way via TaoBao. Such a sweet board, northgate build quality with windows keys. 
Here is the original pic from the ebay listing I got it from.

Show Image

Here it is after being painted.

Show Image

Ill keep you updated on the progress on this board, its good seeing another avant lover on here.

Nice! Does it work? I've heard the programmable ones tended to be super unreliable =o .

[mike52787]

Nice! Does it work? I've heard the programmable ones tended to be super unreliable =o .

Short answer: no.
Slightly longer answer: There are a few caps on the controller that look old and dried up. I will try that, but if all else fails I will probably just try to find a Leeku 3000 pcb to put in it.

[chyros]

Nice! Does it work? I've heard the programmable ones tended to be super unreliable =o .

Short answer: no.
Slightly longer answer: There are a few caps on the controller that look old and dried up. I will try that, but if all else fails I will probably just try to find a Leeku 3000 pcb to put in it.

IIRC people tend to just rip out the programming chip or something since that's apparently the thing that ****s up. People have definitely gotten these to work despite the electrical/electronic flaws though.

[mike52787]

Nice! Does it work? I've heard the programmable ones tended to be super unreliable =o .

Short answer: no.
Slightly longer answer: There are a few caps on the controller that look old and dried up. I will try that, but if all else fails I will probably just try to find a Leeku 3000 pcb to put in it.

IIRC people tend to just rip out the programming chip or something since that's apparently the thing that ****s up. People have definitely gotten these to work despite the electrical/electronic flaws though.

It already looks to be missing a chip, so im not sure. That mod maybe was already tried.

[chyros]

Well ****balls, in that case I don't know either Oo .

[losing_ctrl]

I've got one of those, an Avant Stellar:

(Attachment Link)

The pen/pencil slot at the top does add a bit of vintage charm. On this one you could probably cram three or four writing implements in the slot. These do pop up on ebay once and awhile, including the Avant Prime, which has the pen slot but not the extra set of function keys on the left, so not quite such a battleship.

Does that board use Alps SKBM whites like my prime did? Im working on refurbishing it and putting blue alps in it. Sweet board.

Are you saying you have one of these and you are working on refurbishing it? If so, when you are done, please post a few pics of the process, I'd love to see what you did, and how it turned out.

To the best of my knowledge, the Avant Prime and Stellar keyboards were built with simplified white Alps, however I am not sure of anything more specific than that. I would love to get the whole official story/history behind this keyboard, more than just a company trying to copy/continue the Northgate Omnikey.

here she is. Case is a bit warped from the sun damage, and I gave it a light coat of paint to cover the yelowing. Pulled out the ****ty simplified white switches and am going to replace them with SKCM blues I have on the way via TaoBao. Such a sweet board, northgate build quality with windows keys. 
Here is the original pic from the ebay listing I got it from.

Show Image

Here it is after being painted.

Show Image

Ill keep you updated on the progress on this board, its good seeing another avant lover on here.

Great! Thanks for the pics, looking real good so far. Yes, I am definitely a fan of the Avants, but replacing the switches with blue Alps seems like it would be a huge upgrade. Good luck.

[xtrafrood]

So many of you appreciate some pens on your keyboards! Holy guacamole

[1391406]

So many of you appreciate some pens on your keyboards!

If I worked in a mechanics shop or something, a pencil tray would probably be useful. Personally, I don't need one, but that's me.

[xtrafrood]

So many of you appreciate some pens on your keyboards!

If I worked in a mechanics shop or something, a pencil tray would probably be useful. Personally, I don't need one, but that's me.

I've always used a cup. I've tried the pen on the keyboard trick back when I was using buckling spring keyboards all the time and it didn't always work out. I would forget and place the pen in a cup. When I use a pen often enough I slip it behind my ear, it looks goofy but idc 

[chyros]

So many of you appreciate some pens on your keyboards!

If I worked in a mechanics shop or something, a pencil tray would probably be useful. Personally, I don't need one, but that's me.

I've always used a cup. I've tried the pen on the keyboard trick back when I was using buckling spring keyboards all the time and it didn't always work out. I would forget and place the pen in a cup. When I use a pen often enough I slip it behind my ear, it looks goofy but idc

5 floppy disks + cable ties = amazing pencil cup

[xtrafrood]

So many of you appreciate some pens on your keyboards!

If I worked in a mechanics shop or something, a pencil tray would probably be useful. Personally, I don't need one, but that's me.

I've always used a cup. I've tried the pen on the keyboard trick back when I was using buckling spring keyboards all the time and it didn't always work out. I would forget and place the pen in a cup. When I use a pen often enough I slip it behind my ear, it looks goofy but idc

5 floppy disks + cable ties = amazing pencil cup

Oh man, that completely obliterates the whole vinyl record trick.  I need to try that sometime. Maybe someone can make some kind of 3D printed holder for the disks or something haha

[ime1729]

I typically put my Pilot DR Grip right to the left of the numpad vertically on my Unicomp.

Given the size of that pencil, I'm pretty sure that any other pencil would fit inside that improvised slot. (No, I don't really use the numpad, or even the d-pad that much, considering that I spend the majority of my time within emacs)

[Malenky]

I have a membrane keyboard somewhere that has a single pen 'pot'.