 AEK II w/ Alps Salmon Switch vs. Alps Orange Switch vs. IBM Model F Switch?

[Alvin777]

Hello extreme keyboards friends, they say the Model F’s capacitative switches are better than the Mode M’s but is the Model F’s typing experience but some say the best is Apple Extended Keyboard II’s (AEK) switches (considered the first silent switches). If Apple's is better which Apple Extended Keyboard II’s switches are the best (fully lubed switches interiorly and outside): salmon vs. orange vs. M0312?

bonus if you tried the ones above and also have the modern keyboard with modern switches: vs. modern switches and are Apple Extended Keyboard II have the best PBT keycaps or is it IBM's Model F or M or name another brand (modern).

If you know someone who has all keyboards with all the switches and have tested them, kindly post the link to their feedback.

God bless, Rev. 21:4

[mohawk1367]

buckling spring and alps cant really be compared

[fohat.digs]

You are asking a multitude of questions that are not directly related. Thousands (if not millions) of words have been written on these subjects over the course of decades.

Between the AEK and AEK2 I prefer the AEK and like the earlier orange switches better than salmon - but they are very similar and overall condition is a much bigger factor. AEK2 with dampened switches makes for a quieter machine and, as with the AEK, the earlier production cream switches are considered better than the later whites but are not dramatically different. Apple's PBT key caps are absolutely awesome but have frustrating peculiarities that prevent them from being easily used on other ALPS keyboards - such as the function key switches being rotated 90 degrees ....

Ancient IBM iron is extremely sturdy and can also be repaired and modified relatively easily. Most of the key caps are 2-piece which is very handy but most people consider the 1-piece caps to be marginally better in feel and sound. Model F is universally considered far superior to Model M, which was created as an exercise in extreme cost-cutting, but the Model M layout has been the "standard" since the 1980s.

Attempting to compare IBM and Apple is an exercise in futility.

[Rob27shred]

You are asking a multitude of questions that are not directly related. Thousands (if not millions) of words have been written on these subjects over the course of decades.

Between the AEK and AEK2 I prefer the AEK and like the earlier orange switches better than salmon - but they are very similar and overall condition is a much bigger factor. AEK2 with dampened switches makes for a quieter machine and, as with the AEK, the earlier production cream switches are considered better than the later whites but are not dramatically different. Apple's PBT key caps are absolutely awesome but have frustrating peculiarities that prevent them from being easily used on other ALPS keyboards - such as the function key switches being rotated 90 degrees ....

Ancient IBM iron is extremely sturdy and can also be repaired and modified relatively easily. Most of the key caps are 2-piece which is very handy but most people consider the 1-piece caps to be marginally better in feel and sound. Model F is universally considered far superior to Model M, which was created as an exercise in extreme cost-cutting, but the Model M layout has been the "standard" since the 1980s.

Attempting to compare IBM and Apple is an exercise in futility.

Couldn't have said it better myself.