Author Topic: Got my new Macally MK96 today (Read 4513 times)

xsphat · « **on:** Thu, 31 July 2008, 14:47:20 »

And all I have to say is WOW is thing way more clicky than the Northgate. I mean, this thing is really loud and it types so nice. I can see why I liked it so much before I bricked my old one.

I pulled off a key and this one has Alps looking switches that don't say Alps on them, but they feel just as good as Alps switches, but the plunger isn't white. It's some dirty cream color (...).

Don't know what that means, but I like it. In fact, and this could be attributed to it's age, this MK96 feels better than the Northgate Omnikey by a decent margin. And right out of the box, I can fly on this keyboard. Love it.

Huge thanks to iMav for this keyboard, I know he doesn't approve of the return key, but I think this is my new favorite keyboard, again.

itlnstln · « **Reply #1 on:** Thu, 31 July 2008, 15:19:38 »

Quote from: xsphat;7036

I pulled off a key and this one has Alps looking switches that don't say Alps on them, but they feel just as good as Alps switches, but the plunger isn't white. It's some dirty cream color (...).

I thought I read a post on here about Strongman switches. From what I understand, they are supposed to be very loud, tactile and resemble Alps switches. Do you think they might be those?

xsphat · « **Reply #2 on:** Thu, 31 July 2008, 15:27:24 »

Doubt it. These switches feel just like Alps but brand new and uber clicky, and I have heard the Strongmans feel like bastard products of Alps, so I don't think so.

These switches feel so tight and click so loud, I'm in love with them.

itlnstln · « **Reply #3 on:** Thu, 31 July 2008, 15:34:36 »

Are the keys "wobbly" at all like the Northgate? I noticed since changing over from the IBM, that there is a little side-to-side play in the keys. I don't mind it, and it doesn't affect my typing, but it's there.

xsphat · « **Reply #4 on:** Thu, 31 July 2008, 15:39:13 »

These are tighter than the Northgate, but on par with all the other Alps keyboards I've owned (and that's a lot of keyboards). I think the wobble actually helps me because I just type away as fast as I can. I am so used to the Alps, I may have had problems with Cherry because they lack this, but then again I like the HHKB Pro 2 quite a bit and that has the least wobble of them all. Maybe there is something else I don't like about Cherry switches, who knows.

xsphat · « **Reply #5 on:** Thu, 31 July 2008, 15:43:15 »

My last MK96 had real Alps white clicky sliders and you may recall that I really liked that one, and this one has these unmarked switches (which very well could be non-branded Alps) and it feels the same and I am right back where I was before I bricked my first MK96.

itlnstln · « **Reply #6 on:** Thu, 31 July 2008, 17:04:42 »

Time to update your signature with your new baby.

xsphat · « **Reply #7 on:** Fri, 01 August 2008, 00:30:29 »

Now I just need to decide if I should put the Northgate keys on this one. Not all of them would fit, but at least my home row tits would be in the right spot.

And now for the rest of the news. I have decided I really don't need to buy any other keyboards right now=. This 'board will more than fill my Alps quota, (but I may buy another one like this while they are abundant and cheap) and the HHKB Pro 2, I might, might, still buy a new one of those in a different color but I have been on the fence on that for a while now.

Also, I'm wondering if anone would be interested in a review of this keyboard. Otheres here have them and AFAIK, they are all happy with them, so let me know.

Bluemercury · « **Reply #8 on:** Fri, 01 August 2008, 05:20:04 »

I need to ask IMAV if he can fix one.....

xsphat · « **Reply #9 on:** Mon, 04 August 2008, 02:40:08 »

This keyboard has the lowest WAF (wife approval factor) of any of them. She now sleeps with earplugs BEFORE I come to bed. Score!

xsphat · « **Reply #10 on:** Mon, 04 August 2008, 21:44:33 »

I'm gonna have a lot of trouble finding a return key to match my color scheme. If anyone can think of a source for Alps keyswitches, let me know. I am going to order the \ and the right shift from Northgate repair, but he says he's only seen one return key in the international shape in the Northgate color. So Geekhackers, help out if you can. I think I'm going to call DSI tomorrow but I'm not hopeful, though the have a couple Japanese keyboards on ebay right now, so they may have what I need ...

Freyth · « **Reply #11 on:** Wed, 06 August 2008, 01:26:23 »

Is it possible to replace the alps in the northgates with the alps in the mk96?

xsphat · « **Reply #12 on:** Wed, 06 August 2008, 02:13:19 »

I don't know. I am not the right person to take things apart unless you never want them to work again.

But I don't honestly see why you couldn't. Are you a Northgate guy? I love mine, but this MK96 is brand new so it's all crisp and so nice.

Freyth · « **Reply #13 on:** Thu, 07 August 2008, 02:31:33 »

Yeah I'm a northgate guy... but only am currently using Windows so I can't use the MK96.

bhtooefr · « **Reply #14 on:** Thu, 07 August 2008, 14:53:06 »

Get an iMate, then you can use the MK96 on a PC.

xsphat · « **Reply #15 on:** Thu, 07 August 2008, 20:20:30 »

True dat.

Freyth · « **Reply #16 on:** Thu, 07 August 2008, 23:23:04 »

Quote from: bhtooefr;7183

Get an iMate, then you can use the MK96 on a PC.

Interesting... didn't know that. Thanks.

xsphat · « **Reply #17 on:** Thu, 07 August 2008, 23:31:05 »

I've done it, it works good in XP and Ubuntu as well.

Freyth · « **Reply #18 on:** Fri, 08 August 2008, 11:44:52 »

Quote from: xsphat;7191

I've done it, it works good in XP and Ubuntu as well.

I read that some used the iMate and some keys weren't registering accurately.

xsphat · « **Reply #19 on:** Fri, 08 August 2008, 12:08:02 »

It's always worked well for me ...

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Author Topic: Got my new Macally MK96 today (Read 4513 times)