NIB beige AT101W's - $20 OBO

[Special K]

This seller has a ton of NIB beige AT101W's in stock:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&item=370223790892

Price is $20 OBO.  It doesn't look like they have sold any yet.  Maybe it's because the term AT101W doesn't appear anywhere in the auction?  Instead they identify it with the DP/N 227KN.

EDIT: The original auction has expired.  See the new one here:

http://cgi.ebay.com/Dell-104-Key-PS2-6P-USA-Keyboard-NEW-227KN_W0QQitemZ330355813219QQcmdZViewItemQQptZPCA_Mice_Trackballs?hash=item4ceabdab63&_trksid=p4634.c0.m14.l1262

[itlnstln]

This is a great 'board at a great price.  Buy two now.  Great keyboards to give away to friends and family to introduce them to quality keyboards.

[itlnstln]

If the seller got the Part number right it is the AT101W.
 
Boy, I'm tempted and I don't even like Alps switches. At least the white XMs I tried.

Spend the $20 on it. The (real) black Alps are pretty nice. I don't think they are quite as nice as Cherrys, but for $20, you can't go wrong. If you don't like it, give it to your son or your wife.
 
I bought 5 from a couple of previous sales, and have given all but 2 away.  Everyone I have given one to has really liked it.

[Special K]

Spend the $20 on it. The (real) black Alps are pretty nice. I don't think they are quite as nice as Cherrys, but for $20, you can't go wrong. If you don't like it, give it to your son or your wife.
 
I bought 5 from a couple of previous sales, and have given all but 2 away.  Everyone I have given one to has really liked it.

It probably wouldn't even be $20.  The fact that the seller included a "make best offer" button implies that they would accept less than $20 for one.

Personally I think the black alps switches are just OK.  They are supposed to be tactile, but what I find is that instead of a distinct tactile bump, I just get friction.

[Special K]

If the seller got the Part number right it is the AT101W.

Boy, I'm tempted and I don't even like Alps switches. At least the white XMs I tried.

Do white alps = white XMs?

Which keyboard did you try with white XMs?

[Special K]

OK, I just tried a 2 for $30 best offer with free shipping.  Let's see....

My son has a lot of geeky friends - better than giving them Legos for their birthdays.

I asked my wife if we could give one as a wedding present to our goddaughter and she glared at me.

Looks like they accepted your offer.

I wonder if they'd accept $10 for one. :wink:

[iMav]

I'd pick up a few...but already have a pile of NIB ones from the last seller with a pallet of them.  

[bigpook]

I just offered 10 bucks for one. I wonder if he will take it. If so then I will need another filco tenless with white XM's to swap out with. : )

[Special K]

Who made an offer for 5 that was rejected?

[bigpook]

he replied with 15 dollars. still a good deal.

[bigpook]

that depends on how good you are at soldering. The switches on the dell were a little bit of a pain as the pins were bent. The white xm's came off straight-away.
It took me about 5 hours and all I changed out were the letter keys. Maybe someone else can do it faster.
I am seriously tempted to get another dell and another filco to swap. This time around I would take my time and change all the keys.
Maybe its me, but the filco with black alps is still on my desk and its going on something like two months now. I am such a butterfly when it comes to keyboards but the black alps filco is just awesome for me.

If I could only take one keyboard with me to that deserted island; it would be the filco with black alps. crazy, I know.

[bigpook]

cool, I went ahead and got one for 15 bucks. You can't go wrong at that price for a black alps keyboard.

[bigpook]

If the seller got the Part number right it is the AT101W.

Boy, I'm tempted and I don't even like Alps switches. At least the white XMs I tried.

the black alps are way, way better then the white xm's.

[bigpook]

nice, glad they arrived in good shape. still waiting on mine. maybe tomorrow.

[ch_123]

It's like Christmas again

[timw4mail]

Made an offer for 2 for $20...if seller accepts, I'll give one to a friend of mine.

[kip]

he replied with 15 dollars. still a good deal.

I put a Best Offer in and I'm curious how long it took the seller to get back to you when you made your offer?

[bigpook]

He got back to me in a few hours. On another note the dell arrived today.
The weight of the box made me take notice. It was heavier then I remembered it to be.
Before I remove the keys I want to give it a few days and see if it feels/sounds any different then the filco I am using now.

[Special K]

Spend the $20 on it. The (real) black Alps are pretty nice. I don't think they are quite as nice as Cherrys, but for $20, you can't go wrong. If you don't like it, give it to your son or your wife.
 
I bought 5 from a couple of previous sales, and have given all but 2 away.  Everyone I have given one to has really liked it.

In your opinion, how do the real black alps compare to the black alps copies used in the ABS M1?  I have read a couple posts on here of people who actually prefer the black alps copies used in the M1 to the real black alps used in the AT101W.

[D-EJ915]

FYI http://www.alancomputech.com/227kn.html

[Special K]

FYI http://www.alancomputech.com/227kn.html

Interesting, but you would still save some money by using the free shipping offer on ebay and making an offer slightly below the list price.

[Special K]

The old auction has ended, but they have been relisted here:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=390076487832&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT

They still have 92 available.

[itlnstln]

In your opinion, how do the real black alps compare to the black alps copies used in the ABS M1? I have read a couple posts on here of people who actually prefer the black alps copies used in the M1 to the real black alps used in the AT101W.

It's sort of a toss up between the two.  The Dell has a smoother key action (not to say the ABS isn't smooth, but it's not quite like the Dell), but there is better tactility in the ABS.  The switches in the ABS are noisier, too, particularly concerning spring noise (lots of sproinging going on).  The ABS also feels like a more solid keyboard, in general.  $15-20 for a Dell is well worth the price, and it's still one of my favorite 'boards.

[timw4mail]

It's sort of a toss up between the two.  The Dell has a smoother key action (not to say the ABS isn't smooth, but it's not quite like the Dell), but there is better tactility in the ABS.  The switches in the ABS are noisier, too, particularly concerning spring noise (lots of sproinging going on).  The ABS also feels like a more solid keyboard, in general.  $15-20 for a Dell is well worth the price, and it's still one of my favorite 'boards.

How do you deal with the very subtle tactile feeling in the AT101W? I just got mine, and it feels very strange to me...half of the time I end up bottoming out because I don't have a very distinct tactile point.

[itlnstln]

How do you deal with the very subtle tactile feeling in the AT101W? I just got mine, and it feels very strange to me...half of the time I end up bottoming out because I don't have a very distinct tactile point.

I always bottom out on Alps switches.  Not enough springiness in the springs.  All of the Alps (and clones) I have tried do not have the rebound force of, say, BS or Cherrys.  Alps only seem to have enough rebound force to push the keycap back up.  Some of the clones even have what I call a Tug-o-War effect where the tactile point is so strong that when you finally move past it, the release is so sudden that you can;t stop your self from pushing the key all the way down.  This would be like when you are in a Tug-o-War and the other person lets go.  The release of the opposing force is so sudden that you just fall down.

[keyb_gr]

Some of the clones even have what I call a Tug-o-War effect where the tactile point is so strong that when you finally move past it, the release is so sudden that you can;t stop your self from pushing the key all the way down.

This also is what I found with these clicky black Acer modules. Not too much fun to type on.

[clickclack]

When I came across this thread about 2-3 weeks ago I got all excited and asked them for 3 boards at 15 a pop, and he accepted in just a few short hours. I have finally tested all three of them and they work great, arrived in great shape, just plain wonderful!

I bought my first mechanical type keyboard about 3 weeks ago an IBM model M (thanks to this site and others) and I was hooked! But I really love the black Alps in this Dell board. Feels great and I can go a bit faster on it than the model M. And I figured out why- they keys, the layout, and spacing are all the same yet I can glide from key to key easier. Then I noticed that the key heights are different! On the Dell my fingers can slide up to the upper keys from home row, but on the model M I have to lift my fingers (ever so slightly) to the row above and that slows me down. I just thought I would share =)

Anywho I think it is very worth it to buy from this seller, so go to it people! (well if you want one that is)
The packaging was just a big box with 3 keyboards stacked in their respective boxes on one side and a funny pink polyurethane foam sheet folded next to it. Just to keep them in place as it would not protect from a drop or bang, but they did arrive in great condition.

[itlnstln]

I'm glad you like the 'boards.  The Dells are great, especially fro the price.
 
Welcome to GeekHack.

[NathanA]

I, too, made an offer of $15, but just for 1 board in my case.  Seller accepted and got me one pronto.  Typing on it now...it is a pretty nice board.  Not sure the black Alps are my favorite, but it is decent.

-- Nathan

[timw4mail]

I bought two of these, and gave one to a friend of mine so he could have a decent keyboard. At least he likes his more than I like mine.

[AndrewZorn]

can't find the auction you guys are talking about (probably expired) but there are "grade A" used ones for $13 free shipping...

[clickclack]

The relisting of the original NIB is here.

You just beat me to it! haahaa
Check out this other board that I just now found from the same seller, while I was looking up the link you just posted =P

http://geekhack.org/showthread.php?t=7080

[Special K]

I just updated the OP to reflect the new auction link.  I still have yet to get one of these keyboards.  At $15 it seems like a very good price, but I'm just enjoying these blue cherries so much that I don't know if I would ever have a reason to switch back to black alps.  

Maybe I'll just get bored sometime and bust out a different keyboard?

[AndrewZorn]

The relisting of the original NIB is here.

ah ok, found that one but the shipping is no longer free...

[clickclack]

ah ok, found that one but the shipping is no longer free...

Really? :S
I just looked it up and it says free shipping.
Bummer if that's the case now.
Glad I got my three when I did

[timw4mail]

I just updated the OP to reflect the new auction link.  I still have yet to get one of these keyboards.  At $15 it seems like a very good price, but I'm just enjoying these blue cherries so much that I don't know if I would ever have a reason to switch back to black alps.  

Maybe I'll just get bored sometime and bust out a different keyboard?

I'm almost thinking of getting a black one just to switch out the keys with the one I've got...but they aren't my favorite to type on. Good backup board, though.

[Hofy]

ah ok, found that one but the shipping is no longer free...

I ordered one yesterday.  Offered $15  got free shipping.  I also just checked and it still lists free shipping.

[AndrewZorn]

ok figured it out its free UPS to you but to APO zip code it forces USPS which is $12
could have it waiting for me at home i guess...
worth buying?  anything intriguing to use it over a cherry/topre once in a while?

[timw4mail]

ok figured it out its free UPS to you but to APO zip code it forces USPS which is $12
could have it waiting for me at home i guess...
worth buying?  anything intriguing to use it over a cherry/topre once in a while?

It's like driving a junker because it has more "character". For the price, it's a good addition to any collection, but I wouldn't recommend it over any other mechanical keyboards. It does have a more pleasing sound than a blue cherry switch keyboard, though.

[Shawn Stanford]

ok figured it out its free UPS to you but to APO zip code it forces USPS which is $12
could have it waiting for me at home i guess...
worth buying?  anything intriguing to use it over a cherry/topre once in a while?

I guess it depends on how much crap you're willing to lug/mail back from overseas.  :lol:

[AndrewZorn]

well, just the opposite... if i get it sent home it will be a nice addition to the collection yada yada yada and i wont have to lug it home

im going to make an offer

[Special K]

It's like driving a junker because it has more "character". For the price, it's a good addition to any collection, but I wouldn't recommend it over any other mechanical keyboards. It does have a more pleasing sound than a blue cherry switch keyboard, though.

I agree with this post.  I'll never prefer the AT101W over a keyboard with blue cherries, but I do think the AT101W is the best sounding keyboard.

[itlnstln]

IMO, the Cherry G80-3000 (with brown Cherrys) is the best sounding keyboard.  It's almost silent with a soft "thocking" if the keys are bottomed out.

[AndrewZorn]

ok i got one for 15 (tried 13, but you know) just as another for when I get home

BUT i've messed it up
when i was browsing my address was still set to APO, showed no free shipping
changed it to home, bam, free UPS

when i go to pay for it, now it's back to the APO, and UPS is not an option.  okay, change back to home address.  what?  UPS still not available!

sent the guy an email, but wondering if anyone here has seen it before and knows what to do first.

thanks

[AndrewZorn]

anyone know this guy?  it's been 3 days, I contacted Ebay and found out it is something the seller needs to do, and past the initial rephrasing of my question I am yet to receive a response.  anyone have good contact with this seller?

[SCTony]

I made him an offer on this keyboard July 30, he accepted it the next day, and I received it about 10 days later (2 weekends involved). I had no problems at all doing business with him.

[clickclack]

I made him an offer on this keyboard July 30, he accepted it the next day, and I received it about 10 days later (2 weekends involved). I had no problems at all doing business with him.

my experience was similar-
They got back to me in about 3-4 hrs I think and it was sent within 10 days (all 3 of them)

is it possible they think you canceled?

[AndrewZorn]

No, they responded saying "So this is what you want to do?" type thing, I said yes, and have tried contacting them twice since.  STILL no response!

[clickclack]

Is it possible that they already sent it out (or are in the process) and don't feel the need to continue since you did confirm "yes".
Either way I hope this works out for ya.

[AndrewZorn]

i haven't paid yet...

[Hofy]

They relisted again, but the buy it now price is higher at $24.  I wonder if that takes the offer price from $15 to $19?  

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=370267682959&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT#ht_1704wt_1184

[D-EJ915]

you can only make 3 best offers

[Hofy]

i already have one so I do not think I will be finding out what the best offer is now.

[timw4mail]

i already have one so I do not think I will be finding out what the best offer is now.

I'm just glad I didn't pay more for the one I've got...I haven't been that impressed with it.

[Hofy]

actually the only reason I might order another one is to harvest the key caps for an Alps project.  HEHEHE

[itlnstln]

I like the durability of the lasered keys, but ripster's right, they are too light in color.  In the end, though you could say the same thing about the black on gray keys Topre uses, but I like those, though.

[nycxandy]

Just got one for $18!