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geekhack Marketplace => Great Finds => Topic started by: Nek on Mon, 30 December 2019, 08:46:19

Title: IBM Model M clone with SKCM Blue switches (?!)
Post by: Nek on Mon, 30 December 2019, 08:46:19: This strange keeb just popped up, and it is very weird and interesting.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/EXTREMELY-RARE-IBM-MODEL-M-CLONE-WITH-BLUE-ALPS/293399761854?hash=item444ffd13be:g:UaYAAOSwIUReCW9C

Have anyone ever seen anything like this before? Is it maybe a custom made project? (the price is out of this world of course)...
Title: Re: IBM Model M clone with SKCM Blue switches (?!)
Post by: ashishdhiman on Mon, 30 December 2019, 09:10:12: I also have one similar to this with blue cherry mx switch but at much lower price it is on auction on ebay

https://rover.ebay.com/rover/0/0/0?mpre=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.ebay.com%2Fulk%2Fitm%2F392610231570 (https://rover.ebay.com/rover/0/0/0?mpre=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.ebay.com%2Fulk%2Fitm%2F392610231570)(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20191230/8b575c3df08af4c5baa32f33ce7db32b.jpg)

Sent from my ONEPLUS A6010 using Tapatalk
Title: Re: IBM Model M clone with SKCM Blue switches (?!)
Post by: Nek on Mon, 30 December 2019, 09:31:39: Quote from: ashishdhiman on Mon, 30 December 2019, 09:10:12
I also have one similar to this with blue cherry mx switch but at much lower price it is on auction on ebay

https://rover.ebay.com/rover/0/0/0?mpre=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.ebay.com%2Fulk%2Fitm%2F392610231570 (https://rover.ebay.com/rover/0/0/0?mpre=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.ebay.com%2Fulk%2Fitm%2F392610231570)
Show Image
(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20191230/8b575c3df08af4c5baa32f33ce7db32b.jpg)

Sent from my ONEPLUS A6010 using Tapatalk

Yours has no resemblance with the Model M. The other is almost identical.
Title: Re: IBM Model M clone with SKCM Blue switches (?!)
Post by: fohat.digs on Mon, 30 December 2019, 10:03:08: The blue Alps Model M clone is known and documented but is also quite rare and valuable.

An unusual case of a counterfeit being worth a lot more than its original.

I have never seen one in real life, but would love to have one. If I was flush with cash (which I am not) I might almost consider it, even at that price, but if that "X" on the "D" key is permanent marker it is a real shame, because those caps must be uber-rare and replacements almost out of the question.
Title: Re: IBM Model M clone with SKCM Blue switches (?!)
Post by: chyros on Mon, 30 December 2019, 10:49:58: Someone dug up a big batch of these from Chinese recyclers, they're now in circulation. Those ones that I saw were in awful condition; I'd treat these with suspicion. There's no point in getting blue Alps if they're not in good condition IMO.
Title: Re: IBM Model M clone with SKCM Blue switches (?!)
Post by: Rob27shred on Mon, 30 December 2019, 11:27:30: Quote from: chyros on Mon, 30 December 2019, 10:49:58
Someone dug up a big batch of these from Chinese recyclers, they're now in circulation. Those ones that I saw were in awful condition; I'd treat these with suspicion. There's no point in getting blue Alps if they're not in good condition IMO.

I was thinking the listing seemed a bit shady with only one pic that you can barely see the switches in & the description just saying the switches "are in good shape". Guess my gut instinct was right & thanks for clarifying this Chyros!
Title: Re: IBM Model M clone with SKCM Blue switches (?!)
Post by: E TwentyNine on Mon, 30 December 2019, 11:44:58: This exact keyboard (not just same type, I mean this very keyboard) was discussed on DT years ago:

https://deskthority.net/viewtopic.php?f=62&t=12798&start=

It has the same damage on the led panel sticker. In fact it's the same picture that's over 5 years old. (which could indicate scam or a seller who just didn't bother to take new pics).

There are other threads there about blue alp M's.
Title: Re: IBM Model M clone with SKCM Blue switches (?!)
Post by: pixelpusher on Mon, 30 December 2019, 14:06:04: one interesting thing about the board is that it has costar stabilizers. That's a pretty big plus if you planned to build something in it with some of the new SP Alps caps coming out.
Title: Re: IBM Model M clone with SKCM Blue switches (?!)
Post by: orihalcon on Tue, 31 December 2019, 12:34:06: Interesting side note is that there was a PBT/Dyesub version of these, but most that I've seen documented are pad printed ABS. Kinda hard to tell from the picture, but it looks like some of the letters are partially rubbed off, but could be worse as can be seen below! Last couple pictures shows a mix of PBT and ABS.