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geekhack Marketplace => Great Finds => Topic started by: microsoft windows on Sat, 11 September 2010, 19:39:52

Title: Unitek Space Saver---White ALPS---Neat Layout
Post by: microsoft windows on Sat, 11 September 2010, 19:39:52
It's a little pricey, but still interesting to look at. Got a layout a lot like the Cherry space savers but got white ALPS switches. (http://cgi.ebay.com/Vintage-Unitek-Space-saver-Keyboard-K-258-FCC-FMAKB6551-/350266295316?pt=PCA_Mice_Trackballs&hash=item518d7f8414)
Title: Unitek Space Saver---White ALPS---Neat Layout
Post by: didjamatic on Sat, 11 September 2010, 19:47:09
Haha, beat you to it here (http://geekhack.org/showthread.php?t=11605).
Title: Unitek Space Saver---White ALPS---Neat Layout
Post by: microsoft windows on Sat, 11 September 2010, 19:48:44
Aw man...

Well, if you're into other strange things, check out another of my Ebay Finds threads. I found a guy selling a bunch of Lexmark Model M's that come with AT-DIN connectors (Not the black ones from pre-1987).
Title: Unitek Space Saver---White ALPS---Neat Layout
Post by: TexasFlood on Fri, 01 October 2010, 15:43:59
That looked pretty cool, so I found this (http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=320596117473) rack drawer which seemed to house one, and listed as for parts only.  I decided to take a chance and put in a bid of $30 with free shipping.  It was accepted immediately so I could have / should have bid lower.  At any rate, it finally came.  After extraction and clean-up, the gamble paid off and it tested just fine.

(http://geekhack.org/attachment.php?attachmentid=12721)
Title: Unitek Space Saver---White ALPS---Neat Layout
Post by: ricercar on Fri, 01 October 2010, 15:47:12
Oooh, Texas, nice. What kind of key cap has it?
Title: Unitek Space Saver---White ALPS---Neat Layout
Post by: TexasFlood on Fri, 01 October 2010, 15:54:24
Quote from: ricercar;228778
Oooh, Texas, nice. What kind of key cap has it?
I really like the layout, for the most part, compact and usable.
Not perfect obviously, what is?

Don't have my own picture, yet.
White ALPS like those on the keyboard in post one.
So below is a switch picture from that ebay listing.

(http://i.ebayimg.com/04/!BSoJ1pgB2k~$(KGrHgoOKiwEjlLmE-R)BKEIgOvNIg~~_12.JPG)
Title: Unitek Space Saver---White ALPS---Neat Layout
Post by: TexasFlood on Fri, 01 October 2010, 16:03:52
Quote from: ricercar;228778
Oooh, Texas, nice. What kind of key cap has it?

I really like the layout, for the most part, compact and usable.
Not perfect obviously, what is?

White ALPS like those on the keyboard in post one.
Oh wait, you said key cap not switch, so off to take a picture...

(http://geekhack.org/attachment.php?attachmentid=12722)
Title: Unitek Space Saver---White ALPS---Neat Layout
Post by: TexasFlood on Fri, 01 October 2010, 16:32:55
Quote from: ricercar;228778
Oooh, Texas, nice. What kind of key cap has it?
I really like the layout, for the most part, compact and usable.
Not perfect obviously, what is?

White ALPS like those on the keyboard in post one.
Oh wait, you said key cap not switch, so off to take a picture...

(http://geekhack.org/attachment.php?attachmentid=12723)
Title: Unitek Space Saver---White ALPS---Neat Layout
Post by: TexasFlood on Fri, 01 October 2010, 16:48:21
Quote from: ricercar;228778
Oooh, Texas, nice. What kind of key cap has it?
I really like the layout, for the most part, compact and usable.
Not perfect obviously, what is?

White ALPS like those on the keyboard in post one.
Oh wait, you said key cap not switch, so off to take a picture...

(http://geekhack.org/attachment.php?attachmentid=12725)

Here (http://translate.google.com/translate?hl=en&sl=auto&tl=en&u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.kbdmania.net%2Fxe%2F%3Fmid%3Dphoto%26page%3D258%26document_srl%3D550361) is a link to some kbdmania.net pictures of the board/switches. Mine are labelled ALPS as those shown, but I don't have a good picture of it yet.
Title: Unitek Space Saver---White ALPS---Neat Layout
Post by: TexasFlood on Fri, 01 October 2010, 17:45:42
Here are some kbdmania.net pictures of the board/switches.  Mine are labelled ALPS as those shown, but I don't have a good picture of it yet.

(http://www.kbdmania.net/xe/files/attach/images/30354/361/550/DSC00026.jpg)
(http://www.kbdmania.net/xe/files/attach/images/30354/361/550/DSC00012.jpg)
Title: Unitek Space Saver---White ALPS---Neat Layout
Post by: didjamatic on Fri, 01 October 2010, 21:45:51
Nice score!
Title: Unitek Space Saver---White ALPS---Neat Layout
Post by: vicz on Sat, 02 October 2010, 08:46:28
It's weird how the space bar gets pushed to the left by those Insert and Delete keys. I would have put them on the other side, giving a nicely centered space bar.
Title: Unitek Space Saver---White ALPS---Neat Layout
Post by: TexasFlood on Sat, 02 October 2010, 11:01:46
Quote from: vicz;228911
It's weird how the space bar gets pushed to the left by those Insert and Delete keys. I would have put them on the other side, giving a nicely centered space bar.

That's one of the imperfections I was referring to.  I am used to the spacebar extending one more key length to the right of where this one ends.  So I'm hitting the spacebar with my right thumb on the far right end.  Not ideal but I can live with it, like I can live with the small backspace key and large return key but not ideal.
Title: Unitek Space Saver---White ALPS---Neat Layout
Post by: microsoft windows on Sat, 02 October 2010, 11:02:11
With that layout, Crtl Alt Del will be a piece of cake.
Title: Unitek Space Saver---White ALPS---Neat Layout
Post by: TexasFlood on Sun, 03 October 2010, 22:51:30
Quote from: microsoft windows;228957
With that layout, Crtl Alt Del will be a piece of cake.

Hadn't thought about it but yes.  Hell you could almost hit it by accident, :wink:.
Title: Unitek Space Saver---White ALPS---Neat Layout
Post by: Rajagra on Sun, 03 October 2010, 23:50:28
Quote from: vicz;228911
It's weird how the space bar gets pushed to the left by those Insert and Delete keys. I would have put them on the other side, giving a nicely centered space bar.

It could be worse. If a company like Dell were to shamelessly copy the Compaq 11800 / Cherry 11900 they would probably do something really stupid like forget a key.

Oh, wait, they did (http://www.cndell.com.cn/showlist.aspx?id=1369). Where's my Ins key? EDIT>Also Home, End, PgUp, PgDn. D'oh!



I saw one of them a few days ago on ebay, but the odds are they have bad keys. It would be a kickass layout if they hadn't removed a key despite there being room in its normal place!!!! Even as it is I would buy one if it had decent keys.
Title: Unitek Space Saver---White ALPS---Neat Layout
Post by: TexasFlood on Mon, 04 October 2010, 00:23:20
Quote from: Rajagra;229471
It could be worse. If a company like Dell were to shamelessly copy the Compaq 11800 / Cherry 11900 they would probably do something really stupid like forget a key.

Oh, wait, they did (http://www.cndell.com.cn/showlist.aspx?id=1369). Where's my Ins key?

Show Image
(http://geekhack.org/attachment.php?attachmentid=12751)


I saw one of them a few days ago on ebay, but the odds are they have bad keys. It would be a kickass layout if they hadn't removed a key despite there being room in its normal place!!!! Even as it is I would buy one if it had decent keys.

I usually only press that key by accident anyway :wink:.
And hell there is one on the keypad, as long as numlock is off right?
Still a bit of an oversight :shocked: And probably rubber dome :sad:.
Title: Unitek Space Saver---White ALPS---Neat Layout
Post by: keyboardlover on Mon, 04 October 2010, 06:19:46
I can't stand layouts that have Home, End and Delete so far away from the home row (or in such a weird place). I use those keys a lot.
Title: Unitek Space Saver---White ALPS---Neat Layout
Post by: TexasFlood on Mon, 04 October 2010, 07:30:57
Quote from: keyboardlover;229500
I can't stand layouts that have Home, End and Delete so far away from the home row (or in such a weird place). I use those keys a lot.

Now there are some keys I use.  They aren't in the normal place on the Unitek K-258 but the locations don't seem that terrible.  Time will tell how hard it is for me to get used to it.
Title: Unitek Space Saver---White ALPS---Neat Layout
Post by: Findecanor on Mon, 04 October 2010, 08:28:18
I think that the Dell keyboard has a little bit more sensible layout than the MX-11900, even if there are no Home/End/PgUp/PgDn keys. I find that Esc and the Function keys are too far away on the Cherry-made board.