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geekhack Marketplace => Great Finds => Topic started by: J888www on Sat, 27 February 2010, 04:40:14

Title: Weird Monterey or Blue Alps Keyboard with Turquoise trackball
Post by: J888www on Sat, 27 February 2010, 04:40:14
Looks like Monterey switches similar to my Chicony KB 5181 with three differences.

1) This has larger Backspace [Backward Slash is on left of Enter]
2) Trackball where the Chicony Arrow Keys are situated.
3) Used Trackball IDKBTRK2=$199.99, NIB Chicony KB5181=$10.99

     Monterey Switches are very pleasant to type, but..........

     The larger Back-space is much more convenient, I'm having a little problem with Back-space on the KB 5181 (deteriorating eyesight). :happy:
     I have a preference for Arrow-Keys to Trackballs (shaky hands due to old age). :sad:
     I cannot afford the huge price tag on a low pension (prefer to have a new kbd rather than a viral invested item). :sad:

but...... these are only my personal preferences, it does not apply to all universilly.
Title: Weird Monterey or Blue Alps Keyboard with Turquoise trackball
Post by: spolia optima on Wed, 17 March 2010, 14:48:32
Why someone would spend over $20 shipped on any Chicony is beyond me.
That said, it's a pretty nice keyboard. The trackball is garbage and not having arrow keys is a pain in the ass, but the switches are pleasant and the layout is nice.
Title: Weird Monterey or Blue Alps Keyboard with Turquoise trackball
Post by: Mental Hobbit on Wed, 17 March 2010, 15:37:17
Quote from: spolia optima;164876
Why someone would spend over $20 shipped on any Chicony is beyond me.


So you're saying 800 billion dollars and a lifetime of no-strings sex with natalie portman and the young zelda fitzgerald on your own private jet (http://geekhack.org/showpost.php?p=149091&postcount=24) is worth less than $20 to you?
Title: Weird Monterey or Blue Alps Keyboard with Turquoise trackball
Post by: microsoft windows on Wed, 17 March 2010, 19:07:23
Do you all have any idea how many years that keyboard has been on eBay?
Title: Weird Monterey or Blue Alps Keyboard with Turquoise trackball
Post by: EverythingIBM on Wed, 17 March 2010, 20:34:37
Quote from: microsoft windows;164973
Do you all have any idea how many years that keyboard has been on eBay?


Probably enough that it now needs some retr0brite.
Title: Weird Monterey or Blue Alps Keyboard with Turquoise trackball
Post by: nowsharing on Wed, 17 March 2010, 23:24:43
There are some NIB Chicony KB-5191s up for $17 shipped. I bought one for myself to give cherry switches another chance, after reading up about the Monterey switch.
http://cgi.ebay.com/New-Chicony-KB-5191-FCC-ID-E8H5IKKB-5191-Keyboard_W0QQitemZ120539949877

edit: Looks like I was hit by another case of shoot first, apologize later. That board uses cherry whites. Tactile & clicky on the positive side.
Title: Weird Monterey or Blue Alps Keyboard with Turquoise trackball
Post by: nowsharing on Wed, 17 March 2010, 23:27:31
Oh, I guess this is currently being discussed. How did I miss the 24 hour old thread? http://geekhack.org/showthread.php?t=8345&highlight=5191