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geekhack Community => Keyboards => Topic started by: vivalarevolución on Mon, 18 February 2013, 16:56:16

Title: Apple Extended Keyboard key switch
Post by: vivalarevolución on Mon, 18 February 2013, 16:56:16

To be clear, I'm referring the original Apple Extended Keyboard not the Apple Extended Keyboard II.

I was wondering if anybody on these boards knows the standard ALPS switch that came in the Apple Extended Keyboard. I've pictures of them with Orange Alps, but I don't know if they used different switches in that particular keyboard.

Anybody know if Orange Alps was standard in all Apple Extended Keyboards?

Title: Re: Apple Extended Keyboard key switch
Post by: fohat.digs on Mon, 18 February 2013, 17:53:30

I am not sure of your question, but I have owned several (4-5?) AEKs ("Saratoga") and all have had "salmon" (aka pink aka orange) Alps which are very nice switches. I think the smaller boards from the same era had the same switches.

I really like these boards, although since I have pulled most of mine from junk piles, they always seem to have dead switches, especially Enter. And the cases and spacebars yellow atrociously.

Currently I have 2, and I plan to build one really nice one from them, if I can, since 1 case is very nice.

Just one more project on my "to do" list ......

Title: Re: Apple Extended Keyboard key switch
Post by: vivalarevolución on Mon, 18 February 2013, 18:05:55

To clarify, I am just asking what kind of Alps switch is common on the Apple Extended Keyboard. I think you answered the question.

Title: Re: Apple Extended Keyboard key switch
Post by: hasu on Mon, 18 February 2013, 23:24:48

IIRC, some Alps savvy said AEK(and AppleIIGS) used orange originally, then pink later.
My AEK(and IIGS) has orange, which has nice tactile.

Title: Re: Apple Extended Keyboard key switch
Post by: vivalarevolución on Tue, 19 February 2013, 11:03:20

Quote from: hasu on Mon, 18 February 2013, 23:24:48

IIRC, some Alps savvy said AEK(and AppleIIGS) used orange originally, then pink later.
My AEK(and IIGS) has orange, which has nice tactile.

Quote from: hasu on Mon, 18 February 2013, 23:24:48

IIRC, some Alps savvy said AEK(and AppleIIGS) used orange originally, then pink later.
My AEK(and IIGS) has orange, which has nice tactile.

You know the difference between Pink Alps and Orange Alps?  I used orange Alps and I really liked them.

Also I have an Apple IIGS keyboard, and it has white SMK switches with Alps mount. Those also feel decent for typing. I understand they are the non-clicky version of the Monterey Blues.

Title: Re: Apple Extended Keyboard key switch
Post by: hasu on Tue, 19 February 2013, 19:11:24

I have pink on M0116. Orange on AEK is a bit lighter and smoother than that. I prefer orange.
But fair comparison is difficult because condition of both switches is different.

IIGS has two variant at least, I think your is from Taiwan and mine is made in Japan.

Title: Re: Apple Extended Keyboard key switch
Post by: vivalarevolución on Wed, 20 February 2013, 08:31:34

Quote from: hasu on Tue, 19 February 2013, 19:11:24

I have pink on M0116. Orange on AEK is a bit lighter and smoother than that. I prefer orange.
But fair comparison is difficult because condition of both switches is different.

IIGS has two variant at least, I think your is from Taiwan and mine is made in Japan.

Soon enough I might have both Pink and Orange Alps to do a comparison. But as you said, you never know about the condition of the switches considering they are so old.