geekhack
geekhack Community => Keyboards => Topic started by: iMav on Thu, 12 June 2008, 23:51:40
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an eBay seller currently has over 500 of these available for sale. All, supposedly, NIB...for a buy it now price of $9.95.
That is easily THE best keyboard deal going on eBay right now. If I loved these keyboards as much as xsphat does, I'd probably hoard a dozen of them (seriously).
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an eBay seller currently has over 500 of these available for sale. All, supposedly, NIB...for a buy it now price of $9.95.
That is easily THE best keyboard deal going on eBay right now. If I loved these keyboards as much as xsphat does, I'd probably hoard a dozen of them (seriously).
I see you already made it 499 ;)
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Too late, I jsut bought all 499 of them! Hope they combine shipping.
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Too late, I jsut bought all 499 of them! Hope they combine shipping.
Care to comment on this board? Google doesn't reveal a whole lot of info...
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Sure. I bought it on a whim (same seller and price) and it has clicky white Alps sliders, a US International layout and I love it except for the ADB crap and the simple fact that it has no forward delete key (Thanks to ashort for the tip on DoubleCommand). It is just a really nice and comfortable clicky keyboard, good for writing and pretty loud.
It is made for Mac and the power key even works on my Intel MacBook. What else do you want to know?
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Sure. I bought it on a whim (same seller and price) and it has clicky white Alps sliders, a US International layout and I love it except for the ADB crap and the simple fact that it has no forward delete key (Thanks to ashort for the tip on DoubleCommand). It is just a really nice and comfortable clicky keyboard, good for writing and pretty loud.
It is made for Mac and the power key even works on my Intel MacBook. What else do you want to know?
Thanks for the info on the keyswitches, nobody ever includes that info (on a side note I recently contacted a large cherry vendor, and nor they know nor cherry provides them with any info on what goes into each model :().
I only use Linux PCs, but really enjoy my extended II from time to time.
I just ordered one - *hides from wife*
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Cool, let me know what you think when it arrives, you too ashort, I saw you ordered one as well.
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Cool, let me know what you think when it arrives, you too ashort, I saw you ordered one as well.
Will do!
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I love it except for the ADB crap and the simple fact that it has no forward delete key [...]
It is made for Mac and the power key even works on my Intel MacBook. What else do you want to know?
Wow. I'd like to try one. But how do you connect it to your Mac? I was just looking at the support pages for the Griffin iMate. On http://www.griffintechnology.com/articles/168 they ask "Is the iMate OS X compatible?" They say:
The iMate is compatible with Mac OS 10.3.9 and earlier, however it will not work with Mac OS 10.4 (Tiger), even with our driver.
I read one other comment somewhere that said it worked, with the exception of a few characters like "^", "<", and ">". Not good news for math and programming.
So. . . have you found a way around this? Or are you still in OS X 10.3.9?
Thanks,
David
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I have used my iMate with:
OS 7.5
OS 9.2
OS 10.2
OS 10.3
OS 10.4
OS 10.5
Ubuntu 7.10
The Nasty (XP Pro)
All worked fine.
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I have used my iMate with:
OS 7.5
OS 9.2
OS 10.2
OS 10.3
OS 10.4
OS 10.5
Ubuntu 7.10
The Nasty (XP Pro)
All worked fine.
Hmm. Why do you suppose Griffin says it doesn't work? Do you think it's a matter of driver support, and you (and I) have the old drivers floating around in the system because we started with machines running older versions of the os? So then an older machine upgraded to 10.5 would work, but the newer ones wouldn't?
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I zeroed my HDD when my initial install of 10.5 was buggy. I started completely fresh, as I often tend to, so that is not the case. I have a feeling they just don't care to support such an outdated product.
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I see you already made it 499 ;)
That's because _I_ bought one. =-D Eagerly awaiting a tracking number.
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from what I've been told by other iMate users, the driver is not required.
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I've been using an iMate with Leopard and I haven't had any issues. Nothing like the miskeys on my USB Tactile Pro 2. =-D And I've not loaded any driver for it either.
If the layout works for me, this could be the board for me. And what I was hoping the Matias would be.
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I use an imate with Leopard and I have one minor issue. I never shut my computer down, I always let it go to sleep on its own, then I wake it up by pushing space bar. What happens then is that the computer receives an infinite amount of spacebar signals. I then need to push another key to cancel this signal. Thats my whole problem. Notice that I bought my imate used off ebay.
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I bought mine from a 3rd party Amazon store. One issue I've noticed in that past is the grey "must reboot" screen (gray screen of death?) when I unplug a keyboard from the iMate. Never cared enough to drill it down any further.
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Does this keyboard have n-key rollover?
Would someone check for me? I can get 6 keys of any combo, so I have a feeling it does.
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If it were in european layout(97 key?) I would jump on this as I probably wanna try an alps keyboard eventually + i need something more compact than my g80-3000 and more easy to type with than my g84-4100.
Either way new Alps keyboards in the UK are almost non-existant, so acquiring one will be expensive, + I don't like american layout of "\" key, might take me months to unlearn british keyboard and i need my £ sign.
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I'll note that on a Mac, on a US English keyboard, I can get the £ sign with Option-3.
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Regarding the iMate, I posted a question to their support folks. They got back to me with the following:
The iMate may work for some functions in OS 10.4 and 10.5 that do not require software, like some keyboards and mice. The reason the iMate is not compatible in these Operating Systems is that there are no drivers available for them, nor are there plans to make drivers for them. Basically, it is more of an issue with OS and drivers than model of Mac being used. If you think that the iMate may work for you and you plan to purchase it, I suggest purchasing it from a retailer with a good return policy or warranty so that it can be returned if it doesn't suit your needs.
This sounds promising. I did find someone who had problems using the iMate with later versions of OS X when using a non-USA / ASCII layout. But he solved the problems by changing the layout. I think I'm going to try this!
One question: do we know what kind of switches are in the Macally MK-96 keyboards offered by http://www.welovemacs.com? I'm assuming these are the ones you found on eBay, since their descriptions are so similar. Were these made with different kinds of Alps switches over the years?
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I went to the seller's page and asked them about the keyswitches on these Macally MK-96 keyboards on Saturday, but still haven't received a response. I did find something odd on the net, though:
http://sandy55.fc2web.com/keyboard/others.html
If you scroll down to the skeleton Macally MK-96 in their listing, you see it described as having "Simplified ALPS/white sliders/click." Simplified Alps? What's that? Is this different than the Alps switches in the old Mac keyboards?
I'm also confused because the eBay ad says "Quiet soft touch with tactile feedback Keyswitch control." Really? I thought white Alps switches were very clicky and very loud. Which is it?
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I believe xsphat bought his mk-96 from this same ebay seller...
So, I'll let him chime in.
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I believe xsphat bought his mk-96 from this same ebay seller...
So, I'll let him chime in.
Are you still waiting yours? :)
I don't see any new models of this keyboard on macally's site, so I hope it will have the good switches in it..
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Are you still waiting yours?
Yes.
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I got the tracking # yesterday, mine should arrive on monday.
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I got the tracking # yesterday, mine should arrive on monday.
Ditto. (of course, I'll be in North Dakota on monday)
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Are we talking about this offer?
http://cgi.ebay.com/Macally-96-Keys-Standard-Keyboard-w-2-ADB-Port-KeyPad_W0QQitemZ270180046347QQihZ017QQcategoryZ4706QQrdZ1QQssPageNameZWD1VQQcmdZViewItem (http://cgi.ebay.com/Macally-96-Keys-Standard-Keyboard-w-2-ADB-Port-KeyPad_W0QQitemZ270180046347QQihZ017QQcategoryZ4706QQrdZ1QQssPageNameZWD1VQQcmdZViewItem)
Ships to the US only lol.
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I don't know what simplified Alps are, but the stems on the Northgate seem to be a little longer than the stems on the Macally, and the feel is a little better. I know I need to post pics, but I'm really busy at the moment. You guys know I'll post them when I can.
But the Macally switches say Alps on them, have white plungers and the feel is fantastic.
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I wish the mk96 were sold in the UK, this ebay seller only sells to the USA at the moment. Well I guess its easier to get cherry boards in the UK, but i'd like to try a new alps based one at least once, and it would go with my macbook in my bag much more easily.
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Are we talking about this offer?
http://cgi.ebay.com/Macally-96-Keys-Standard-Keyboard-w-2-ADB-Port-KeyPad_W0QQitemZ270180046347QQihZ017QQcategoryZ4706QQrdZ1QQssPageNameZWD1VQQcmdZViewItem (http://cgi.ebay.com/Macally-96-Keys-Standard-Keyboard-w-2-ADB-Port-KeyPad_W0QQitemZ270180046347QQihZ017QQcategoryZ4706QQrdZ1QQssPageNameZWD1VQQcmdZViewItem)
Ships to the US only lol.
Yes, that's the one. Pretty good deal :)
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... and it would go with my macbook in my bag much more easily.
So what keyboard are you taking around in your bag now? The only one I ever carry is my HHKB Pro2.
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I would love a Model M2 SpaceSaver (M2s are flat, as opposed to the Model M and the Unicomp SpaceSaver chassis - also, they're all-plastic construction, which sounds bad, until you realize, it's lighter weight) as a laptop bag keyboard.
Any laptop bag that could hold your average 15.4" widescreen laptop could hold that keyboard easily.
Preferably with an integrated TrackPoint, and Windows keys.
(Hmm. There is always the BS Mighty Mouse, whenever it comes out.)
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LOVE the Cherry G84-4100 as a laptop keyboard. Still going to have a LONG hard look at the new mighty mouse when it arrives. It'll probably weigh 5 pounds, though. =-D
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Nothing beats the portability of a HHKB Pro.
Mine travels with one of these:
(http://www.uhhh.org/~lherzog/blog-images/USB-retractable.jpg)
In one of these:
(http://www.uhhh.org/~lherzog/blog-images/HHKB-case.jpg)
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That retractable cord is a great idea, huh? I got the idea from Flickr, bought one, and I've used it ever since.
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Could you take a real picture of that HHKB carry-case? I've always wondered what they really looked like... ;).
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Could you take a real picture of that HHKB carry-case? I've always wondered what they really looked like... ;).
I've already taken several.
Check out this thread (http://geekhack.org/showthread.php?p=2219).
Lots of great HHKB info and posts in that thread...so if you are a HHKB fan, definitely take some time to look through the posts there.
Also, if you want to see what I did with my white and black HHKB Pro's, check out this thread (http://geekhack.org/showthread.php?t=242). ;)
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I wish the mk96 were sold in the UK, this ebay seller only sells to the USA at the moment. Well I guess its easier to get cherry boards in the UK, but i'd like to try a new alps based one at least once, and it would go with my macbook in my bag much more easily.
Actually, I contacted the eBay seller and was informed that all INTERNATIONAL orders under $100 is shipped by FedEx.
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At the moment i use a Cherry G84-4100 in my bag, i'm not too comfortable with it, I just don't enjoy short travel keys i always end up bottoming them out i guess and the layout is not exactly british layout. my ideal keyboard would be a british G84-4400 but remove the trackball of course (space matters when your travelling). But these keyboards are hard to come by used, as they cost £100 brand new (200$ ?) and at that price i may as well get a hhkb pro2 or at least save up for one. ideally a really compact space saver with blue/brown cherry would be ideal. But this doesn't exist so closest is either an smk88 (again not available in uk) and the mk96.
I guess fedex would cost alot of money its not worth spending i guess.
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Have you guys gotten your MK-96 yet? Mine arrived yesterday, and the iMate adapter arrived today. It works! The only thing that doesn't yet work is that I can't remap CAPS LOCK to control.
The keys are wonderfully clicky! Very nice.
It would be nice to be able to swap Control and CAPS LOCK, since I use CTRL so often (lots of programming in Vim). I can't figure out why it won't remap. Any advice? Here's what I know. Even after a reboot, CAPS works normally on the keyboard. If I remap it to any of the other choices, the key does nothing. The Control key also works, but I *can* remap it to any of the other choices. So I can even have two CAPS LOCK keys. But I can't remap the CAPS key. The keyboard is recognized by my OS X Tiger system as ASCII/US.
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I can't remap caps lock either, but using Keyboard Viewer in Leopard, it looks as though the keyboard treats that key as an on off because it flickers when I hold it down. I didn't find a workaround and the new Macally keyboard I got has the same issue.
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I am typing on my Mk-96 for the first time today. Took some unboxing pictures that I'll post as soon as I can find a usb cable (sigh).
Looks like I will have to get used to the arrow keys. I never could get the hang of the arrows on the Apple MO116. The Macally is an improvement but still wierd. I really like the key action of the white ALPS. Is this keyboard a steal at what we got it for? I may order two more. It's small like the MO116, but adds the function key row at the top. And it is clicky. iMav, the Return key on this board doesn't bother me at all.
Got an MO115 (AE1) used from Ebay too. I like it. The orange alps are slightly more tactile than the gray/dirty white ones in the M0116 but still non-clicky. It's a monster though. I think it's time to pick 3 boards and have a firesale on the rest.
Leaning heavily on the MacAlly, the smk-88, and maybe keeping the MO115 around for kicks and to have something to type on that still has an Apple logo on it. =-D
That puts the following boards out to pasture:
- Tactile Pro 2 (all the keys, extremely clicky with gray SM switches, and loud, but doesn't always kick out the right keystroke).
- Apple MO116 (I like it's style, but it doesn't make sense to have this and the 2 other small form factor boards)
- 2 * Apple Extended 2 with dirty white alps (good action, but no clicks).
- Apple BT keyboard that came with the iMac (totally dead action, no feedback at all). The one with the clear plastic case.
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iMav, the Return key on this board doesn't bother me at all.
Of course it doesn't.
(http://www.uhhh.org/~lherzog/blog-images/packardbell-keyboard.jpg)
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ashort, what's up with the TP2? is it just all round ****ty?
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It's just not as good as it could be. Plastic feels cheap (although I'm over that). It's BIG. And I am starting to prefer (thanks a lot, guys!) a spacesaver form factor of some kind. The kicker is that sometimes I have noticed it not registering the correct keystrokes. I don't know if i just don't have it setup right or not, but none of the other keyboards I've used have a problem with keystrokes (other than dead keys on old keyboards). I am not a skilled typist and I know i make a lot of typos, but this is beyond that. Another thing is that the strongman switches are very wobbly. This Macally's switches exhibit a little wobble, cherries exhibit almost no wobble, but the Strongmans are really bad. I guess if you like that feel it would work quite well, I don't.
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I got you. White Alps switch do rule, don't they?
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I have to admit that so far I am liking them a lot.
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I received two mk96's today (both destined for overseas geekhack members). I also received my "NIB" Datadesk MAC101E.
The white Alps switches on the Macally feel a bit crisper than the, supposed, same switches on the 101E. But that may simply be due to age and use. (I'm pretty skeptical that this 101E is actually NIB)
The crispness of the MK96 almost makes up for the whacky key layout...almost. ;)
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I'm glad you like the white Alps iMav, I figured you would.
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I'm glad you like the white Alps iMav, I figured you would.
They are nice. However, let it be known that, now having used both, I prefer the blue Cherry switches over the white Alps. The "click" of the blue Cherries seem more exact or precise...somehow crisper than the white Alps switches. (it may simply be that the "crosshair"/plus protrusion in the Cherry switch provides a more stable connection to the keycap (no wobble) compared to the single "dash" notch in the Alps switch)
But the white Alps are certainly respectable...and I can see how someone might favor them.
Given an optimal layout, I'd be happy to type on a white Alps 'board on a regular basis.
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:)
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What switch is in this keyboard? Does the iMate work with Windows?
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What switch is in this keyboard?
it has clicky white Alps sliders
Does the iMate work with Windows?
Yes, it does. I still have some of these available, too:
http://geekhack.org/showthread.php?t=9505
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Are they complicated or simplified white Alps?