geekhack
geekhack Community => Keyboards => Topic started by: skriefal on Mon, 10 November 2008, 19:27:06
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If anyone is looking for inexpensive black Dell AT101W keyboards, you can find them for $10/ea at http://www.etiexpress.com:
http://www.etiexpress.com/product.asp?hdnProduct=484679
I went through the motions of placing an order for 2, and shipping was a mere $8.40. Best price I've seen.
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several of these on ebay for under $20 shipped.
Trying to figure out what black alps are like...
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The only black AT101W that I see on eBay is $68. :) The black model seems to be rarer than the common white/beige model. ('Black' was a reference to the case color, not to the switch color...)
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The only black AT101W that I see on eBay is $68. :) The black model seems to be rarer than the common white/beige model. ('Black' was a reference to the case color, not to the switch color...)
you're right most of them are beige on ebay
have you used these before? how do they feel?
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Not yet, but I ordered one from ETI. So I'll know in a few days.
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Not yet, but I ordered one from ETI. So I'll know in a few days.
by the way the description at this store incorrectly says at101w has buckling spring, just fyi.
"104-key Keyboard, MECHANICAL, BUCKLING SPRING, BLACK"
let me know how this works out, I might pick one up if you have a good experience ;)
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Yes, I noticed that. They're probably using the "buckling spring" term to (incorrectly) refer to any clicky keyboard. And I'm hoping that "black" truly is a reference to the case color.
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well for $10 you can't really go wrong, interested in hearing about when you get it.
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I too am interested in what you get. Can they really have 131 of them in stock? How were they "refurbished"? With a firehose?
I love AT101Ws; they have a light, clicky key action. A black one would be cool.
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Love the black ones as well. The keycap printing does wear off on these though. Something you might want to contact your seller about if he has more than one.
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They're here. That was fast! I can verify that they are indeed the black-cased version of the AT101W, and I'm not even certain that they've ever been used. I ordered two of them; each arrived inside what appears to be the original box -- with both of those inside another box with lots of extra padding. If they were used then it was very light or infrequent use.
Key feel is basically as has been described here previously. The black Alps switches make very little noise of their own, but that doesn't mean that it's a "quiet" keyboard. The noise comes primarily from the plastic keycap impacting the backplate or whatever it is that the switches sit on. Not as nice as my Northgate Omnikey, but still a quality keyboard that'll easily beat any rubber dome board I've encountered. I don't regret the purchase.
For $28 shipped for two like-new black AT101Ws, this is a bargain.
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darn it... why does shipping to canada have to cost an arm and a leg?? $56 in total for 1 keyboard *sigh*
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$56? Wow. I guess this is a good deal only for US-based buyers...
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They're here. That was fast! I can verify that they are indeed the black-cased version of the AT101W, and I'm not even certain that they've ever been used. I ordered two of them; each arrived inside what appears to be the original box -- with both of those inside another box with lots of extra padding. If they were used then it was very light or infrequent use.
Key feel is basically as has been described here previously. The black Alps switches make very little noise of their own, but that doesn't mean that it's a "quiet" keyboard. The noise comes primarily from the plastic keycap impacting the backplate or whatever it is that the switches sit on. Not as nice as my Northgate Omnikey, but still a quality keyboard that'll easily beat any rubber dome board I've encountered. I don't regret the purchase.
For $28 shipped for two like-new black AT101Ws, this is a bargain.
thats a really good deal especially for a black one.
I couldnt contain myself tho and wound up ordering one of the $7 beige ones yesterday. Oh well.
Glad to hear the key action is nice. I'm looking forward to trying it out.
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They're here. That was fast! I can verify that they are indeed the black-cased version of the AT101W, and I'm not even certain that they've ever been used. I ordered two of them; each arrived inside what appears to be the original box -- with both of those inside another box with lots of extra padding. If they were used then it was very light or infrequent use.
Key feel is basically as has been described here previously. The black Alps switches make very little noise of their own, but that doesn't mean that it's a "quiet" keyboard. The noise comes primarily from the plastic keycap impacting the backplate or whatever it is that the switches sit on. Not as nice as my Northgate Omnikey, but still a quality keyboard that'll easily beat any rubber dome board I've encountered. I don't regret the purchase.
For $28 shipped for two like-new black AT101Ws, this is a bargain.
When you bought yours, do you remember if the condition was listed as "refurbished", as it is now on their webpage:
http://www.etiexpress.com/product.asp?AffiliateID=1&hdnProduct=484679
You said you couldn't even tell if they had been used or not; I'm just wondering if they were listed as "refurbished" or "new" when you bought them. $12.50 + shipping seems like a steal when other sites seem to be selling this keyboard for $65 (clickykeyboards). It almost makes me wonder if there's some catch here, which is why I was asking about the "refurbished" text on their website.
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I bought one of theirs way back when, and it had definitely been used -- there was a ding in the top edge and the key lettering was badly worn. I subsequently bought a new-in-box black AT101 on eBay and there was quite a difference. The board itself has a very nice sheen to it and the letters are much brighter.
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A few months back there was a ebay dealer with an almost endless supply of NIB AT101Ws with a BIN of $10, or, if you made him a best offer, as low as $5. A lot of geekhackers bought one or multiple of them. That might have set a new price point now. I got two of them myself for $15 (excl int shipping which was much more...)
Do you remember the seller's name, or can you look up the transaction to find out? I tried searching for AT101W and couldn't find any advertised as NIB. Also, I received a reply from a CSR at etiexpress regarding the condition of the AT101Ws they sell:
Product is used actually. The keyboard
has been tested and will look more new
than used. Please read our ebay feedbacks.
Thanks.
Based on skriefal and lexicon's experiences, it sounds like it could be a crap shoot regarding the condition of the board you would get by ordering from etiexpress.
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This seller sometimes has them and sells them new in box, too:
http://myworld.ebay.com/cobsalum/
I gave under $20 for mine.
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I bought one of theirs way back when, and it had definitely been used -- there was a ding in the top edge and the key lettering was badly worn. I subsequently bought a new-in-box black AT101 on eBay and there was quite a difference. The board itself has a very nice sheen to it and the letters are much brighter.
The lettering on these is dull even when they're new. It's not white but is more of a muted gray.
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Seller (http://shop.ebay.com/merchant/alan_computech_intl_W0QQ_ipgZ50QQ_sopZ12?_rdc=1) (or here (http://www.alancomputech.com/))
This seller sometimes has them and sells them new in box, too:
http://myworld.ebay.com/cobsalum/
I gave under $20 for mine.
Thanks for the info - I'll watch those sellers. Neither of them have any for sale right now, however.
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The other day I dropped into a surplus store I go to fairly often...went on a whim, almost didn't go...and I scored a standard beige AT101W for only $7.95 Cdn.
This is my second AT101W.
Perfect condition, working properly...I know..I wrote this message here on it. :-)
But I would also like to get one of the black versions.
Be interesting to do a key "mix and match" with it and a beige one.
.......Spec 57
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Thanks for the info - I'll watch those sellers. Neither of them have any for sale right now, however.
If you narrow your eBay search down to Dell AT101W keyboards only and check it daily, you'll find some NIB models there eventually, and the prices can vary wildly for some reason.
Hope you find the one you want quickly and you get a great deal on it! :smile:
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darn it... why does shipping to canada have to cost an arm and a leg?? $56 in total for 1 keyboard *sigh*
I know what you mean. I paid quite a bit for shipping for both my Customizer and AT101W. Shipping was more affordable from Gemini Computers. I paid USD $10.00 for shipping for my G80-3000.
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I had to join this forum just so I could post on this thread. I have long lurked in the background using this site as an information treasure trove, but yesterday my 12.00 eaby Dell AT101W (Black) arrived. I quickly stripped the case off and did a 3 hour "Jake von Slatt" mod to it. I love the feel of the keys, and it works great! It looks pretty darned cool too if you are interested ;)
(http://i157.photobucket.com/albums/t79/Prop_Nut/IMG_2644.jpg)
(http://i157.photobucket.com/albums/t79/Prop_Nut/IMG_2645.jpg)
(http://i157.photobucket.com/albums/t79/Prop_Nut/IMG_2649.jpg)
I would be happy to share the old case with anyone that wants to put it together with a white keytray. Just pay for shipping.
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Ripster, thank you. I posted on this thread because I found my Dell thanks to the links posted here and the information about Ebay. I just wanted to chime in, I did not mean to try to take over the thread. I will look into the mods section.
Yes, I have almost every type of tool known to man in my shop (for wood) and a few metal working machines also. I own a small custom cabinet shop (one man shop)
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I wasn't one of the lucky ones to get one for $5 =(
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Just ordered two. I hope I get good ones...
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Just ordered two. I hope I get good ones...
Let us know what condition they're in once you get them.
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Mine had been well used but it is still in surprisingly good condition. Not bad at all for 12.00, it is excellent for both typing and gaming.
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I got mine in early last week. It's pretty clean, but has been thoroughly used, as evidenced by the more frequently used keys taking on a nice sheen. This is my first (known) experience with black Alps, and while they feel better than rubber dome by a long shot, my overall impression is still kinda "meh." But for 12 + shipping it was a worthy experiment, and I now have another keyboard to add to the pile. Now I just need to locate a cheap white alps board so I can see what the fuss is about.
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I would really like to get a blue cherry keyboard to try out but for the cost (especially if I do not like it) I will stick with this Dell. Besides, I would have to build another brass frame for the other keyboard ;)
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Make me an offer!! I would love to do this to a Scorpius or simular blue switch keyboard. As a matter of fact, I would take your Das 3 and cash :)
Actually, I would be happy to mod a keyboard for you (with the proper incentive of course) :)
I have some ideas for metal gears, etc. If I can find some brass cogs, cut them in half and build up a set of sides with those....that would be cool!
Ideas ideas ideas ideas...MUhHAHAHAA!!!
PM me