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geekhack Community => Keyboards => Topic started by: pchatterjee on Sat, 09 November 2013, 17:31:18

Title: Apple Exnteded Keyboard II M3501 -- Keycaps and Similar Keyboards
Post by: pchatterjee on Sat, 09 November 2013, 17:31:18

So other than the Model M (various flavors) -- my other favorite keyboard is the Apple Extended Keyboard II M3501.  A few years back I bought a new in box, spanish version one.  Works great but the short of it is that I would like to find some English replacement keycaps for some of the spanish layout keys.  Could some direct me the right way?

Secondly, I know these keyboards use some form of white complicated alps (though I heard some version have some switches from mitsumi).  Which modern keyboard has a similar feel and and sound?  I have the Matias Tactile Pro and it is really not the same -- significantly louder (dont have the quite version) -- and I think a rougher feel than the AEK II.  Any alternatives?

Seems various cherries, topre are all the rage and I still dont like them nearly as much as white alps and buckling spring switches (not even close for me).

Title: Re: Apple Exnteded Keyboard II M3501 -- Keycaps and Similar Keyboards
Post by: Matias on Sat, 09 November 2013, 17:42:21

The Tactile Pro is like the AEK I.

If you like the AEK II, the Quiet Pro or Laptop Pro are more similar to it...

http://matias.ca/quietpro

Title: Re: Apple Exnteded Keyboard II M3501 -- Keycaps and Similar Keyboards
Post by: pchatterjee on Sat, 09 November 2013, 17:49:50

Quote from: Matias on Sat, 09 November 2013, 17:42:21

The Tactile Pro is like the AEK I.

If you like the AEK II, the Quiet Pro or Laptop Pro are more similar to it...

http://matias.ca/quietpro

Thanks for the suggestion and  I am curious about the Quitepro -- however, I don't really like the Matias Tactile Pro at all -- I can live with the key feel which is decent, however, the quality pales in comparison to the AEK II which is 20 years older.  The plastics and keycaps feel to be of much higher quality on what I have.

If you guys made one with an equivalent level of quality materials I would be a little more impressed.

Title: Re: Apple Exnteded Keyboard II M3501 -- Keycaps and Similar Keyboards
Post by: fohat.digs on Sat, 09 November 2013, 19:10:14

The AEK2 uses "dampened cream" Alps with a little rubber bumper that changes the resonance. The caps are nice PBT and the boards are well made. I prefer the original AEK with orange Alps, but that is just me.

I think that there may have be an SGI or other board with dampened Alps, but the AEK2 is by far the most common. They are cheap and plentiful on ebay, but if you are outside of the US, the shipping will cost far more than the board itself.

Title: Re: Apple Extended Keyboard II M3501 -- Keycaps and Similar Keyboards
Post by: pchatterjee on Sat, 09 November 2013, 21:21:36

Well I have the AEK2 just the spanish version.  Some replacement keycaps would do.  The keyboard I have is in practically new condition.