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geekhack Community => Keyboards => Topic started by: itlnstln on Sun, 18 January 2009, 08:36:54

Title: ABS Keyboard (black Alps) $60 w/Free Shipping (in the US)
Post by: itlnstln on Sun, 18 January 2009, 08:36:54
Newegg has the ABS keyboard (Filco-clone) for $60 w/free shipping.  I just ordered myself one, and I will hit you guys off with a review when it gets here.  If I like it, I might order a second for the house.  Check it out: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16823224001
Title: ABS Keyboard (black Alps) $60 w/Free Shipping (in the US)
Post by: cmr on Sun, 18 January 2009, 13:03:13
that's been on my newegg wishlist for a while. i can't keep track of all these different keyswitches, what kind of switch is the black alps? my gaming keyboard right now is an AEKII, which i think is fantastic, but i would like to get some of the beige off my otherwise black and silver desk.
Title: ABS Keyboard (black Alps) $60 w/Free Shipping (in the US)
Post by: itlnstln on Sun, 18 January 2009, 17:09:55
The black Alps does not have the click but retains the tactile bump.  It still clacks on the top and bottom out, but does not have the click at the tactile bump.  The Dell AT101W has this switch and the SGI version of the same keyboard has similar switches, but theirs has the rubber dampers to soften the clacks.  Of course, this being a new keyboard, it would not have real Alps, but a decent facsimile thereof.  Think of your AEKII with exactly the same key feel (minus the top and bottom out, since yours has rubber dampers) and without the audible click.  I have found that my clicky Northgate 'board feels identical to my Dells.
Title: ABS Keyboard (black Alps) $60 w/Free Shipping (in the US)
Post by: Ulysses31 on Sun, 18 January 2009, 19:46:10
I wish Newegg shipped to Europe.  It's ridiculously cheap for what it is.
Title: ABS Keyboard (black Alps) $60 w/Free Shipping (in the US)
Post by: itlnstln on Sun, 18 January 2009, 20:53:26
No kidding.  If I like the one I get, I will get another.  With the prices on Filcos what they are, this is a great opportunity to get a nice 'board at a great price.
Title: ABS Keyboard (black Alps) $60 w/Free Shipping (in the US)
Post by: cheater1034 on Sun, 18 January 2009, 22:59:34
I was going to order a filco mini with blue cherries, but for the price I'm definitely going to buy this first/instead. I want to try out some different keys anyway, and for the price it can't be beat.

I've been living with the numpad my whole life (even though i'd prefer without), I think if it means saving $100+ then it's no big deal.
Title: ABS Keyboard (black Alps) $60 w/Free Shipping (in the US)
Post by: iMav on Sun, 18 January 2009, 23:09:01
Quote from: cheater1034;18656
I've been living with the numpad my whole life (even though i'd prefer without), I think if it means saving $100+ then it's no big deal.

The blue-Cherry equipped Filco tenkeyless is my new number one 'board.  If you really want to try black Alps, I'd pick up a Dell AT101W for cheap off of eBay.  Save your money for the Filco tenkeyless...it's worth it!
Title: just ordered the Filco
Post by: billm on Mon, 19 January 2009, 00:22:54
BeNippon just sent me a notice tonight that my payment for $160 cleared. Well Damn. I suppose it's ok though because I really did want the tenkeyless and I don't mind paying extra for it.

Does anybody know what it means when BeNippon says this:


We start to stock up the products of your order.

As soon as we will have all your products in stock we will ship your
order and announce it by email.

It sounds like they're out of stock. Is this going to take 5 days or 6 weeks?
Title: ABS Keyboard (black Alps) $60 w/Free Shipping (in the US)
Post by: cmr on Mon, 19 January 2009, 02:30:18
but wait... my AEKII has almost no audible click at all... ???
Title: ABS Keyboard (black Alps) $60 w/Free Shipping (in the US)
Post by: itlnstln on Mon, 19 January 2009, 07:01:01
Quote from: cmr;18672
but wait... my AEKII has almost no audible click at all... ???


You might have a different switch in yours.  The AEKII had several different versions (even some non-Alps which I found out the hard way).  The ABS might feel very similar to your AEKII, then.
Title: ABS Keyboard (black Alps) $60 w/Free Shipping (in the US)
Post by: itlnstln on Mon, 19 January 2009, 07:03:19
Quote
Quote:
Originally Posted by cheater1034  
I've been living with the numpad my whole life (even though i'd prefer without), I think if it means saving $100+ then it's no big deal.

The blue-Cherry equipped Filco tenkeyless is my new number one 'board. If you really want to try black Alps, I'd pick up a Dell AT101W for cheap off of eBay. Save your money for the Filco tenkeyless...it's worth it!


++  I would say that if were dead-set on getting a blue Cherry 'board, get a Dell AT101W first to try the switches before getting the ABS.  I am making a strong commitment to the black Alps after using them for some time now.  I absolutely love my Dells these days.
Title: ABS Keyboard (black Alps) $60 w/Free Shipping (in the US)
Post by: iMav on Mon, 19 January 2009, 09:00:56
Quote from: billm;18661
Does anybody know what it means when BeNippon says this

beNippon is a broker, not a store.  They order on your behalf, repackage, and send item to you.

BTW, which 'board are you getting through beNippon.  I was under the impression that they can't get the blue-Cherry tenkeyless (only the brown Cherry and white Alps).  I bought mine through J-Goods for this very reason.
Title: ABS Keyboard (black Alps) $60 w/Free Shipping (in the US)
Post by: billm on Mon, 19 January 2009, 12:25:35
Quote from: iMav;18725
beNippon is a broker, not a store.  They order on your behalf, repackage, and send item to you.

BTW, which 'board are you getting through beNippon.  I was under the impression that they can't get the blue-Cherry tenkeyless (only the brown Cherry and white Alps).  I bought mine through J-Goods for this very reason.


White ALPS tenkeyless.
Title: ABS Keyboard (black Alps) $60 w/Free Shipping (in the US)
Post by: cmr on Mon, 19 January 2009, 12:29:22
Quote from: itlnstln;18690
You might have a different switch in yours.  The AEKII had several different versions (even some non-Alps which I found out the hard way).  The ABS might feel very similar to your AEKII, then.


hmmm.... the keyswitch assemblies are definitely labeled Alps and have whitish (cream?) stems. i guess there is a little bit of a click but nothing as loud as either of my cherry mx blue keyboards.
Title: ABS Keyboard (black Alps) $60 w/Free Shipping (in the US)
Post by: itlnstln on Mon, 19 January 2009, 12:33:00
You might have non-clicky switches with dampers like the SGI version of the AT101.
Title: ABS Keyboard (black Alps) $60 w/Free Shipping (in the US)
Post by: cheater1034 on Mon, 19 January 2009, 17:09:28
Quote from: itlnstln;18691
++  I would say that if were dead-set on getting a blue Cherry 'board, get a Dell AT101W first to try the switches before getting the ABS.  I am making a strong commitment to the black Alps after using them for some time now.  I absolutely love my Dells these days.


Well, i'm definitely not sold on blue cherries. Those are just the only ones I tried. That's why i'm not willing to shell out much money for a filco until i try some other switches.

I'll pick up an at101w and perhaps a model m so i can compare some more things ;)