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geekhack Marketplace => Great Finds => Topic started by: cb951303 on Mon, 19 January 2009, 11:49:20

Title: apple extended II for $20
Post by: cb951303 on Mon, 19 January 2009, 11:49:20
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=250353889887&_trksid=p3907.m32&_trkparms=tab%3DWatching

I've just bought 2
he/she has got a stock of 60 pieces
cheap international shipping rate
Title: apple extended II for $20
Post by: itlnstln on Mon, 19 January 2009, 11:58:19
I would buy one of these to complete my mod on my Northgate, but every time I do, the 'board does not come with the switches I need.  I always get some one-off variation of the main design.
Title: apple extended II for $20
Post by: cb951303 on Mon, 19 January 2009, 12:02:12
Quote from: itlnstln;18746
I would buy one of these to complete my mod on my Northgate, but every time I do, the 'board does not come with the switches I need.  I always get some one-off variation of the main design.

hmm, is there a chance these may not have alps white switches?
if so, what kind of switches?

*damn, I bought these just because wiki says alps white*
Title: apple extended II for $20
Post by: itlnstln on Mon, 19 January 2009, 12:07:11
There are other colors/types than white, for one.  There is also a variation that has NMB switches (I think, but they are not Alps).  I got one that didn't have rubber dampers and one with the NMB switches.  I gave up.  If you're looking for a 'board to use, any of them would be good to use, but I was looking for something to harvest switches from.
Title: apple extended II for $20
Post by: cb951303 on Mon, 19 January 2009, 12:08:51
Quote from: itlnstln;18752
There are other colors/types than white, for one.  There is also a variation that has NMB switches (I think, but they are not Alps).  I got one that didn't have rubber dampers and one with the NMB switches.  I gave up.  If you're looking for a 'board to use, any of them would be good to use, but I was looking for something to harvest switches from.


do they all go by the model name M3501?
Title: apple extended II for $20
Post by: wellington1869 on Mon, 19 January 2009, 12:13:50
Quote from: cb951303;18754
do they all go by the model name M3501?


m3501 is the 'standard' aekii and you should get dampers in it. FYI I did get an m3501 and while the switches had dampers and were white, they were not clicky :)  (they had a tactile bump but no click).
Title: apple extended II for $20
Post by: itlnstln on Mon, 19 January 2009, 12:14:09
Quote from: cb951303;18754
do they all go by the model name M3501?


Unfortunately, yes.  These variations could be chalked up to something like revisions of hardware, I suppose, but I think you will find that any of them you get (damped clicky Alps being the most common) will be good typers.
Title: apple extended II for $20
Post by: lowpoly on Mon, 19 January 2009, 12:16:26
Quote from: itlnstln;18752
There are other colors/types than white, for one.  There is also a variation that has NMB switches (I think, but they are not Alps).  I got one that didn't have rubber dampers and one with the NMB switches.  I gave up.  If you're looking for a 'board to use, any of them would be good to use, but I was looking for something to harvest switches from.

I think it was Mitsumi, not NMB. NMB were the space invader ones.
Title: apple extended II for $20
Post by: andb on Mon, 19 January 2009, 12:20:38
If I remember the key to finding the damper switches is in the serial number on the left side, which ends in the model number, though I forget which one is the right one. I also think there is a small square in the bottom right of the serial sticker which also confirms that its a dampered switch. There should be a post with pictures somewhere on the forum.
Title: apple extended II for $20
Post by: itlnstln on Mon, 19 January 2009, 12:28:18
Quote from: lowpoly;18759
I think it was Mitsumi, not NMB. NMB were the space invader ones.


You're right.  They were Mitsumi switches.
Title: apple extended II for $20
Post by: cb951303 on Mon, 19 January 2009, 12:48:03
Quote from: andb;18760
If I remember the key to finding the damper switches is in the serial number on the left side, which ends in the model number, though I forget which one is the right one. I also think there is a small square in the bottom right of the serial sticker which also confirms that its a dampered switch. There should be a post with pictures somewhere on the forum.

ah it would be great! this way I can ask for the right serial numbers from the seller. Afterall he/she have a lot of keyboards, there may be a few alps white ones.

EDIT: http://memories.wingedwheel.net/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=832&g2_serialNumber=2
it uses alps white switches. do you talk about the symbol on the bottom left?

EDIT: wait which one is the serial? fcc id or the barcode thingy?
Title: apple extended II for $20
Post by: itlnstln on Mon, 19 January 2009, 12:51:39
Quote from: andb;18760
If I remember the key to finding the damper switches is in the serial number on the left side, which ends in the model number, though I forget which one is the right one. I also think there is a small square in the bottom right of the serial sticker which also confirms that its a dampered switch. There should be a post with pictures somewhere on the forum.


That would be this one: http://geekhack.org/showthread.php?t=1223
Title: apple extended II for $20
Post by: cb951303 on Mon, 19 January 2009, 13:22:24
it looks like the ones with alps switches starts with letter "A" or "AP" and they have small symbol at the bottom of serial number sticker. Mitsumi ones starts with "M" and there is a "ASSEMBLED IN JAPAN" sign at the top of mitsumi AEKII's serial number sticker.
Title: apple extended II for $20
Post by: cb951303 on Tue, 20 January 2009, 13:31:04
it turns out international shipping rate isn't so cheap. It was $12 at first than he asked for another $48 dollars. madness...
I asked for a refund.

I was so excited about making/programming my own adb2usb converter :(