geekhack
geekhack Marketplace => Great Finds => Topic started by: nubbinator on Sat, 07 February 2015, 23:01:59
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Mitsubishi MP 286L (http://www.ebay.com/itm/Mitsubishi-MP-286L-Portable-Computer-Model-MP2120-Manufactured-In-1989-/151579560455?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item234ad88a07) - This should have SKFL Alps switches. They're nice thick Alps doubleshots, though the switches aren't compatible with the more modern Alps.
Toshiba T3100 (http://www.ebay.com/itm/Vintage-Toshiba-T3100-Portable-Computer-/261765449181?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item3cf26fc5dd) - This should have SKFL Alps switches as well. It also has nice thick Alps doubleshots. Here's another (http://www.ebay.com/itm/Vintage-Toshiba-T3100-Laptop-Windows-3-0-/131399322419?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item1e98028b33)
Toshiba T1200 (http://www.ebay.com/itm/Vintage-Toshiba-T1200-portable-laptop-computer-Untested-/301518027851?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item4633dffc4b) - Not 100% on the type of Alps switches, but it is Alps with nice doubleshots (http://deskthority.net/photos-f62/toshiba-t1200-minitouch-t4656.html)
Apple IIc (http://www.ebay.com/itm/The-Apple-IIc-A2S4100-Vintage-computer-PARTS-or-REPAIR-/371252948286?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item5670666d3e) - It could be several different switches (http://deskthority.net/wiki/Apple_II#Apple_IIc), but whatever you get, it's interesting and cool. Here's another (http://www.ebay.com/itm/Apple-IIC-Computer-Model-A2S4000-For-Parts-/371250602155?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item567042a0ab), Here's one with Amber Alps for a steal (http://www.ebay.com/itm/Used-Vintage-Apple-IIc-Computer-With-Power-Supply-For-parts-or-repair-AS-Is-/181658004001?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item2a4ba92a21), and another (http://www.ebay.com/itm/Apple-IIC-Portable-Computer-A2S4000-UNTESTED-AS-IS-FOR-PARTS-free-shipping-/221670767050?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item339c9b79ca)
IBM 5140 (http://www.ebay.com/itm/IBM-PC-Convertible-Plus-Extras-Lot-Bundle-/201278872254?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item2edd27dabe) - Brown Alps and some nice dyesub caps.
Bull SX-L (http://www.ebay.com/itm/Ultra-Vintage-Bull-SX-L-Laptop-w-Floppy-Drive-2476-/141405040280?pt=US_Vintage_Computers_Mainframes&hash=item20ec65ae98) - Alps rubber domes, but looks like nice thick doubleshots, maybe some pad printing or triple shots, likely the former.
And on the random I have no clue what it is, but reminds me of Apple Alps or Mitsumi switches, the Vtech Precomputer 1000 (http://www.ebay.com/itm/Vintage-1988-Vtech-Educational-Electronics-PRECOMPUTER-1000-Computer-/361206672602?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item5419986cda)
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Apple IIc (http://www.ebay.com/itm/371252948286 (http://www.ebay.com/itm/371252948286)) - It could be several different switches [...]
This particular one is amber Alps (clicky, stiffer and much more tactile than blue Alps but equally smooth from the same era).
http://www.ebay.com/itm/371250602155 – terrible Apple switches
http://www.ebay.com/itm/221670767050 – also terrible Apple switches
http://www.ebay.com/itm/181658004001 – also amber Alps (as can obviously be seen as some caps are missing)
Unfortunately, bad-condition //c keyboards with amber Alps switches tend to have very unpleasantly scratchy switches. The two I bought (which looked pretty similar to these two from the outside) were the worst condition Alps switches I’ve ever tried, and even after taking the switches apart, blasting them with compressed air, giving them a detergent soak, and adding Krytox lube, they were still very scratchy :/. I’m curious whether an ultrasonic cleaner would do a better job getting such switches back into decent shape. Alternately it might help to carefully swab out each top housing with a q-tip.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/361206672602 – I also have no idea, but I’ve also seen similar keycaps on MX switches.
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While we’re doing Alpsy laptops:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/111594038665
http://www.ebay.com/itm/181661319133 (great deal)
http://www.ebay.com/itm/221667210782
http://www.ebay.com/itm/221680402054
http://www.ebay.com/itm/281585236289
http://www.ebay.com/itm/281586647794
http://www.ebay.com/itm/281589210105
http://www.ebay.com/itm/281591073825
http://www.ebay.com/itm/371249492327
http://www.ebay.com/itm/391039307432
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Agghhh, the internetional shipping prices, they buuuurrrrrnnn.
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Agghhh, the internetional shipping prices, they buuuurrrrrnnn.
You should see the shipping rates on some of these to Australia :eek:
Most are $80 to $100.
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Thanks for the posts Nubbinator and Jacobolus.
I just finally realized how great alps switches sound and is desperate to try some. I got a Focus 2001 white alps board on the way but wouldn't hurt me to buy some more boards to entirely experience alps.
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but wouldn't hurt me to buy some more boards to entirely experience alps.
If you get into them you will want better key caps.
Considering the $100s paid for Cherry gear, buying a $70 laptop for a great set of Alps caps does not seem out of line.
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While we’re doing Alpsy laptops:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/111594038665
http://www.ebay.com/itm/181661319133 (great deal)
http://www.ebay.com/itm/221667210782
http://www.ebay.com/itm/221680402054
http://www.ebay.com/itm/281585236289
http://www.ebay.com/itm/281586647794
http://www.ebay.com/itm/281589210105
http://www.ebay.com/itm/281591073825
http://www.ebay.com/itm/371249492327
http://www.ebay.com/itm/391039307432
The one marked "great deal" would make the absolute best Raspberry Pi portable computer of all time. I'll be keeping my eye on this for sure!