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geekhack Marketplace => Great Finds => Topic started by: EverythingIBM on Wed, 17 March 2010, 12:45:43

Title: SGI Granite keyboard
Post by: EverythingIBM on Wed, 17 March 2010, 12:45:43
Here's an SGI Granite:
http://cgi.ebay.ca/SGI-Silicon-Graphics-PS-2-Serial-Granite-Keyboard-MINT_W0QQitemZ150424447234QQcmdZViewItemQQptZPCA_Mice_Trackballs?hash=item2305fee902 (http://cgi.ebay.ca/SGI-Silicon-Graphics-PS-2-Serial-Granite-Keyboard-MINT_W0QQitemZ150424447234QQcmdZViewItemQQptZPCA_Mice_Trackballs?hash=item2305fee902)

$24 buy it now.

Although, there seems to be a yellow spot under the pause/break key, the F and J keys seemed to be slightly yellowed, and there is a bit of yellow on the left of the space bar.

Don't you love tiny photos in which the seller refuses to post high res? Hmmm...
Title: SGI Granite keyboard
Post by: ch_123 on Wed, 17 March 2010, 12:46:50
Rubber dome.
Title: SGI Granite keyboard
Post by: EverythingIBM on Wed, 17 March 2010, 13:55:31
Quote from: ch_123;164838
Rubber dome.


GOOD rubber domes are pleasant to type on; but I doubt that one is good.

Quote from: ripster;164839
Look for the bigger one.  The asians nickname this "Bigfoot" style.

And don't forget good old RetrObrite!  Worked amazingly well on this one.
Show Image
(http://geekhack.org/attachment.php?attachmentid=8466&stc=1&d=1268848223)


I noticed this was a different one from you had; the logo was in the far right, opposed to on the left above the function keys. $24 is a lot for a [probably bad] rubber dome.

Someone could retrobrite these:
(http://homepage.mac.com/irisworld/ebay_2010/sgi_063_0009.jpg)

Yuck!
Title: SGI Granite keyboard
Post by: kishy on Wed, 17 March 2010, 14:05:07
Quote from: EverythingIBM;164854
Someone could retrobrite these:
Show Image
(http://homepage.mac.com/irisworld/ebay_2010/sgi_063_0009.jpg)


Yuck!

Actually...not so yuck, from a mechanical perspective. Unless I'm mistaken those are Logitech OEMs with pretty good internals (but I dunno, was SGI using standard interface protocols or not?)
Title: SGI Granite keyboard
Post by: ch_123 on Wed, 17 March 2010, 14:07:54
Those would be standard PS/2 ball mice. The only advantage of one would be to have one to match your keyboard/computer.
Title: SGI Granite keyboard
Post by: kishy on Wed, 17 March 2010, 14:10:54
Quote from: ch_123;164862
Those would be standard PS/2 ball mice. The only advantage of one would be to have one to match your keyboard/computer.


If that's what they are, then they're Logitech OEMs. That case design is kind of distinctive.

(http://kishy.comuf.com/stuff/peripherals/mouse_logitech_m-m35_serial.jpg)

(http://kishy.comuf.com/stuff/peripherals/mouse_logitech_m-s35_ps2.jpg)

Standard they may be, but good mice.
Title: SGI Granite keyboard
Post by: ch_123 on Wed, 17 March 2010, 14:13:58
They were the later generation of SGI PS/2 mice, the older ones looked like this -

(http://storage.g-lenerz.de/images/sgistuff/key_onyx.jpg)
Title: SGI Granite keyboard
Post by: EverythingIBM on Wed, 17 March 2010, 14:14:11
Quote from: ch_123;164862
Those would be standard PS/2 ball mice. The only advantage of one would be to have one to match your keyboard/computer.


They are SGI granite mice... but yeah, probably made by logitech.
Title: SGI Granite keyboard
Post by: ch_123 on Wed, 17 March 2010, 15:08:51
(http://images.starcraftmazter.net/4chan/for_forums/cool_story_bro.jpg)
Title: SGI Granite keyboard
Post by: platon on Wed, 17 March 2010, 16:42:59
I have both that keyboard and that mouse.

The mouse, although not optical is good and feels comfortable. It is indeed  a Logitech OEM.

I like the keyboard too. It has class. However i should point out that, its tactility level is low even for a rubber dome.

I have tested it NIB (a coworker bought it new) and even then the rubber felt soft and the key travel short.

Also the keys rattle a lot. They rattle so much one could be misguided by their sound to believe that the switches are mechanical.

Last but not least, DO NOT buy it from that specific seller. I bought mine from him.

When he says MINT condition he means pretty clean with no scuffs. Do not confuse mint with slightly used.

I specifically asked him if the keys felt mushy. He avoided to give me a straight answer and said  that he would send me the best of his lot.

If what i got is the best of his lot you should avoid his lot. Mine is really broken down by use.

There are keys that feel like pressing on folded rubber.
It is clean (very slightly yellowed), no scuffs, fully working, but ...
Title: SGI Granite keyboard
Post by: kishy on Wed, 17 March 2010, 17:10:50
It's a secret bond I guess.

When buying computer equipment on eBay, assume reality is as different as possible from how they claim it is.
Title: SGI Granite keyboard
Post by: EverythingIBM on Wed, 17 March 2010, 18:08:29
Quote from: kishy;164923
It's a secret bond I guess.

When buying computer equipment on eBay, assume reality is as different as possible from how they claim it is.


I always must see a picture of the item I'm buying. I hate when someone lists an item as "used" (with a clean stock picture), or is selling a lot and only shows a picture of one in good condition; probably not the one you'll be getting!

EDIT: I guess that's why kijiji is better since it's local. You can personally see the items!
Title: SGI Granite keyboard
Post by: kishy on Wed, 17 March 2010, 18:16:28
Quote from: EverythingIBM;164938
I always must see a picture of the item I'm buying. I hate when someone lists an item as "used" (with a clean stock picture), or is selling a lot and only shows a picture of one in good condition; probably not the one you'll be getting!

EDIT: I guess that's why kijiji is better since it's local. You can personally see the items!


Yeah, Kijiji isn't bad. Craigslist on the other hand is full of trolling Nigerian scammers (I should still have the email evidence to back that up, too).

I don't mind a stock photo so long as they are rather verbose in the description. "Small nick above such and such, stain here, dent there, missing this. Only item included in listing is blahblahblah, item was tested with the necessary accessories but since we don't have enough of them we can't include them"...and so on.
Title: SGI Granite keyboard
Post by: EverythingIBM on Wed, 17 March 2010, 20:40:13
Quote from: kishy;164942
Yeah, Kijiji isn't bad. Craigslist on the other hand is full of trolling Nigerian scammers (I should still have the email evidence to back that up, too).

I don't mind a stock photo so long as they are rather verbose in the description. "Small nick above such and such, stain here, dent there, missing this. Only item included in listing is blahblahblah, item was tested with the necessary accessories but since we don't have enough of them we can't include them"...and so on.


Having a decent amount of pictures is always the best road to go (otherwise I tend to be wary of it). Unless it's something you desperately need and would do anything for.

I'm actually starting to really enjoy kijiji if all goes well. Some people are willing to give stuff FREE!!! FREEEEEE!!!

I should request a free Model M15, with a free Model M13 (black). Maybe a few Model F ATs while I'm at it. Guess it wouldn't hurt.

EDIT: of course I'll still be using my trusty KB-8923; I like it the best.