SGI Granite w/ Grey Plate SKCM Orange Alps

[Mattr567]

Today I converted my SGI Granite to SKCM Orange Alps, and wow it is a even better board now. Bought the Orange out out of a M0115 or something like that for a pretty good deal.

You could say it mimics the OG Dell AT101, since Orange Alps are similar to Salmon, but its a lot cheaper. OG Dell AT101's prices seem to be a bit inflated. Plus I consider Orange Alps to be superior, somewhat more smoother and has a more bassy sound, with the white or grey plate.

Mine just happen to have the long grey plate, I also have some white plate Orange Alps and these do feel more solid.

Great Alps build quality + dye sub PBT + smooth solid feeling Orange Alps is a great combination. Still need to retrobrite it, but cant because of the weather. Has that green tint to it. Also threw on some extra SKCL Greens I had lying around, as it turns out the lock light switches actually have a place for LEDs, but sadly they dont work. The controller isn't set up for it I suppose.

[bocahgundul]

That is a beautiful keyboard and how do you like the orange alps? and why the salmon is more expensive? some people say that the orange alps by long shot

[Mattr567]

That is a beautiful keyboard and how do you like the orange alps? and why the salmon is more expensive? some people say that the orange alps by long shot

It isnt the Salmon itself that is more expensive, but the Dell. Originally my SGI came with White Dampened's, which seems to be hit or miss with a lot of people, personally its a miss. That probably deter some people. I'm not completely sure why the Alps made Dell is more expensive, maybe its better known?

I know for a fact that some people hate the unique legends on the SGI. Also it can be kinda hard to find a PS/2 Granite. Only the 9500900 is a Granite PS/2, there is also a tan PS/2 but beside that more of the known SGI mech boards use SGI protocol which is completely incompatible with modern computers.

Salmon Alps to me feels less solid, with SKCM Orange you feel that their is more behind your keypress. I notice this lack of solidity with newer generations Alps switches. My theory is that ones made after 1993 with the logo up top on the housing is when the change occurred. I think Chryos noted this as well, saying that newer tactile Alps switches in particular have a slight click to them while older ones dont. My White Dampened expresses this greatly especially undampened.

[bocahgundul]

That is a beautiful keyboard and how do you like the orange alps? and why the salmon is more expensive? some people say that the orange alps by long shot

It isnt the Salmon itself that is more expensive, but the Dell. Originally my SGI came with White Dampened's, which seems to be hit or miss with a lot of people, personally its a miss. That probably deter some people. I'm not completely sure why the Alps made Dell is more expensive, maybe its better known?

I know for a fact that some people hate the unique legends on the SGI. Also it can be kinda hard to find a PS/2 Granite. Only the 9500900 is a Granite PS/2, there is also a tan PS/2 but beside that more of the known SGI mech boards use SGI protocol which is completely incompatible with modern computers.

Salmon Alps to me feels less solid, with SKCM Orange you feel that their is more behind your keypress. I notice this lack of solidity with newer generations Alps switches. My theory is that ones made after 1993 with the logo up top on the housing is when the change occurred. I think Chryos noted this as well, saying that newer tactile Alps switches in particular have a slight click to them while older ones dont. My White Dampened expresses this greatly especially undampened.

you really have a vast knowledge about alps? and I want to ask you this why don't you just go with the custom alps route?

[chyros]

Very nice board, the SGI Granite always had presence. I'm one of the people who doesn't really like the legends but if you want thick PBT on your Alps there's not that much choice xD . I think the GYI AT101 might be the only one with thick PBT caps and normal legends xD . Maybe that's why those tend to go for so much...

[fohat.digs]

Except for blue Alps, orange are my second favorite. My experience is that they are better than salmon, and earlier, usually found in AEK with serial numbers <500K and M0116, while the later ones had salmon. I have never personally gotten an AT101 with anything but black, and never gotten an SGI at all.

[chyros]

I have never personally gotten an AT101 with anything but black

The GYI ones have salmons, and the 97SK has the earlier black Alps which are lovely btw. 

[Mattr567]

Very nice board, the SGI Granite always had presence. I'm one of the people who doesn't really like the legends but if you want thick PBT on your Alps there's not that much choice xD . I think the GYI AT101 might be the only one with thick PBT caps and normal legends xD . Maybe that's why those tend to go for so much...

At first I didn't like them very much but you just get used to them. Now I like them I'm still not sure why the tilde key is bolder than the rest however.

Except for blue Alps, orange are my second favorite. My experience is that they are better than salmon, and earlier, usually found in AEK with serial numbers <500K and M0116, while the later ones had salmon. I have never personally gotten an AT101 with anything but black, and never gotten an SGI at all.

I recommend the SGI. The granite case is very unique. They are a bit hard to find but one seller on Ebay always seems to have a stock of 9500900's. Mine came in perfect condition expect for a dead numpad + key.

Agreed. There is something special about SCKM Blue I cant put my finger on.

[Mattr567]

That is a beautiful keyboard and how do you like the orange alps? and why the salmon is more expensive? some people say that the orange alps by long shot

It isnt the Salmon itself that is more expensive, but the Dell. Originally my SGI came with White Dampened's, which seems to be hit or miss with a lot of people, personally its a miss. That probably deter some people. I'm not completely sure why the Alps made Dell is more expensive, maybe its better known?

I know for a fact that some people hate the unique legends on the SGI. Also it can be kinda hard to find a PS/2 Granite. Only the 9500900 is a Granite PS/2, there is also a tan PS/2 but beside that more of the known SGI mech boards use SGI protocol which is completely incompatible with modern computers.

Salmon Alps to me feels less solid, with SKCM Orange you feel that their is more behind your keypress. I notice this lack of solidity with newer generations Alps switches. My theory is that ones made after 1993 with the logo up top on the housing is when the change occurred. I think Chryos noted this as well, saying that newer tactile Alps switches in particular have a slight click to them while older ones dont. My White Dampened expresses this greatly especially undampened.

you really have a vast knowledge about alps? and I want to ask you this why don't you just go with the custom alps route?

I kinda have a custom Alps board. A WIP V60 w/ SKCL Greens with full LED backlight. The reason I went with the V60 is because it is one of the only Alps PCBs to support Alps backlight besides the Duck Eagle. You could say i'm an expert ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

[bocahgundul]

That is a beautiful keyboard and how do you like the orange alps? and why the salmon is more expensive? some people say that the orange alps by long shot

It isnt the Salmon itself that is more expensive, but the Dell. Originally my SGI came with White Dampened's, which seems to be hit or miss with a lot of people, personally its a miss. That probably deter some people. I'm not completely sure why the Alps made Dell is more expensive, maybe its better known?

I know for a fact that some people hate the unique legends on the SGI. Also it can be kinda hard to find a PS/2 Granite. Only the 9500900 is a Granite PS/2, there is also a tan PS/2 but beside that more of the known SGI mech boards use SGI protocol which is completely incompatible with modern computers.

Salmon Alps to me feels less solid, with SKCM Orange you feel that their is more behind your keypress. I notice this lack of solidity with newer generations Alps switches. My theory is that ones made after 1993 with the logo up top on the housing is when the change occurred. I think Chryos noted this as well, saying that newer tactile Alps switches in particular have a slight click to them while older ones dont. My White Dampened expresses this greatly especially undampened.

you really have a vast knowledge about alps? and I want to ask you this why don't you just go with the custom alps route?

I kinda have a custom Alps board. A WIP V60 w/ SKCL Greens with full LED backlight. The reason I went with the V60 is because it is one of the only Alps PCBs to support Alps backlight besides the Duck Eagle. You could say i'm an expert ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

yep you are an expert in this cause you know all the serial well I want to pm you when I need help with finding alps 

[Magna224]

I wish there were a bunch of nice 87 key PCB + plate options for ALPS for cheap...

[ch_123]

I have never personally gotten an AT101 with anything but black, and never gotten an SGI at all.

Most of the modern Dell keyboards were made by Silitek, whereas the SGI boards (and the Dell boards with the Salmon switches and the old logo) were made by Alps themselves. The Alps boards feel a lot sturdier, and have nice thick dyesub caps too.

[umeboshi]

I wish there were a bunch of nice 87 key PCB + plate options for ALPS for cheap...

I agree.  Love typing on my AEK with oranges, but can't do 60% and would like to have closer mouse placement