Texas Instruments KB101A - Alps SKCM White

[E3E]

http://www.ebay.com/itm/TI-Mechanical-KEYBOARD-KB-101A-Vintage-Clicker-Texas-Instruments-computer-tech-/131753388548?&_trksid=p2056016.m2518.l4276



More pictures of the board from the listing for posterity:

More

Just so people know and don't start bidding like mad over what seems to be a NIB KB101A with blue Alps, these Texas Instruments boards are a deviance from your standard Acer KB101A

As shown by XMIT on Deskthority:





XMIT's was made in 1989 and it has white Alps. This NIB board is from 1990. Very unlikely to have blue Alps considering XMIT's board.

So, if you're bidding on this just for the sake of blue Alps, you'll be very disappointed after dropping $300 on a board with SKCM White. If you just want it for its looks, well... The KB101A isn't the only one with this case design, though the Texas Instruments variant is distinctively grey.

[jerue]

bid early, bid often! /s

 

[merlin64]

What keycaps are those? Looks pretty unworn for keyboard that age

[jacobolus]

They’re the same as other Acer keycaps, but a different base plastic color.

I put the first bid here, for amusement. But $75 shipped is getting out of my cheapskate price range.

[E3E]

What keycaps are those? Looks pretty unworn for keyboard that age

As far as I know, the Acer boards use ABS plastic with some kind of strange printing method that produces an even legend and not a raised surface. No one in the community seems to know how they did it. You can also see this in the Dell AT101 old logo models made in Taiwan as they too use ABS.

The inside of the caps don't have the same mold markings as those from caps that come off of Alps-made keyboards, so I'm not sure if Alps made these caps or not, but they are very similar to Alps Electric ANSI Doubleshots and PBT caps.

[jacobolus]

There’s no way Alps made the keycaps.

[E3E]

Yeah, the mold markings are quite different. They seem almost Tai Hao esque, but I'm not placing any bets on Tai Hao either.

[ander]

It's true that XMIT's KB-101A has Whites. But are you sure all TI KB-101As do?

Many boards with the same model number or name have been made with Blues or Whites, such as these mentioned on DT's Alps SKCM Blue page:

• Chicony KB-5160, KB-5161
• Focus FK-555, FK-2001, FK-2002
• Leading Edge DC-2014, DC-3014
• Monterey K104
• NEC PC-8801 Mk II SR
• Northgate OmniKey
• NTC KB-6151, KB-6251, KB-6252

Some makers even alternated between them—depending on supply, I suppose. I doubt the makers cared, as they were both new, clicky switches that performed comparably. In those days, no one bothered mentioning switch types on their packaging or in their advertising, as the public wouldn't have a clue what it meant or what difference it made.

It's true the TI KB-101A isn't included in DT's examples of Blue/White boards, but I don't think that many examples of them have come to light, have they?

[jacobolus]

1990 date on the back leads me to believe the white Alps story.

By the way, E3E, can you rehost those images in the top post here to imgur or somewhere? When the ebay listing page inevitably disappears, this thread will lose important context for anyone reading it a few years down the line.

Edit: another nice pic from the auction

[E3E]

It's true that XMIT's KB-101A has Whites. But are you sure all TI KB-101As do?

Many boards with the same model number or name have been made with Blues or Whites, such as these mentioned on DT's Alps SKCM Blue page:

• Chicony KB-5160, KB-5161
• Focus FK-555, FK-2001, FK-2002
• Leading Edge DC-2014, DC-3014
• Monterey K104
• NEC PC-8801 Mk II SR
• Northgate OmniKey
• NTC KB-6151, KB-6251, KB-6252

Some makers even alternated between them—depending on supply, I suppose. I doubt the makers cared, as they were both new, clicky switches that performed comparably. In those days, no one bothered mentioning switch types on their packaging or in their advertising, as the public wouldn't have a clue what it meant or what difference it made.

It's true the TI KB-101A isn't included in DT's examples of Blue/White boards, but I don't think that many examples of them have come to light, have they?

Oh no, I just warned because of the likelihood of the boards using white Alps. Call it presumptuous, but I just get the feeling that some boards did not deviate much in the switches used while others, like the Chicony and Focus boards, have a plethora of different switches. Acer seemed to be pretty consistent, but I might be jumping the gun, sure.

Due to the 1990 date, it does seem unlikely though, even without the evidence from XMIT; the latest blue Alps boards I have come from 1989, both the DC-3014 and the KB101A, and even that was a bit surprising. Unless they're running through different batches with some surplus stock of blues, then I just don't see it having blues.

You do make good points though. My Acer KB101A is a Datapoint rebrand, and this is a Texas Instruments rebrand, however... This version has an entirely different serial number structure and label that makes it seems as if this was specially made for Texas Instruments. It doesn't even mention Acer on the label.

Here's my Datapoint KB101A, which is more so just a simple rebrand where they slapped a sticker on the top bezel:



If the TI board was any earlier than 1989, then I'd also wonder if it had blues. Even with the boards that have had a bunch of different switches throughout their life spans, there's usually a range you can work with when it comes to serial numbers, mfg dates, or other identifying features to figure out what switch it will most likely have.

But like the gold label  Northgate Omnikey 102 boards (they are usually blue Alps, but can sometimes be white), it's possible for things to not line up sometimes.

1990 date on the back leads me to believe the white Alps story.

By the way, E3E, can you rehost those images in the top post here to imgur or somewhere? When the ebay listing page inevitably disappears, this thread will lose important context for anyone reading it a few years down the line.

No problem! Done and done.

[jacobolus]

Also, made in Malaysia:

[khronokrator]

It's a very pretty board indeed, and I'd be happy with it even if it "only" had White Alps (which, in the original Pine form and in mint condition, I consider *almost* as good as Blues)... except that won't happen because of stupid sensational early bidders, so this'll probably sell for a cool $400 or so. 

[ander]

Oh no, I just warned because of the likelihood of the boards using white Alps. Call it presumptuous, but I just get the feeling that some boards did not deviate much in the switches used while others, like the Chicony and Focus boards, have a plethora of different switches. Acer seemed to be pretty consistent, but I might be jumping the gun, sure. :(

Due to the 1990 date, it does seem unlikely though, even without the evidence from XMIT; the latest blue Alps boards I have come from 1989, both the DC-3014 and the KB101A, and even that was a bit surprising...

Indeed, you guys usually know more than I do, and it's always edifying to learn such details. In case anyone had overlooked anything, I was just being the devil's advocate (the devil himself is currently out of the office).

[XMIT]

My version of this board has PBT dye subs.

[E3E]

My version of this board has PBT dye subs.

Did you check with an acetone test to be sure? Acer boards very much look like PBT dyesubs but are actually ABS. Chyros calls them ABS dyesubs, but we're not sure what the printing method is. The legend goes deep into the plastic.

Myself as well as a few people with Acers had originally thought that Acer caps were originally PBT dyesubs, but they turned out to be ABS.

[chyros]

Yes. In fact to my knowledge no Acer keyboard EVER came with PBT caps. Their printing method remains a mystery even after SEM Oo .

[jerue]

$755...a joke?

[chyros]

Wow man. Just... wow.

[jbondeson]

Alps Hyper-Inflation is officially here!

Empty those closets out before the bubble bursts!

[E3E]

Temptation to sell keyboards high. *eye twitch*

THE **** MAN.

[khronokrator]

Yeah, I saw the end of that auction today while at work. Hooooly crap, over $700.

I advise anyone interested in Alps to pretty much give up on eBay entirely. At this point I don't think these auctions are even legitimate; there's got to be some price-fixing scheme going on.

It's notable that all of the super high bids were made with brand-new eBay accounts with zero feedback. Seems more than a little suspicious.

[E3E]

Yeah, I saw the end of that auction today while at work. Hooooly crap, over $700.

I advise anyone interested in Alps to pretty much give up on eBay entirely. At this point I don't think these auctions are even legitimate; there's got to be some price-fixing scheme going on.

It's notable that all of the super high bids were made with brand-new eBay accounts with zero feedback. Seems more than a little suspicious.

There was the notorious b**a who left a bid for, what... $588 give or take?

That is still a very ridiculous price, but I definitely agree with you: Ebay is no place to buy Alps keyboards right now unless you catch something that goes under the radar.

[jacobolus]

There are a ton of great cheap Alps keyboards on ebay right now, just like there have been consistently for the past several years at least.

[E3E]

There are a ton of great cheap Alps keyboards on ebay right now, just like there have been consistently for the past several years at least.

For sure, but it's certainly not the place to go looking for blue Alps boards. Green alps are kind of going up and down too in price, but are much more reasonable on average. I really wonder if the guys who bought the TI 101A believed it had blue Alps or literally just paid that much because it's a NIB board. Still not worth it at all.

[Mattr567]

$755...a joke?

Wow man. Just... wow.

Yeah, I saw the end of that auction today while at work. Hooooly crap, over $700.

I advise anyone interested in Alps to pretty much give up on eBay entirely. At this point I don't think these auctions are even legitimate; there's got to be some price-fixing scheme going on.

It's notable that all of the super high bids were made with brand-new eBay accounts with zero feedback. Seems more than a little suspicious.

There was the notorious b**a who left a bid for, what... $588 give or take?

That is still a very ridiculous price, but I definitely agree with you: Ebay is no place to buy Alps keyboards right now unless you catch something that goes under the radar.

> White Alps
> $755
hold me

There are a ton of great cheap Alps keyboards on ebay right now, just like there have been consistently for the past several years at least.

For sure, but it's certainly not the place to go looking for blue Alps boards. Green alps are kind of going up and down too in price, but are much more reasonable on average. I really wonder if the guys who bought the TI 101A believed it had blue Alps or literally just paid that much because it's a NIB board. Still not worth it at all.

I wonder indeed. SKCL Green seems to be ok right now 60-90 range for Z-150's and TI's. ZKB-2's seem to be holding around 100-120. SKCM Blue has become a meme.

[Firebolt1914]

I got a blue alps board for 60 dollars

[chyros]

I got a blue alps board for 60 dollars

Oh really .

[Mattr567]

I got a blue alps board for 60 dollars

Oh really .

Lol not that long ago a MCK w/ SKCM Blue went unsold for $50, I even posted it in great finds.

[Firebolt1914]

I got a blue alps board for 60 dollars

Oh really .

yes, it was a taobao find

[Hak Foo]

Y'know, if someone dyed Matias sliders blue, you could probably con the Blue Alps people plus the Nixdorf Cherry Black people all in one.

[E3E]

Y'know, if someone dyed Matias sliders blue, you could probably con the Blue Alps people plus the Nixdorf Cherry Black people all in one.

Or white Alps for that matter. I've thought of this on many occasions, not of doing it myself, but just how easy it'd be.

[Mattr567]

Y'know, if someone dyed Matias sliders blue, you could probably con the Blue Alps people plus the Nixdorf Cherry Black people all in one.

Or white Alps for that matter. I've thought of this on many occasions, not of doing it myself, but just how easy it'd be.

Dying SKCM White would work the best, Matia's stems don't fit in SKCM switches.

[chyros]

Y'know, if someone dyed Matias sliders blue, you could probably con the Blue Alps people plus the Nixdorf Cherry Black people all in one.

Or white Alps for that matter. I've thought of this on many occasions, not of doing it myself, but just how easy it'd be.

Dying SKCM White would work the best, Matia's stems don't fit in SKCM switches.

Only problem of course is that SKCM blue came in hundreds of different shades of blue, none of which are standard .

[E3E]

Y'know, if someone dyed Matias sliders blue, you could probably con the Blue Alps people plus the Nixdorf Cherry Black people all in one.

Or white Alps for that matter. I've thought of this on many occasions, not of doing it myself, but just how easy it'd be.

Dying SKCM White would work the best, Matia's stems don't fit in SKCM switches.

Only problem of course is that SKCM blue came in hundreds of different shades of blue, none of which are standard .

That'd just make it easier. Throw a few sliders in, pop them out, throw another batch in for longer, etc. You can make your own splotchy -fake- blues right at home!

Oh god, I feel like an enabler. With the blue Alps market so hyped up right now, I can imagine some counterfeit blue Alps dealings.

[jacobolus]

If someone has eyes, they’ll see the Alps logo on top, and know you’re cheating them.

[E3E]

If someone has eyes, they’ll see the Alps logo on top, and know you’re cheating them.

There's been a rare set of blues with the Alps logo on the top housings. If someone was really driven, they could use early SKCM Orange housings without the logos. All of this is pretty impractical and not very cost or time efficient.

[Mattr567]

If someone has eyes, they’ll see the Alps logo on top, and know you’re cheating them.

There's been a rare set of blues with the Alps logo on the top housings. If someone was really driven, they could use early SKCM Orange housings without the logos. All of this is pretty impractical and not very cost or time efficient.

Actually not that bad. I could easily do this with my SKCM Oranges. Dye a few SKCM White Damp stems and put them into a SKCM Orange switch and call it a day. You could also just swap the top housing of the switch on the keyboard you are selling for the pictures.

[jacobolus]

And then when the buyer issues a chargeback and you lose both the keyboard and the money, you can feel really clever.

[jdcarpe]

And then when the buyer issues a chargeback and you lose both the keyboard and the money, you can feel really clever.

Someone paying upwards of $500 for a blue Alps keyboard probably wouldn't know the difference.

[axtran]

I just checked on that post again and I'm so surprised at the stupidity in the price.

[Mattr567]

And then when the buyer issues a chargeback and you lose both the keyboard and the money, you can feel really clever.

I know, I would never do such a thing. The talk is purely speculation

And then when the buyer issues a chargeback and you lose both the keyboard and the money, you can feel really clever.

Someone paying upwards of $500 for a blue Alps keyboard probably wouldn't know the difference.

¯\_(ツ)_/¯

[E3E]

And then when the buyer issues a chargeback and you lose both the keyboard and the money, you can feel really clever.

Not condoning doing this, but if done with white sliders and click leaves and SKCM housings, there'd be practically no way to tell for sure. I've felt some really crappy blues before.

Still, going through all that effort just to scam someone. I mean, that'd already require a lot of work and investment in and of itself, haha. I should probably stop going into hypothetical stuff like this, but it's just fun to pick apart how it could be done.

Seriously though, you've have to have a stock of boards that could contain blue Alps, boards with oranges to get the housings from (and they can't be the more modern oranges), and also white alps donors, though I suppose they could be simplified or bamboo or whatever, since it's just the slider type.

You'd have to invest a lot for something that likely isn't worth it at all.

[khronokrator]

Aaaaaaand, in keeping with the DC-2014 that was relisted this week, look at what I just found again:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/TI-Mechanical-KEYBOARD-KB-101A-Vintage-ClickyTexas-Instruments-computer-game-/131768029913?

So yeah, I'd say the odds that trolls are driving up the price through shill bidding are pretty high.

[jacobolus]

It’s really weird that the previous listings and bid histories get nuked from ebay. Anyone know what the deal is with that?

Edit: asked the seller about it:
“Ya, they didn't pay. I had to open a claim and now it has took me several weeks to sell this. [..] Thanks for looking and your bid is welcome.”