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Offline jrrr

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apple aluminum alternatives
« on: Mon, 01 August 2011, 11:56:40 »
A recent coffee accident leaves me looking to replace my favorite full-size apple aluminum keyboard. There's a good chance I'll spill again, so I'd prefer a keyboard that I can take apart, clean, and reassemble. (I'm glaring at you, Apple, for gluing a keyboard together)

Here's what I want from a keyboard:
  • very thin and flat
  • scissor switch with short travel
  • standard delete/home/end/pageup/pagedown layout (I can live without "insert")
  • number pad


I like chiclet/island-style keys, but I'd be okay with standard laptop-style keycaps, too.

I'm considering this one:
http://www.dealextreme.com/p/stylish-105-key-slim-wired-usb-keyboard-black-160cm-length-71853

Anyone have the above DX keyboard that could comment? Any other boards I should look at? As an alternative to repairability, I'd also be interested in boards that are entirely spillproof, or cheap enough to replace several times a year (~<=$20)
« Last Edit: Mon, 01 August 2011, 13:19:43 by jrrr »
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Offline ch_123

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apple aluminum alternatives
« Reply #1 on: Mon, 01 August 2011, 12:08:43 »
The DX ones aren't as nice as the Apple ones in terms of type feel, but at least they're cheap to replace...
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Offline The Solutor

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apple aluminum alternatives
« Reply #2 on: Mon, 01 August 2011, 13:48:23 »
Never touched those two but they looks nice, and BTC often has reasonably good products

http://www.btc.com.tw/english/2-7-07keyboard.htm#6311U

http://www.btc.com.tw/english/2-7-07keyboard.htm#6310U
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Offline Chobopants

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apple aluminum alternatives
« Reply #3 on: Mon, 01 August 2011, 14:10:53 »
Honestly, if you like the Apple aluminum just get another one. As long as you're a bit more careful about spilling on it it'll last for a long time. I've spent many thousands of hours typing on them and have never had a single failed keystroke or mechanical failure. They're really solid boards as long as you don't dump water on 'em.
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Offline jrrr

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apple aluminum alternatives
« Reply #4 on: Mon, 01 August 2011, 14:29:35 »
Chobo:  I actually have two (one for work, one for home), and the only symptom of the damaged one is a nonfunctional up arrow.  I removed the keycap and rubber dome and applied liberal amounts of rubbing alcohol with a water pik, but no dice.  I might wind up getting another (#3!), but I figured I'd try a few others first.  Perhaps I should take my morning coffee in a child's safety cup =]
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Offline Chobopants

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apple aluminum alternatives
« Reply #5 on: Mon, 01 August 2011, 15:23:59 »
Hehe. Yeah if you like scissor switches I think think the Apple board is one of the best that you can get, I've tried other peoples' recommendations and I haven't felt one that beats it. I am no big fan of the closed unfixable design but it's still damn good.
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Offline The Solutor

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apple aluminum alternatives
« Reply #6 on: Mon, 01 August 2011, 15:28:13 »
Quote from: Chobopants;391127
I haven't felt one that beats it


This

[ Attachment Invalid Or Does Not Exist ] 22983[/ATTACH]

Still looking for anything better (most of the mechs included) too bas is still unavailable as standalone.
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Offline Pylon

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apple aluminum alternatives
« Reply #7 on: Mon, 01 August 2011, 15:48:18 »
There's probably a Lenovo all-in-one or two with a keyboard that's similar to that.
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Offline The Solutor

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apple aluminum alternatives
« Reply #8 on: Mon, 01 August 2011, 15:57:13 »
Quote from: Pylon;391140
There's probably a Lenovo all-in-one or two with a keyboard that's similar to that.


There are a lot of lenovo (an IBM) external keyboards based on the thinkpad design, and they are very good, but nothing with the new stile keyboard (way better IMO) is released yet.

In the meantime the new X1 was released with the same keyboard, with backlight added instead of the usual thinklight.
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Offline Chobopants

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apple aluminum alternatives
« Reply #9 on: Mon, 01 August 2011, 16:00:46 »
Quote from: The Solutor;391130
This

(Attachment Link) 22983[/ATTACH]

Still looking for anything better (most of the mechs included) too bas is still unavailable as standalone.

Never used their scissor switch board but I don't really love their regular one, all the PC work laptops are Lenovos. They feel ok but don't blow me away.
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Offline The Solutor

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apple aluminum alternatives
« Reply #10 on: Mon, 01 August 2011, 16:12:47 »
Quote from: Chobopants;391152
They feel ok but don't blow me away.


I sold my X100 with the purpose of buying an X120, then I ended with an used X200 tablet, which is a great machine.

But the keyboard was a delusion (was a Chicony one), I quickly replaced it with an NMB made, and was a great improvement, but still not on par with the one from X100e (or Edge 11) that are way less expensive machines.

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Offline Pylon

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apple aluminum alternatives
« Reply #11 on: Mon, 01 August 2011, 16:16:56 »
This Lenovo wireless keyboard has chiclet keys. May or may not use Thinkpad Edge mechanism, as there's a good chance it uses Ideapad ones.

Engadget mentions the keyboard here.
« Last Edit: Mon, 01 August 2011, 16:21:18 by Pylon »
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Offline The Solutor

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apple aluminum alternatives
« Reply #12 on: Mon, 01 August 2011, 16:25:28 »
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Offline The Solutor

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apple aluminum alternatives
« Reply #13 on: Mon, 01 August 2011, 16:29:28 »
Quote from: Pylon;391163
This Lenovo wireless keyboard has chiclet keys. May or may not use Thinkpad Edge mechanism, as there's a good chance it uses Ideapad ones.



I managed to find a decent image and, yes it's possible

[ Attachment Invalid Or Does Not Exist ] 22984[/ATTACH]
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Offline aggiejy

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apple aluminum alternatives
« Reply #14 on: Mon, 01 August 2011, 16:58:01 »
Apple's aluminum keyboards have the best scissors switches I've tried.  While I sympathize with your desire to find something cleanable... that's probably not the best approach.  I have two long ones and two short (wireless) ones... only one of each work because I spilt beer in them.  (I always have a homebrew one next to the keyboard at night!)  It's a risk you take for drinking next to electronics. :)  But if you like it, get another and be more careful.  They're great keyboards though... if I'm not on a mechanical board, I'm on those.
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Offline ch_123

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apple aluminum alternatives
« Reply #15 on: Mon, 01 August 2011, 17:06:22 »
I ordered an X220 last night, from what I've heard, it will probably be a step up from the one in my old T61, which has a bit of flex in it.

I think I'm going to agree with the "buy another Apple" crowd - they really are good scissor switch boards.
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Offline keyboardlover

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apple aluminum alternatives
« Reply #16 on: Tue, 02 August 2011, 15:29:42 »
The x220 rocks. You'll love it.
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Offline jrrr

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apple aluminum alternatives
« Reply #17 on: Wed, 31 August 2011, 08:18:28 »
I received the DX board last week.  Compared to apple, the keys are physically deeper, travel farther, and feel a little "squishy".  (the apple isn't exactly tactile, but the keys bottom-out fast enough to give you a little more feedback than the DX)  It's nice to have the normal numpad back.

In other news, I spilled coffee on my *second* apple keyboard today.  I'm going to invest in a coffee cup with a lid and try to develop a taste for a more-repairable keyboard.
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Offline arplod

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apple aluminum alternatives
« Reply #18 on: Wed, 31 August 2011, 16:31:09 »
To hear the supposed keyboard experts calling the crApple the best scissor - I am disappoint.

Try the Logitech Illuminated.
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Offline arplod

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apple aluminum alternatives
« Reply #19 on: Wed, 31 August 2011, 16:55:05 »
You didn't (at least not in this thread as far as I'm aware) say it was the best, sure.
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Offline aggiejy

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apple aluminum alternatives
« Reply #20 on: Thu, 01 September 2011, 23:37:59 »
Quote from: arpod;408321
You didn't (at least not in this thread as far as I'm aware) say it was the best, sure.

It is the best.  The Logitech Illuminated is crap. :boink:
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Offline thebilgerat

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apple aluminum alternatives
« Reply #21 on: Fri, 02 September 2011, 01:13:33 »
not enough ping in this thread.
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Offline arplod

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apple aluminum alternatives
« Reply #22 on: Fri, 02 September 2011, 03:02:45 »
Quote from: aggiejy;409159
It is the best.  The Logitech Illuminated is crap. :boink:

*Looks at setup pic thread*

*uh-huh*

Anything crApple makes is godly, right?
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Offline aggiejy

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apple aluminum alternatives
« Reply #23 on: Sat, 03 September 2011, 22:29:22 »
Quote from: arpod;409222
*Looks at setup pic thread*

*uh-huh*

Anything crApple makes is godly, right?

Just about.
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Offline pitashen

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apple aluminum alternatives
« Reply #24 on: Sun, 20 November 2011, 13:07:59 »
I have tried a chiclet from Sony. Pretty good IMO
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Online fohat.digs

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apple aluminum alternatives
« Reply #25 on: Sun, 20 November 2011, 13:26:17 »
I have had more liquid-spill accidents in the morning due to coffee jitters than I have at night due to alcohol slop.

Keep your numbers of each in the low-mid single digits and you can probably make it.
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