Curious about ALPS

[oneproduct]

So I've tried the different MX switches and Topre switches and now I'm curious about ALPS, particularly with a lot of people mentioning the new Matias keyboard. I was wondering what people would recommend as a place to start, either in terms of which ALPS switch to go with (white vs blue vs Matias etc.) or particular keyboards (maybe certain older ones with complicated ALPS rather than the newer simplified ones).

I'd also love to hear people's personal opinions on ALPS in terms of how they rank them compared to their preferred switches.

If you have one that you're looking to sell for cheap I might be interested as well!

Because it might be relevent to feedback, I should mention that I tend to like lighter MX switches, browns and reds. Blacks and clears are a bit too heavy for me. Blues are okay, I love the sound but somehow I type worse on them. I think it's because of how the artificially made sound doesn't match up with the key's actuation as I don't have the same problem with buckling springs which make the sound at the time they actuate. I guess that my preference at the moment is something like: brown > buckling spring > red > Topre > other cherries.

[DamienG]

I had the original Mattias - the switches and the caps part felt good but the enclosure was awful and resonated as I typed.

Also had a DSI one with the worst key-rollover problems possible.

So not those two.

[)amien

[Burz]

Here is a wiki page that lists keyboards with ALPS switches: http://deskthority.net/wiki/Category:Keyboards_with_Alps_switches
Its far from complete, though some good choices are listed there.

You could start near the beginning chronologically and look for a keyboard sporting vintage blue switches (I don't think anyone disliked those switches). The only brand I (knowingly) used with blues was Leading Edge (don't know model number); Others here could be a better guide for specific keyboards with this switch. You might need a USB adapter and the Windows (Option on Mac) keys would be missing (most keyboards mentioned here have that caveat).

Chicony and Focus keyboards are also well regarded.

The older Tactile Pros (esp. v3) are good examples of boards that used 'Fukka' white switches. They are noisy and feel really nice. Older TPs are for Macs, so you'd want to install a Windows driver if you use that OS.

If Matias hadn't come out with their quiet switches, I might be shopping for an SGI Granite right now (must be a PC-compatible version, not one made for Irix).

Avoid XM switches... as a general rule. They are really low quality.

Dell AT101W's are low cost and have all the expected keys, though the black switches are not great.

If you happen to have an ADB-USB adapter then some old Mac keyboards (Extended, Extended II) are nice to try, often having salmon, orange or white ALPS switches.

And then there are the new Matias boards. Lets face it, they are the new standard bearer for ALPS-type switches and those switches have not yet had a chance to make their way into other keyboard brands. So I would have new Matias models on the list, if the expense is not a problem.

[ValerieV]

The new Matias that is coming out this week is supposed to be a lot better quality and the alps don't have that ringing sound after hitting the key. I did have the original Matias and the quality wasn't good then. It has gotten much better and i love their product and customer support.

[vivalarevolución]

I just got the switch try bag from Deskthority and it had a ton of Alps switches and alps clone switches. I know that trying one switch is not a good determinant of how an entire board of the switches will feel, but I preferred the Alps over the Cherry switches I've been using for months now.  Most of the Alps seem to offer better tactile feedback than the Cherry switches. The Cherry switches with the larger tactile bump, Clear and White and Green, also require more force, and I don't like heavier switches.

I also just bought a vintage Apple IIGS keyboard that has SMK alps mount switches, and I prefer typing on that over all the Cherry boards that I have. Alps switches seem to have more sturdiness and stability over Cherry switches. Plus, it seems to get the best of the Cherry switches you have modify an MX Clear.

But I need more experience typing on more Alps boards for a definitive opinion.  I can really get going on an MX Blue board, and I really like that switch over any other Cherry switch.