Compaq Portable III

[Kirbyzuto]

I was given a Compaq Portable III Keyboard from my girlfriends father, and have hard time figuring out what switches it has inside. Any information would be greatly appreciated.

[flurryvelvet]

I was given a Compaq Portable III Keyboard from my girlfriends father, and have hard time figuring out what switches it has inside. Any information would be greatly appreciated.

It's likely a foam and foil type of switch.

[Kirbyzuto]

Thats the thing it's a white alps switch but I cant figure out what kind

[envyy24]

A picture can really help here friendo.

[Kirbyzuto]

You know, never have I missed my brain cells more than now, sorry for not posting a photo.

[Rob27shred]

You know, never have I missed my brain cells more than now, sorry for not posting a photo.

Looks like SKCM Damped whites to me https://deskthority.net/wiki/Alps_SKCM_White_Damped, but possibly could be SKCM whites https://deskthority.net/wiki/Alps_SKCM_White. Are they clicky or tactile & not to loud? You could also check by opening one of the switches up, this video will show you how if you do not know already, https://youtu.be/RnvC80Vjuts?t=150. Then if the slider/stem has black rubber strips in the sides that move along the housing they are damped tactile whites, if the slider/stem is just all white they are regular clicky whites.

[Kirbyzuto]

They're fairly clicky, I'll pop one open to take a look, thanks for the information.

Edit: Just popped one open and it did not have any rubber inside of it, thanks again for the info as to how to identify them.

[Rob27shred]

They're fairly clicky, I'll pop one open to take a look, thanks for the information.

Edit: Just popped one open and it did not have any rubber inside of it, thanks again for the info as to how to identify them.

Yep no problem! Also the fact they are regular whites is a good thing. They are much more sought after & are from an earlier gen of ALPS SKCM switches that had thicker housings possibly made from a different plastic. Definitely superior to damped whites!

[Kirbyzuto]

More information that I had not known prior, although might I ask what makes them sought after? I have not dwelled in vintage keyboards much.

[Maledicted]

More information that I had not known prior, although might I ask what makes them sought after? I have not dwelled in vintage keyboards much.

Alps clickies are the most sought-after Alps switches, and amongst the most sought-after vintage switch (far superior to anything made today in my humble opinion). SKCM blues take the crown there, but ambers and whites don't trail too far behind. Blues basically had incremental changes until they were superceded by whites. In this way, early whites aren't much different from late blues, and feel/quality is thought to have degraded through each change as the years went by.

Keep them clean, and I mean even cover them when not in use. If they get dirty/dusty, they'll start to feel terrible.

[Kirbyzuto]

Have seen a lot of praise for SKCM Blues and Ambers, never much talk about whites in most other mech keyboard forums, thanks for the insight on the story of whites.

[Maledicted]

You don't hear much about whites because they're newer than blues and ambers, and way more common. You can find 15+ boards full of them on Ebay at any given time. They were prolific throughout the late 80s through the mid 90s. That in no way diminishes their inherent value as a fantastic clicky switch, when in good shape.

You're very welcome.

[envyy24]

Have seen a lot of praise for SKCM Blues and Ambers, never much talk about whites in most other mech keyboard forums, thanks for the insight on the story of whites.

No the other two are rarer, but the white SKCM alps, in your case even pine grade, is in no mean not good. They are just very common, people normally can have easier access to them, comparing with the like of blue alps or orange alps. I think some says white is almost 80-90% like blue