SIIG Mini-touch New in Box on ebay $50 delivered

[fohat.digs]

This is probably the white Alps version, but I don't know for sure.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=330785961642&ssPageName=ADME:B:SS:US:1123

[Computer-Lab in Basement]

I looked up the model number and found this thread:

http://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=16839.0

According to this thread it has ALPS Type 2 Simplified (XMs).

[poxeclipse]

Yes, it is KB1948.
The Monterey is the KB1903.
Now, they are not real Alps (Alps is a Japanese company), they are called XM and they were made in Taiwan, initially, an later in China.

[REVENGE]

"MiniTouch prices plummeted during the post-Poker era."

[dorkvader]

Yes, it is KB1948.
The Monterey is the KB1903.
Now, they are not real Alps (Alps is a Japanese company), they are called XM and they were made in Taiwan, initially, an later in China.

This guy says his KB1903 is white alps with an AT connector
http://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=25227.msg475511#msg475511

Still, that looks like a great deal. I've always wanted to try the siig minitouch.

[AKIMbO]

I just bought one from this seller...will report back when it arrives and let you guys know if it's white alps.

[Computer-Lab in Basement]

Bought one also. Got it for $10 cheaper too.

[AKIMbO]

Bought one also. Got it for $10 cheaper too.

Lol....ditto.  $40 shipped is a good deal for BNIB, still sealed siig minitouch.  Even if it is the white xm variant.

They shipped mine crazy fast.  I think I bought mine around 3PM and it was in UPS' hands with the tracking number already updated by 6PM that day.

[dreamingftw]

Couldn't resist. Just ordered. I've been wanting to try out this keyboard for the longest time. Thanks!

[Computer-Lab in Basement]

Bought one also. Got it for $10 cheaper too.

Lol....ditto.  $40 shipped is a good deal for BNIB, still sealed siig minitouch.  Even if it is the white xm variant.

They shipped mine crazy fast.  I think I bought mine around 3PM and it was in UPS' hands with the tracking number already updated by 6PM that day.

Same, I paid for mine earlier today and the seller already brought it to UPS. I can't wait to get it!

[fohat.digs]

Glad to help you guys out.

Actually, when I posted the link, I did not realize that they had multiple copies for sale.

[dreamingftw]

Only 1 left.

[dorkvader]

And I have an offer on it at the moment.

[sth]

haha can't wait to hear about all the people with fancy shiny NIB minitouches with garbage switches and terrible stabilizers... have fun kids.

[AKIMbO]

haha can't wait to hear about all the people with fancy shiny NIB minitouches with garbage switches and terrible stabilizers... have fun kids.

^I like this guy. XD

The enter key is horrid on all minitouches.  I'm curious what white xm switches feel like.  $40 shipped for bnib isn't bad by any stretch of the imagination.

[sth]

no it's not too bad, but if you just want to try the switches i'll send you one with an AT cable, without a case white XM is not considered by many to be very enjoyable though.

[jwaz]

no it's not too bad, but if you just want to try the switches i'll send you one with an AT cable, without a case white XM is not considered by many to be very enjoyable though.

By far the WORST part about these, second maybe the layout. We have to make a HHKB esque layout for Alp's switches 'cause Monterey are great.

[dorkvader]

haha can't wait to hear about all the people with fancy shiny NIB minitouches with garbage switches and terrible stabilizers... have fun kids.

^I like this guy. XD

The enter key is horrid on all minitouches.  I'm curious what white xm switches feel like.  $40 shipped for bnib isn't bad by any stretch of the imagination.

Seller declined my offer of $41 on this, so I backed out of the running. According to ebay, there were 3 others with offers on it.

Looks like it's monterey only for me (Should arrive Monday.)

[absyrd]

haha can't wait to hear about all the people with fancy shiny NIB minitouches with garbage switches and terrible stabilizers... have fun kids.

^I like this guy. XD

The enter key is horrid on all minitouches.  I'm curious what white xm switches feel like.  $40 shipped for bnib isn't bad by any stretch of the imagination.

Seller declined my offer of $41 on this, so I backed out of the running. According to ebay, there were 3 others with offers on it.

Looks like it's monterey only for me (Should arrive Monday.)

Damn. Looks like they will not be touch my offer either then. Oh well.

[dreamingftw]

He didn't give you a counteroffer?

[dorkvader]

He didn't give you a counteroffer?

I offered $39
He countered $45.
I countered $41
He countered $45 again.
I declined

I felt like letting a pokemon go. His counteroffers were super effective

[fohat.digs]

I don't know what it means to "let a Pokemon go" but I have never checked "Allow Offers" when I do a BIN sale.

If it doesn't sell at $50 this week, I will lower my price to $45 next week.

There have been occasions when I have "made offers" but they have been lowball offers for the top amount I would pay. I ignore counter-offers.

I do not look at "doing business" as "playing a game" but I know that a lot of people do.

Clearly, this seller had a desirable item at what many people obviously considered a fair price. After selling more than 1 in under 24 hours, I personally would not have entertained lower offers.

[dorkvader]

I don't know what it means to "let a Pokemon go" but I have never checked "Allow Offers" when I do a BIN sale.

If it doesn't sell at $50 this week, I will lower my price to $45 next week.

There have been occasions when I have "made offers" but they have been lowball offers for the top amount I would pay. I ignore counter-offers.

I do not look at "doing business" as "playing a game" but I know that a lot of people do.

Clearly, this seller had a desirable item at what many people obviously considered a fair price. After selling more than 1 in under 24 hours, I personally would not have entertained lower offers.

Of the 3 sold, none were for the BIN price. I suspected that they were for $40, based on CLiB's post in this topic.

That's why I wanted one for $40.

[absyrd]

Yep. Had a similar "negotiation". Seems like $45 for that last one is the sticking point.

[dreamingftw]

I asked for $40 but he countered $43 so I just accepted. Didn't think he would go lower than that.

[AKIMbO]

I just got my Siig today from this seller.  It's definitely BNIB...still has the shrink wrap on it and everything.  The cable has some black staining...probably due to age or storage conditions.  I tried to rub off the black markings with a damp cloth to no avail.  I'll try a Mr. Clean magic eraser late tonight when I get back.   

[dorkvader]

I asked for $40 but he countered $43 so I just accepted. Didn't think he would go lower than that.

Probably because everyone was offering low $40's and declining his $45. That's a good deal, and I'm glad you got it! Tell us when it arrives.

[AKIMbO]

Pics as promised.  Condition is excellent sans the minor discoloration on the cable.  The feel of the switches is very unique.  They are extremely heavy at the top, but once you get past the extreme initial force required...the switch just falls downward and crashes into the metal plate.  You cannot prevent yourself from bottoming out with xm switches.  All in all, this keyboard won't be my daily driver, but I still do enjoy typing on it.  I will probably pull it out of the closet every now and then to type on it for a day.  I do love the sound of these xm switches though. 

[dorkvader]

I am having the same problem with montereys: The throw is shorter, so I bottom out hard every time.

It'll take a bit to get used to them, I think.

Excellent pictures, thanks!

[Matias]

Nice size, but layout is a little too strange for me.

[AKIMbO]

Nice size, but layout is a little too strange for me.

Ditto...it's taking a while to get used to the left ctrl position.  Plus having home, end, pg up, and pg down on a function level is a little irritating.  I use those keys constantly no navigate between tabs in Chrome.

[Computer-Lab in Basement]

Just got mine in the mail today... but now comes the real question: should I open the NIB keyboard???

I'm thinking so...

[AKIMbO]

^Open it up...you know you want to man!

[dreamingftw]

I should be getting mine tomorrow. Excited to try them out.

[Matias]

Nice size, but layout is a little too strange for me.

Ditto...it's taking a while to get used to the left ctrl position.  Plus having home, end, pg up, and pg down on a function level is a little irritating.  I use those keys constantly no navigate between tabs in Chrome.

Actually, I prefer that left Ctrl position.  It's right under home row, so it's easy to get there and back, without looking.  And it's more comfortable for doing Copy & Paste operations.

I'm more messed up by the lack of a tilde key and the funky Pg Up/Down keys.  I don't use Home & End much.

[jwaz]

I personally think that both the positions they have page up and page down in work rather well but it does take some getting used to.

I think the arrow keys would work better in a IJKL block instead of 8UOK.

[Matias]

I think the arrow keys would work better in a IJKL block instead of 8UOK.

Always warms my heart to hear that.  :-)

It was one of the ideas I had that never really caught on.  It's amazingly handy, but most users don't seem to care about it, or understand why it's good.

[dorkvader]

I personally think that both the positions they have page up and page down in work rather well but it does take some getting used to.

I think the arrow keys would work better in a IJKL block instead of 8UOK.

CHTN is better than IJKL. IJKL are all over the keyboard! Makes no sense.

I haven't been using mine that much. It feels almost like an ML to me, what with the shorter-throw keyswitches and all. Maybe I'll test out some O-rings on it.

[sth]

I haven't been using mine that much. It feels almost like an ML to me, what with the shorter-throw keyswitches and all. Maybe I'll test out some O-rings on it.

how dare you compare white xm to ML?! white xm is garbage.

[jwaz]

I think the arrow keys would work better in a IJKL block instead of 8UOK.

Always warms my heart to hear that.  :-)

It was one of the ideas I had that never really caught on.  It's amazingly handy, but most users don't seem to care about it, or understand why it's good.

It just makes sense, right? It's WASD and not 2QES for a reason, one thing I don't like about the HHKB.

and DV, read that as CHTN

Matias, make us a new Alps style mini KB, with a proper function layer!

[dorkvader]

I haven't been using mine that much. It feels almost like an ML to me, what with the shorter-throw keyswitches and all. Maybe I'll test out some O-rings on it.

how dare you compare white xm to ML?! white xm is garbage.

I was comparing monterey to ML. The keys in my ALPSulator are white, but I wouldn't want to actually type on those. (They are probably the loudest keyswitches I have, though)
---
Right, JZOMB, CHTN makes a lot of sense. More programs and keyboards should use it. I'd even go for DHTN, though it's not my preference.

That's what confused me about VI, Why are the navigation keys so weird? I'd have them all next to each other at least. Also, What's QWERTY? Since it makes no sense, It's hard to learn, and I haven't really put in an effort.

[dreamingftw]

I just received my minitouch. Typing on it feels quite pleasant. I did have the same problem with the cable. It was blackened on some parts. Thanks OP of this great find.