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Author Topic: Dell AT101W  (Read 6142 times)

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Offline nubbinator

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Dell AT101W
« on: Tue, 16 July 2013, 14:07:46 »
I've been looking around for an affordable Alps board for a while.  Recently, I was given the chance to grab a beige Dell AT101W for $20.  It looks to be in decent shape and is supposed to be working.  Is it worth it or should I pass and keep looking for something else?
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Offline Tarzan

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Re: Dell AT101W
« Reply #1 on: Tue, 16 July 2013, 14:13:24 »
The AT101W was my first Alps keyboard, I think it was $5 or so at a computer recycling place.  It was a good introduction to Alps switches, although I really prefer the Focus/Magitronic keyboards for actually typing on.  Check around for a FK-2001, they're about the same price and have nice double-shot caps if you decide to accumulate Alps keyboards.

There are also several threads on GH about the multiple flavors of Alps switches, I've only tried the Alps Whites, Blacks, and Greens.
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Offline daerid

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Re: Dell AT101W
« Reply #2 on: Tue, 16 July 2013, 14:16:08 »
Do it. It's a great board, I've had numerous over the years, and they've all been amazing!
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Offline CPTBadAss

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Re: Dell AT101W
« Reply #3 on: Tue, 16 July 2013, 14:17:29 »
This is the board that got me into Alps. Check out my review on it here. I've got one now and I'll be getting another one very soon. Love me some AT101W!
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Offline hashbaz

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Re: Dell AT101W
« Reply #4 on: Tue, 16 July 2013, 14:18:55 »
I believe AT101s all have black Alps (mine did at least).  I was not a huge fan, personally.  They can be had for cheaper, but $20 is not a bad price.
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Offline fohat.digs

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Re: Dell AT101W
« Reply #5 on: Tue, 16 July 2013, 14:34:54 »
The Dell AT101 "Bigfoot" is a solid, well-built board with a large footprint on your desk. Opinions vary on the black Alps switches - I quite like them although many people prefer the tactile varieties. I have owned at least 10 of these and I can tell you that there can be a world of difference between a good one and a bad one.

The Focus 2001 is a good option for the tactile white switches, not quite as solid as the Dell, and likely to cost half again as much unless you get lucky.
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Offline Grimey

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Re: Dell AT101W
« Reply #6 on: Tue, 16 July 2013, 14:48:46 »
$20 dollars isn't a bad price for a AT101W.  Consider it a good destination for different ALPS switches if you don't like the Black ALPS but want to keep a ANSI layout.
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Offline Burz

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Re: Dell AT101W
« Reply #7 on: Tue, 16 July 2013, 15:37:05 »
I would pay that. Just remember, apart from XM, these black Alps switches are probably the least desirable with at least 70g actuation force and muted tactility.

The board itself is very nice indeed... nicer than the switches.
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Matias Mini QuietPro  \\ Dell AT101W - Black ALPS  \\ SIIG MiniTouch x2 White XM - Monterey  \\ Colemak layout.

Offline Techno Trousers

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Re: Dell AT101W
« Reply #8 on: Tue, 16 July 2013, 16:15:36 »
Agree with everything said so far. I have a couple of AT101Ws, one beige and one black. They are among the better Alps boards for build quality, and among the very few with a standard ANSI layout. I'm going to mod mine to tactile white switches one day soon, since I don't care for the black switch.
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Offline nubbinator

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Re: Dell AT101W
« Reply #9 on: Tue, 16 July 2013, 16:35:34 »
Hmm, I'm on the fence now.  It might be worth it to get and swap the switches for a different set of Alps in the future it's sounding like.
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Offline 1391406

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Re: Dell AT101W
« Reply #10 on: Tue, 16 July 2013, 18:14:54 »
$20 is a good price for an AT101W in good condition these days. Try it. If you don't like it, you can always resell it for at least what you paid, or keep it and swap out the switches.
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Unicomp Classic | Chicony KB-5181 (Monterey Blues) | IBM Model M (1391401) | IBM XT Model F | IBM AT Model F | Dell AT101W | 122-key IBM Model F
IBM Model M13 | Apple Extended Keyboard | Apple Extended Keyboard II | MTEK K104 | NTC KB-6251/2 | Realforce 87U | Realforce 104U | Type Heaven

Offline Burz

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Re: Dell AT101W
« Reply #11 on: Tue, 16 July 2013, 21:19:38 »
Quote from: nubbinator on Tue, 16 July 2013, 16:35:34
Hmm, I'm on the fence now.  It might be worth it to get and swap the switches for a different set of Alps in the future it's sounding like.
If you like full-sized boards then you'll like the AT101W. At that price its probably a no-brainer for someone who doesn't mind swapping switches (which aren't bad... some people like them, and other people who lubed them really love them). And finding replacement switches won't be hard, since you can buy some new Matias switches which are high quality.

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Matias Mini QuietPro  \\ Dell AT101W - Black ALPS  \\ SIIG MiniTouch x2 White XM - Monterey  \\ Colemak layout.

Offline DamnDan

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Re: Dell AT101W
« Reply #12 on: Wed, 17 July 2013, 07:30:33 »
Go for it :) This board is a dream to type on :) Fell in love after few keystrokes :P
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Offline Findecanor

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Re: Dell AT101W
« Reply #13 on: Wed, 17 July 2013, 07:52:47 »
Quote from: hashbaz on Tue, 16 July 2013, 14:18:55
I believe AT101s all have black Alps (mine did at least).
Some with the old logo had salmon (pink) Alps, but they are quite rare.
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