Suntouch K101

[rio]

I was at the 2nd hand store to scope out their keyboards in hope of finding a Model M.

What I found instead is a little number called the Siig Suntouch K101.

It looks very much like a Model M, but it uses White Alps, I believe. I took it apart and did a little cleaning, but it's in great shape for it's age (unless it's a lot newer than I think it is.)

Anyone know anything at all about this board? I've done some searching, but can't find a lot of info. Siig is still around, though I don't know that they make much in terms of boards.

Also, I'm new here. Hello!

Thanks!

[Chloe]

Nice find. Do you have pictures or the part number and FCC ID? There is also a Suntouch Junior with 81 keys but I don't know if this has ALPS. SIIG made only a few keyboards with ALPS switches. I think the Suntouch K101 was also known as Supertouch (JK-WJ0032).

The Supertouch 104 (JK-ALW013) may have ALPS. At some point the MiniTouch (JK-A10032) was replaced with the BTC-5100 with rubber domes.

[rio]

Thanks. Yeah, I meant to snap some shots last night. Will get some up shortly.

[rio]

Alright, some pics!

http://connary.com/keys/

Sorry for the poor quality. Under the keys, the key mechanisms do say Alps, but you can't tell from the pictures.

I also threw in some pictures of a lovely NEC PC-8801mkII keyboard. I love the thing, and I wish I could find a way to use it on a modern system. I have the computer it's from (very powerful and fun 80's gaming computer, mostly!) and it works great there, but the plug is a 5-pin mini-DIN (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:MiniDIN-5_Diagram.svg). I have no clue how to hook this up to anything besides the PC-8801 itself, but the build quality is lovely, and the keys have a very deep and soft sounding click to them, very un-metallic. I also have no clue what kind of switches those are. Any leads at all on an adapter or mod would be superb...

PS: Yes, that's an Apple White Fishtank of Dust you see in the background. Don't worry, it's on it's way out, being replaced by a Filco Full-Size Brown.

[xsphat]

Wow, that NEC is awesome. I would love to have a 'board like that (if I could get it to play nice on the MacBook).

[Chloe]

The Suntouch looks like a rebranded Chicony KB-5181. Can you confirm it says this on the casing in this picture?

[rio]

The Suntouch looks like a rebranded Chicony KB-5181. Can you confirm it says this on the casing in this picture?

Ah, that is it. Thanks for your help.
I got it for $1. I assume that's a good deal?

Wow, that NEC is awesome. I would love to have a 'board like that (if I could get it to play nice on the MacBook).

*sob* Me too...me too...I'm dying to find a way. I love that board.

[lowpoly]

I also threw in some pictures of a lovely NEC PC-8801mkII keyboard. I love the thing, and I wish I could find a way to use it on a modern system. I have the computer it's from (very powerful and fun 80's gaming computer, mostly!) and it works great there, but the plug is a 5-pin mini-DIN (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:MiniDIN-5_Diagram.svg). I have no clue how to hook this up to anything besides the PC-8801 itself, but the build quality is lovely, and the keys have a very deep and soft sounding click to them, very un-metallic. I also have no clue what kind of switches those are. Any leads at all on an adapter or mod would be superb...

Something like this might work:

Converting a Toshiba T5200 laptop keyboard to USB

[rio]

Something like this might work:

Converting a Toshiba T5200 laptop keyboard to USB

Very nice work. I really don't know much about the internals of keyboards, so I'd probably mess something like that up. But I'm itching enough to get the NEC board working on a modern computer, maybe I'll start learning.