Author Topic: need recommendation  (Read 3116 times)

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Offline cb951303

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need recommendation
« on: Tue, 20 January 2009, 15:15:53 »
Yesterday, I ordered AEKII because I wanted a clicky keyboard (Alps White) for a cheap price (thanks to ADB protocol)
But 2 things happened. First I learned that most of the AEKII's comes with ALPS creams which are not clicky and second, seller asked for an extra $48 for shipping (miscalculation by his side) So I asked for a refund and I'm back on searching.

What I'm looking for is a clicky keyboard with tactile feeling and not-so-light switches. What's my cheapest option?

Thanks
Filco Zero FKBN87Z/EB
Kensington Orbit K72337US

Offline bhtooefr

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need recommendation
« Reply #1 on: Tue, 20 January 2009, 16:11:52 »
Clicky and tactile?

Not light key feel?

Go grab yourself a Model M.

Offline cb951303

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need recommendation
« Reply #2 on: Tue, 20 January 2009, 16:14:14 »
Quote from: bhtooefr;18971
Clicky and tactile?

Not light key feel?

Go grab yourself a Model M.


I kinda felt that it would be the cheapest one in the end.
Filco Zero FKBN87Z/EB
Kensington Orbit K72337US

Offline Chloe

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need recommendation
« Reply #3 on: Tue, 20 January 2009, 16:47:07 »
You can get a Macally MK96 with simplified clicky ALPS new on Ebay:
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=270180046347

If you buy a used ALPS board you might find the switches are not as smooth. Another option is to modify the leaves in an Apple Extended II to give you light clicky switches.

Offline zwmalone

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need recommendation
« Reply #4 on: Tue, 20 January 2009, 16:52:41 »
You could get an SMK-85 from DSI's ebay store but nowadays there is no guarantee it's going to be clicky :(
Can't get enough of them ALPS

Offline iMav

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need recommendation
« Reply #5 on: Tue, 20 January 2009, 17:28:59 »
If you're ok with the layout, definitely go with a new mk96.

Offline wellington1869

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need recommendation
« Reply #6 on: Tue, 20 January 2009, 17:32:43 »
fyi, xsphat is selling his mk96 I believe.

"Blah blah blah grade school blah blah blah IBM PS/2s blah blah blah I like Model Ms." -- Kishy

using: ms 7000/Das 3

Offline lowpoly

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need recommendation
« Reply #7 on: Tue, 20 January 2009, 17:58:39 »
Quote from: cb951303;18967
seller asked for an extra $48 for shipping

Where are you?

Miniguru thread at GH // The Apple M0110 Today

Offline cb951303

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need recommendation
« Reply #8 on: Tue, 20 January 2009, 18:02:14 »
macally looks really good, are these real alps whites?

@lowpoly, I'm in turkey, usually shipping rates I see on ebay are ~$20 for my country.

EDIT: oops, macally layout is a no-no for me. I need my cursor keys and home/end/pdup/pgdwn row separate. That's the only thing I can't get used to when I'm coding.
Filco Zero FKBN87Z/EB
Kensington Orbit K72337US

Offline zwmalone

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need recommendation
« Reply #9 on: Tue, 20 January 2009, 18:08:33 »
the MK96 uses fake simplified whites.
Can't get enough of them ALPS

Offline andb

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need recommendation
« Reply #10 on: Tue, 20 January 2009, 18:15:58 »
Keep in mind that these keyboards are VERY heavy, on the order of 2-3 kilos. I had an M shipped from the states to Europe and the US postage sticker was for $40. So the postage was fair, IMO, and expect the same also for an IBM M.

It will be even worse if you order from Europe, the postage rates are nowhere near as good as the US Postal Service rates.

Offline lowpoly

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« Reply #11 on: Tue, 20 January 2009, 18:33:44 »
Quote from: cb951303;18987
@lowpoly, I'm in turkey, usually shipping rates I see on ebay are ~$20 for my country.

Shipping from the US to Germany was usually $40+.

If you use ebay.de then shipping from Germany to Turkey is

13,90 € for 2kg, 50 cm x 20 cm x 15 cm
29,00 € for 3-5kg, 50 cm x 20 cm x 15 cm

So with a Model M there might not be much of a difference.

Miniguru thread at GH // The Apple M0110 Today

Offline cb951303

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need recommendation
« Reply #12 on: Tue, 20 January 2009, 19:09:07 »
hmm, I guess I didn't consider the weight... I buy a lot of stuff from ebay but I realized now I never bought something as heavy as a vintage keyboard.

thanks
Filco Zero FKBN87Z/EB
Kensington Orbit K72337US

Offline bhtooefr

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need recommendation
« Reply #13 on: Tue, 20 January 2009, 19:28:01 »
Yeah, a Model M weighs about 5 pounds on average (earlier ones are almost 6 pounds, later ones are often closer to 4.)

Add in packaging material, and you'll be up at 6 pounds on an average one. That's 2.72 kg, for reference.

Offline xsphat

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need recommendation
« Reply #14 on: Tue, 20 January 2009, 23:33:01 »
Quote from: wellington1869;18985
fyi, xsphat is selling his mk96 I believe.


Sold it already.

Offline sashomasho

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need recommendation
« Reply #15 on: Thu, 22 January 2009, 16:28:12 »
Quote from: cb951303;18967

What I'm looking for is a clicky keyboard with tactile feeling and not-so-light switches. What's my cheapest option?

Thanks


I can send you one brand new dell 101w with black alps, not clicky but quite good, and I live in Bulgaria, so i suppose the shipping will be very cheap. I may find an used ibm model m, but I'm not quite sure about this,and the layout definitely will not be the u.s. one (i have only one and it's the best clicky keyboard one can dream of).