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Author Topic: How to purchase the right Alps board  (Read 17968 times)

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Offline fohat.digs

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Re: How to purchase the right Alps board
« Reply #50 on: Mon, 24 February 2014, 21:26:45 »
Quote from: CPTBadAss on Mon, 24 February 2014, 21:24:36

In the last two weeks, I've seen 4 Omnikeys for around $40-50.

3 of them were from this guy and I bought the best one which was truly nasty.

The other one was $45 + about $15-20 shipping but it was probably at least somewhat better.
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"However, even though I was born in the Mesozoic, I do know what anyone who wants to reach out to young people should say: Billionaires took your money. They took your chance to buy a home. They took your chance at a good education. They stole your opportunities. Billionaires took the things you want in life. If you really want those things, you have to take them back.
That's the message. That's the whole message. Say that every day, not just to reach America's frustrated young white men, but people of every age, race, and gender.
Late-stage capitalism is a wealth-concentration engine, focused on vacuuming up every dollar and putting it in as few hands as possible. Republicans are helping that vacuum suck.
How does a tiny fraction of the population get away with this? They do it by dividing the other 99% of Americans against themselves."
- Marc Sumner 2025-05-30

Offline Rena

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Re: How to purchase the right Alps board
« Reply #51 on: Mon, 24 February 2014, 21:27:28 »
Quote from: fohat.digs on Mon, 24 February 2014, 21:21:17
Quote from: Rena on Mon, 24 February 2014, 21:18:43
I have seen people clean these pretty well, and I'm guessing I can do it too without ruining anything on it, although I guess it wouldn't be worth the effort when I probably could just find a better deal.

The keyboard is worse in real life than in the photos. You will have a very hard time cleaning it.

The seller will not entertain a lower price.
I can imagine that. Guess I'll just keep this search saved and see what pops up over time for the omnikey. I'm still having trouble determining which focus boards have the real complicated alps as well, and not the alps.tw Type T1 or Hua-Jie switches. I cant find any either that are without a windows key, which are the ones that are more likely to have the real alps switches apparently.

Quote from: CPTBadAss on Mon, 24 February 2014, 21:24:36
Quote from: Rena on Mon, 24 February 2014, 21:18:43
Only other listing I see for the omnikey 101 on ebay right now is $100 and I don't think it's worth that much used.

In the last two weeks, I've seen 4 Omnikeys for around $40-50.

On ebay? I must not be looking hard enough then. I thought I was spending a lot of time looking but I guess not, so if it's alright then I'll probably ask what's worth it in the simple questions thread or something when I find a listing, if that's okay.
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Offline Techno Trousers

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Re: How to purchase the right Alps board
« Reply #52 on: Mon, 24 February 2014, 22:43:15 »
I thought there might be a chance that the $100 had blue Alps. It's got a very low revision number of 1.02. Might be worth asking the seller if you're interested in finding blues.
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Offline Rena

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Re: How to purchase the right Alps board
« Reply #53 on: Mon, 24 February 2014, 22:49:56 »
Thanks for letting me know, just sent a message to the seller asking them. If this does happen to have the genuine complicated blue alps would it be worth the $100? Because if it is I'd be willing to pay that, I've heard about how rare the blue alps are.

(oh how much easier this process would be if they just included pictures of the switches in the first place)
« Last Edit: Mon, 24 February 2014, 22:52:36 by Rena »
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Offline Techno Trousers

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Re: How to purchase the right Alps board
« Reply #54 on: Mon, 24 February 2014, 23:25:18 »
It appears to be in good shape from the pictures. I'd ask to make sure that none of the keys are double registering. That's what starts happening at the end of a switch's life. Only you can decide if it's worth it, but the blue Alps are pretty hard to find.

Most sellers don't pull off caps because they don't know anything about keyboards, other than "clicky" in some cases, if we're lucky. The best finds are usually one-time keyboard sellers who have a board that's been tucked away in a closet for years.

Let us know if it has blues and if you're going for it!
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Offline Rena

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Re: How to purchase the right Alps board
« Reply #55 on: Tue, 25 February 2014, 13:01:41 »
Just got the picture, and it doesn't have blues after all
More

Either way the board is still in good condition, and according to their description all the keys function properly. I'm asking him if I can get it for $65 shipped instead of $100. I think that's a good price?
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Offline Techno Trousers

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Re: How to purchase the right Alps board
« Reply #56 on: Tue, 25 February 2014, 17:02:47 »
I've seen people not liking white Alps around here, but I'm not one of them. I bought a SIIG Suntouch keyboard with complicated whites like those to go along with my first computer, and used it for many years--I eventually wore it out, in fact. If you end up getting it, post a review for us, please.
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Offline fohat.digs

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Re: How to purchase the right Alps board
« Reply #57 on: Tue, 25 February 2014, 17:40:01 »
Quote from: Techno Trousers on Tue, 25 February 2014, 17:02:47
I've seen people not liking white Alps around here, but I'm not one of them.

White Alps are very nice, just a little heavy for my tastes. The Focus 2001 is a very nice board and gets little respect.

And, of course, in a parallel universe, the Chicony 5181 with "Monterey" blues is exquisite, compares favorably in feel with blue Alps, and sells in the $30-$40 range when it occasionally turns up.
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"However, even though I was born in the Mesozoic, I do know what anyone who wants to reach out to young people should say: Billionaires took your money. They took your chance to buy a home. They took your chance at a good education. They stole your opportunities. Billionaires took the things you want in life. If you really want those things, you have to take them back.
That's the message. That's the whole message. Say that every day, not just to reach America's frustrated young white men, but people of every age, race, and gender.
Late-stage capitalism is a wealth-concentration engine, focused on vacuuming up every dollar and putting it in as few hands as possible. Republicans are helping that vacuum suck.
How does a tiny fraction of the population get away with this? They do it by dividing the other 99% of Americans against themselves."
- Marc Sumner 2025-05-30

Offline Rena

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Re: How to purchase the right Alps board
« Reply #58 on: Tue, 25 February 2014, 17:51:55 »
Quote from: Techno Trousers on Tue, 25 February 2014, 17:02:47
I've seen people not liking white Alps around here, but I'm not one of them. I bought a SIIG Suntouch keyboard with complicated whites like those to go along with my first computer, and used it for many years--I eventually wore it out, in fact. If you end up getting it, post a review for us, please.
Seller said he didn't want to drop the $100 price, but he'd offer it to me later at my proposed price of $65 if it doesn't sell. If I ever do end up getting it I'll post a review of the particular board and what I think of the switches. I was also planning to try black alps but I'm not as worried about those because the AT101W are so readily available and for so cheap, so I'll get one later.

fohat.digs has me interested in the monterey switches now too. I'll be keeping a lookout for those, but the cheapest listings I see right now for the Chicony 5181 are $75. Some best offer deals too but are listed at $110, so I doubt they'd accept $40-$50. Besides the rest of these, I'm still also in search of the first Apple Extended Keyboard. The layout certainly looks very appealing for an older board.
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Offline fohat.digs

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Re: How to purchase the right Alps board
« Reply #59 on: Tue, 25 February 2014, 18:20:28 »
Damn!

The prices for all these have skyrocketed!

I have not even looked at many of these models in half a year, and they were all selling <$40 last summer.

I listed a nice but not spectacular AEK2 on ebay at $30 a few weeks ago and it sold in an hour. I thought it was a fluke but maybe not.

The last time I was buying and/or selling Chicony 5181s (a year ago) it was a struggle in the $35-40 range.
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"However, even though I was born in the Mesozoic, I do know what anyone who wants to reach out to young people should say: Billionaires took your money. They took your chance to buy a home. They took your chance at a good education. They stole your opportunities. Billionaires took the things you want in life. If you really want those things, you have to take them back.
That's the message. That's the whole message. Say that every day, not just to reach America's frustrated young white men, but people of every age, race, and gender.
Late-stage capitalism is a wealth-concentration engine, focused on vacuuming up every dollar and putting it in as few hands as possible. Republicans are helping that vacuum suck.
How does a tiny fraction of the population get away with this? They do it by dividing the other 99% of Americans against themselves."
- Marc Sumner 2025-05-30

Offline Rena

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Re: How to purchase the right Alps board
« Reply #60 on: Tue, 25 February 2014, 18:26:18 »
There are very many AEKII for about $20-$30, but only one or two AEK (M0115) that are around $100. I guess maybe I've entered into this market at the wrong time.

Might the prices drop at a later point? I'm not even sure what would influence the costs of these given it's all second hand personal sales.
« Last Edit: Tue, 25 February 2014, 18:29:42 by Rena »
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Offline fohat.digs

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Re: How to purchase the right Alps board
« Reply #61 on: Tue, 25 February 2014, 18:40:21 »
Quote from: Rena on Tue, 25 February 2014, 18:26:18

There are very many AEKII for about $20-$30, but only one or two AEK (M0115) that are around $100.

I guess maybe I've entered into this market at the wrong time.


These old Apples are bad about yellowing and those $30 ones are ugly. It used to be that the AEK (M0115s) turned up infrequently but sold cheap. That may have changed.

Get a Griffin iMate and churn through a few of them until you get one that you really like. With the exception of the Northgates, they are probably the best-built of the old Alps boards. The Dell AT101s are very well built, but there are less fans of the black switches.


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"However, even though I was born in the Mesozoic, I do know what anyone who wants to reach out to young people should say: Billionaires took your money. They took your chance to buy a home. They took your chance at a good education. They stole your opportunities. Billionaires took the things you want in life. If you really want those things, you have to take them back.
That's the message. That's the whole message. Say that every day, not just to reach America's frustrated young white men, but people of every age, race, and gender.
Late-stage capitalism is a wealth-concentration engine, focused on vacuuming up every dollar and putting it in as few hands as possible. Republicans are helping that vacuum suck.
How does a tiny fraction of the population get away with this? They do it by dividing the other 99% of Americans against themselves."
- Marc Sumner 2025-05-30

Offline jacobolus

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Re: How to purchase the right Alps board
« Reply #62 on: Tue, 25 February 2014, 21:46:10 »
Quote from: Rena on Tue, 25 February 2014, 18:26:18
There are very many AEKII for about $20-$30, but only one or two AEK (M0115) that are around $100.
Quote from: fohat.digs on Tue, 25 February 2014, 18:40:21
These old Apples are bad about yellowing and those $30 ones are ugly. It used to be that the AEK (M0115s) turned up infrequently but sold cheap. That may have changed.
w/r/t clicky/tactile Alps boards, in the past 5 months or so, I’ve found: $3 for an Apple Standard Keyboard M0116 at a thrift store, (and then the rest from ebay) $30 shipped for a decent condition M0115, $27 shipped for a not-great-condition MTek K104 with white complicated Alps switches, $25 shipped each for a couple of AEK IIs (one pretty yellowed and the other with broken electronics and each missing one keycap), $30 shipped each for a couple of excellent condition Apple IIGS keyboards one with SMK (“monterey white”) switches and the other with orange Alps, $30 shipped for a not-great-condition Leading Edge DC-2014 with blue Alps, $50 shipped for a Chicony KB-5181 with SMK “monterey blue” switches, $28 shipped for a non-working (but keyboard in lovely condition) IBM PC Convertible 5140 with brown Alps, $25 shipped for a SIIG MacTouch with white Alps.

I’ve taken apart several of those, and will probably try to sell back most of them either whole or as parts (should be able to get back most of what I paid, I expect); my goal has been (1) figuring out what different switches feel like and playing with them, (2) experimenting with modding switches in various ways.

Anyway, if you just watch out on ebay, I’m sure you can find stuff. :-)
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Offline Rena

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Re: How to purchase the right Alps board
« Reply #63 on: Tue, 25 February 2014, 22:00:41 »
Well, I'll be around here for a while probably, so if you're looking for someone to sell some to I hope you'd consider me.

Also, just got a Fk-2001 off ebay for $37 shipped. No idea what switches it has. From the picture it appeared to be in fine condition although I couldn't tell if it had a windows key or not. Seller said it's fully functional too. As a side note the seller, apparently, shipped the order 5 minutes after I paid. I'm not sure what to think of that but I know I can rely on ebay if something happens.
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Offline Techno Trousers

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Re: How to purchase the right Alps board
« Reply #64 on: Tue, 25 February 2014, 22:21:59 »
When a seller prints the shipping label through eBay, it marks the item as shipped. So it probably means its going in the mail tomorrow. Enjoy the Focus! It'll most likely have white Alps. I find those boards a bit on the flimsy side, but it's a good way to try the switches.

As far as best built Alps boards, I have to vote for the SGI AT101 models (9500900, for example). They have dye sublimated PBT key caps, and a really solid plate. Unfortunately for me, I didn't like the damped cream Alps switches. Also, although it uses the PS/2 protocol, it wasn't made for PCs, so it's extremely finicky about the USB converter you can use.
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Offline Rena

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Re: How to purchase the right Alps board
« Reply #65 on: Sat, 01 March 2014, 12:36:31 »
More

Just got my Focus FK-2001 in the mail

More

Complicated white alps with doubleshot keycaps. Very nice looking.

More

I think this is an AT connector. I'm not sure, but it's not something I can plug in to my computer. Where could I get a converter to PS/2 (or maybe USB)?

The keycaps aren't yellowed but there is a lot of physical dirt caked onto their sides. I'm guessing I can clean that off just fine by submerging them in soap, right?
« Last Edit: Sat, 01 March 2014, 12:59:02 by Rena »
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Offline fohat.digs

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Re: How to purchase the right Alps board
« Reply #66 on: Sat, 01 March 2014, 12:54:59 »
That looks like a nice one.

A spoonful of laundry detergent in a liter of hot water for 10 minutes is usually quite adequate for cleaning. Rinse very well (3+ times) I soak them, dump them through a colander, and repeat.

I spread a T-shirt on the bed and sling the water out of each one, by hand, then toss it down. They will be dry in another 10-20 minutes after that.

A lot of people make the process a lot harder, longer, and more expensive than it needs to be.
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"However, even though I was born in the Mesozoic, I do know what anyone who wants to reach out to young people should say: Billionaires took your money. They took your chance to buy a home. They took your chance at a good education. They stole your opportunities. Billionaires took the things you want in life. If you really want those things, you have to take them back.
That's the message. That's the whole message. Say that every day, not just to reach America's frustrated young white men, but people of every age, race, and gender.
Late-stage capitalism is a wealth-concentration engine, focused on vacuuming up every dollar and putting it in as few hands as possible. Republicans are helping that vacuum suck.
How does a tiny fraction of the population get away with this? They do it by dividing the other 99% of Americans against themselves."
- Marc Sumner 2025-05-30

Offline nuclearsandwich

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Re: How to purchase the right Alps board
« Reply #67 on: Sat, 01 March 2014, 13:04:35 »
Quote from: Rena on Sat, 01 March 2014, 12:36:31
More
Show Image

Just got my Focus FK-2001 in the mail

More
Show Image

Complicated white alps with doubleshot keycaps. Very nice looking.

More
Show Image

I think this is an AT connector. I'm not sure, but it's not something I can plug in to my computer. Where could I get a converter to PS/2 (or maybe USB)?

The keycaps aren't yellowed but there is a lot of physical dirt caked onto their sides. I'm guessing I can clean that off just fine by submerging them in soap, right?

There's a thread with instructioins for making an AT/XT-PS/2 to USB converter using a Teensy. I just ordered enough stuff to make two of them if no one else has one ready to send you.
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Offline Rena

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Re: How to purchase the right Alps board
« Reply #68 on: Sat, 01 March 2014, 13:08:58 »
Thanks for the cleaning advice

Quote from: nuclearsandwich on Sat, 01 March 2014, 13:04:35
Quote from: Rena on Sat, 01 March 2014, 12:36:31
More
Show Image

Just got my Focus FK-2001 in the mail

More
Show Image

Complicated white alps with doubleshot keycaps. Very nice looking.

More
Show Image

I think this is an AT connector. I'm not sure, but it's not something I can plug in to my computer. Where could I get a converter to PS/2 (or maybe USB)?

The keycaps aren't yellowed but there is a lot of physical dirt caked onto their sides. I'm guessing I can clean that off just fine by submerging them in soap, right?

There's a thread with instructioins for making an AT/XT-PS/2 to USB converter using a Teensy. I just ordered enough stuff to make two of them if no one else has one ready to send you.
I was looking at just getting this thing off amazon: http://www.amazon.com/5pin-Female-Keyboard-Cable-Adapter/dp/B00IGI2XVW/ref=sr_1_5?ie=UTF8&qid=1393700522&sr=8-5&keywords=ps%2F2+to+xt+adapter

Only problem is I wasn't sure if it would work with both AT and XT, or just one of the other. That little indent on the connector I have is what's making me unsure.
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Offline nuclearsandwich

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Re: How to purchase the right Alps board
« Reply #69 on: Sat, 01 March 2014, 13:57:23 »
Quote from: Rena on Sat, 01 March 2014, 13:08:58
Thanks for the cleaning advice

Quote from: nuclearsandwich on Sat, 01 March 2014, 13:04:35
Quote from: Rena on Sat, 01 March 2014, 12:36:31
More
Show Image

Just got my Focus FK-2001 in the mail

More
Show Image

Complicated white alps with doubleshot keycaps. Very nice looking.

More
Show Image

I think this is an AT connector. I'm not sure, but it's not something I can plug in to my computer. Where could I get a converter to PS/2 (or maybe USB)?

The keycaps aren't yellowed but there is a lot of physical dirt caked onto their sides. I'm guessing I can clean that off just fine by submerging them in soap, right?

There's a thread with instructioins for making an AT/XT-PS/2 to USB converter using a Teensy. I just ordered enough stuff to make two of them if no one else has one ready to send you.
I was looking at just getting this thing off amazon: http://www.amazon.com/5pin-Female-Keyboard-Cable-Adapter/dp/B00IGI2XVW/ref=sr_1_5?ie=UTF8&qid=1393700522&sr=8-5&keywords=ps%2F2+to+xt+adapter

Only problem is I wasn't sure if it would work with both AT and XT, or just one of the other. That little indent on the connector I have is what's making me unsure.

I've got one of those on the way also, though I'm just using it to physically adapt AT to PS/2 in a Soarer's USB converter, so I hope I'm right in saying the notch in the AT barrel is accounted for with the cutout in the adapter opposite the pin sockets.

So if you've got a PS/2 port that should be all you need.
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Offline Techno Trousers

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Re: How to purchase the right Alps board
« Reply #70 on: Sat, 01 March 2014, 14:00:34 »
A simple AT to PS/2 converter is plenty. One tip, when pulling caps to clean them, rock gently back and forth to get them off. Alps caps can hold on tight, and you don't want to break the switch.
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Offline fohat.digs

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Re: How to purchase the right Alps board
« Reply #71 on: Sat, 01 March 2014, 14:32:34 »
Quote from: Techno Trousers on Sat, 01 March 2014, 14:00:34
A simple AT to PS/2 converter is plenty. One tip, when pulling caps to clean them, rock gently back and forth to get them off. Alps caps can hold on tight, and you don't want to break the switch.

Very true. Be careful and always pull straight up.

Get or make a good key puller, there are many designs, but if you want it free, in 5 minutes, do this:

« Last Edit: Sat, 01 March 2014, 14:34:07 by fohat.digs »
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"However, even though I was born in the Mesozoic, I do know what anyone who wants to reach out to young people should say: Billionaires took your money. They took your chance to buy a home. They took your chance at a good education. They stole your opportunities. Billionaires took the things you want in life. If you really want those things, you have to take them back.
That's the message. That's the whole message. Say that every day, not just to reach America's frustrated young white men, but people of every age, race, and gender.
Late-stage capitalism is a wealth-concentration engine, focused on vacuuming up every dollar and putting it in as few hands as possible. Republicans are helping that vacuum suck.
How does a tiny fraction of the population get away with this? They do it by dividing the other 99% of Americans against themselves."
- Marc Sumner 2025-05-30

Offline Rena

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Re: How to purchase the right Alps board
« Reply #72 on: Sat, 01 March 2014, 15:10:35 »
It's cool, I have a dedicated Leopold keycap puller. All the caps came off well. I'm letting the caps soak for about 30-45 min and since I can't even use the keyboard until I get that adapter in the mail I'll give them plenty of time to dry before I put them back on.





In between the keys are absolutely caked with dust. Going to cover the end of a screw driver with tissues and rub it in between.
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Offline terrpn

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Re: How to purchase the right Alps board
« Reply #73 on: Sat, 01 March 2014, 16:01:01 »
Quote from: Rena on Sat, 01 March 2014, 12:36:31
More
Show Image

Just got my Focus FK-2001 in the mail

More
Show Image

Complicated white alps with doubleshot keycaps. Very nice looking.

More
Show Image

I think this is an AT connector. I'm not sure, but it's not something I can plug in to my computer. Where could I get a converter to PS/2 (or maybe USB)?

The keycaps aren't yellowed but there is a lot of physical dirt caked onto their sides. I'm guessing I can clean that off just fine by submerging them in soap, right?

congrats and welcome to the world of alps.........

best bang for the buck
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Luga G80-1865/MX Reds + Dolch G80-1813/MX Blues + G80-3700HQAUS + DK9008G2 Pro/MX Browns Thick PBT + DK9008G2 Pro/MX Clears Thick PBT +  QFR TKL/Ghetto Greens + Cherry G80-1800/MX Blues + IBM Model M SSK Bolt Modded + IBM Model M + IBM Model F + IBM AT F + Cherry G80-1000 (HAD)/MX Vintage Blacks + Razer BWU/MX Blues + Leading Edge DC2214/Blue Alps + Compaq MX11800/Browns + Chicony 5181/Monterey Blues + Chicony 5161/MX Black Cherry Clone + Focus 2001/White Alps + Chicony 5191/White Futabas + Olivetti ANK27-101 + Dell (Old Logo) AT101/Black Alps + NMB RT8255C+/Black Space Invaders + Unitek K260/Green Alps + Apple M0116/Orange Alps + AEK II M3501/Cream Alps + AEK M0115/Orange Alps + NEC  APC412/Blue Sliders + NEC APC410/Blue Sliders + Omnikey /White Alps + Wang/Yellow Alps (Omrons) + Laser/White SMK + Fame/Blue Aruz + AEK II M3501/Salmon Alps + Zenith ZKB-2R/Green Alps + Wang 724/Orange Alps + DK1087/Green Alps + Zenith ZKB-2/Yellow Alps + Dell Old Logo AT101/Salmon-Pink Alps + Leading Edge AK1012/White SMK's + Magitronic SK-1030/White (Linear) Futaba's + Packard Bell/White (Clicky) Futaba's + Datacomp DFK101/White  Alps + SGI AT101/Dampened White Alps + NMB AQ6RT-72511/Grey Space Invaders (Hi-Tek) + Datacomp/Blue Alps + Phillips 2812/White Space Invaders (Linear) + Dah Yang K251/Vintage MX Blues + Chicony 5161/DS Caps/Vintage MX Blue + Archie-NMB AQ659ZRT-725/Black Space Invader (Tactile) + IBM Model M 71G4644 (RD) Bolt Modded with Soarers Converter + IBM Model M Silver Label 1390131 + Cherry G80-1501/Vintage MX Clears + Focus FK8000/Linear Futabas + Gateway 2000 Anykey Programmable/Maxi-Switch + Dell GY13PVAT101/Dye Sub Caps/Salmon Alps + Chicony 5161/White Alps + AST K0B101/Slider over RD + Qtronix QX-32H + Everex/NMB RT8255CW+ Black Space Invaders-Split Erase + Tandon/NMB AQ659ZRT-101A/Beige Space Invaders + Cherry G80-11903 MNRUS/MX Blacks + Apple IIGS A9M0330/SMK Whites + WYSE PCE/MX Blacks + Chicony 5160AXT/Clicky Futaba + Cherry G80-0528/Vintage MX Blacks + Dell AT101/Linear (Modded) Black Alps+Topre 55g

Offline ideus

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Re: How to purchase the right Alps board
« Reply #74 on: Sat, 01 March 2014, 17:06:41 »
I used to have a Focus 2001 and it was hell of nice board. The only grip was how hard is to get alternative caps for it. Anyways its caps are already nice, thin double shots with RGB modifiers.
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Offline fohat.digs

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Re: How to purchase the right Alps board
« Reply #75 on: Sat, 01 March 2014, 17:10:55 »
Quote from: Rena on Sat, 01 March 2014, 15:10:35
In between the keys are absolutely caked with dust. Going to cover the end of a screw driver with tissues and rub it in between.

Nope. I would consider that one to be on the "clean" side of "average" for an ebay purchase.

With the caps off, vacuum first. Use alcohol and a paper towel and wipe all the large areas, then get to work with a Q-tip in the small areas. Plan to use several Q-tips. Then do another overall wipe, and, only after all that, take it out on the porch, hold it upside down, and blow it with compressed air, if you really feel the need to.

Various adapters, at the minimum: PS/2-to-USB, AT-to-PS/2, and ADB-to-USB need to be in the toolbox of any keyboard enthusiast at all times.
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"However, even though I was born in the Mesozoic, I do know what anyone who wants to reach out to young people should say: Billionaires took your money. They took your chance to buy a home. They took your chance at a good education. They stole your opportunities. Billionaires took the things you want in life. If you really want those things, you have to take them back.
That's the message. That's the whole message. Say that every day, not just to reach America's frustrated young white men, but people of every age, race, and gender.
Late-stage capitalism is a wealth-concentration engine, focused on vacuuming up every dollar and putting it in as few hands as possible. Republicans are helping that vacuum suck.
How does a tiny fraction of the population get away with this? They do it by dividing the other 99% of Americans against themselves."
- Marc Sumner 2025-05-30

Offline fohat.digs

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Re: How to purchase the right Alps board
« Reply #76 on: Sat, 01 March 2014, 17:14:25 »
Quote from: ideus on Sat, 01 March 2014, 17:06:41
The only gripe was how hard is to get alternative caps for it.

It's about time for somebody to start selling a few Alps specialty key caps.

Personally, I would like some nice Escape and arrow replacements, and WASD is always hot.
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"However, even though I was born in the Mesozoic, I do know what anyone who wants to reach out to young people should say: Billionaires took your money. They took your chance to buy a home. They took your chance at a good education. They stole your opportunities. Billionaires took the things you want in life. If you really want those things, you have to take them back.
That's the message. That's the whole message. Say that every day, not just to reach America's frustrated young white men, but people of every age, race, and gender.
Late-stage capitalism is a wealth-concentration engine, focused on vacuuming up every dollar and putting it in as few hands as possible. Republicans are helping that vacuum suck.
How does a tiny fraction of the population get away with this? They do it by dividing the other 99% of Americans against themselves."
- Marc Sumner 2025-05-30

Offline ideus

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Re: How to purchase the right Alps board
« Reply #77 on: Sat, 01 March 2014, 17:16:31 »
Escape caps in red are already available. Just be aware that those caps will "float" a little higher than the stock keycaps. It appears that the mold has a shorter skirt  ;).
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Offline fohat.digs

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Re: How to purchase the right Alps board
« Reply #78 on: Sat, 01 March 2014, 17:25:47 »
Quote from: ideus on Sat, 01 March 2014, 17:16:31
Escape caps in red are already available.

Yes, I have one.

I also have alt least 2 sets of Apple AEK caps in PBT that could easily be dyed, but they have that retarded font. I will do it anyway, yet one more item on my to-do list.

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"However, even though I was born in the Mesozoic, I do know what anyone who wants to reach out to young people should say: Billionaires took your money. They took your chance to buy a home. They took your chance at a good education. They stole your opportunities. Billionaires took the things you want in life. If you really want those things, you have to take them back.
That's the message. That's the whole message. Say that every day, not just to reach America's frustrated young white men, but people of every age, race, and gender.
Late-stage capitalism is a wealth-concentration engine, focused on vacuuming up every dollar and putting it in as few hands as possible. Republicans are helping that vacuum suck.
How does a tiny fraction of the population get away with this? They do it by dividing the other 99% of Americans against themselves."
- Marc Sumner 2025-05-30

Offline Rena

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Re: How to purchase the right Alps board
« Reply #79 on: Sat, 01 March 2014, 17:53:26 »
Yeah the screw driver method didn't work so well. I wasn't sure about using a vacuum since I thought it would suck up the wrong thing but I'll try it out along with the qtips.
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Offline jacobolus

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Re: How to purchase the right Alps board
« Reply #80 on: Sat, 01 March 2014, 20:32:42 »
Quote from: fohat.digs on Sat, 01 March 2014, 17:25:47
I also have alt least 2 sets of Apple AEK caps in PBT that could easily be dyed, but they have that retarded font. I will do it anyway, yet one more item on my to-do list.
Dye them black, and you’ll have blanks!

[By the way, to my eyes the font Apple used on these is significantly nicer than all the ****ing Helvetica that people seemed to love to put on everything. Vomit. But yeah, keycaps could definitely use better typography.]
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Offline jacobolus

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Re: How to purchase the right Alps board
« Reply #81 on: Sat, 01 March 2014, 20:47:40 »
Are there any vendors who can produce Alps caps which take Alps-style stabilizers, and do double injection molding, dye sublimation, or at least lasering? For me, ideally that would be dye-subbed thick PBT, in something like DSA profile. But SP’s caps all are the costar-stabilizer type.

[Or, are there enough people with PCBs/plates that will take costar-style stabilizers (or willing to buy new hobbyist-produced PCBs/plates) such that there’d be interest even in the kind of caps SP can produce?]

Personally, for my own purposes (new-shape ergonomic keyboard), I mostly need 1x1 size keys (or if ultimately I decide there should be a few larger caps the type of stabilizer wouldn’t really matter because I can produce my new plate to whatever specs I want), and the ideal would even be to have the key tops be like 15-16mm * 18mm, or similar.

But I think I could live with standard size keys, wouldn’t mind too much if I had to buy a few extra modifier keys I don’t need, and I’d love to get involved in the typography/design part of a Alps keycap group buy [but hopefully not the money collection/organizing part].
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Offline terrpn

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Re: How to purchase the right Alps board
« Reply #82 on: Sat, 01 March 2014, 21:32:51 »
Quote from: fohat.digs on Sat, 01 March 2014, 17:14:25
Quote from: ideus on Sat, 01 March 2014, 17:06:41
The only gripe was how hard is to get alternative caps for it.

It's about time for somebody to start selling a few Alps specialty key caps.

Personally, I would like some nice Escape and arrow replacements, and WASD is always hot.


absolutely :thumb:
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Offline terrpn

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Re: How to purchase the right Alps board
« Reply #83 on: Sat, 01 March 2014, 21:34:33 »
Quote from: fohat.digs on Sat, 01 March 2014, 17:25:47
Quote from: ideus on Sat, 01 March 2014, 17:16:31
Escape caps in red are already available.

Yes, I have one.

I also have alt least 2 sets of Apple AEK caps in PBT that could easily be dyed, but they have that retarded font. I will do it anyway, yet one more item on my to-do list.



i put some apple caps on my zb2 ...........not to bad
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Offline Techno Trousers

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Re: How to purchase the right Alps board
« Reply #84 on: Sun, 02 March 2014, 01:05:08 »
I think the biggest impediment to Alps cap production is the ridiculous variety of Alps board layouts. If only they'd settled on one, it might be a different story. As things stand, unless there were to be an unexpected Alps revival, I don't anticipate much of an aftermarket Alps cap supply. If we're lucky, maybe Matias will make some nice sets, or even allow setting up custom group buy one-off runs someday.
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Offline jacobolus

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Re: How to purchase the right Alps board
« Reply #85 on: Sun, 02 March 2014, 01:56:20 »
I wonder if there’s any way to make plastic inserts that fit into cherry MX mounts (i.e. the kind for fitting the Costar stabilizer inserts on some Alps boards / the kind SP still can make w/ Alps caps) but which on the bottom side work with Alps-style stabilizer wired.

If so, they could probably be produced in reasonable numbers via 3d printing at Shapeways or something for not impossible cost, or maybe someone could even make tooling to produce some for cheap at bigger volumes. (E.g. if SP did this they could potentially boost sales of Alps caps to hobbyists; but maybe that’s too small a market.)

You don’t think there’ll be any Alps revival? I think it could happen, if Matias gets some other keyboard OEMs on board, the sort who are currently using Cherry MX switches but get hit by frequent shortages &c.
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Offline Rena

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Re: How to purchase the right Alps board
« Reply #86 on: Sun, 02 March 2014, 02:00:50 »
Isn't matias the only one making alps boards anymore, and those aren't even the real alps switches used in the 80's and 90's but instead clones?

I don't see how production of them could reoccur. I don't even know if the alps company still exists but I think new boards with real alps switches like complicated whites would be fantastic.
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Offline False_Dmitry_II

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Re: How to purchase the right Alps board
« Reply #87 on: Sun, 02 March 2014, 05:20:48 »
Not sure I would use the word clones. Matias designed them to be like alps, sure, but he did that in the first place because he was unsatisfied with the actual clones which he had been forced to used in his keyboard previously because the original complicated alps were no longer around.

Given that his switches are generally more well-liked than said clones, and that those had been in very few recent things (like the ducky with greens) I wouldn't be surprised if at least some OEMs did make them. He's already said that he's in the middle of working out think PBT caps, so anything could happen now with matias switches. I hope it does, because anyone just looking for one on their own today for a mechanical keyboard is likely to just end up with some cherry variant and not even know other types exist.

Anyway I usually just put keycaps and the case into the dishwasher, usually works fine. Only downside for the cases is the stickers will probably come off, and I had a model m case warp due to temps which surprised me.
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Offline fohat.digs

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Re: How to purchase the right Alps board
« Reply #88 on: Sun, 02 March 2014, 07:56:08 »
Quote from: False_Dmitry_II on Sun, 02 March 2014, 05:20:48
Anyway I usually just put keycaps and the case into the dishwasher, usually works fine. Only downside for the cases is the stickers will probably come off, and I had a model m case warp due to temps which surprised me.

I can't believe how difficult some people make washing cases and keycaps. It takes longer to take the keyboard apart than it does to clean the pieces. Use a rectangle of plastic and some masking tape and you can scrub a case bottom with soapy water without losing the label.

And I have found laundry detergent to work better than dish soap.

Boiling water will not hurt PBT, but ABS will deform at 10-20 degrees below the boiling point. All cases and most spacebars are ABS, even when the rest of the keys are PBT.
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"However, even though I was born in the Mesozoic, I do know what anyone who wants to reach out to young people should say: Billionaires took your money. They took your chance to buy a home. They took your chance at a good education. They stole your opportunities. Billionaires took the things you want in life. If you really want those things, you have to take them back.
That's the message. That's the whole message. Say that every day, not just to reach America's frustrated young white men, but people of every age, race, and gender.
Late-stage capitalism is a wealth-concentration engine, focused on vacuuming up every dollar and putting it in as few hands as possible. Republicans are helping that vacuum suck.
How does a tiny fraction of the population get away with this? They do it by dividing the other 99% of Americans against themselves."
- Marc Sumner 2025-05-30

Offline Rena

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Re: How to purchase the right Alps board
« Reply #89 on: Sun, 02 March 2014, 11:07:49 »
I'm fairly certain that the keys on the 2001 are ABS too, so I felt more comfortable just doing it by hand instead of a dish washer
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Offline fohat.digs

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Re: How to purchase the right Alps board
« Reply #90 on: Sun, 02 March 2014, 11:32:25 »
Quote from: Rena on Sun, 02 March 2014, 11:07:49
I'm fairly certain that the keys on the 2001 are ABS

It is safe to assume that all doubleshots are ABS.

Look at legends in good light with a very strong magnifying glass and it is fairly easy to learn the differences.
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"However, even though I was born in the Mesozoic, I do know what anyone who wants to reach out to young people should say: Billionaires took your money. They took your chance to buy a home. They took your chance at a good education. They stole your opportunities. Billionaires took the things you want in life. If you really want those things, you have to take them back.
That's the message. That's the whole message. Say that every day, not just to reach America's frustrated young white men, but people of every age, race, and gender.
Late-stage capitalism is a wealth-concentration engine, focused on vacuuming up every dollar and putting it in as few hands as possible. Republicans are helping that vacuum suck.
How does a tiny fraction of the population get away with this? They do it by dividing the other 99% of Americans against themselves."
- Marc Sumner 2025-05-30

Offline Rena

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  • Posts: 83
Re: How to purchase the right Alps board
« Reply #91 on: Sun, 02 March 2014, 14:44:14 »
Quote from: fohat.digs on Sun, 02 March 2014, 11:32:25
Quote from: Rena on Sun, 02 March 2014, 11:07:49
I'm fairly certain that the keys on the 2001 are ABS

It is safe to assume that all doubleshots are ABS.

Look at legends in good light with a very strong magnifying glass and it is fairly easy to learn the differences.
The only PBT doubleshot caps I've ever seen are those vortex sets, which actually look very nice for the price

Is there any reason there are such a lack of those?
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Offline Daniel Beardsmore

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Re: How to purchase the right Alps board
« Reply #92 on: Sun, 02 March 2014, 15:00:13 »
Quote from: fohat.digs on Sun, 02 March 2014, 11:32:25
It is safe to assume that all doubleshots are ABS.

Modern ones, I imagine so. Vintage doubleshots (70s, early 80s) were (sometimes? often?) made of some other plastic that's probably outlawed by the EU or some such, that was exceptionally hard-wearing.
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Offline terrpn

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Re: How to purchase the right Alps board
« Reply #93 on: Sun, 02 March 2014, 15:40:16 »
Quote from: jacobolus on Sun, 02 March 2014, 01:56:20
I wonder if there’s any way to make plastic inserts that fit into cherry MX mounts (i.e. the kind for fitting the Costar stabilizer inserts on some Alps boards / the kind SP still can make w/ Alps caps) but which on the bottom side work with Alps-style stabilizer wired.

If so, they could probably be produced in reasonable numbers via 3d printing at Shapeways or something for not impossible cost, or maybe someone could even make tooling to produce some for cheap at bigger volumes. (E.g. if SP did this they could potentially boost sales of Alps caps to hobbyists; but maybe that’s too small a market.)

You don’t think there’ll be any Alps revival? I think it could happen, if Matias gets some other keyboard OEMs on board, the sort who are currently using Cherry MX switches but get hit by frequent shortages &c.

not that i can see.............i think there was an IC sometime time ago for alps caps, but it never materialized. i think one of the killers was all the different alps configurations over the years and trying to satisfy all those layouts

kind of impossible, but maybe 1 day :D
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Offline False_Dmitry_II

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Re: How to purchase the right Alps board
« Reply #94 on: Sun, 02 March 2014, 18:11:24 »
I've had no problems with ABS or anything in the dishwasher, just the model M case - and IIRC I had done a different model M case that way previously and it was fine. You could cover the label if you wanted to the same way - I have before. But when I'm painting the case black anyway I usually don't care. Not sure how tossing stuff into the dishwasher is difficult, comes out mostly dry and such anyway. I've got this little basket thing that latches closed, and all the caps stay inside it. No matter how caked the sides are, they always come out looking pristine, no physical manipulations required.
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Offline ideus

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Re: How to purchase the right Alps board
« Reply #95 on: Sun, 02 March 2014, 19:00:34 »
...
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Offline Rena

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Re: How to purchase the right Alps board
« Reply #96 on: Tue, 04 March 2014, 14:45:41 »
So I cant say I'm a fan of the black alps switches at all. I don't know if it's this particular board but it takes an immense amount of force to press the key and I find myself passing over keys and skipping letters very often while typing. I may just have to adjust to it but it's one of the heaviest switches I've ever used. Some switches feel stiffer than others but I can imagine that's just a result of wear over time. I'm not sure what to think of these switches; I wouldn't say they're unusable or even uncomfortable but it feels very awkward to type with. Traveling through the switch it actually feels somewhat smooth but it's the distinct amount of force it takes to move past the top is what's giving me trouble with these. They're a lot different from white alps, that's for sure.

As for the board itself, the AT101W, it's a very nice and sturdy board. I wasn't aware the keys would be engraved but typing on them feels just fine.
« Last Edit: Tue, 04 March 2014, 14:53:39 by Rena »
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Offline fohat.digs

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Re: How to purchase the right Alps board
« Reply #97 on: Tue, 04 March 2014, 15:13:26 »
Quote from: Rena on Tue, 04 March 2014, 14:45:41

They're a lot different from white alps, that's for sure.


You got a bad one. I had several really nice AT101s before I got a bad one and understood why some people dis them so much.

And, a few months ago, I got a REALLY bad one that was one of the worst keyboards I have ever used.

They turn up at salvage/junk/thrift stores pretty often and can be bought for <$5

If you see a cheap one, give it another go.
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"However, even though I was born in the Mesozoic, I do know what anyone who wants to reach out to young people should say: Billionaires took your money. They took your chance to buy a home. They took your chance at a good education. They stole your opportunities. Billionaires took the things you want in life. If you really want those things, you have to take them back.
That's the message. That's the whole message. Say that every day, not just to reach America's frustrated young white men, but people of every age, race, and gender.
Late-stage capitalism is a wealth-concentration engine, focused on vacuuming up every dollar and putting it in as few hands as possible. Republicans are helping that vacuum suck.
How does a tiny fraction of the population get away with this? They do it by dividing the other 99% of Americans against themselves."
- Marc Sumner 2025-05-30

Offline Rena

  • Thread Starter
  • Posts: 83
Re: How to purchase the right Alps board
« Reply #98 on: Tue, 04 March 2014, 15:35:17 »
Quote from: fohat.digs on Tue, 04 March 2014, 15:13:26
Quote from: Rena on Tue, 04 March 2014, 14:45:41

They're a lot different from white alps, that's for sure.


You got a bad one. I had several really nice AT101s before I got a bad one and understood why some people dis them so much.

And, a few months ago, I got a REALLY bad one that was one of the worst keyboards I have ever used.

They turn up at salvage/junk/thrift stores pretty often and can be bought for <$5

If you see a cheap one, give it another go.
How are they supposed to feel? I mean, they're not awfully different from whites, the similarities are present when typing but it just feels heavier. I honestly haven't even typed properly on my focus since I'm still waiting on that adapter to use it so maybe I should hold off judgement until I've thoroughly typed on that, but some keys do stand out more than others in this way.
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Offline ebacho

  • Posts: 287
  • Location: California
Re: How to purchase the right Alps board
« Reply #99 on: Tue, 04 March 2014, 15:42:18 »
Quote from: Rena on Tue, 04 March 2014, 14:45:41
So I cant say I'm a fan of the black alps switches at all. I don't know if it's this particular board but it takes an immense amount of force to press the key and I find myself passing over keys and skipping letters very often while typing. I may just have to adjust to it but it's one of the heaviest switches I've ever used. Some switches feel stiffer than others but I can imagine that's just a result of wear over time. I'm not sure what to think of these switches; I wouldn't say they're unusable or even uncomfortable but it feels very awkward to type with. Traveling through the switch it actually feels somewhat smooth but it's the distinct amount of force it takes to move past the top is what's giving me trouble with these. They're a lot different from white alps, that's for sure.

As for the board itself, the AT101W, it's a very nice and sturdy board. I wasn't aware the keys would be engraved but typing on them feels just fine.

This happens when dirt and grime get into the switch itself, at least from my experience.  I have a NIB Wang 724 that has black alps and the switches are heavy but definitely lighter than whites.
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