Newer Apple //c keyboard Amber/Taxi Yellow Alps, or Blue Alps?

[macguy80]

I could swear I saw a photo somewhere depicting blue alps in this keyboard, but I've also seen references to Amber or Taxi yellow Alps. I'm wondering which is typically found in later //c's, after the change from the Apple Hairspring pin switches, or if, indeed, both are possible.

While you can find some youtube videos of typing on blue alps, I haven't found even one example of typing on amber/taxi yellow alps. What a pity.

Thanks!

[Mattr567]

A majority of the time it uses Amber Alps, I know of that one post where it had Blue Alps but that is very rare from what I can see.

[macguy80]

Thanks! I'm not sure which I have merely because I'm scared I would mess up either the switch or the keycap if I tried to remove one to find out It's got such a definite snappy click to it, that I can't help wondering if it has blue alps, since I haven't got a reference of amber alps to compare to.

All I know is, if the //c itself ever craps out, I'd research a way to turn the //c into an external keyboard. I enjoy typing on it THAT much.

[FrostyToast]

The board most likely amber alps.
They're, from what I hear, more "snappy" than blue alps.

[macguy80]

Really? I didn't know that! There seems to be so much less info available about amber alps as compared to blue. And I know that blue Alps are themselves very highly praised.

[Mattr567]

Really? I didn't know that! There seems to be so much less info available about amber alps as compared to blue. And I know that blue Alps are themselves very highly praised.

Since Amber is so rare. The iic is the only keyboard that uses them.

Have some loose Blue Alps and they are great. A friend is sending me some Amber and Yellow Alps. Slowing gathering switches for a Alps switch tester.

[macguy80]

I'll be interested to hear your thoughts when the switches arrive!

[chyros]

Really? I didn't know that! There seems to be so much less info available about amber alps as compared to blue. And I know that blue Alps are themselves very highly praised.

I haven't tried ambers yet but the difference is was to explain; ambers have a different click leaf compared to other Alps. We know ver little about them though, we don't even have a timeline.

[E3E]

Really? I didn't know that! There seems to be so much less info available about amber alps as compared to blue. And I know that blue Alps are themselves very highly praised.

Since Amber is so rare. The iic is the only keyboard that uses them.

Have some loose Blue Alps and they are great. A friend is sending me some Amber and Yellow Alps. Slowing gathering switches for a Alps switch tester.

Ambers are not exactly rare, they're just only found on one keyboard, which makes them more obscure than rare in my eyes. It's harder to find a blue Alps board than it is an Apple IIc A2S4100, but then again, price is the biggest draw back, since those IIcs rarely sell cheap. When it comes to blues, it's always a scavenger hunt. At least with Ambers, you'll always know one will be around.

Ambers actuate at 80g and have a very sharp tactile bump. The click is a bit more hollow-sounding than Blue Alps and isn't as refined or pleasant in my opinion. If you love tactility in your switches, then it's hard to beat Ambers, as they are hands down the most tactile switches I have ever experienced.

Omron B3G-S Ambers are probably very similar from what I hear. I do not like Ambers very much, personally, but there are some that really enjoy them.

Here's a video giving a demonstration of their sound.

I believe you're likely to find the odd ALPS branded blue Alps only in replacement keyboards that were sent by Apple for a warranty program or some such, since that was the case for that one that MattR mentions. They probably have long white switch plates like the branded Orange Alps as well, I'd bet.

[Oobly]

Really? I didn't know that! There seems to be so much less info available about amber alps as compared to blue. And I know that blue Alps are themselves very highly praised.

Since Amber is so rare. The iic is the only keyboard that uses them.

Have some loose Blue Alps and they are great. A friend is sending me some Amber and Yellow Alps. Slowing gathering switches for a Alps switch tester.

Ambers are not exactly rare, they're just only found on one keyboard, which makes them more obscure than rare in my eyes. It's harder to find a blue Alps board than it is an Apple IIc A2S4100, but then again, price is the biggest draw back, since those IIcs rarely sell cheap. When it comes to blues, it's always a scavenger hunt. At least with Ambers, you'll always know one will be around.

Ambers actuate at 80g and have a very sharp tactile bump. The click is a bit more hollow-sounding than Blue Alps and isn't as refined or pleasant in my opinion. If you love tactility in your switches, then it's hard to beat Ambers, as they are hands down the most tactile switches I have ever experienced.

Omron B3G-S Ambers are probably very similar from what I hear. I do not like Ambers very much, personally, but there are some that really enjoy them.

Here's a video giving a demonstration of their sound.

I believe you're likely to find the odd ALPS branded blue Alps only in replacement keyboards that were sent by Apple for a warranty program or some such, since that was the case for that one that MattR mentions. They probably have long white switch plates like the branded Orange Alps as well, I'd bet.

This is great information!

The board that popped up with Blues was a replacement board: https://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=71488.0

I have a later model IIc with "Amber" Alps and it's my current favourite stock discrete switch, bar none, despite the fact that I usually prefer tactile over clicky. It simply feels so good to use. I haven't tried too many Alps types, but the clicky clones I have in my "Alpsulator" (USB numpad / calculator) are much, much worse feeling.

The ones in my board are stronger than my 62g ErgoClears, but weaker than stock Clears, I'd rate them as between 75 and 85cN to bottom out, so either my ones are a bit worn or daniel beardsmore's measurements are a bit off (or he got some odd version of the switches): http://deskthority.net/photos-f62/alps-skcm-amber-t7426.html

[richfiles]

Oh my gosh... This keyboard feels SOOOOOOO sexy!
I LOVE the click! I think it's more distinct than my Gateron Blues. I don't have Alps Blues, so I can't compare to that. This keyboard has the typical Alps Amber/Taxi Yellow switches.
I can't reiterate how much I LOVE this keyboard, and it isn't even hooked up! It's like infinite bubble wrap... You just can't stop clicking it! 

My plan is to make this into a bluetooth keyboard, or at least make a keyboard that pairs wirelessly to a USB dongle of some manner, if not bluetooth.

[E3E]

I could swear I saw a photo somewhere depicting blue alps in this keyboard, but I've also seen references to Amber or Taxi yellow Alps. I'm wondering which is typically found in later //c's, after the change from the Apple Hairspring pin switches, or if, indeed, both are possible.

While you can find some youtube videos of typing on blue alps, I haven't found even one example of typing on amber/taxi yellow alps. What a pity.

Thanks!

Sorry, I keep this one unlisted because I'm dome. Er.. Well, I guess that works.

These were taken from an Apple IIc, but obviously the sound is not going to be the same in an aluminum cased board with dampening and ABS caps as opposed to the top hat PBT caps of the Apple.

I wasn't a big fan of their click or their feel, but they aren't bad. They are certainly quality switches, just not my cup of tea.