DELL AT102W - worth picking up?

[Fedora The Explorer]

I'm quite new to mechanical keyboards, as I just got my Cherry G80-3000 about 2 months ago with the MX Blue Switches. There might be an opportunity for me to pickup a dell at102w, but i'm wondering 2 things before i take the plunge. Am I going to like the ALPS switches coming from MX Blues and how much should I be paying for a used one in reasonable condition (in GBP, btw)? Thanks for the help

[dgreekstallion]

A lot of people here love Alps. I've never used one (on purpose,) so I can't tell you much else.

[Altis]

Welcome!

The Dell AT102/AT101 (ANSI version) are quite common. They shouldn't cost too much (ideally less than 30 GBP I would suspect).

The used an SKCM Black alps switch that is tactile but not clicky. They aren't known to be particularly good, but there are many who do enjoy them. They tend not to age all that well with use (mostly due to dust/dirt buildup rather than actual use), so if it's in rough shape, that might make for a bad buy. A newer one should feel smoother and more consistent.

I have an AT101 and the feel is pretty good actually. It isn't a notchy tactility but rather a longer hump, which is itself quite smooth. I'm not crazy about the sound of them, though, with the exception of the really old (and expensive) keyboards.

Tell me this -- what do you like most about your MX Blue?

[hashbaz]

I had one of these when I was new and exploring. By all means give it a shot if you're curious, they're not expensive. But the black Alps switches really do kinda suck. I was coming from MX blues at the time as well, FWIW.

[chyros]

I maintain the AT101W should be everyone's first mechanical keyboard.

They're super common, I picked up another one myself today, in fact. You shouldn't pay more than £20 at most, and that's for a really good one. I don't even bother to sell mine because they wouldn't raise enough money to be worth the time . But if you look around you can often get them for free in all kinds of buildings as stowaways.

Its switches aren't great if you've tried many other switches before, but they're not bad either, and they give a great introduction to mechs as they're excellent all-rounders. From there on, you should be able to much more easily decide what future boards you might be into.

They're also very well-built, much better than many modern mechanical keyboards, and they look charismatic and imposing IMO .

[fohat.digs]

I maintain the AT101W should be everyone's first mechanical keyboard.

They're super common, I picked up another one myself today, in fact. You shouldn't pay more than £20 at most, and that's for a really good one. I don't even bother to sell mine because they wouldn't raise enough money to be worth the time . But if you look around you can often get them for free in all kinds of buildings as stowaways.

Its switches aren't great if you've tried many other switches before, but they're not bad either, and they give a great introduction to mechs as they're excellent all-rounders. From there on, you should be able to much more easily decide what future boards you might be into.

They're also very well-built, much better than many modern mechanical keyboards, and they look charismatic and imposing IMO .

I would agree with this. Also, the chassis is well-built and makes a viable transplant recipient for better switches such as orange/salmon from an AEK.
Comes in black, too.

[Fedora The Explorer]

Welcome!

The Dell AT102/AT101 (ANSI version) are quite common. They shouldn't cost too much (ideally less than 30 GBP I would suspect).

The used an SKCM Black alps switch that is tactile but not clicky. They aren't known to be particularly good, but there are many who do enjoy them. They tend not to age all that well with use (mostly due to dust/dirt buildup rather than actual use), so if it's in rough shape, that might make for a bad buy. A newer one should feel smoother and more consistent.

I have an AT101 and the feel is pretty good actually. It isn't a notchy tactility but rather a longer hump, which is itself quite smooth. I'm not crazy about the sound of them, though, with the exception of the really old (and expensive) keyboards.

Tell me this -- what do you like most about your MX Blue?

I'd say the thing I like most about my keyboard is probably the actuation point coming from a membrane keyboard and the clicky sound, but that's not really a deal breaker.

[Fedora The Explorer]

I think i'll try to get it for under £15 and if it goes over that then probably leave it, thanks for the help guys

[Altis]

If you don't like it, I've found that the Dell AT101 makes for a somewhat decent snow removal device. 





Got about 50cm (1.75ft) of snow today. Had to clear out the first 10 feet or so in front of the car to get it to the semi-cleared part.

The metal plate of the AT101 made it pretty sturdy and the keys stuck to the snow well enough!

[Touch_It]

If you don't like it, I've found that the Dell AT101 makes for a somewhat decent snow removal device. 

Show Image

Show Image

Got about 50cm (1.75ft) of snow today. Had to clear out the first 10 feet or so in front of the car to get it to the semi-cleared part.

The metal plate of the AT101 made it pretty sturdy and the keys stuck to the snow well enough!

Sad but funny.

[chyros]

There's one on eBay for very cheap on atm that I bumped into earlier today, if you can't get yours cheap you might want to pick that one up . Don't have the link anymore but should be easy to find.