Northgate Omnikeys are very solid, heavy boards, usually with white Alps switches.
Hi cheekbreek, I'd just like to point you toward this web site in case you haven't see it:
http://www.northgate-keyboard-repair.com/
That's Bob Tibbett's website, and he's a great source of information on Northgate boards, parts, repairs, etc. He's got pictures of the different models on the website that can help disentangle the features of the different boards
Okay so I've got my eye on an Ultra model due to it's full line of f keys. Speaking of which, what do the other models have in place of physical f row keys? Rubber dome buttons?
I've been informed it has a PS/2 port on it and it does not come with it's original cable. I was curious if I could use a PS/2 to USB adapter, then run a USB cable from the board to my computer. Or is there a better/easier way of doing things?
All the Northgate boards have physical function keys -- some on the left side of the board (where some of us believe God intended them), some at the top as on most modern keyboards, and some have both. If your model is the Ultra or Ultra T, it has both, but the confusingly-labeled Ultra Plus only has function keys on the left.
Yes, you can run to USB using a PS/2 -> USB adapter, but you need a good adapter; cheap ones don't always work. And, sometimes when I restart the computer, I have to pull and reseat the usb connection to get the board talking to the PC. Bob Tibbetts sells adapters (and cables, if you need them), and I've had good luck with the cable combination below from cablestogo.com:
Item #: 09471
Product: 10ft PS2 M/M Keyboard/Mouse Cable
Stock Status: In Stock - Ready to ship today!
Quantity: 1
Item Price: $12.99
Total Price: $12.99 (now $13.99)
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Item #: 27225
Product: 1ft USB to PS/2 Keyboard/Mouse Adapter Cable
Stock Status: In Stock - Ready to ship today!
Quantity: 1
Item Price: $19.99
Total Price: $19.99 (now $17.99)
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