Dell AT101W

[grilkip]

So I found this on a localized online marketplace. It seems to be mechanical so when I could get it for €10 + shipping I got it.

There are a few mentions of this 'board here and there on this forum but I don't see much conclusive info.

Anyone care to enlighten me about what I just bought?

I suppose I should look for an adapter to convert to USB, but I forgot to ask what plug it has.

[itlnstln]

It has a PS/2 port, but IIRC, most adapters have problems with this 'board (and its cousin, the SGI AT-101).  Anyway, the switches are (real) ALPS blacks which are tactile but not clicky.  They are fairly noisy, though, as they make a "clacking" sound on the bottom and top out.  For $10, it's a good keyboard; in the wider world of keyboards, it's pretty unspectacular.  It would make a good 'board to take to work as the noise level is not horrible, and it's cheap enough, that if someone steals it, you won't be out much (if you're worried about that sort of thing).

[ch_123]

It's only the older ones (AT-101 not AT-101W) that had that issue. Later ones are quite different internally despite the superficial similarity.

[Specter_57]

..

I have a pair of AT101W's, one a Rev A00, the second a Rev A01...and three different types of dollar-store PS/2-to-USB adapters....

Both boards have  worked flawlessly with any of the three adapters, even through an unpowered hub...although generally I use them through the PS/2 port

I like these boards...they feel different from my new-old "M", but still pretty good overall.

Far...far better than the rubber-dome POS most systems have nowadays. My typing speed increased nearly 10% just in going from POS to mechanical, according to typing testing I did.

Just my two pennies worth....

.......
Spec57

[grilkip]

Ok, thanks so far. Looks like finding an adapter won't be a huge problem.

And I'm sure it's better than a rubber dome, I've been getting used to a Filco (brown) for a short while now. Which made me realize I could no longer use the Logitech standing on my 'study desk' hooked to my laptop. Hence my search for another mechanical. At this time another Filco is out of reach for me.

[ch_123]

The Dell AT101 is quite different from the Filco. There's very few people around here who like the Black Alps switches it has... most find them too stiff and that they have too much friction.

A cheap Model M would be a good idea. If webwit is to be believed, Model Ms are pretty easy to find in the Netherlands.

[itlnstln]

Model Ms are nice, but going from Cherry browns to Buckling Springs is big jump in resistance, so beware.  I wouldn't shy away from a Model M because of this, though.  Buckling Springs are some of the nicest switches in the business.

[grilkip]

Oh well, we'll see. For a mere 10 bucks it's worth a try.

A cheap Model M would be a good idea. If webwit is to be believed, Model Ms are pretty easy to find in the Netherlands.

I've only ever seen Dutch M's with a EU layout. If only I liked EU boards, how much easier life would be. I cannot stand the vertical enter key so I need a US layout.

[meltie]

They appear sometimes on ebay Germany with US layout. I got all of mine from there. Sometimes I even sell one there, too, but you are two weeks late for the last M with US layout I put up on ebay Lazy buyer, though, would have prefered someone from geekhack took it.

[grilkip]

I've used the Dell for about 5 minutes and it turns out I don't like it that much. It's too stiff for me.

The search goes on.

[MANISH7]

I've used the Dell for about 5 minutes and it turns out I don't like it that much. It's too stiff for me.

The search goes on.

cherry brown is my own favorite switch. i guess different switches work for different folks. i get excellent tactile feedback on the browns as my fingers make fine, light movements from key to key @ 80 wpm. does not strain or tire my fingers. i can type faster on the browns than i can on the m. the browns are not too loud but at the same time they do offer audible feedback. i would just stick with the browns. they are the lighter keyboards out there. i hear the 45 g topres feel mushy (not to mention they are insanely priced).

[Mental Hobbit]

Is the switch too heavy, or does it have friction?

[grilkip]

Is the switch too heavy, or does it have friction?

It's hard to explain, yes it does require just a little too much force. It causes me to leave letters out.

But I'll give it another honest shot one of these days.

[Mental Hobbit]

The Black Complicated ALPS have BOTH a high activation force and friction through the stroke.

That's why I'm asking. Knowing if the problem is only the friction, or the activation force too will help suggest a switch that suits the OP better.

[grilkip]

Probably Cherry Browns

[MANISH7]

It's hard to explain, yes it does require just a little too much force. It causes me to leave letters out.

But I'll give it another honest shot one of these days.

i remember, several months ago, a new poster (self proclaimed noob turned keyboard snob lol) switched from at101w to the cherry browns - he said the cherry browns felt much smoother & refined. like i said, different strokes for different folks, but it seems like at101 to cherry brown is a more pleasant transition than the reverse. 10 bucks says even after an honest week's of trial - you'll wanna go back to the brown

[Mental Hobbit]

Probably Cherry Browns

Bad for you. About the only switch that's next to impossible to get in Europe.

[grilkip]

Haha - one of the easiest to get in the US.  Hardest to get in the EU.  

Cherry's distribution system is a mess.

That keyboard looks pretty interesting (except for the enter key), I wouldn't mind a few extra keys to tie shortcut keys or even macros to.

[grilkip]

And now I've bought a Model M through ebay, from the US so it has the perfect layout.

Once again, we'll see. I really do like my Filco with brown switches, but I think I would like a more pronounced click. I tend to bottom out the brown switches, not that that really slows me down. I'm a mere 60 wpm typist.

[Superfluous Parentheses]

And now I've bought a Model M through ebay, from the US so it has the perfect layout.

Once again, we'll see. I really do like my Filco with brown switches, but I think I would like a more pronounced click. I tend to bottom out the brown switches, not that that really slows me down. I'm a mere 60 wpm typist.

How does the brown filco compare to the AT-101? I've just found 2 ATs (for 2 and 7 euros) and I quite like them for now - not bad at all for the price either - they've got a much lighter feel than the Model M, though as people noted, the keys have a bit of a resistance/friction right when you start pressing that makes it hard to prevent bottoming out. I suspect in time they'll feel more natural to me. In any case, I'm donating one of them to a friend in need of a decent keyboard and no means to buy a filco.

[grilkip]

How does the brown filco compare to the AT-101? I've just found 2 ATs (for 2 and 7 euros) and I quite like them for now - not bad at all for the price either - they've got a much lighter feel than the Model M, though as people noted, the keys have a bit of a resistance/friction right when you start pressing that makes it hard to prevent bottoming out. I suspect in time they'll feel more natural to me. In any case, I'm donating one of them to a friend in need of a decent keyboard and no means to buy a filco.

I like the Filco a lot more. I've also got a Model M now and for me it's a lot nicer as the Dell as well. It might be more stiff, but at least it has that click which I like. For that reason I'm dying to try something with blue cherry switches.

I'm not a full time 'computerer' so whether something is nice to type on full-time is not a concern for me. I use the M for 4 hours on a long day and I like it fine.

(if anyone wants my dell, it's free + shipping, give me a shout)

I wouldn't make my worst enemy pay for a Dell AT101W.

[ch_123]

Let's put it this way - I've seen AT102Ws in skips and walked by.