Great/Interesting Finds

[snuci]

The layout's AT but the case is quite different. Much more compact. And what's that metal ring on the right?

It's for Point of Sale systems. The ring is for a key to lock the keyboard, I'll bet.

[Khronokrator]

You know, it’s kind of funny, I know a really good source of Blue Alps keyboards and they are relatively cheap (by themselves about $50) but unfortunately I have to pay shipping costs from the other side of the globe which makes them much more expensive.

I'll echo the others and say: do post the link! International shipping be damned, let's all buy some and flood the market.

[Chyros]

Looks to me like it might've had a tumbler lock cylinder in there.

[Muirium]

Yeah, I remember seeing locks on computers and peripherals back in the early 1990s. It sure doesn't look like a trackball!

Strange that IBM remade the AT in a slimmer form factor, though. Wonder if it's Model M?

[snuci]

Terrycherry posted this a while ago. keyboards-f2/buckling-spring-on-ibm-alp ... 12406.html

[Hak Foo]

What I remember about the M1: It was Costar-made and one of the first 'premium' mechs on the US market, before some room-temperature IQ decided enthusiasts ONLY want MX. Sadly, they equipped it with similar crappy caps to a Filco (pad-printed) and black ALPS switches (nobody wanted).

Supposedly it was originally advertised as NKRO until people found out it wasn't.

Newegg started bailing them out the door at increasingly aggressive prices (I can recall 20USD for open-box units and 50 for new ones, at one point), and now they're virtually unobtainable.

I sort of want one as a PCB/plate donor.

[Engicoder]

The key is for manager override. Its not a lock. its a two position switch. The default position is operator mode. When the key is inserted and turned, the system switches to manager override mode. The key can only be removed in operator mode.

[Engicoder]

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Northgate-Keybo ... 1874046313

Gold Label Omnikey. Let's see how quickly the listing gets pulled when outside-of-eBay offers reach the seller.

Turns out this one is white alps, and really nasty.

[Engicoder]

http://www.ebay.com/itm/252289339738

NIB IBM M15 with Numpad. Let the games begin.

[Redmaus]

http://www.ebay.com/itm/252289339738

with Numpad

Oh lawd

[ohaimark]

Let the games begin.

My reaction mirrors yours to a tee.

It's almost like watching Cherry collectors go at it.

[Tuntematon]

Any predictions? A mint condition M15 and keypad could go maybe $650 if I'm not mistaken. How much of a premium is new?

[ohaimark]

Turns out this one is white alps, and really nasty.

Are those normal White Alps? There's no Alps logo... So clones? But it looks like authentic numbering in the corner. Much confuse.

[tentator]

Terrycherry posted this a while ago. keyboards-f2/buckling-spring-on-ibm-alp ... 12406.html

How it comes nobody still buy'd it? Is that an auction or bin?

[ohaimark]

Well... It's a membrane based design (I did some digging), not an F. Shipping from overseas isn't cheap. It's an odd board. You'd need to convert it without existing guides.

Those are a few reasons why it hasn't been snapped up, I think.

[ohaimark]

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Unitek-K151L-Vi ... 1895985396

NIB w/ Mitsumi switches. Worth the $60 and not a penny more, imho.

[ohaimark]

Oddball Cherry.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Vintage-Cherry- ... 1767923245

[E3E]

Love the difference here:

[itzmeluigi]

Haha yup, since the seller added a picture showing its White Alps, the bids on it will probably come to a halt since the other bids were made before he added the picture.

[E3E]

Haha yup, since the seller added a picture showing its White Alps, the bids on it will probably come to a halt since the other bids were made before he added the picture.

The $81 bidder is probably regretting it so hard right now, haha.

[Chyros]

Turns out this one is white alps, and really nasty.

Are those normal White Alps? There's no Alps logo... So clones? But it looks like authentic numbering in the corner. Much confuse.

Nope, they're the genuine article all right. These will be very old ones, from before Alps started putting their logo on their switches in response to all the manufacturers who started making clones.

In all likelihood, these will feel and even sound not all that different from blues, possibly even the same. If they were in good condition, I'm sure it would be an excellent board. As it is, it looks like a dungball and is probably a hideous nightmare :p .

[Wodan]

Wow that alps board looks like it's been in Biffs car during the skateboard chase

[zennasyndroxx]

Oddball Cherry.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Vintage-Cherry- ... 1767923245

hmm, wonder what switches are these.

[tentator]

Must be Bluetooth wit all those batteries!! Lol )))

[photekq]

http://www.ebay.com/itm/252289339738

NIB IBM M15 with Numpad. Let the games begin.

What's this? An incredibly rare and desirable IBM auction WITHOUT early bids!? Incredible! People are learning how to use eBay!

[gogusrl]

doesn't matter, you'll buy, right ?

[ramnes]

omg

[Madhias]

Does not ship to Austria.

[XMIT]

Terrycherry posted this a while ago. keyboards-f2/buckling-spring-on-ibm-alp ... 12406.html

This might be his sale. I've sent a PM about it. Would be fun to pick it up.

[ramnes]

Does not ship to Austria.

Buy first, discuss shipping after.