IDENTIFY THE KEYBOARD thread

[y11971alex]

Blues are linear in this case.

[webwit]

Of course they are. The Alps Vortex never fails to deliver.

[y11971alex]

Of course they are. The Alps Vortex never fails to deliver.

So are the green ones.

[Chyros]

Aruz switches with four tab Green Alps clones for larger keys? Weird.

My Tai-Hao uses Alps switches for the Enter key as well. No idea what the idea behind that was Oo .

[y11971alex]

Nevertheless, is this a discovery?

[ohaimark]

Quite possibly. Disassemble one, take some photos, and start a thread.

[DMA]

Anyone knows what this is?
Doesn't look like IBM - font is different. But what is it?

[Chyros]

Anyone knows what this is?
Doesn't look like IBM - font is different. But what is it?

Key Tronic foam and foil. You can see the foil disks at the back in one of the pictures .

[seebart]

Anyone knows what this is?
Doesn't look like IBM - font is different. But what is it?

Key Tronic foam and foil. You can see the foil disks at the back in one of the pictures .

Agreed. And crappy pics on top of that.

[Chyros]

Anyone knows what this is?
Doesn't look like IBM - font is different. But what is it?

Key Tronic foam and foil. You can see the foil disks at the back in one of the pictures .

Agreed. And crappy pics on top of that.

Crappy pics for a crappy keyboard .

[ohaimark]

Aruz switches with four tab Green Alps clones for larger keys? Weird.

My Tai-Hao uses Alps switches for the Enter key as well. No idea what the idea behind that was Oo .

Maybe the stabilizers were more compatible with stock Alps?

[Chyros]

Aruz switches with four tab Green Alps clones for larger keys? Weird.

My Tai-Hao uses Alps switches for the Enter key as well. No idea what the idea behind that was Oo .

Maybe the stabilizers were more compatible with stock Alps?

Eh, it uses a rod stabiliser for the enter key though, which I haven't seen very often on Alps boards :/ . It's usually two small stabs on a bigass enter key for Alps, I think.

[emdude]

It's also interesting that the stabilizer insert doesn't appear to be what was commonly used for rod stabs. This insert seems to have been made to fit a switch cutout.

I can also add that the IBM 5140's BAE is stabilized similarly, with a rod stab, but I think the positioning of the stab is different.

[ohaimark]

I've seen rod stabs on a bunch of Alps boards. You're right, though.

The only other reason I can think of is that the clones have a heavier spring to offset the stab and keycaps resistance on bigger keys.

[y11971alex]

Quite possibly. Disassemble one, take some photos, and start a thread.

I can't find out how to disassemble one. I'd love to send this keyboard to someone who can do it, though.

[ohaimark]

Would you want it back?

I'm fairly sure someone would walk you through it. If you don't have the equipment or know how, I'm sure several US users would volunteer to do a write up.

If all else fails, I would consider it.

[y11971alex]

Would you want it back?

I don't think so.

I'm fairly sure someone would walk you through it. If you don't have the equipment or know how, I'm sure several US users would volunteer to do a write up.

If all else fails, I would consider it.

I'm sure all would fail if it means finding a home for this apparently rare specimen! Or would chyrosran want to review it?

They have pretty sharp keys as well, double shot, no less, and awesome coloured legends, with the elusive split right shift.

[terrycherry]

Nice found. The E&E keyboard having the huge different model with various alps clone switches.
I have two keyboard with two different various Himake Aruz(Alps mount). One having the alps.tw Type OA1(E&E switch) in enter and space bar,the second one keyboard is unknown(not start to clean). And my friend's Himake Aruz(Alps mount) keyboard having the orange switch in enter and space bar(like orange red, maybe one of the E&E switch).

For more information, take a look:
wiki-talk-f33/wiki-wrong-name-about-alp ... 14105.html

And I think yours green alps clone switch could be the new various of alps.tw Type T9 because I have it on my two 78keys POS keyboard.

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[y11971alex]

This is all quite interesting. I'm fairly certain that my blues are linear, while it appears red is associated with the linear switch type instead. Perhaps this was a limited quantity run for linear blues?

And perhaps this is the first example of a blue slider associated with linear switches?

[ohaimark]

You might be right on both counts. The slider, which resembles the # shape of Aruz switches, makes it even weirder.

Looking on the bottom of the switch for a logo will reveal what's up with it. It will also add another arm to the swirling Lovecraftian vortex that is Alps.

[Chyros]

You might be right on both counts. The slider, which resembles the # shape of Aruz switches, makes it even weirder.

Looking on the bottom of the switch for a logo will reveal what's up with it. It will also add another arm to the swirling Lovecraftian vortex that is Alps.

"Alps, the dark switch of the woods with a thousand clones"? :p

[richfiles]

Not so much a keyboard, but a typewriter, but who knows, maybe the switches are worth salvaging?

OlympiaCarreraTypewriter.jpg (381.4 KiB) Viewed 4939 times

The key caps seem pretty low profile.

OlympiaCarreraKeys.jpg (487.09 KiB) Viewed 4939 times

Doing some research, these appear to be a Marquart switch. They are linear, and felt very smooth. I had no problem popping the key caps of this thing at the thrift store. I did not buy it, but might go back on Sunday, when I can get it half price, provided it does not sell. Is this typewriter worth grabbing up for switch salvage? Are these keys worthwhile to grab, or are they not gonna have a real use?

Anyway, I just thought I'd share my find... Not so much an identify the keyboard, as I sorta kinda did that, but more of an identify if it's a worthy keyboard to acquire, or something best left for the next collector.

[Blaise170]

I'd probably buy it for my switch collection if you see it available next time.

[Wingpad]

Anyone know what kind of switches are in this keyboard? It looks like it has a quasi-XT layout and rather nice overall, I am digging the metal Compaq badge. In any case, Google didn't yield much information about it so I've come to the experts. Chances are it's just a bad rubber-dome, though.

[Blaise170]

Anyone know what kind of switches are in this keyboard? It looks like it has a quasi-XT layout and rather nice overall, I am digging the metal Compaq badge. In any case, Google didn't yield much information about it so I've come to the experts. Chances are it's just a bad rubber-dome, though.

wiki/Key_Tronic_foam_and_foil

[alh84001]

From which keyboard (laptop?) are these:
http://www.ebay.de/itm/Keyboard-PCB-whi ... 2223058212
http://www.ebay.de/itm/Keyboard-PCB-whi ... 2223014627

[kbdfr]

From which keyboard (laptop?) are these:
http://www.ebay.de/itm/Keyboard-PCB-whi ... 2223058212
http://www.ebay.de/itm/Keyboard-PCB-whi ... 2223014627

The layout reminds me of a Chicony "laptop":

Chicony03.jpg (403.64 KiB) Viewed 4821 times

and the coloured modifiers and "Select" cap of an Ortek MCK142-Pro:

Ortek-05.jpg (421.16 KiB) Viewed 4821 times

[richfiles]

I'd probably buy it for my switch collection if you see it available next time.

I managed to get back to the thrift shop with about 15 minutes remaining till close, and bought the electric typewriter with the Marquart switches. Funny thing, is my car battery was FLAT dead... < 1 volt. Had to charge it all day to get it to start. The auto parts shop I got it from was across the street from the very thrift shop. Just made it! Battery was under warranty, so it was replaced for free, so i rolled home with a keyboard full of Marquart switches and a new car battery!

[2ter]

found this xt keyboard the other day:







the iso keys and xt specific ones are of a different shape and dye sublimated or pad printed, rather than double shot,
but the real surprice...

Spoiler:

...where the cherry mx white switches

does anyone have any info on it?
thanks

[emdude]

That's a really weird board. A quick search of the KB-5150 model number points me to the XT-layout Key Tronic KB-5150 with foam and foil switches.. Are the Key Tronic key caps (i.e. the number row, at least) also mounted over Cherry MX White switches?