HOT! PS/2 Keyboard with Mechanical Key Switches - $24 at newegg

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solo

Member
Oct 9, 2001
148
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Since it's prob only the geeks and other intelligent beings who have found there way onto the forums despite the apparent hack....I thought this is a pretty good deal on a good ol' mechanical "clicking" keyboard like they had in the days of yore. I'm presently banging away on an NMB Tech RT-101+ that could also be used as a door stop, or boat anchor when it finally kicks the dust. In my opinion NMB has some of the best mechanical keyboards around at present however some of their keyboards retail for over $100, too rich for me.

Search for FK-2001 at newegg. I haven't tried this particular keyboard but the two newegg reviews on it are positive. Just get rid of the stupid plastic dust cover.


BTW, I wish the forums were always this fast...
 
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ringzero

Golden Member
Nov 7, 1999
1,188
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I also have an NMB The Right Touch! keyboard. RTB255C+ model, really nice. I bought it brand new at a show for $6. I should have bought more because everyone who uses my computer loves the clicky feel of it.

 
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Mday

Lifer
Oct 14, 1999
18,647
1
81
it's not as good as the old IBM tanks. but it does click. I have one. I dont use the dust cover. it is nice and heavy, and clicks for real. it's inferior to the IBM tanks, the click is not the same...
 
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solo

Member
Oct 9, 2001
148
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You can sometimes find the grand IBM tanks at garage sales, just don't be surprised if the housewife thinks you're a little peculiar when you snatch up the keyboard and hold it guardingly while fishing in your pocket for the $10 she wants for the 386-AT setup complete with phosphor monitor and epson dot matrix printer....and then you walk away leaving the rest behind with just the lovely keyboard clicking gently on it's mechanical keys as you stroll down the driveway to your car...
 
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takhyon

Senior member
Nov 28, 2000
315
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I think it's a matter of preference over which is better IBM, Focus or NMB. I personally prefer the NMB 8255 and the Focus. I have a Focus FK-9000 at work with the guts of the programmable Gateway AnyKey (which IMO has the worst feel on a keyboard).

But for those who want the IBM's there are plenty to be had on eBay for pretty good prices. They have brand new ones with track points with Buy it Now price of $16. I remember when new ones on eBay used to for about a hundred dollars. I bought one myself.

IBM Trackpoint Keyboards

Focus FK-9000 Keyboards for $30
 
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Steve0

Senior member
Mar 31, 2000
447
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IMHO, nothing beats the old Northgate keyboards. I'll give mine up only when they pry it from my cold, dead hands.

Steve
 
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solo

Member
Oct 9, 2001
148
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0
takhyon,

How do you put the "guts" of a Gateway keyboard into a Focus keyboard??

 
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takhyon

Senior member
Nov 28, 2000
315
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solo Open the Focus keyboard, desolder all the switches from the circuit board, take out all the circuitry, you will be left with the switches fixed to a metal plate.

Then you have to solder wires on the switches of the Focus Keyboard exactly like they are on the plastic sheet inside the Gateway Anykey. You have to map the from the controller to each switch, which goes through a number of switches. I used a fine red permananent marker to mark out the each path. Erased the path I'd completed with some alcohol, went on the next one. Note: the Focus has a few more keys than the AnyKey, so you'll be left with some switches which dont do anything, or you can wire them up to some frequently used keys.

It was a time consuming and boring project which took me about a month with about an hour a day. The result was worth it though.

If you're planning to do this and have any questions, let me know.
 
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solo

Member
Oct 9, 2001
148
0
0
Wow, that's quite a job. And what are the rewards for that laborious task? What do the guts of the Gateway keyboard have that the Focus doesn't? Now you've peaked my interest...
 
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takhyon

Senior member
Nov 28, 2000
315
0
0
You can remap almost any key, including Ctrl, Capslock, Win, Shift, Alt and Application. You can program 1600 keystrokes per key, as opposed to the handful or so you can on the Focus, not to mention limited programming - you cannot program the Ctrl, Alt, Shift or Win Keys and no remapping.

I like the inverted key configuration for the arrow keys, and I've remapped the diagonal arrow keys to make them regular arrow keys.
 
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shadowa

Member
Oct 15, 2000
33
0
0
OK guys, I'm the keyboard freak. Keyboard freak speaking now... *clear throat**

NMB mechanical switches are OK. Not great like ALPS switches. IBM's Buckling Spring keyboards can be bought brand new at pckeyboards.com and I have had a ton of those. I have have a ton of the famous Northgate Omnikey, too. Focus DOES make one keyboard that I know uses something that feels like ALPS switches, model name is something like Focus 2001.

The best, handsdown keyboard right now, is the out-of-production but still for sale Ortek/Adesso MCK-142 pro. You will never regret it.

If you like to chat more and more and even more about keyboards, let me know.
 
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solo

Member
Oct 9, 2001
148
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The Ortek MCK-142 is nice, specialy if you're into programming macros into all those extra keys, but it costs like $140 bucks!! I've managed to get my hands on two NMB keyboards just from fishing the surplus parts stores, one I keep at work and one at home. Everyone who has typed on my keyboard wants to walk away with it...
 
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pshlortz

Member
Dec 6, 1999
160
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haveany of you kbdgeeks given the apple pro keyboard a serious trial? it has an exceptional feel, has proper sized keys and a miniscule footprint. It is usb, attractive and the proprietary mac keys work on pc's too.

I'm curious to hear what ya'll think. :)

P.S. i'm not a mac user, i just got one for my wintel boxes
 
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takhyon

Senior member
Nov 28, 2000
315
0
0
pshlortz, I was thinking about this keyboard the other day. It looks nice.

Does it have mechanical switches?

What does the Apple key correspond to on the PC?

What's the best price on it? It's $59 at apple.com.
 
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pshlortz

Member
Dec 6, 1999
160
0
0
i believe it is some sort of non-mechanical button but it is very durable and feels nice... go to a store to try one out... as for buying it try ebay... make sure its not the imac style one... they are also durable and feel nice but they lack the full keyboard set.

the apple key is the winows key.
 
jadinolf

jadinolf

Lifer
Oct 12, 1999
20,952
3
81
:)

Thanks, solo, for the tip.

I just ordered it. $25.31 out the door.

I've been looking for a decent keyboard for computer #5. I hope this is it.
 
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solo

Member
Oct 9, 2001
148
0
0
jadinolf,


Did you order the Focus FK-2001 at newegg? If so lemme know how it feels when you get it.
 
jadinolf

jadinolf

Lifer
Oct 12, 1999
20,952
3
81
solo

Yes, I did. It was $18 plus tax and shipping.

Should be here in a couple of days.

I'll get back to you after I try it.
 
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