Alps Glidepoint keyboard - Mac version

snuci · 02 Apr 2016, 00:05

Here we have an Alps Glidepoint keyboard for the Macintosh that is ADB compatible. It has an integrated Glidepoint mechanism that acts as the mouse. This keyboard also came in a Windows version. The other interesting part is the split spacebar. It has White Alps and a grey metal plate (I've only ever seen black before) but it does have some corrosion because the stabilizer clips were greased and this trapped dirt and moisture. It is otherwise in excellent condition.

This is the keyboard with engraved letters and numbers under each key cap (for the most part) as referenced in this post.

Anyway, here are some pics of a genuine Alps keyboard:

: Alps Glidepoint Mac - keyboard; Alps Glidepoint Mac - keyboard.JPG (277.58 KiB) Viewed 3142 times

: Alps Glidepoint Mac - keyboard back; Alps Glidepoint Mac - back.JPG (255.67 KiB) Viewed 3142 times

: Alps Glidepoint Mac - no key caps; Alps Glidepoint Mac - no key caps.JPG (281.72 KiB) Viewed 3142 times

: Alps Glidepoint Mac - internals; Alps Glidepoint Mac - internals.JPG (304.92 KiB) Viewed 3142 times

: Alps Glidepoint Mac - internals back; Alps Glidepoint Mac - internals back.JPG (344.4 KiB) Viewed 3142 times

: Alps Glidepoint Mac - PCB; Alps Glidepoint Mac - PCB.JPG (385.33 KiB) Viewed 3142 times

: Alps Glidepoint Mac - glidepoint assemby; Alps Glidepoint Mac - glidepoint assemby.JPG (287.55 KiB) Viewed 3142 times

: Alps Glidepoint Mac - PCB marking; Alps Glidepoint Mac - PCB marking.JPG (284.95 KiB) Viewed 3142 times

: Alps Glidepoint Mac - IC date; Alps Glidepoint Mac - IC date.JPG (257.61 KiB) Viewed 3142 times

: Alps Glidepoint Mac - key switches; Alps Glidepoint Mac - key switches.JPG (287.33 KiB) Viewed 3142 times

: Alps Glidepoint Mac - DCC Alps Key Cap; Alps Glidepoint Mac - DCC Alps Key Cap.jpg (185.53 KiB) Viewed 3142 times

: Alps Glidepoint Mac - rear label; Alps Glidepoint Mac - rear label.JPG (368.17 KiB) Viewed 3142 times

Redmaus · 02 Apr 2016, 04:11

Whoah, check out that bottom row!

I never knew there were alps keyboards made with the actual alps branding on them. It also has a stepped caps lock. Something that isn't very common on most alps boards.

E3E · 02 Apr 2016, 07:55

Redmaus wrote: Whoah, check out that bottom row!

I never knew there were alps keyboards made with the actual alps branding on them. It also has a stepped caps lock. Something that isn't very common on most alps boards.

It's actually common on most Alps-made boards like the AT101 and SGI Granite or boards with Alps-made caps like the Leading Edge DC-3014 and a few others. Well, okay so they aren't that easy to find in general, but Alps Electric caps in a 101 layout usually have a 1.5u stepped Caps Lock. The IBM P70 and Xerox Docutech are the rare exceptions with 1.25u stepped Caps Lock keys.

graa · 04 Apr 2016, 15:53

I'm using the Windows version of this at work right now, the tiny backspace drives me a little crazy but my other keyboards are too loud to use here. I found it at a thrift store for $3 a couple of years ago. I've never taken it all the way apart, but it looked the same inside from what I remember. The cable splits off to two PS/2 connectors at the end, one each for the keyboard and mouse.

: IMG_20160404_092732.jpg (208.94 KiB) Viewed 3070 times

Mattr567 · 05 Apr 2016, 05:04

Redmaus wrote: Whoah, check out that bottom row!

I never knew there were alps keyboards made with the actual alps branding on them. It also has a stepped caps lock. Something that isn't very common on most alps boards.

Oh hell yea they did. I know of three examples. This, my old ALPS MCL-101 w/ SKCM Black, and Chryos's LCM30 w/ SKCM White Damp. All late in the Alps production run with 2nd/3rd gen switches.

jacobolus · 05 Apr 2016, 05:42

graa wrote: I'm using the Windows version of this at work right now, the tiny backspace drives me a little crazy

Erm, why don’t you use the thumb key for backspace?

graa · 05 Apr 2016, 15:06

jacobolus wrote:
graa wrote: I'm using the Windows version of this at work right now, the tiny backspace drives me a little crazy
Erm, why don’t you use the thumb key for backspace?

I just keep forgetting it exists. Even when I make a conscious effort to start using it, muscle memory takes over and I'm back to hitting the regular one a few seconds later. Also, it's the only keyboard I have with that feature and it might mess me up when I'm not at work.