Foldable mechanical ALPS keyboard - the return
Posted: 25 Jan 2021, 13:31
Hello everyone,
first off, a few impressions of the keyboard at hand:
I posted about this board more than 7 years ago (here is the original thread if you're interested), and it seems like no one has seen something like this before, or since.
Why am I digging this up again? Well, a lot has happened since then. My interests evolved and shifted towards being a massive simracing nerd, I finished Uni (twice), I survived 2020, got a job and while I obviously still enjoy a good mechanical keyboard, I don't have the time or feel the need to collect or obsess about them any more. In other words: I'm ready to sell a few boards, including this one. I'm sure, someone can appreciate them more at this point.
Now, posting this in the Price Check thread wouldn't make a massive amount of sense, if this is as rare as I think it is. (I have found one archived reddit thread from 6 years ago about it, and that might even be based on my original post here). That's why I'm posting it in this forum first, to gather impressions and opinions. Maybe you can reference it to some other eccentric designs. With the PCB being soldered by hand, and it lacking every form of manufacturer signature or serial number, it might even be some sort of prototype.
A few words in terms of condition: From my test this morning, it's working flawlessly. Every key works and feels great. From the front, it's looking like new - no dirt, no yellowing. The doubleshot keycaps look and feel like new, without any sign of wear. From the outside, it has gotten a bit dirty over the years. I can clean most of it, but I won't be able to make it look like new. The folding mechanism works as intended, but the plastic has gotten a bit brittle and two small pieces (<1cm) have broken off two hinges. Barely noticeable though.
So, what do you think? First impressions? Cool novelty or useless design study?
first off, a few impressions of the keyboard at hand:
- IMG_0041.JPG (361.33 KiB) Viewed 3493 times
- IMG_0042.JPG (234.42 KiB) Viewed 3493 times
- IMG_0044.JPG (233.24 KiB) Viewed 3493 times
Why am I digging this up again? Well, a lot has happened since then. My interests evolved and shifted towards being a massive simracing nerd, I finished Uni (twice), I survived 2020, got a job and while I obviously still enjoy a good mechanical keyboard, I don't have the time or feel the need to collect or obsess about them any more. In other words: I'm ready to sell a few boards, including this one. I'm sure, someone can appreciate them more at this point.
Now, posting this in the Price Check thread wouldn't make a massive amount of sense, if this is as rare as I think it is. (I have found one archived reddit thread from 6 years ago about it, and that might even be based on my original post here). That's why I'm posting it in this forum first, to gather impressions and opinions. Maybe you can reference it to some other eccentric designs. With the PCB being soldered by hand, and it lacking every form of manufacturer signature or serial number, it might even be some sort of prototype.
A few words in terms of condition: From my test this morning, it's working flawlessly. Every key works and feels great. From the front, it's looking like new - no dirt, no yellowing. The doubleshot keycaps look and feel like new, without any sign of wear. From the outside, it has gotten a bit dirty over the years. I can clean most of it, but I won't be able to make it look like new. The folding mechanism works as intended, but the plastic has gotten a bit brittle and two small pieces (<1cm) have broken off two hinges. Barely noticeable though.
So, what do you think? First impressions? Cool novelty or useless design study?