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E3E
- Posts: 1055
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16 Aug 2016, 04:54
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Northgate-Omnik ... 2087212839
Of course this is on a few people's wish list.
Remember, that while it's typical and common for the gold labels to have blue Alps, they can also have white Alps, so ask for a pic before you bid, or be a jerk and force the seller to give you a refund and return it after bidding without knowing.
Though maybe the seller won't reveal a switch. Then it'd become a tricky situation!
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Chyros
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16 Aug 2016, 05:03
I am actually looking for one of these, but I think I'm going to pass on this one. It looks quite heavily used even from that potato pic Oo .
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Hypersphere
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16 Aug 2016, 17:41
Yes, and I notice that the seller is still not advertising that it has white Alps rather than blue Alps!
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fohat
- Elder Messenger
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16 Aug 2016, 18:11
Hypersphere wrote:
Yes, and I notice that the seller is still not advertising that it has white Alps rather than blue Alps!
If the switches are not specified in the listing, then the buyer would have no legitimate recourse to contest the sale.
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seebart
- Offtopicthority Instigator
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16 Aug 2016, 18:16
fohat wrote: Hypersphere wrote:
Yes, and I notice that the seller is still not advertising that it has white Alps rather than blue Alps!
If the switches are not specified in the listing, then the buyer would have no legitimate recourse to contest the sale.
That's right, and he might be hoping on some bidders taking on the gamble for blue SKCM's.
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y11971alex
- Posts: 582
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16 Aug 2016, 19:51
seebart wrote: fohat wrote: Hypersphere wrote:
Yes, and I notice that the seller is still not advertising that it has white Alps rather than blue Alps!
If the switches are not specified in the listing, then the buyer would have no legitimate recourse to contest the sale.
That's right, and he might be hoping on some bidders taking on the gamble for blue SKCM's.
That assumes the seller knows white sliders are different from blue sliders. I've dealt with sellers who think "a keyboard is just a keyboard" and there is no difference between a Dell Quietkey and an IBM Enhanced.
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seebart
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16 Aug 2016, 20:17
Absolutely, assuming the seller has seen other blue Alps auctions. The sellers you mean are the ones we want.
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y11971alex
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16 Aug 2016, 21:50
seebart wrote: Absolutely, assuming the seller has seen other blue Alps auctions. The sellers you mean are the ones we want.

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seebart
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16 Aug 2016, 21:55
Why are you shocked y11971alex?
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y11971alex
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16 Aug 2016, 22:16
seebart wrote: Why are you shocked y11971alex?
One that hath a secret must keep it a secret that he hath a secret to keep.
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seebart
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16 Aug 2016, 22:20
y11971alex wrote: seebart wrote: Why are you shocked y11971alex?
One that hath a secret must keep it a secret that he hath a secret to keep.
There are no real secrets here.

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Hypersphere
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16 Aug 2016, 22:30
y11971alex wrote:
<snip>
That assumes the seller knows white sliders are different from blue sliders. I've dealt with sellers who think "a keyboard is just a keyboard" and there is no difference between a Dell Quietkey and an IBM Enhanced.
This seller definitely knows about white and blue Alps and their relative value -- I've had an email exchange with him and suggested that he relist the keyboard specifying white Alps and to lower the price accordingly. As we can see, he has relisted, disingenuously saying only that the switches are Alps.
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lot_lizard
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LewisR
- Posts: 87
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17 Aug 2016, 02:41
Hypersphere wrote: y11971alex wrote:
<snip>
That assumes the seller knows white sliders are different from blue sliders. I've dealt with sellers who think "a keyboard is just a keyboard" and there is no difference between a Dell Quietkey and an IBM Enhanced.
This seller definitely knows about white and blue Alps and their relative value -- I've had an email exchange with him and suggested that he relist the keyboard specifying white Alps and to lower the price accordingly. As we can see, he has relisted, disingenuously saying only that the switches are Alps.
This is the same seller that has an NOS Industrial Model-M listed for $1,800. They live on the other side of the moon; You can speak to them but communication is NIL. I sent a low-ball offer for the IBM and they declined and responded with a smiley face. Yes - very cute and funny.
Last edited by
LewisR on 17 Aug 2016, 02:44, edited 1 time in total.
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LewisR
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17 Aug 2016, 02:43
Looks nice. I wish I could sell my Ms though. They feel so compromised in their design. The Model F seems like the only proper buckling spring design from IBM. The market is flooded, so it looks like I am stuck with these Ms for awhile.
Some of you will shudder at this, but I'd rather use my Cherry MX Browns.
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XMIT
- [ XMIT ]
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17 Aug 2016, 04:33
I for one would be happy to see the deflation of the Model M bubble even if that means less money for me. The Model M has always been a really easy to find, really accessible first mechanical keyboard for many with a functional layout and a classic design. I grew up with these usually going for $20 online or $5 at thrift stores. $50 for a nice one or $150 for a really very nice one with a tasteful USB conversion seems about right to me.
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Phenix
- -p
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17 Aug 2016, 10:38
150$ for an converted one!?
Than I should start building some converters and bring mine up for sale

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shreebles
- Finally 60%
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17 Aug 2016, 11:07
I think a "really nice one" is one part of the deal and a USB conversion the other. USB alone does not make an M great.
There are lots of additional things people might drop top dollar for:
- Spotless case and keycaps
- Modded LEDs with amber or blue vs. standard green
- Certain manufacturing date
- Bolt-modded / screw modded
- Cleaned/polished/painted plate
- Colored underlays
Basically, Phosphorglow's palette of options.
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Phenix
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17 Aug 2016, 11:23
those points also come in..
Thanks for listing those up.
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fohat
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17 Aug 2016, 13:53
Also, regardless of the constant banter about Unicomp quality control, Unicomp offers multiple sizes/layouts in various colors, with native USB and full warranties, so I would consider it appropriate that there be *approximate parity* between the price of a clean tested vintage IBM and a brand new Unicomp.
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balotz
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seebart
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17 Aug 2016, 17:48
That's one for harvesting those blue Alps, the case looks in bad shape.
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XMIT
- [ XMIT ]
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18 Aug 2016, 00:03
Definitely not Cherry MX switches.
Almost certainly Cherry MX mount sliders over magnetic valve switches, like my NCR K430 board.
keyboards-f2/ncr-k430-magnetic-valve-se ... 11152.html
I have no interest in buying this, but someone else should pick it up.
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snuci
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18 Aug 2016, 00:06
I would have been all over it (and am watching it) but it's too expensive when you add shipping to Canada. I would have only bought it for the name on it.
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Chyros
- Posts: 5054
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- Main mouse: a cheap Logitech
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18 Aug 2016, 00:18
Interesting, the keycaps look extremely Key Tronic to me, do we know if they had a hand in these?
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Hypersphere
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Chyros
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18 Aug 2016, 19:23
AAAAND IT'S GONE
Holy crap Oo .
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emdude
- Model M Apologist
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18 Aug 2016, 19:24
Must have been someone here who nabbed it.

The price, the shipping especially, made it an excellent deal.
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E TwentyNine
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18 Aug 2016, 19:52
Oh ffs, that's an outstanding deal. Whoever got it, congratulations. I hate you.