Unboxing and testing out a new old stock Apple Extended Keyboard II from 1991. Music used in this video: Napping On a Cloud by Congus Bongus [ / napping-on-a-cloud ]
Found the 3501 to-day in a dumpster! Curly cable too! I wondered what the sliding feature was on the back! It kind of sticks, so I didn't force it. Thank you 🤓
With my primary (modern) Macs, since around 2009-2010, I have sought out and used these keyboards. I've bought other, modern, mechanical boards - UniComp, Razer... Nothing is quite the same - at least in the sub-100 bracket of tactile keyboards. A wonderful piece of retro-tech - and I'm glad you found a cheap option for adapting them - I've bought two old school adapters, from Griffin I think (iMate) - but they were already running near $80 in 2010. Thanks, awesome video, I've subscribed :)
Alps switches (when new) have amazing tactility. The issue is, and the reason why most people don't think fondly of alps, is that they are very complicated in design and that complicated design gives them many more failure points, and they fail often. A bit of dirt or dust getting inside the switch is enough to cause them to perform much worse. It's the main reason why cherry switches have become the standard.
and yeah its normal that the keys felt “shallow” to you because, compared to modern cherry mx style switches, Alps SKCM switches have a lower travel distance
I haven’t used this, but I have a couple other white ALPS keyboards, one complex like this and one simplified. They’re really really nice, although a bit too big for my liking now. Using a vintage keyboard through a USB converter is always a great idea though, if the size is fine with you.
I’ve used this one for a while now as my “daily driver”, and I really like it. It is big though, as you say, but the trade off is worth it for me so far. Those ALPS switches are soothing for the soul! :)
@@OddObsolete yeah, it took many years before I got tired of reaching over for the mouse, and it was very begrudging moving away. But BOX switches soothed that burn a bit. A large part of my heart goes out to ALPS switches though, and would love to try blue ALPS.
All Apple keyboards made in collaboration with Alps are beautiful.
This is my favorite keyboard, I use this every day for iMac running vim.
Found the 3501 to-day in a dumpster! Curly cable too! I wondered what the sliding feature was on the back! It kind of sticks, so I didn't force it. Thank you 🤓
Cool! I like how you demonstrated it with an era-appropriate Mac!
Great video! Never thought I'd be wanting to pick up a keyboard from 1991 and use it with my modern Mac too. Keep up the great content!
With my primary (modern) Macs, since around 2009-2010, I have sought out and used these keyboards. I've bought other, modern, mechanical boards - UniComp, Razer... Nothing is quite the same - at least in the sub-100 bracket of tactile keyboards.
A wonderful piece of retro-tech - and I'm glad you found a cheap option for adapting them - I've bought two old school adapters, from Griffin I think (iMate) - but they were already running near $80 in 2010.
Thanks, awesome video, I've subscribed :)
Have been using this as my daily driver for a while now, and I totally agree. It’s an amazing keyboard!
Alps switches (when new) have amazing tactility. The issue is, and the reason why most people don't think fondly of alps, is that they are very complicated in design and that complicated design gives them many more failure points, and they fail often. A bit of dirt or dust getting inside the switch is enough to cause them to perform much worse. It's the main reason why cherry switches have become the standard.
right now i just have an M0110A but ive been looking into orange or salmon alps AEK models!
and yeah its normal that the keys felt “shallow” to you because, compared to modern cherry mx style switches, Alps SKCM switches have a lower travel distance
I haven’t used this, but I have a couple other white ALPS keyboards, one complex like this and one simplified. They’re really really nice, although a bit too big for my liking now. Using a vintage keyboard through a USB converter is always a great idea though, if the size is fine with you.
I’ve used this one for a while now as my “daily driver”, and I really like it. It is big though, as you say, but the trade off is worth it for me so far. Those ALPS switches are soothing for the soul! :)
@@OddObsolete yeah, it took many years before I got tired of reaching over for the mouse, and it was very begrudging moving away. But BOX switches soothed that burn a bit. A large part of my heart goes out to ALPS switches though, and would love to try blue ALPS.
loved it
cool