Strong Man SMK-105

[kikk0man1]

I recently saw this 3rd party ADB board on ebay for $20AUD+ shipping, and a marking on the box indicated SMK switches. I hoped it would have SMK 2nd Gen switches, and bought it. Worst case scenario, it has rubber domes and I'm out $40. I've paid more for less (I am not a smart man). I was incorrect.

I opened the box (it was new in box BTW) and tapped on the keys. It felt familiar. Upon pulling a cap I was greeted with a white slider and a tiny Alps Logo. It has Complicated SKCM White switches. I didn't immediately recognise them as the only other genuine Alps switches I have are the not quite clean ones in my Acer 6011, which cost me twice as much. These feel and sound less... crunchy.

Further investigation into the FCC ID reveals the manufacturer as Strong Man Enterprise Co. Ltd., which explains the "SMK" marking on the box, and revealing the model number as SMK-105. It was made in Taiwan, presumable in the late '80s or early '90s; there is no date code on the back, and I am loathe to attempt to open it, as there are no visible screws and I don't want to damage it looking for plastic clips. I did open one of the switches to confirm whether or not it was SKCM or SKBM. There is a complicated Alps switchplate.

I am very pleased with the board and although I won't be able to use it without an ADB converter, I am glad to have a stock of fresh SKCM switches which I may use in a custom board and Alps-mount keycaps (albeit cheap, pad printed, Apple-font, ISO layout ones).

[ddrfraser1]

This looks like an AEK clone, pretty good one from the looks of it. What are the caps like?

[Riverman]

I'm impressed that that keyboard has a real Macintosh keyboard layout, with only three keys on each side of the spacebar and an equals key on the numeric keypad. Nice find! Hopefully the switches go to a good home.

[johnlernert]

Strong Man SMK-85 was a 75% keyboard, or a family of keyboards, from Strong Man.

[kelvinhall05]

Does the seller have any more? If so, got a link?