Need recommendation for new keyboard

[latemodel24]

Pricy, but an ellipse Model F reproduction

[mode1ace]

Pine alps should be as smooth as a model F. I have both and simply opening up the switches and cleaning them out may make that focus to your liking. Are you sure it's not a clone board?

[funkmon]

Yes, I think Box whites or Matias are a good bet. Flexibility is difficult with Matias, but you can get Box Whites in stuff. The click is a bit high pitched though.

[Hypersphere]

If you can find a Northgate 101 with white pine Alps in excellent condition, this would serve you very well. You can easily add a programmable chip to change the layout to your liking. It is also easy to convert these from PS/2 to USB if you prefer. Build quality is superb.

[fohat]

If you can find a Northgate 101 with white pine Alps in excellent condition

Northgates were very popular back in the day and these do turn up on the rare occasion. In almost 10 years in the hobby, I have bought 1 new in open box and 1 like new, each for around $100 or less including postage.

I kept one just as I bought it and another that I transplanted orange sliders and leaves into (from a similarly excellent AEK2, which also turn up pristine from time to time), and I actually prefer that one.

You have to be patient, though, I waited years between those purchases.

[Hypersphere]

@fohat: Very interesting! I did exactly the same thing with one of my Northgate Omnikey 101 boards. Here are some pics:

nothgate_orange2.jpg (206.79 KiB) Viewed 2139 times

Northgate Ominkey 101 on the operating table getting its Orange Alps transplants.

NG_White-Orange_25a.jpg (267.81 KiB) Viewed 2139 times

Closeup of Northgate 101 showing transplanted Orange Alps slider and SGI PBT alpha keycaps.

One of my all-time favorite keyboards!

[bujorc]

I kept one just as I bought it and another that I transplanted orange sliders and leaves into (from a similarly excellent AEK2, which also turn up pristine from time to time), and I actually prefer that one.

AEK2 with oranges?? Any way to distinguish them from creams and whites?

[fohat]

I transplanted orange sliders and leaves

AEK2 with oranges?? Any way to distinguish them from creams and whites?

Oops, sorry.
I meant AEK not 2.