IBM Blue Alps

[larryniven]

Just manage to save a weird keyboard. It's an IBM keyboard with blue alps.



When I first received it, the typing experience is totally unacceptable. It's really hard to even press down the keys when you hit them off the center. I guess it's due to the dust inside the slider that's causing the additional friction. I decide to open up all the switches and clean them thoroughly. Fortunately, you don't need to desolder them to open them up.



Not sure if the keycaps are PBT dyesubs. The legend of the enter key is mostly gone, and the top of the key is smoothed out.



Though the switches are blue alps, they have cherry stabilizers. Not sure if this is common.





The profile is also interesting. Keys on row 1 have really long stems.

Now that everything is clean, no more of-the-center problem. Love the tactile yet smooth feeling.

[ohaimark]

WTFing F?

That is the weirdest thing I've seen since starting the hobby. What's the part number?

Edit: WTFing M is more appropriate.

[photekq]

Second one of these we've seen.. so it is real!

Amazing find.

[Redmaus]

WTF?!?! This makes no sense.

Are you sure this is genuine blue alps and not clones?

How do you do it larryniven, first the amazing beamspring and then this? Did your contacts in china get you this?

Really amazing find.

[Chyros]

We've seen this once before, it really boggles the mind xD . Blue Alps and IBM, who wouldn't fall in love with such a combination?

[larryniven]

WTFing F?

That is the weirdest thing I've seen since starting the hobby. What's the part number?

Edit: WTFing M is more appropriate.

Here's the back of the keyboard. It even says "Model M."



This keyboard is actually rescued from a public school in Chicago suburb. A friend of mine knows I'm into keyboards, and picked it up for me. I've double checked with him already. All other IBM keyboards are normal buckling springs.

[jacobolus]

I was convinced the other one was a photoshop job.

[Hak Foo]

The label sort of makes sense but has no barcode.

[Touch_It]

It's early in 1986. Maybe they needed to use alps to fulfill orders while bs m's came into full production? I'm sure this is some peoples ultimate keyboard.

[Halvar]

I'm in denial phase about this being real... it would just be too good of a prank. Blue Alps, of all things... And this weird IBM badge...

[andrewjoy]

OH man that is one sexy board.

[Chyros]

The square badge looks different to me. Maybe that's the way to recognise these?? Oo

[scottc]

I'm going to throw another WTF?!?!? in the pot...

[Chyros]

It looks to be in really good condition too .

[hammelgammler]

Well I don't think it's prank, as I have mine too, although in a less good condition then this one.
The keycaps should be ABS, because mine are a yellowed.

Good thing is that I have most of the keycaps twice in a much better condition.
It seems to be kind of rare, but I think as of know I saw 3, one at Geekhack, this here and mine.

[ohaimark]

Is the case texture different from normal Ms? It looks sort of Acer-y.

[Compgeke]

Are there any closeup shots of the keyboard controller IC?

[0100010]

Need a shot of one column of keys from every row, upside down in a line; so we can see the stem lengths mentioned.

[larryniven]

Need a shot of one column of keys from every row, upside down in a line; so we can see the stem lengths mentioned.

Pretty long stem. Right?

For an IC photo, I will open up the case tonight.

[Chyros]

Crikey Oo . Are these OEM profile then?

[Mattr567]

The second one we've seen. Quirky board!

What does the PCB look like? It is made by Alps Electric?

[Mattr567]

I'm in denial phase about this being real... it would just be too good of a prank. Blue Alps, of all things... And this weird IBM badge...

And the LED lights look weird to me. Not sure if it is genuine IBM, but still a really cool keyboard!

Someone in China or who knows where could have found a Model M case to put the assembly in it.

[larryniven]

Are there any closeup shots of the keyboard controller IC?

Intel inside

The second one we've seen. Quirky board!

What does the PCB look like? It is made by Alps Electric?

No labels anywhere on the PCB.

[Techno Trousers]

I'm calling this one out as a straight up Chinese/Taiwanese counterfeit of the IBM Model M. The IBM part number is correct for the manufacture date listed on the rear label, but the logo on the front is very shoddy and doesn't match the recessed metal square logo of the 1390131. And of course the internals are nothing like the genuine IBM keyboards.

I put the chances of IBM having produced an Alps switch keyboard, with the exact same model number as one of their buckling spring keyboards, at 0.0%. IBM even have different part numbers for keyboards that are virtually identical to the naked eye, just because of some obscure internal change.

An interesting find, nonetheless.

[Compgeke]

I'd also say clone, but still cool. Notice the back label says 1986 but the controller IC says 1989 as a copyright. There's also the lack of IBM branding on the IC, something I don't recall ever running across before.

Still interesting and something I'd like to find some day.

[andrewjoy]

LOL clones back then had style , to clone something with blue alps

[Chyros]

Indeed, this clone might actually feel better than the genuine article xD .

[andrewjoy]

Shame the caps are ABS , that would have been some serious alps cap porn

[Chyros]

No man, Alps and ABS make a perfect couple!

[stratokaster]

A very nice clone, that's for sure. Those legends are 100% IBM style.