Alps SKCM Blue
 | |
| Manufacturer | Alps Electric |
|---|---|
| Family | Alps SKCL/SKCM series |
| Product code | SKCMAG |
| Precedes | Alps SKCM White |
| Switch type | Clicky |
| Sense method | Metal leaf |
| Rated lifetime | 20 M |
| Actuation force | 70 gf |
| Total travel | 3.5 mm |
| Keycap mount | Alps mount |
| Switch mount | Plate mount |
| Patents | US4642433 (1985) |
Alps SKCM Blue, complicated blue Alps, or simply blue Alps, is a clicky switch in the Alps SKCL/SKCM series.
Description
Complicated blue Alps are highly regarded for their smooth feel. The reason for this is not known, though Sandy reports finding dry lubricant applied to the sliders of an Acer KB-101A.[1]
Blue Alps switches are branded only on the bottom. Identification is assisted by the unusual greyish-blue colour of the slider; while there are Alps clone switches with blue sliders, none of them have the same shade of blue slider, preferring teal and vivid blue.
The switchplate is typically grey full-height, but white switchplates have also been found in blue Alps switches.
Specifications
The following image, taken by alps.tw,[2] contains the only known official documentation on the blue Alps switch:
Variants
Known variants include:
| Switchplate | Alps logo | Slits |
|---|---|---|
| Grey, long | No logo | With slits |
| White, long | No logo | With slits |
| White, long | With logo | With slits |
| White, short | With logo | With slits |
Keyboards
- Accodata Keycat
- Acer KB-101A
- Some Chicony KB-5160
- Some Chicony KB-5161
- Datacomp DFK102
- Some Focus FK-555[3]
- Some Focus FK-2001 and Focus FK-2002
- Leading Edge DC-2014
- Most Leading Edge DC-3014
- Some Monterey K104
- NEC PC-8801 Mk II SR
- Some early Northgate OmniKey models
- Some NTC KB-6151
- Some NTC KB-6251/6252
- OEMMAX MCK-101 (Ortek OEM)[4]
- Panasonic Business Partner 286 keyboard (normal keys)
- Tulip ATK 030244
Clones
Simplified Alps Type III is a clone of the Alps SKCMAG. The switch appears to be an earlier Hua-Jie AK-CN2 adapted to use a shell derived from an Alps SKCMAG; unlike most clones, Type III is clearly intended to fool people into mistaking it for a real Alps product, aided by Alps having neglected to visibly brand their switches.
The most obvious difference between the clone and genuine article is that the clone switch has a vivid blue slider, instead of the blue-grey of the Alps product. The clone switch replicates the telltale slits in the slider hole as well as the long side tabs that normally indicate a genuine Alps switch. The upper shell may be derived directly from an Alps moulding, as a plastic support plate was required to support the contact plates where normally the shell has dedicated recesses. A similar switch has been found with a custom shell with the proper recesses.
Type III simplified, disassembled
Gallery
Blue Alps switch in an NTC KB-6252EA keyboard
Loose switches
Blue Alps switches in a Chicony 5160C keyboard
Partially disassembled switch
Rare white switchplate version, partially disassembled
References
- ↑ A Little bit of Keyboards — acer kb101a
- ↑ KBtalKing — ㊣㊣台灣黑軸與台灣白軸的樣式㊣㊣ Dated 2014-01-17. Retrieved 2015-07-21.
- ↑ Geekhack — $2 Goodwill keyboard with Blue Alps? Posted 2014-05-26. Retrieved 2015-07-21.
- ↑ Geekhack — First Mechanical: OEMMAX MCK-101 with Blue Alps Posted 2014-05-22. Retrieved 2015-07-21.
