SGI Bigfoot series
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| Part number |
9500801 041-0136-001 9500820 9500829 9500900 "Granite" |
|---|---|
| FCC ID | None |
| Branding | Silicon Graphics |
| Manufacturer | Alps Electric |
| Product family | Alps Bigfoot |
| Layouts | 101-key ANSI, 102-key ISO |
| Keyswitches | Alps SKCM Cream Damped, Alps SKCM Black, Alps SKCM White Damped |
| Keycaps | Dye-sublimated cylindrical |
| Interface | SGI (9500801, 041-0136-001), PS/2 (others) |
SGI Bigfoot series is a series of Silicon Graphics (also called SGI) Alps Bigfoot keyboards with Alps SKCL/SKCM series switches. The best known of these keyboards in the West is 9500900, known as the SGI Granite keyboard for its distinctive granite-pattern case. Part number 041-0136-001 also has a granite case, but it is not PS/2.
Contents
Description
SGI Bigfoot keyboards were made for SGI's UNIX workstations, and most of them have PS/2 support. SGI Granite keyboards in particular are typically found with Alps SKCM Cream Damped switches, but Alps SKCM White Damped switches were also used in some of the models. Alps SKCM Black switches have also been noted in the SGI Bigfoot series.
The models with later part numbers have the subtle function key reference strip ridge above the function keys; older models omit this.
Some models are labelled "U.S. AT-101 Keyboard" (or similar) on the rear; this may only apply to the PS/2 versions.
SGI Granite
"SGI Granite" refers to the model with part number 9500900, which is one of the PS/2 models. There is also an SGI-protocol model with a granite case.
The "Granite" keyboard was phased out from SGI's product line and replaced by a version of the NMB RT6856T. That keyboard also has a granite-pattern case, but it is a rubber dome keyboard. Collectors do not often use the name "SGI Granite" for this keyboard, but it can often be seen for sale as such. It can be told apart from the mechanical "Granite" by it having a smaller footprint, that the key legends are not in italics and that the cable channel is inside a shelf on the back (not the underside).
Models
All models are US-made and US 101-key ANSI unless otherwise noted. Most of the details below come from Nogujyu Keyboard Mania.[1]
| Part number | Case | Hosts | Protocol | Switches | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 9500801 | Beige | Indigo, Onyx, Crimson | SGI | Alps SKCM Cream Damped? | Cable is removable |
| 9500820 | Original Indigo² | PS/2 | |||
| 041-0136-001[2] | Granite | Indigo, Onyx | SGI | Alps SKCM Cream Damped? | |
| 9500829 | Beige | Indigo² | PS/2 | Alps SKCM Cream Damped | Grey case is rumoured; limited production in Ireland |
| 9500900 | Granite | Indy | PS/2 |
Alps SKCM Cream Damped (US and Ireland production) |
Shell plastic reported to be thinner |
| 9500904 | Granite | PS/2 |
Alps SKCM Cream Damped (Ireland production) |
Assumed to be the same as the 9500900, but in German 102-key ISO layout ("GERMAN AT-102 Keyboard" on rear label); made in Ireland.[3] |
Gallery
SGI Granite
SGI Granite with Indy R5000 and Indycam
SGI Granite: back side. (Part-No: 9500900 / Made in Ireland)
Keycaps removed: Alps SKCM Cream Damped switches
Backside sticker
SGI Granite: cover up and keycaps removed. Please notice the typical Alps mount-plate and LEDs. The later can also be found occasionally in switches
SGI Granite closeup switches
9500801
Top view
Rear label
Keycaps
Switches
041-0136-001
Part number 041-0136-001 is the other granite-coloured model, which is not PS/2 compatible, and has a slightly different case.
Top view
Rear label
Keycaps
9500829
US-made example
Externally, this keyboard is indicated as "Made in USA", while the PCB internally is marked "MADE IN KOREA", possibly by Gold Star Alps; the Western factories likely completed only the final assembly. The chip contains the inscriptions "342-0313 1.0 0300" and "ALPS02104111991" while the PCB is marked "D93.05"; none of these codes are variable as they are completely identical to Scarface's example with a much higher serial number (20144).
Top view
Rear view
Switches
Rear of PCB
Keycap detail and rear label; serial number is 3368
Various details
Switch disassembly
Switch disassembly
Ireland-made example
Rear label
Keycaps
Related keyboards
The SGI Bigfoot keyboards were variations of an OEM design manufactured by Alps often called Alps Bigfoot. The most common of those is the Dell AT101 series which have other types of Alps SKCL/SKCM series switches.
The SGI-branded variation of the NMB RT6856T rubber dome keyboard has a granite-coloured case, but is not called "SGI Granite" keyboard by most collectors.
External links
- KBDMania — SGI - 9500829 키보드 (detailed 9500829 illustrations from Scarface)
- YouTube — Silicon Graphics AT-101 keyboard video review (white damped Alps version)
- KBtalKing — ☆★☆___SGI-9500829-ALPS橡膠消音軸___☆★☆
References
- ↑ ? — Nogujyu Keyboard Mania
- ↑ Ian's SGI Depot — Keyboards and Mice
- ↑ deskthority — Silicon Graphics Granite ISO Part number 9500904
