5k177

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Northgate computers chose to differentiate themselves from the rest of the custom/clone PC manufaturers in the late 80’s/early 90’s by putting a great deal of resources into their keyboards. No other manufacturer chose this strategy and only IBM’s of that area were comparable in quality to Northgates.

Thick, Heavy steel back plate. Programmable repeat rates and layout changes via dip switches and hot keys. Detachable cables. ALPS Complicated Clicky + Tactile Mechanical Keyswitches.

This is the real deal… a genuine Omnimac Ultra complete with original Northgate Manual, Keyboard Cover, Key Puller, Swappable Ctrl and Capslock keys, ADB cord, PS2 cord and the ultra rare DVORAK keys so you can swap caps while having all keys on the correct angle. Comes in original box as shipped from Northgate Computers.

Enjoy one of the rarest collectible mechanicals ever made in all it’s minty goodness.

SOLD OUT! Thanks for the orders, congrats to those who scored such a rare and amazing little mechanical compact.

Here are the last few Mint SIIG Minitouch Mechanical Keyboards.  The same keyboards that have historically been selling for far more in “opened” boxes.  BUT… THESE ARE SEALED with the original celophane over the box.   No sealed Minitouch has been sold on ebay in years.  Even those in the box have been opened and usually have been used.

This awesome Mini Mechanical Keyboard is not the Geek Hack Space Saver version (so no bag, caps, puller are included)  but it’s the same keyboard with all of the same vintage goodness.

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Score a MINT NOS SIIG Minitouch for dirt cheap. Don’t buy an old grimey board filled with pubes and horror when you can pick up a MINT SEALED dream like this for such a song. When they’re gone they’re gone.

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This is a great opportunity to pick up one of the most expensive and well made keyboards I have had the pleasure of using.  This is a very limited run and all are Mint in original boxes. Photos are from my cell phone of my personal keyboard.  I contacted Desko about getting some more of them but their price was, are you ready for this? $887.84 per unit.  This is truly a high end board.

The Desko BMOS has been dubbed the “Elbowglue SPOS” since it was first posted on Geek Hack by the forum member Elbowglue.  It has been a popular board for mods on many Asian sites, especially for solder-less switch swaps. PCB mounted MX switches have distinct advantages over plate mounted… when in the right keyboard. Typing feel.  Nothing matches a PCB mounted Cherry MX switch on a short keyboard.  Period.   The longer PCB mounted boards can flex a bit too much for some tastes but you don’t have that issue on compacts. Typing sound. PCB mounted MX offers a sound and interface that is much more relaxing than the tinny pingy echo chamber reverb tank sounds you get from some plate mounted switch keyboards.  Some plate mounted boards aren’t too bad, but others are horrible.  PCB mounted has been my favorite for years. Solderless swaps without removing switches. Since the switches are PCB mounted, there is not a plate blocking access to the top of the switch housing tabs.  So using a simple tool made from a large paperclip or other means, you can carefully pop the tops on these switches for custom mods.  These are silky smooth Black MX switches,  but pop the tops and swap in a spring from a Cherry Brown switch and bang – you have MX Reds.  Swap in the post, spring and top from an MX Brown to go to tactile at lighter force or MX Blue for clicky tactile typing.  All without pulling out a soldering gun. Key caps are fairly thick walled compared to many caps. 2x Red ESC keys + Key puller. You also get the added bonus of 2 Esc keys.  I’m fond of the White on Red but some prefer Black on Red, you’ll have both, along with a lime green key cap puller.  Ironically the Esc key has a fairly tight gap around it so the key cap puller doesn’t fit very well in the gaps on that top F key row but the keys pop off easily with a standard screwdriver or nail file.  All other caps on the board pop instantly with the puller, as do caps on other boards. Integrated Pointing device. This Desko is the TOTL version that comes with the Trackpoint-Style pointing device and Click/Alt-Click buttons on the front edge of the board. Interfaces. There are 2 PS/2 connectors for the Keyboard/Mouse and these are completely compatible with what I refer to as the “Blue Rocket” USB to Dual-PS/2 adapter.  This includes working with any Sharpkeys registry hacks you may have such as remapping caps lock to left control.  A serial connector is present for the MSR credit card reader.  I haven’t experimented with that but can say that this is the only keyboard I can think of that the MSR reader does not detract from it’s looks, it adds to them, giving it a really cool and distinct appearance. Stainless Steel back plate and it being entirely German Made, not just the switches.

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For your consideration is a very high quality Vintage Mechanical keyboard from Northgate Computer Systems.  Northgate was an “IBM Clone” pc maker in the late 80’s and 90’s.  What made Northgate special wasn’t so much their computers, it was that they poured most of their effort and resources into their keyboards.  Their theory was that by making extremely high end keyboards, they would stand out from their competition and gain PC sales.  Northgate quickly became the number one after-market keyboard manufacturer in the early days of Personal Computers. Many of them were purchased at that time, were used daily ever since and are still clicking away 20 years later.

This particular Northgate is the Omnikey 101 has the following features:

101 key layout with F keys on top and inverted T arrow cluster

Mechanical ALPS key switches that are Tactile (feedback you can feel) and Clicky (keys make an audible click during stroke, not from bottoming out) *These ALPS are known as “FUKKAS” (pronounced Foo-kah) and they received the nickname from the robust clicking sound they make. They are also smoother than most ALPS switches which also contributes to their popularity.

Doubleshot key caps

Northgate Key Puller and swappable CapsLock/Control key caps

No dip switches.  Programming is done using Sharpkeys.  Some like dip switches, others detest them but you can accomplish the same thing using a quick software hack with Sharpkeys.  I use it to map Capslock to Control on all of my computers.

AT Connector.  Let me know if you need an adapter.

SOLD OUT. Thanks and congrats to those who scored one!

There are a limited number available.   Happy Holidays!

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TG3 BL82 Police Edition Black LED backlit Cherry MX switch keyboard – MINT – in original box.

These won’t last long.  Quite a few sold before I could even post pics.

This is a very sturdy keyboard with a metal back plate, ABS case and Cherry Black MX Mechanical Switches.  Each individual switch is backlit with it’s own LED.  You can see this keyboard was meant to be used in the rain or survive blood spatter with a very thin and flexible membrane between the switches and the key caps.  If you want to remove it just pop the caps and cut around the edges to remove.

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Here is a great opportunity to pick up a NOS vintage keyboard with the highly desirable SMK Blue “Monterey” clicky mechanical switches.

These switches feel right in the middle between a Blue Cherry MX switch and an ALPS clicky switch. These will arrive in their original boxes, complete with original keyboard card inside. And they will also include the doubleshot green key set and key puller from the Geek Hack Space Saver.

LIMIT 1 Per Customer! These won’t last long and I can’t get anymore once they are gone. This is a one shot deal. If you wish to buy a Geek Hack Space Saver as well, just complete both orders and I will combine shipping and send you a refund via Paypal.

CONGRATULATIONS TO THOSE WHO SCORED THEM WHILE THEY WERE AVAILABLE.