Alps SKCM Brown

This article requires additional photographic illustration — full photo sets of both versions

Alps SKCM Brown

Manufacturer	Alps Electric
Family	Alps SKCL/SKCM series
Precedes	Alps SKCM Green
Switch type	Tactile
Sense method	Metal leaf
Keycap mount	Alps mount
Switch mount	Plate mount

Alps SKCM Brown, or tactile Brown Alps, is a tactile switch in the complicated Alps SKCL/SKCM series.

Tactile Brown Alps is the original tactile switch in the SKCM series. Tactility was introduced by placing a second, modified switchplate actuator leaf onto a dummy block on the opposite side of the switch. This arrangement has been reported to have a superior feel to the later design.^{[Citation needed]} Tactile Brown Alps has also been found with standard tactile leaves.<ref name="KBDMania-Brown" />

The feel of tactile Brown Alps has been reported to be similar to the officially documented force curve of Alps SKCM Green switches, which have a tactile leaf of a shape quite close to that of tactile Brown Alps.<ref name="GH-JD-2" /> It is possible therefore that tactile Green is the successor to tactile Brown.

Linear Brown Alps switches also exist; these can be identified by an LED cutout in the upper shell.

Gallery

Early type

Early SKCM Brown switches with a modified actuator leaf for tactile feel.

• 
  Partially disassembled

• 
  Tactile assembly
• 
  Tactile assembly

Keyboards

• AT&T UNIX PC 3B1 7300 EL1574<ref name="ebay1" />
• IBM PC Convertible (IBM 5140)<ref name="PC-Convertible" />
• IBM Nursing Station keyboard (IBM 7690)<ref name="IBM7690" />
• Some Magnavox VideoWriter keyboards (Made in Japan models)
• Sony KI 107CG<ref name="sony"/>
• Texas Instruments Professional Portable keyboard<ref name="texas_portable"/>
• Some Texas Instruments Low Profile 2230528-0001<ref name="texas_brown1"/>
• Some Texas Instruments Low Profile 931 2228995-0001<ref name="texas_brown"/> & 2228995-0002<ref name="reddit-TI" />
• Most Xerox 6085 (pre-1990 models) (Models: 54D<ref name="Xerox"/>, 65DB<ref name="Xerox"/> & 93DB<ref name="db93"/>)
• Xerox Y02 8088 <ref name="ebay2" />
• Yamaha KB-1000

Other Devices

• TUB TS10 Guitar Pedal<ref name="ts10"/>

References

<references> <ref name="PC-Convertible">Deskthority — The Mrinterface Switch Sample Bag (p. 8)</ref> <ref name="KBDMania-Brown">KBDMania — 알프스 스위치 분해와 결합, 윤활 방법입니다. (Korean only) Dated 2008-09-08. Retrieved 2015-07-22.</ref> <ref name="GH-JD-2">Geekhack — Tactile Green Alps? Dated 2014-07-22. Retrieved 2015-07-22.</ref> <ref name="reddit-TI">Reddit — Does anyone know what this switch is called? Dated 2016-02-23. Retrieved 2016-07-31.</ref> <ref name="ebay1">eBay — AT&T UNIX PC 3B1 7300 Vintage Computer Keyboard EL1574. Added 2021-11-06.</ref> <ref name="ebay2">eBay — Rare Xerox Y02 8088 Computer w/Alps Keyboard. Added 2021-11-24.</ref> <ref name="IBM7690">Deskthority — ohaimark's DT Quiz Time. Posted 2016-06-10.</ref> <ref name="texas_brown">Imgur — Texas Instruments Low Profile 2228995-0001. Posted 2022-04-02.</ref> <ref name="texas_brown1">Telcontrar — [https://telcontar.net/KBK/KAref/Texas_Instruments_2230528-000/ Texas Instruments 2230528-0001. Updated 2022-01-25.</ref> <ref name="texas_portable">Imgur — Texas Instruments TI Professional Portable Luggable Computer (Alps SKCM Brown) Posted 2022-04-04.</ref> <ref name="Xerox">Imgur — Xerox 54D and 65DB - ALPS SKCM Brown Uploaded 2016-08-06.</ref> <ref name="sony">Imgur — Sony KI 107CG - Alps SKCM Brown Uploaded 2022-12-24.</ref> <ref name="db93">Imgur — Xerox Docutech Model 93DB (Alps SKCM Brown) Uploaded 2022-12-24.</ref> <ref name="ts10">Reddit — Rare vintage guitar pedal uses ALPS switch (ts10~$400) Posted 2022-04-24.</ref> </references>