Ortek compact series

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Ortek compact series

FCC ID	GM8MCK-84KBPAD (1990)
Branding	Various
Manufacturer	Ortek
Layouts	Various 75%
Keyswitches	Alps SKCM White Alps SKBM White alps.tw Type T1
Dimensions	324 × 170 × 32 mm

Ortek compact series is a provisional name for a well-known series of 75% keyboards from Ortek.

Models

Model	Layout	Connector	Switches	DA-15	Notes
Ortek MKB-84 SX<ref>geekhack — The most awesome super rare alps compact keyboard ever.</ref>	84-key, ISO enter		Alps SKCM White	Present
Ortek MKB-84 FX<ref>Deskthority — Ortek MCK-84 versions</ref>	84-key, ISO enter		Four-tab clone	Present	FCC ID misprinted as "GM8MCK-84KBPD"
SIIG Suntouch Jr.<ref>geekhack — Help Me Learn About Alps: Complicated vs Simplified</ref>	84-key, ISO enter		Alps SKCM White	Present	Model K84Jr.; FCC ID misprinted as "GM8CK-84KBPAD"; same as the MKB-84 SX, above
Ortek MCK-84FX	85-key, ISO		alps.tw Type T1<ref>MouseFan — Ortek MCK-84FX</ref> Four-tab clone<ref name="DT-84-FX-SX" />	Present	Found with a health warning sticker dated 1996<ref name="DT-84-FX-SX" />
Ortek MCK-84SX<ref name="DT-84-FX-SX" />	85-key, ISO		Alps SKBM White		Rear label says "MCK-84", while the product box says "MCK-84SX"; product bears health warning sticker dated 1997
Ortek MCK-84FT					Using product box as evidence of existence<ref name="DT-MCK-84-versions" />
Ortek MCK-84<ref name="sandy-MCK-84" />	86-key, ISO enter, Windows/menu keys	PS/2	Alps clone	Absent	Found with a health warning sticker dated 1999<ref name="DT-MCK-84-versions" />
Filco FKB-86E<ref>ダイヤテック — 86キーコンパクト英語キーボード</ref>	86-key, ISO enter, Windows/menu keys	PS/2			DOS/V support; same as MCK-84 above
Neotec MCK-89S<ref>Neotec — NEOTEC(ORTEK) MCK-89S</ref>	89-key Japanese	PS/2<ref>Sandy — ortek mck-89s</ref>	Alps SKBM White	Absent	Non-standard key stagger to accommodate extra key
Filco FKB89J<ref>ダイヤテック — 89キーコンパクト日本語キーボード</ref>	89-key Japanese	PS/2			DOS/V support; same as Neotec MCK-89S above
Justy JKB-89S<ref>aoikoi — justy jkb-89s</ref>	89-key Japanese	PS/2	Four-tab clone	Absent	DOS/V support; same as Filco FKB89J above

Characteristics

DA-15 connector

Many of these keyboards feature a DA-15 socket on the rear at the right; this socket directly exposes traces of the keyboard matrix to allow for the connection of a numeric keypad.<ref name="soarer-pinout" /> The matching keypad is a variant of the Ortek MCK-18 series.

Disconnected key

The 85-key ISO version of the MCK-84 can be found with the key next to left shift unprinted. In such cases, the switch may be found deliberately disconnected from the matrix by way of one of the switch legs being bent back against the base of the switch.<ref name="soarer-pinout" />

Versions

Evidence to date suggests that Ortek used "SX" to denote the models with genuine Alps switches (complicated or simplified), and "FX" to denote the models with Alps clones. The meaning of "FT" remains to be determined. (In the case of the Neotec MCK-89S, it seems that "S" was used instead of "SX".)

Some keyboards omit the "SX" or "FX" from the model number, using only the label on the box to indicate the version.<ref name="DT-MCK-84-versions" />

References

<references> <ref name="soarer-pinout">geekhack — Ortek MCK-84 info</ref> <ref name="sandy-MCK-84">Sandy — ortek mck-84</ref> <ref name="DT-84-FX-SX">Deskthority — Best way to check real Alps switch</ref> <ref name="DT-MCK-84-versions">Deskthority — Ortek MCK-84 versions</ref> </references>