SGI Bigfoot series

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SGI Bigfoot series

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.

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.<ref name="qwerty" />

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<ref name="ian" />	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) Alps SKCM Black (US production) Alps SKCM White Damped (US and Taiwan 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.<ref>deskthority — Silicon Graphics Granite ISO Part number 9500904</ref>

Gallery

SGI Granite

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  SGI Granite with Indy R5000 and Indycam
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  SGI Granite: back side. (Part-No: 9500900 / Made in Ireland)
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  Keycaps removed: Alps SKCM Cream Damped switches
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  Backside sticker
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  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
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  SGI Granite closeup switches

9500801

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  Top view
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  Rear label
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  Keycaps
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  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.

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  Top view
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  Rear label
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  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).

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  Top view
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  Rear view
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  Switches
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  Rear of PCB
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  Electromagnetic shield
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  Keycap detail and rear label; serial number is 3368
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  Various details
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  Switch disassembly
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  Switch disassembly

Ireland-made example

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  Rear label
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  Keycaps

Related keyboards

SGI-branded NMB RT6856TSF

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

<references> <ref name="qwerty">? — Nogujyu Keyboard Mania</ref> <ref name="ian">Ian's SGI Depot — Keyboards and Mice</ref> </references>