Laser 2269 keyboard review (SMK 2nd gen Cherry mount)
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- Опубликовано: 10 фев 2025
- Skip to 11:04 for a typing demonstration.
Today we're finally taking a look at the Cherry MX-mount version of SMK 2nd generation switches; i.e. the MX-mount version of the Monterey switch! These are really good. The keyboard is quite interesting too! Hope you enjoy the video :) .
My keyboard reviews: bit.ly/1TbOtft
My switch teardowns: bit.ly/2C1QGHz
My TOP X videos: bit.ly/2FmpZfd
My XL typing demos: bit.ly/2OoAW3w
My tutorials and featurettes: bit.ly/2OrkLUh
My unboxing videos: bit.ly/2TSrr0m
I'm Thomas and I do videos and reviews on mechanical keyboards ranging from the most sickening modern RGB gaming keyboards to vintage hardware relics, or sometimes keycaps or keyswitches ranging from Cherry MX to Alps SKCM to IBM buckling springs and anything in between.
Follow me on Twitter for updates on my keyboard videos! / chyrosran22
The practice sentence was: "Hello my name is Thomas and I'm typing on a Laser 2269 right now. This is a really nice keyboard, despite the extremely terrible build quality, I really enjoy typing on this thing!"
Aaaaaaaand now they're expensive.
Indeed...
Even the shitty rubber domes version of this keyboard is now $100 on eBay after this video 😂
If we wait a while, the prices should go back down.
You should probably just go for a Chicony with SMK Alps mount switches. Not stellar build quality, but much better than the Laser at least. They actually have steel mounting plates, for one. And it's still possible to get one pretty cheap. The Laser just has a slightly better layout and MX mount, but Thomas didn't show what kind of stabilizer the big enter key uses, w/c may not be compatible with any currently available MX big enter cap.
@@Boyetto-san Single unit backspaces kill a keyboard for me. Both of the Chicony keyboards I have I'm keeping around to harvest switches from to fix other keyboards.
Chyrosran22 : "cheap"
Keyboard sellers : STONK
😡
The other Laser keyboard does come with SMKs too - I own one and it's one of my favorite boards. The best way to tell is the legends; the dome with slider version has pretty standard legends while the mechanical one has the same font style as the board used in this video.
They also made versions with a more modern rounded case design, different branding, and keycaps with dark blue legends. I have one of those and I must say it's pretty cool.
Do they feel as nice as the NEC blue ovals?
Ah, so just like I thought then ^^ .
Is it as cool as the vorsch mini mobar?
Seriously though, I need more of those automation videos, or the videos like Dodge f*cking Neon: asbestos flavored heroin.
I loved it ma dude. If you don't want to though, sorry for being annoying.
@@SockyNoob imo they feel better than NEC blue ovals. Bit smoother, more tactile, and the actuation and click are actually in sync
How heavy is it? Trying to calculate the shipping fees
Great comments about your "go to" category. Now you went over a few great ones that don't cut it, but how about a video going over those other few ones that do cut it and count among the "go tos"?
That sound is heavenly and I would love a longer typing demo...
It's on the list :) .
0:15 can their keyboard increase horsepower with a different cam profile and rev to 9k rpm?
You made my day
[ C O O L V I B R A T I O N S ]
NOTIFY THE 8-BIT GUY!
Seriously, he's working on a mini-documentary on Laser and I think any info you have on this board would be worthwhile to send his way.
Agreed
I recall using this exact keyboard in the 1990s at some place I worked. It wasn't connected to a Laser computer, it was just a random keyboard connected to a PC there. I really remember liking the feel, the lightness, and the click.
That not-so-subtle keyboard collection flex tho :P
Vtech has kicked in yo.
dorstefan vtec kicked in yo
*C O O L V I B R A T I O N S*
Man I miss this board. First actual mechanical board I owned, got it for free out of a barn. Absolutely caked in dirt and crud, but after a good clean, it was literally as good as new. Those SMKs are absolute tanks...unfortunately I ended up selling it a few years back, though I've since been able to get ahold of it's slightly larger brother, the version you mentioned at 1:10 which does indeed have SMK 2nd gen MX-mounts. The keycap legends are different than the rubber dome, but are identical to the one you reviewed. Guess all the SMK ones used the same source for caps.
Interesting video. I actually have the exact same keyboard (except my one has the "vtech" branding instead of "laser") that i picked up from my local Emmaus Charity shop. The guy didn't know if it worked or not, so he just gave it to me for 1 quid. Went home, cleaned it up and was pleasantly surprised at its condition and performance, especially the cherry compatible switches. Couldn't really find anything online about the keyboard tho, as all i had to go by was the vtech branding (nowadays vtech are known for their education children's toys). But this video is exactly what i was looking for. Thank you Chryos
I was inordinately pleased at this review. As a kid, I had a Laser 128EX (basically an Apple //e + //c hybrid-clone), and it was just like the keyboard you showed here: inexpensively made, but eminently functional. They sold quite well back in the day, as I expect this did. Funny company, VTech.
Laser also had branding on Monterey K101 with blue alps
Damn, from the keycaps to the Cherry mount to the sound similar to clickbars, this thing has good parts (other than the build quality) and you keep showing off these hidden gems.
I'd try transplanting the Alps switches to a modern board that supports them and let the keycaps define the layout. Retromodern with the caps but a milled Aluminum case would look great, and it would solve the case problem.
10:37 We're a little low on those at the moment but I'd still wipe my ass with MX Browns over this.
And now, here come the Keyboard stonks.
The sound of the keys are very nice. Smooth clicky sound.
Btw Thomas, i got a Steelseries Apex 300 here. Want it for an review? You will be in for a treat :-D
That's a membrane model isn't it? xD
@@Chyrosran22 I really don't know. Bought it when i didn't have any sense of good keyboards. I do know that it "types" not that pleasent and the spacebar is a thing of his own. :-D
I would like to see that video
The Laser VTCL 2269 with the 'plus' arrow key layout definitely can come with SMK 2nd gen Cherry mount switches, I know because I have one. :)
How heavy is it? Trying to calculate the shipping fees
This was a very helpful review. Thanks!
It’s 1 AM here in Boston but I can put off sleeping for one more review :)
I just found this keyboard, new in box, in my father in law's attic. It has a very nice feel to it. I'm going to pick up a USB adapter and try it out as my work keyboard for a while.
Man, nice flex with those 2 wing nuts.
Also, is it possible to tactile mod those clicky SMK’s to be tactile? Maybe by putting a tactile leaf in a clicky housing?
Aren't clickies already tactile?
Should be theoretically possible, but SMKs are terrible to reassemble after you've taken them apart, so I wouldn't xD .
I have a vtech branded winkeyless ANSI board with those switches. While it creaks, at least it has a plastic mounting plate and a somewhat decent case (doesn’t flex all that much). Very roomy case actually, very reminiscent of Acer’s dipped-back design. Switches are fantastic and sound great.
Awesome review!
What does the "Power" LED do? Great review as always. Loved seeing the collection wall.
Pretty much what you'd expect: It lights up when the keyboard has +5V. So back in the day, if lit it meant the PC was on.
Spirit of the old school lives only in contactless switches.
These SMK are amazing, I don't know why SMK is the only one who figured out how to fit a small alps like clicker leaf inside a cherry compatible housing. Too bad they didn't figure it out enough to make them compatible to cherry PCBs too... Anyway I bought a lot of them on the cheap from taobao, the problem is that I still didn't have enough time to make an handwired board (I even have a keyboard with a broken pcb already fitted with them).
You know, that if you ever what to make a will for that wall ...well, we are here for you :)
They're literally all gone from eBay.
Yeah, I really like the MX-mount SMKs. So many more choices for keycaps :)
VTech made a lot of educational teaching toys, and some of them actually have mechanical keyboards, by that I mean they have keys which resemble a proper computer keyboard and the keys move when you press them, as opposed to a flat membrane keyboard, I wonder what you'd make of the keyboards on those toys?
I just received one of these and after testing it, it's in my top 3 already for clicky switches, but around 12 of the switches don't work :(
while looking for this keyboard(was trying to upgrade from my MX Blues), I keep getting the laser PROJECTION keyboard, why?
Now this is the second time you review something and it draws my attention. But this time is something difficult to get my hands on. DOES ANYONE KNOW WHERE TO BUY ONE OF THOSE??
May I ask what microphone you use? It sounds amazing
sE X1 with Cube 4Nano audio interface
@@Chyrosran22 LOL... I've wondered this too, but then I realize that all the best microphones in the world wouldn't make my videos sound like this.... 😍
"if you do not wish to fuck around with custom PCBs..." hahahaha
Interesting Keyboard Thomas. I wonder if anyone has played around with one of these boards and to what extent? Cheers for the video bud :-)
This would make for a great project... new case and some keycaps?? 😎
Classic keyboard. Sincerely speaking the only thing it needs to be even better is a custom case. I know you are collector but custom cases would make kb like that even more nice and more personal
you're right I does sound very good
yay, something to numb the pain of control systems homework.
Been there hated that
This looks like a switch that the clone manufacturers have somehow overlooked.
Do you consider a model M to be a go to keyboard? It seems to check all the boxes on your list unless membrane buckling springs just don't cut it for you anymore
I love my Chicony KB-5181 with Alps mount SMK's, and I've been thinking about buying new-old stock SMK Cherry mount switches available in my region as spares. Are the pin-outs the same on both versions? I do also hesitate because even if MX mount gives a lot of choices for caps, I have no idea if there's an MX mount big ass enter with the same double perpendicular Costar stabilizer setup this has.
The pin-outs are the same.
7:00 @Chyrosran22 You have solved the box problem: Can you name a company or two that sells keyboard-sized boxes?
(I have tried DHL, Hermes, and a local shipping company, but none of them sold boxes like the ones that you show here.)
Unfortunately, I haven't - I'm in need of more boxes too xD . The closest I found was Rajapack Rigiboxes, but you can't just buy them in small amounts. I have a bunch that I got from someone else.
Chyrosran22 Thanks for the hint! I think I found the box you were talking about. Is it this one? www.rajapack.de/kartons-schachteln-container/versandkartons-postverpackungen/postkartons/rigibox_skuBOR50.html
@@XalphYT I don't think its that size, but yeah, I think so. They're the boxes that my Models M are in, for reference (you can see it in the video). Stores 2 per box btw.
Damn those caps are hot
Your "go to" keyboard comment made me think - you ever consider making a video just about your go-to keyboards? Could do a "top 10" and just discuss keyboards that are great just to plug in and go and are easily accessible?
Your voice is soothing i use it as ASMR to sleep, i'd highly recommended to add ASMR keyboard reviews to your title and watch your views count go up by alot.
I converted the plug of my new ibm p70 following instructions posted on DT just few days ago without any problems with block keys. I'd try to give it another chance . Alps BS are so singular and the overall feeling reminded me that on ibm M2. Jar lid click clack, so to say. ;-)
They use SKCP, not bucking spring, but yeah, they're very nice :) .
I have the exact same board! have had it a while. Have never been too impressed with it though, mind you its in considerably worse condition than yours. Not in bad condition but it is yellowed in parts and it has a fair bit of dust under the keycaps. I might give it a clean now though. For cleaning the switches would the process be similar to alps? might see if I can clean one or two of them and see if they feel nice enough for me to continue using the board
No, I'd very much recommend against opening these switches. They're absolute hell to put back together!
@@Chyrosran22 blimey fair enough! I'll give the board and the caps a good clean then, see if that improves anything. Thanks for the advice!
I wish I could ever even find, let alone afford, any of the keyboards you review ;-;
If I had a shelf as big as that and enough boxes, I would totally fill my entire shelf with strange keyboards!
Maybe not "Two Wangs" though.
I've got FIVE Wangs in total actually! xD
Hey.. Would you to review some low profile keyboard? Like Logitech and Roccat keyboard please
Where can I buy these Switches? I don't find them.
Have someone CNC or 3D print a better chassis for it then problem solved, heck maybe have one of those sexy wooden cases built for it like the one you had for that apple keyboard.
i really enjoy smk switches, though they are a bit scratchy (i know some people dont care about scratchiness on clickies but im not one of those people). ive wanted to try out their tactiles forever, do you have any recommendations of keyboards to search for that come with them?
Yeah, I reviewed one a while ago, can't remember off the top of my head which one it was but you should be able to find it :) .
I don't know, beign a programmer means that I use the / key a lot, ant the position it has on this board is a little bit on the annoying side for me
checked ebay and there seem to be none (none recently sold too...) ah well
My first computer was laser 486 so I probably used this keyboard
Well the wall ... but man, the ceiling is nice too.
How heavy is it? Trying to calculate the shipping fees
At 5:07 that CREEEEEKING noise tho! 😖
Mine has a couple of issues with some switches not registering reliably, otherwise it'd be my daily easy. :(
Try spraying some contact cleaner in the switches
Are you ever planning on reviewing the F77 from modelfkeyboards.com? I heard their capacitive buckling spring replica is pretty nice and snappy
One should be coming my way when they're going to ship the models with legended keycaps :) .
@@Chyrosran22 great, I'm looking forward to it!
Is the touch surface of the space bar completely horizontal or should I see a doctor for my eyes?
You mean is the top flat? No, it's convex :) .
@@Chyrosran22 I meant horizontal as in "no tilted side profile" like the other keycaps have.
@@marcusrauch4223 Could be, yeah.
What happens when you press the empty keycap? The one that's supposed to be Windows key
It sends scan code 56. This is pretty common on keyboards with filler keys like this one. It prints a non-US \ .
Any modern switches that sound like 10:19 ?
No. Nothing even remotely comes close.
how do these compare to box navy and box jade switches?
Similar weighting to box white with much more pretravel and steeper tactile drop
4.11 Nice spacebar... How do I Aquire such a good spacebar like yours?
Iirc it was a donation from Mechbox.co.uk
The eBay guys are even linking to this video in the descriptions now. 120 USD, lol.
2:59 dont ever say the C word again, its a curse placed on C keyboard if you thomas were to say it D:
Ikr
Is that a C64C on the bottom shelf?
Yup! Already did the video on it, too xD .
@@Chyrosran22 Rippa!
is that c64 in lower shelf? :)
Yeah, reviewed it a while ago! :)
@@Chyrosran22 yeah i watched it ;)
my "go to" keyboard is a unicomp USB model M.
Just go to one of your model M's!
I don't consider an M a go-to either, although it's close xD .
@@Chyrosran22 May I ask why? Not the best for gaming because of the huge hysteresis but still easily doable! Also consider a video on your personal go to keyboards!
The real go to keyboard must be that tellervision he just did the last typing demo XL, a layout with all the buttons you can need in a compact footprint and good switches, it even comes with a touchpad!
@@karellen00 Yeah, it's close, but in a pinch, I found the switches to be clunky. For most games it's OK, but for something like racing or fighting games it's pretty bad. Most of the time it'll be fine though :) .
Yeah I find my M to be a little cumbersome for gaming, can't really explain the exact feeling, but it's probably the weight and the sort of mushiness post actuation that makes me iffy.
11:05 *Typing*
He says that in the description
Just found this one in my closest yessssssssssssss
“$1.60” tag on mine :D but it’s also missing two keys
5:07 wow, it's even worse than those crappy keyboards from Razer and Corsair.
The modern ones aren't too bad.
The Razer Huntsman is surprisingly good but way overpriced. Too bad they stole Bloody's Libra switches.
@@toastedphantom3007 Agreed, even for optoelectric switches.
"Bogroll" sounds like a British seaside town - the kind with more tourists than inhabitants, and where girls get pregnant at the age of 14, with no clue whatsoever who the father is (because they were puking out a window at the time).
plz review matias quiet click mini
He already reviewed Matias Tactile switches
@@patr1ck28 Yes but there is more to a keyboard than just the switches
Epic
hey heck I have one of these
I bet this review is gonna be positive.
My "go-to" keyboard is an IBM Model M.
Model-M 122 key converted USB keyboard and a GMMK with Kailh Pinks and Maxkey SA Space Cadets. Both are great boards at different things. However, my heart still goes back to my Orange Alps m0116 and my Chicony with SMK Blue switches. They are my fastest typing keyboards!
M122, this and a generic blue TKL depending on how I'm feeling. I'll solder some clickbars on the TKL someday.
But can you game on it?
Hahhahah. I got 260 SMK off AliExpress in February anticipating the Lynx Group Buy
Sounds like me everytime i complain abt a broken pice of kit i keep using lol "for a pice of shit, i really like this thing"
Breaking it in twain... lmao that sounds 99% the same as the dutch ''in tweeën'' which means exactly the same. Sorry just had to point that out. I was listening to the video while cleaning and I was like ''what did he just say?!''.
I mean he is living in the Netherlands right now.. Knowing Thomas, this is probably intended.
*shows keyboard wall*
Weird flex, but ok.
It seems you have no more room on those shelves.... Why not beginning to get rid of something, I can give my email in pm... :-P
Ok
U sound like a sith lord
your intro beeps sound like megolovania
bruh
FIRST COMMENT LIKE ME
60% keyboard hipsters BTFO. XD
104+ keys for actual work.
They're literally all gone from eBay.