New IBM Model M, currently at 20 USD.

[miloica]

Little interest due to bad description, only one bid so far.

Here it is: http://www.ebay.com/itm/131163273546.

Good luck!

[katushkin]

Nnnnnnnoooooooooooooo

Plz don't outbid me D:

[fohat.digs]

Plz don't outbid me

That PS/2-to-AT adapter really makes it a special deal.

Stay patient and get a pre-1989 model.

[katushkin]

Plz don't outbid me

That PS/2-to-AT adapter really makes it a special deal.

Stay patient and get a pre-1989 model.

A special deal? Why?

And why should I get a pre-'89 model? I did notice he didn't post pictures of the back label, or really anything other than the front of the keyboards.

[fohat.digs]

And why should I get a pre-'89 model?

I was being sarcastic about the adapter, nobody needs that unless you have a retro rig.

I like the old ones because they are arguably a bit heavier and better-made, for the same money.

If the price differential is over $10, get the one in better condition.

[katushkin]

I was being sarcastic about the adapter, nobody needs that unless you have a retro rig.

I like the old ones because they are arguably a bit heavier and better-made, for the same money.

If the price differential is over $10, get the one in better condition.

Ah ok, yeah I read it as AT to PS/2.

Well it looks like the box has 97 on the box, but I was looking for something older ideally. Which other Model M are you comparing it to?

[rowdy]

And why should I get a pre-'89 model?

I was being sarcastic about the adapter, nobody needs that unless you have a retro rig.

I like the old ones because they are arguably a bit heavier and better-made, for the same money.

If the price differential is over $10, get the one in better condition.

Is there any tendency for rivets to fall off older keyboards?

In some ways I guess it would depend on what sort of life the keyboard has had - how often it was moved, dropped or twisted.

But has anyone noticed a pattern of stronger or weaker rivets on older Model M?

[fohat.digs]

But has anyone noticed a pattern of stronger or weaker rivets on older Model M?

My oldest M, a 1986 model 1390131, came to me a couple of years ago with every single rivet perfectly intact.

However, I have probably been lucky in that all of mine have had well over 50% still in place unbroken, usually over 2/3.

[katushkin]

So I've just had an email saying I've been outbid, and it says that there is a buy it now price. But there is no buy it now button on the listing. Weird.

So I've raised my highest bid to the buy it now price to see what happens.

[dorkvader]

But has anyone noticed a pattern of stronger or weaker rivets on older Model M?

My oldest M, a 1986 model 1390131, came to me a couple of years ago with every single rivet perfectly intact.

However, I have probably been lucky in that all of mine have had well over 50% still in place unbroken, usually over 2/3.

same here but mine was a 120
I also have an older one that has 30 or so rivets missing. Both are now boltmodded.
---

This listing is for a very new M, 4th gen (late lexmark early unicomp) which will have the thinner plate compared to an older M like a 1390120 or 1390131. I prefer the older ones, as they are easier to boltmod.

[katushkin]

Ah ok. Well I will stick with my highest bid, and if it goes over that then I will wait until another day. I don't really need a new board anyway... *grumbles and bows head*

Edit: Apparently, the button was there at the start of the auction but because someone bid, the option to buy it now disappeared.

The buy it now price was $40.

[katushkin]

I'm pretty sure I'm being purposely driven up to my max bid.

[Cheesebaron]

Bidding on eBay stuff, you are doing it wrong. Best way is to snipe it, otherwise there will always be someone outbidding you and driving the price up.

[Candyflip]

The BIN button is only there before the first bid. If it was 40 that would have been a great deal you should've take it.

[katushkin]

Someone bid on it before me, and presumably before this topic because the first bid was $20

[fohat.digs]

Buy-It-Now evaporates when the first legitimate ebay bid comes in.

If you snipe, and there are no other bids, then your snipe, even at the last second, will kill Buy-It-Now and you will win at the starting price.

However, my advice - if there is a Buy-It-Now that you consider fair - then just Buy It Now, stupid !

[katushkin]

Yeah, the BIN was fair. It was $40, and some bloke thought they could get a NIB Model M for less than that...

I will probably get sniped. I hope not though.

[E TwentyNine]

The P/N he posted 42H1292 is a buckling spring part number.

What's odd is the box pictures are of different boxes.  One is for P/N 92G7454 and says "buckling spring" in the text on the box (pics 4 & 5), and another is for a rubber dome version and says "rubber dome" on the box (6 & 7).

[katushkin]

The P/N he posted 42H1292 is a buckling spring part number.

What's odd is the box pictures are of different boxes.  One is for P/N 92G7454 and says "buckling spring" in the text on the box (pics 4 & 5), and another is for a rubber dome version and says "rubber dome" on the box (6 & 7).

That is odd.

I shall as the question. Five hours before the auction closes...

Edit: Got a reply saying that they hoped the part number supplied was sufficient. Which was basically what I asked them. They didn't provide any information other than the part number. I'm going to make the leap of faith and try and get this. **** the police and my wallet.

[E TwentyNine]

He explicitly stated a part number in the listing.  If it's not that part a refund claim is straightforward.

[katushkin]

He explicitly stated a part number in the listing.  If it's not that part a refund claim is straightforward.

Yeah, I will bear that in mind in case. But if I do win and it isn't BS, I don't particularly fancy sending it back across the Atlantic for a refund.

[dorkvader]

He explicitly stated a part number in the listing.  If it's not that part a refund claim is straightforward.

Yeah, I will bear that in mind in case. But if I do win and it isn't BS, I don't particularly fancy sending it back across the Atlantic for a refund.

most of the parts are compatible with buckling spring. You can just get hammers and keycaps (and bolts for the bolt mod).
The case, barrel frame, membrane, controller, etc are all the same as buckling spring.

I have a dome M, it's nice. I plan ot bolt mod it to make ti the best RD KB ever.

[Pacifist]

He explicitly stated a part number in the listing.  If it's not that part a refund claim is straightforward.

Yeah, I will bear that in mind in case. But if I do win and it isn't BS, I don't particularly fancy sending it back across the Atlantic for a refund.

most of the parts are compatible with buckling spring. You can just get hammers and keycaps (and bolts for the bolt mod).
The case, barrel frame, membrane, controller, etc are all the same as buckling spring.

I have a dome M, it's nice. I plan ot bolt mod it to make ti the best RD KB ever.

better than topre?

[katushkin]

WHAT A ****

Looks like I'm never getting a BS. **** the world.

[Candyflip]

You lost cos you played wrong. You either bid your absolute maximum that you will pay for the item, close the listing and forget about it OR you snipe like most of the ebay bidders do.. I hope you get your BS soon though, good luck 

[E TwentyNine]

Don't worry about it, the fact that this one is new and has a box got it some attention (in fact if it listing were better might have been quite a bit higher).

If it was listed at $40 BIN, this auction shouldn't have been active for more than an hour, any serious buyer would have snatched that up instantly.  You're lucky you saw it anyway...

They'll be more, in this price range or cheaper.  Not new, not in box, but keep checking ebay.

[katushkin]

Eugh... It's annoying because I was watching it for 10 hours straight while I was at work. Then i get sniped at 20 seconds.

Glad I drove the price up though, I still can't believe someone passed by on $40...

[False_Dmitry_II]

Well, if it was like a CPU I sold, I had a low starting bid, and also a BIN. Someone put a starting bid in not even an hour later and the BIN was gone, then it got bid to just above the original BIN. I don't see the point of immediate single bid, it seems to happen pretty often.

[Grr8]

Didn't even see this one listed here. I should visit geekhack more often...

WHAT A ****

Looks like I'm never getting a BS. **** the world.

Don't stress, there are 277+ others to buy on the US site:

http://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_trksid=p2050601.m570.l1313.TR12.TRC2.A0.H0.Xibm+model+m&_nkw=ibm+model+m&_sacat=0&_from=R40

I can understand your trouble though, as there is one (!) for sale on UK eBay, and it is a terminal (!):

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/301151938292

Some advice: The problem with a NIB keyboard is you don't want to use it, as after you do, it isn't NIB.

I am surprised this went for $54, since the the 101 NIBs normally go around $200-$300 in a retail box, like this one did:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/SEALED-New-Options-By-IBM-Model-M-Clicky-PS-2-Keyboard-Scotland-Boxed-NIB-/321326829959?pt=PCA_Mice_Trackballs&hash=item4ad0925187&nma=true&si=3K4WK0Xz9k%252Bs7GuZvZx%252BvumpzYg%253D&orig_cvip=true&rt=nc&_trksid=p2047675.l2557

The P/N he posted 42H1292 is a buckling spring part number.

What's odd is the box pictures are of different boxes.  One is for P/N 92G7454 and says "buckling spring" in the text on the box (pics 4 & 5), and another is for a rubber dome version and says "rubber dome" on the box (6 & 7).

The photos are genuine. It's the same box.

Look at this 42H1292 in the archive on clickykeyboards:

http://www.clickykeyboards.com/index.cfm/fa/items.main/parentcat/9231/subcatid/0/id/573331

Look at picture 2 closely and you will see the words "rubber dome key technology" same as this listing.

Interesting that Brandon didn't post a clear close up of where it said "rubber dome key technology" :-)

Anyhow, I guess this is an ancient error by IBM.

[fohat.digs]

I don't see the point of immediate single bid, it seems to happen pretty often.

I think you are seeing an ******* who enjoys inflicting pain on the seller.

If he wanted to get a low price, he would put in his low bid at the end, so it would not get bid up.

Otherwise, he is just looking to frustrate the seller, who probably hoped for some immediate cash.

As I have said before, Auction + Buy-It-Now is a stupid way to sell, list at fixed price and drop your price every few days until it sells.

[Grr8]

Eugh... It's annoying because I was watching it for 10 hours straight while I was at work. Then i get sniped at 20 seconds.

Glad I drove the price up though, I still can't believe someone passed by on $40...

If you are happy with $54-ish, there is one here for $59.50 that is a "PERFECT condition" 1992 1391401:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/111327641102

It has 2-peice keycaps, detachable cord, and the older large controller.

And they are enrolled in the Global Shipping Program for quick shipping to the UK.

Or for $74.95 there is this  that is missing a right control, that I am sure someone here would have a spare of:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/171279320451

They are in  the Global Shipping Program too.

Same for this one for $64.99 - a 23MAR88 1391401

http://www.ebay.com/itm/261390709318


As dorkvader said, praising earlier keyboards like the 1391401:

This listing is for a very new M, 4th gen (late lexmark early unicomp) which will have the thinner plate compared to an older M like a 1390120 or 1390131. I prefer the older ones, as they are easier to boltmod.

With this 42H1292 it was made in the UK by the factory that was still IBM owned (as I understand it). I think all the Options by IBM retail box keyboards were made in Scotland. Would be interesting to compare a UK with a USA 42H1292.

I have a USA 42H1292 and quite like it. Has all its rivets, 2-piece caps and it feels nice.

[katushkin]

If you are happy with $54-ish, there is one here for $59.50 that is a "PERFECT condition" 1992 1391401:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/111327641102

It has 2-peice keycaps, detachable cord, and the older large controller.

And they are enrolled in the Global Shipping Program for quick shipping to the UK.

Or for $74.95 there is this  that is missing a right control, that I am sure someone here would have a spare of:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/171279320451

They are in  the Global Shipping Program too.

Same for this one for $64.99 - a 23MAR88 1391401

http://www.ebay.com/itm/261390709318


As dorkvader said, praising earlier keyboards like the 1391401:

This listing is for a very new M, 4th gen (late lexmark early unicomp) which will have the thinner plate compared to an older M like a 1390120 or 1390131. I prefer the older ones, as they are easier to boltmod.

With this 42H1292 it was made in the UK by the factory that was still IBM owned (as I understand it). I think all the Options by IBM retail box keyboards were made in Scotland. Would be interesting to compare a UK with a USA 42H1292.

I have a USA 42H1292 and quite like it. Has all its rivets, 2-piece caps and it feels nice.

They all look pretty promising. I will keep my eyes peeled. At the moment I'm chatting with dorkvader, but I will definitely keep one eye on ebay.

Thanks guys for your advice and consolation

[fohat.digs]

I have had poor luck with the 42H

Of something approaching 2 dozen Model Ms (IBM, Lexmark, and Unicomp) that have passed through my hands, only 2 were duds and both were 42H models, one US and one Greenock.

Additionally, the Greenock had an ABS spacebar with that silly grounding strap.

I'm just saying .....

[katushkin]

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Vintage-White-IBM-1391401-1392090-Model-M-PS2-Clicky-Keyboard-072792-R2-/390822394066

This one looks promising? It's cheap right now and it only has the left Ctrl missing. There is a Terminal M at work I can aquire things from.

[Candyflip]

Missing the X too but good price at the moment, 6 more days tho..

[Grr8]

Additionally, the Greenock had an ABS spacebar with that silly grounding strap.

But you don't want your keyboard electrocuting you, right? ;-)

Found this amusing post from the "ripster":

http://www.reddit.com/r/keyboards/comments/v6sky/why_ibm_model_ms_have_grounding_straps/