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Author Topic: What keyboard is this?  (Read 10136 times)

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Offline Azakai

  • Thread Starter
  • Posts: 4
What keyboard is this?
« on: Thu, 19 August 2010, 20:07:22 »
I found an old IBM Model M era keyboard in our garage, and it turns out it's mechanical. The thing is, there's no branding on the keyboard. There's no model number, no company logo, just a QC OK and a FCC regulations sticker. Anybody know what this is and what kind of switches it uses?



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Offline elbowglue

  • Posts: 583
What keyboard is this?
« Reply #1 on: Thu, 19 August 2010, 20:12:21 »
Pic of the back label please?
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My keyboards: Filco Cherry Blue Tenkeyless(daily home), Compaq MX11800 (modded to blacks), Compaq "MX 84u",  Wellington\'s Dampened Endurapro, Pinkalicious Filco Blue Cherry, Chicony KB-5191, Chicony KB-5181, Desko MOS 5023 UP "elbowglue" spos (modded to blues), Siig Minitouch (monterey blue), SMK-88 (blue cherries), Ricercar SPOS
Smallest to biggest keyboards in inches (Length X Height) - Length is most important for a midline mouse position
KBC Poker: 11.6 x 3.9 - HHKB: 11.6 x 4.3 - Siig Minitouch (Geekhack Space Saver): 11.6 x 6 - Deck/Tg3 82: 12 x 6 - Noppoo Choc Mini 12.4 x 5.3 - Compaq "MX 84u": 13.1 x 7.5 - Filco Tenkeyless: 14 x 5.3 - Cherry "ricercar spos" G86-62410EUAGSA: 14 x 7.75 - Topre Realforce 86u: 14.4 x 6.65 - Desko "elbowglue spos" MOS 5023 UP: 14.5 x 8.4 - IBM Model M Spacesaver: 15.3 x 7 - G80-1800: 15.9 x 7.1 - Adesso MKB-125B: 16 x 7.3 - Compaq Mx11800, Cherry G80-11900: 16.25 x 7.5 - Filco Standard: 17.3 x 5.4 - Unicomp Endurapro: 17.9 x 7.1 - Adesso MKB-135B: 18.3 x 6.0 - Cherry G80-3000: 18.5 x 7.6 - IBM Model M, Unicomp Customizer: 19.3 x 8.27

Offline Phaedrus2129

  • Posts: 1131
What keyboard is this?
« Reply #2 on: Thu, 19 August 2010, 20:13:13 »
Design and construction is typical of a mid-80s IBM clone. It looks a lot like a Chicony KB-51**, except it has a normal sized backspace and those weird \ keys.

I thought the switches were dark yellow Alps at first, but lmnop was right; too thin and rectangular. They aren't any Alps, Cherry, IBM, SMK, Omron, or NMB switch I'm familiar with.
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Daily Driver: Noppoo Choc Mini
Currently own: IBM Model M 1391401 1988,  XArmor U9 prototype
Previously owned: Ricercar SPOS, IBM M13 92G7461 1994, XArmor U9BL, XArmor U9W prototype, Cherry G80-8200LPDUS, Cherry G84-4100, Compaq MX-11800, Chicony KB-5181 (SMK Monterey), Reveal KB-7061, Cirque Wave Keyboard (ergonomic rubber domes), NMB RT101 (rubber dome), Dell AT101W

Offline Azakai

  • Thread Starter
  • Posts: 4
What keyboard is this?
« Reply #3 on: Thu, 19 August 2010, 20:19:01 »


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Offline Phaedrus2129

  • Posts: 1131
What keyboard is this?
« Reply #4 on: Thu, 19 August 2010, 20:29:30 »
I like how it's called "101key" when it has 102 keys...
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Daily Driver: Noppoo Choc Mini
Currently own: IBM Model M 1391401 1988,  XArmor U9 prototype
Previously owned: Ricercar SPOS, IBM M13 92G7461 1994, XArmor U9BL, XArmor U9W prototype, Cherry G80-8200LPDUS, Cherry G84-4100, Compaq MX-11800, Chicony KB-5181 (SMK Monterey), Reveal KB-7061, Cirque Wave Keyboard (ergonomic rubber domes), NMB RT101 (rubber dome), Dell AT101W

Offline TexasFlood

  • Posts: 1084
What keyboard is this?
« Reply #5 on: Thu, 19 August 2010, 20:37:38 »
FCC info:
Applicant name: Podworld Co Ltd
Address: No. 5-1, Lane 30, Yung Chi Rd. Taipei 10542 Taiwan
FCC ID: HEU292SKB
Application purpose: Original Equipment
Grant date: 06/30/1988

You might want to read through this thread about a keyboard with similarities to yours.
« Last Edit: Thu, 19 August 2010, 21:17:10 by TexasFlood »
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Offline Rajagra

  • Posts: 1930
What keyboard is this?
« Reply #6 on: Thu, 19 August 2010, 20:58:26 »
Quote from: Phaedrus2129;214758
I like how it's called "101key" when it has 102 keys...


Well, two of them are identical :D
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Offline thisispatrick

  • Posts: 14
What keyboard is this?
« Reply #7 on: Thu, 19 August 2010, 21:27:20 »
He posted a top down shot by the way.

Doesn't resemble Alps to me :x?

Think they are Montereys?

« Last Edit: Thu, 19 August 2010, 21:30:23 by thisispatrick »
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Offline Phaedrus2129

  • Posts: 1131
What keyboard is this?
« Reply #8 on: Thu, 19 August 2010, 21:53:28 »
I popped a key off my Chicony. Definitely could be an SMK, though not Montereys (those are always blue). Maybe an SMK type I? Or an unknown SMK switch?
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Daily Driver: Noppoo Choc Mini
Currently own: IBM Model M 1391401 1988,  XArmor U9 prototype
Previously owned: Ricercar SPOS, IBM M13 92G7461 1994, XArmor U9BL, XArmor U9W prototype, Cherry G80-8200LPDUS, Cherry G84-4100, Compaq MX-11800, Chicony KB-5181 (SMK Monterey), Reveal KB-7061, Cirque Wave Keyboard (ergonomic rubber domes), NMB RT101 (rubber dome), Dell AT101W

Offline Azakai

  • Thread Starter
  • Posts: 4
What keyboard is this?
« Reply #9 on: Thu, 19 August 2010, 22:48:04 »
I like it a lot, especially since this is my first mechanical keyboard. The feel is way better than the 8 year old Logitech junk I'm currently using. I was able to put 12 nickels on it before the switch collapsed - so around 60g.
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Offline Phaedrus2129

  • Posts: 1131
What keyboard is this?
« Reply #10 on: Thu, 19 August 2010, 22:59:47 »
The switches are different colors though. Azakai's are orange sliders in a black housing, the other is pink sliders in a brown housing. It's possible it's just different dye colors, but, well... You never know.


Regardless, wonderful rare find!
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Daily Driver: Noppoo Choc Mini
Currently own: IBM Model M 1391401 1988,  XArmor U9 prototype
Previously owned: Ricercar SPOS, IBM M13 92G7461 1994, XArmor U9BL, XArmor U9W prototype, Cherry G80-8200LPDUS, Cherry G84-4100, Compaq MX-11800, Chicony KB-5181 (SMK Monterey), Reveal KB-7061, Cirque Wave Keyboard (ergonomic rubber domes), NMB RT101 (rubber dome), Dell AT101W

Offline erricrice

  • Posts: 326
What keyboard is this?
« Reply #11 on: Thu, 19 August 2010, 23:00:29 »
Quote from: Azakai;214784
I like it a lot, especially since this is my first mechanical keyboard. The feel is way better than the 8 year old Logitech junk I'm currently using. I was able to put 12 nickels on it before the switch collapsed - so around 60g.


Ahhh, he learns quickly...Rip didn't even have to mention the wiki's existence...

That's cool though, clicky or not?  Tactile or no?
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I\'m selling all my Shizz! Please buy it!

White ALPS: Northgate Omnikey 101-NCS(Real-Complicated)****Filco Zero FKBN87Z/EB(Fukka Simplifieds)****Siig MiniTouch(XM Simplifieds)
Black ALPS: Black Dell AT-101W(Real-Complicated)****ABS M1(Modded Black ALPS, Linear)
Buckling Spring: Model M 1391401(1988 & 1993)
Cherry Blues: DAS III Pro
Cherry Blacks: Cherry G80-11900
Cherry Browns: 3X Cherry G80-8113LRCUS-2
Cherry MY: G81-7000HPBUS-2****G81-3000LANUS-0****Modded to 20g
Rubber Dome: HHKB Lite 2 (White & Black)
Logitech G5[/FONT]
Erricrice\'s Song of the Day: Gorillaz - El Maņana
Yup, Blatantly stealing this from you Kishy, hope you don\'t mind, it\'s a great idea.

Offline didjamatic

  • Posts: 1352
What keyboard is this?
« Reply #12 on: Thu, 19 August 2010, 23:09:15 »
Nice board!  Never used those switches before.  If you're bored pop it open and see what the pcb and chips inside say.
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IBM F :: IBM M :: Northgate :: Cherry G80 :: Realforce :: DAS 4

Offline Azakai

  • Thread Starter
  • Posts: 4
What keyboard is this?
« Reply #13 on: Thu, 19 August 2010, 23:36:15 »
Quote from: erricrice;214787
Ahhh, he learns quickly...Rip didn't even have to mention the wiki's existence...

That's cool though, clicky or not?  Tactile or no?


It's a very clicky keyboard - much louder than my Logitech, although it's a pleasant sound. The neighbors probably aren't going to be happy when I'm typing at night though.

I'm pretty sure it's tactile, as I can feel a bump before it bottoms out. I'll need some more time with it, and I need a DIN-5 to PS/2 adapter before I can actually start using it.
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Offline lmnop

  • Posts: 574
What keyboard is this?
« Reply #14 on: Fri, 20 August 2010, 00:44:10 »
if you really want to make some friends desolder a white and yellow switch, take it apart and lay it out on a table, take some photos like in the wiki :)
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Offline EverythingIBM

  • Posts: 1269
What keyboard is this?
« Reply #15 on: Fri, 20 August 2010, 01:51:27 »
Quote from: ripster;214785

Main thing is Welcome To The Mechanical Keyboard world!  It's hard to go back.


Correction: it's hard to go back to poor quality rubber domes. I've used (and still use -- like I am right now) some really good rubber dome keyboards.

Although the Model F (so far) is my absolute favourite in terms of noise.
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Keyboards: '86 M, M5-2, M13, SSK, F AT, F XT

Offline itlnstln

  • Posts: 7048
What keyboard is this?
« Reply #16 on: Fri, 20 August 2010, 09:56:59 »
Who?  Bill Irwin?
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Offline itlnstln

  • Posts: 7048
What keyboard is this?
« Reply #17 on: Fri, 20 August 2010, 10:00:22 »
He was one of those guys that was in, like, everything back in the day.  I think it's more of an age thing than popularity.  Hell, those dorks couldn't tell if that was Robin Williams or Bill Murray, and one person thought Bill Irwin was Christopher Reeve.
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Offline erricrice

  • Posts: 326
What keyboard is this?
« Reply #18 on: Fri, 20 August 2010, 10:02:07 »
Quote from: lmnop;214809
if you really want to make some friends desolder a white and yellow switch, take it apart and lay it out on a table, take some photos like in the wiki :)


This is an absolutely great idea, and as she said, you would really make some friends around here...

Anyways, welcome to Geekhack!  You've seen our rare helpful and nice side.  

Lol:biggrin:
« Last Edit: Fri, 20 August 2010, 11:16:08 by erricrice »
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I\'m selling all my Shizz! Please buy it!

White ALPS: Northgate Omnikey 101-NCS(Real-Complicated)****Filco Zero FKBN87Z/EB(Fukka Simplifieds)****Siig MiniTouch(XM Simplifieds)
Black ALPS: Black Dell AT-101W(Real-Complicated)****ABS M1(Modded Black ALPS, Linear)
Buckling Spring: Model M 1391401(1988 & 1993)
Cherry Blues: DAS III Pro
Cherry Blacks: Cherry G80-11900
Cherry Browns: 3X Cherry G80-8113LRCUS-2
Cherry MY: G81-7000HPBUS-2****G81-3000LANUS-0****Modded to 20g
Rubber Dome: HHKB Lite 2 (White & Black)
Logitech G5[/FONT]
Erricrice\'s Song of the Day: Gorillaz - El Maņana
Yup, Blatantly stealing this from you Kishy, hope you don\'t mind, it\'s a great idea.

Offline itlnstln

  • Posts: 7048
What keyboard is this?
« Reply #19 on: Fri, 20 August 2010, 10:02:59 »
Quote from: erricrice;214914
You've seen our rare helpful and nice side.  

Lol:rolleyes:


Shut up, a-hole.
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Offline erricrice

  • Posts: 326
What keyboard is this?
« Reply #20 on: Fri, 20 August 2010, 11:12:47 »
Quote from: itlnstln;214916
Shut up, a-hole.

Hahaha, I didn't even realize that that smiley looked like it was pointed at you.  I didn't mean it that way at all, I just meant it as a joke about the forums.

Edit: There, I changed it so it's not quite so pointy-fingery.
« Last Edit: Fri, 20 August 2010, 11:16:32 by erricrice »
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I\'m selling all my Shizz! Please buy it!

White ALPS: Northgate Omnikey 101-NCS(Real-Complicated)****Filco Zero FKBN87Z/EB(Fukka Simplifieds)****Siig MiniTouch(XM Simplifieds)
Black ALPS: Black Dell AT-101W(Real-Complicated)****ABS M1(Modded Black ALPS, Linear)
Buckling Spring: Model M 1391401(1988 & 1993)
Cherry Blues: DAS III Pro
Cherry Blacks: Cherry G80-11900
Cherry Browns: 3X Cherry G80-8113LRCUS-2
Cherry MY: G81-7000HPBUS-2****G81-3000LANUS-0****Modded to 20g
Rubber Dome: HHKB Lite 2 (White & Black)
Logitech G5[/FONT]
Erricrice\'s Song of the Day: Gorillaz - El Maņana
Yup, Blatantly stealing this from you Kishy, hope you don\'t mind, it\'s a great idea.

Offline itlnstln

  • Posts: 7048
What keyboard is this?
« Reply #21 on: Fri, 20 August 2010, 12:58:11 »
You know, I didn't even notice that, but it's even funnier that way.  I just saw an opportunity make a funny, and I took it.  My comment wasn't directed at you, either.
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Offline erricrice

  • Posts: 326
What keyboard is this?
« Reply #22 on: Fri, 20 August 2010, 15:24:11 »
Quote from: itlnstln;215026
You know, I didn't even notice that, but it's even funnier that way.  I just saw an opportunity make a funny, and I took it.  My comment wasn't directed at you, either.


Hahaha, that's great.

Itlnstln made a funny!



Who's Mr. Noodle?
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I\'m selling all my Shizz! Please buy it!

White ALPS: Northgate Omnikey 101-NCS(Real-Complicated)****Filco Zero FKBN87Z/EB(Fukka Simplifieds)****Siig MiniTouch(XM Simplifieds)
Black ALPS: Black Dell AT-101W(Real-Complicated)****ABS M1(Modded Black ALPS, Linear)
Buckling Spring: Model M 1391401(1988 & 1993)
Cherry Blues: DAS III Pro
Cherry Blacks: Cherry G80-11900
Cherry Browns: 3X Cherry G80-8113LRCUS-2
Cherry MY: G81-7000HPBUS-2****G81-3000LANUS-0****Modded to 20g
Rubber Dome: HHKB Lite 2 (White & Black)
Logitech G5[/FONT]
Erricrice\'s Song of the Day: Gorillaz - El Maņana
Yup, Blatantly stealing this from you Kishy, hope you don\'t mind, it\'s a great idea.

Offline lmnop

  • Posts: 574
What keyboard is this?
« Reply #23 on: Fri, 20 August 2010, 23:21:07 »
Quote from: erricrice;214914
This is an absolutely great idea, and as she said, you would really make some friends around here...

Anyways, welcome to Geekhack!  You've seen our rare helpful and nice side.  

Lol:biggrin:

I sent him a link to a Youtube video. someone desoldering/soldering a Alps switch on a Northgate Omnikey Ultra.


his first day was better than mine. I argued with webwit in a flirtatious way. I was convinced if I hit him over the head with a Model M it would survive :)
« Last Edit: Fri, 20 August 2010, 23:23:18 by lmnop »
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Offline lmnop

  • Posts: 574
What keyboard is this?
« Reply #24 on: Sat, 21 August 2010, 01:30:45 »
Lol
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