Hi Geekhack! I happen to be working in China so I thought it's a rare chance for me to pick up some hard-to-get items that the UK just does not offer. I've already indulged in Cherry boards with doubleshots and now I would like to purchase an IBM Model M SSK. Taobao has two different part numbers available: 1391472 and 1397681 and while I've searched the wikis both here and on Deskthority there doesn't seem to be concrete info on their differences - or other SSK models for that matter. Wikipedia fares better and according to it:
1391472 is older (1987-1991), with detachable key caps (does this mean the two-piece caps?), AT or PS/2, no drainage holes, grey label.
1397681 is newer (?-1991-1993-?), without detachable key caps, PS2, has drainage holes, grey or blue label (both available on Taobao).
Are there any other discernable differences between the two? They are both are priced around the same region (~300RMB including p&p) and I beseech GH's advice: which one should I buy? If 1397681, there is one blue label available; is newer likely to be in a better condition? To give something back, I will compile the information obtained in this thread into Deskthority's (rather empty) wiki page on IBM SSKs.
Best regards,
spikeh