Not-So-Great Finds

[BobCarltheThird]

Seeing the glue under it, I am pretty sure that key won't work.

It's not even that it's busted. There straight up isn't even a switch there  )

[ag36]

Also doesn't seem to be a buckling spring keycap

[ander]

Seeing the glue under it, I am pretty sure that key won't work.

It's not even that it's busted. There straight up isn't even a switch there  )

Also doesn't seem to be a buckling spring keycap

But aren't custom "artisan" keys like these just for looks anyway? You don't actually type on them, do you? That'd lower the value.

[ander]

NIB Industrial Model M—just $3,073!! Plus shipping!

Never mind that it's p/n 1394946, the most common Industrial M... It's NIB. Thus there's no limit on its value—it could be worth anything! Don't believe me? Just ask this seller!  :?O

[Bass]

I heard that seller literally posts these listings just to trigger people like us

[ander]

It works!

[Bass]

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Vintage-Old-Logo-Dell-AT101-GYI3PVAT101-ALPS-SKCM-Salmon-Mechanical-Keyboard/113021942685

SKCM Salmon Alps AT101. Even if this was a rare variant, still seems way overpriced for what it is at nearly $700 shipped.

[ander]

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Vintage-Old-Logo-Dell-AT101-GYI3PVAT101-ALPS-SKCM-Salmon-Mechanical-Keyboard/113021942685... SKCM Salmon Alps AT101. Even if this was a rare variant, still seems way overpriced for what it is at nearly $700 shipped.

LOL! Lunacy!

[ander]

Here's someone who wants $199 (OBO) for a rubber-dome IBM Model A:

USED but in good condition. WORKING!
("offers" are enabled but we may not take any offers, this is a rare keyboard)

Ooh, and the invitation to "Make an Offer" may just be a tease... How tantalizingly coquettish.

[fohat.digs]

the invitation to "Make an Offer" may just be a tease

"Make Offer" is enabled by default and is surprisingly hard to turn off. Simply ticking the box usually doesn't take until you do it a dozen times or more. Sometimes you have to click away and then come back to it.

[ander]

"Make Offer" is enabled by default and is surprisingly hard to turn off. Simply ticking the box usually doesn't take until you do it a dozen times or more. Sometimes you have to click away and then come back to it.

And in this case, it's particularly annoying because the owners of this super rare keeb are just toying with the notion of taking offers, and had to actually mention that in their text. Maybe they didn't want to say "We're not really considering offers, but we couldn't figure out how to turn off the 'Make an Offer' feature." Naturally, that would've undercut the shrewd, high-tech-savvy image they worked so hard to cultivate.

[ander]

I know this isn't a keyboard (it's good to do a little senility check like that every now and then), but it was so ridiculously priced, I had to share it with you:

60 Pocket Mail Sorter with Tall Riser





$2,099.99
Take 18 months to pay! ... Only 6 Left in Stock. Buy Soon!

I mean, how much should you have to pay to sort mail? Presumably you're going to do the sorting too, or have to hire someone to do it—so you have to pay for the mail-sorting thing and the sorting person? The expenses never end!

What's more, this item, like all items on Wayfair.com, is shipped directly from the Chinese manufacturer, where stuff costs, like, 1/10th as much to make because people work for a pittance and any attempts at labor organization or negotiation are mercilessly squashed. Chinese merchants must have wet dreams thinking of the obliviously fast-spending Westerners sending them Western-size piles of dough—whether it's for mail sorters, keyboards, or any of the other super-cheap-to-produce products over there. I'm just saying.

[OldIsNew]

There's only one left! Only $965! FREE shipping!



"Tactile non-mechanical keys that are also quiet"


https://www.ebay.com/itm/NEW-Best-Keyboard-In-The-World-Keytronic-LT-Classic-w-AT-PS-2-adapter-quiet/130509348454

[JP]

There's only one left! Only $965! FREE shipping!

(Attachment Link)

"Tactile non-mechanical keys that are also quiet"


https://www.ebay.com/itm/NEW-Best-Keyboard-In-The-World-Keytronic-LT-Classic-w-AT-PS-2-adapter-quiet/130509348454

One sold and one remaining.

Also "We do not misrepresent the import value of items."...sure.

I supposed the price really is a pittance for the best keyboard in the entire world.

[fer.real]

Japanese English Black Bilingual USB Computer (Rubber Dome) Keyboard: US $3,334.95


https://www.ebay.com/itm/Japanese-English-Black-Bilingual-USB-Computer-Keyboard/400311799645


I will be saving my pennies for this one.  Or maybe I'll just buy it here for $25.  https://m.bonanza.com/items/like/229313719/japanese-english-usb-wired-black-computer-keyboard-black-background-with-whi-

[mogo]

for three and a half grand, this keyboard had better be sentient and actually bilingual. Or maybe I can type in English, and, because it's bilingual, translates me into perfect Japanese. 

[ander]

There's only one left! Only $965! FREE shipping!

(Attachment Link)

"Tactile non-mechanical keys that are also quiet"

https://www.ebay.com/itm/NEW-Best-Keyboard-In-The-World-Keytronic-LT-Classic-w-AT-PS-2-adapter-quiet/130509348454

$965 for a Key Tronic rubby-dome... That's one of the most bodacious NSGF's I've seen. Thanks for spotting it!

But wait a second:

"BRAND NEW - STILL IN THE ORIGINAL SHRINKWRAP." 

Oh, well, that changes everything.

[JP]

German IBM 3278 Beamer - only $5,880.25! + shipping

https://www.ebay.com/itm/IBM-3270-3278-Display-Station-Beamspring-Keyboard-Tastatur-deutsch-German/332737514101?hash=item4d78b38a75:g:YV8AAOSwF2xbXf5F

[ander]

German IBM 3278 Beamer - only $5,880.25! + shipping

https://www.ebay.com/itm/IBM-3270-3278-Display-Station-Beamspring-Keyboard-Tastatur-deutsch-German/332737514101?hash=item4d78b38a75:g:YV8AAOSwF2xbXf5F

I hate to say it, but that's unusual enough that I could actually see someone paying that much for it. They'd be one of those keeb-wacky rich kids whose parents gave them a Ferrari when they got their first learner's permit. But still.

[Bass]

That beamspring is actually a 3276 and the seller has had it listed at that price for a little while. They are a bit rarer than your standard 3278 but I highly doubt it's worth anywhere near what the seller is asking for. There was a Cyrillic 3278 that sold for around $2k and a 3278 A2 w/ colored keycaps for $2.8k, both much rarer and took a while to sell at those prices.

[ander]

That beamspring is actually a 3276 and the seller has had it listed at that price for a little while. They are a bit rarer than your standard 3278 but I highly doubt it's worth anywhere near what the seller is asking for. There was a Cyrillic 3278 that sold for around $2k and a 3278 A2 w/ colored keycaps for $2.8k, both much rarer and took a while to sell at those prices.

I agree, the seller's being highly optimistic. But it's not like asking $900 for a Key Tronic. If someone who collects beam springs wants one of these, and they have the dough, and they don't want to wait another six months for another one to appear, its "value" may be moot.

[suicidal_orange]

Slightly off topic but couldn't not post this having seen it - £280 for a cardboard box

[no, the other guy]

Postage:
May not post to Germany 
 

[sncbraxsc2]

Slightly off topic but couldn't not post this having seen it - £280 for a cardboard box

but that is a very nice brown box

vintage style

[ander]

Slightly off topic but couldn't not post this having seen it - £280 for a cardboard box

It's not off-topic... Great and Not-So-Great Finds don't have to be keyboards.

Anyway, LOL. Why are they referring to it as a "headphone" box, I wonder? Wacky.

Don't miss the very nice piece of metal they've listed for just £9.99:





Imagine how many things that can be used for. And when you weren't using it, you could keep it in the cardboard box.

[ander]

Woo, look at this:

Rare 1987 IBM Clicky Keyboard Model M (1391401) 20APR87 F2





It's a rare clicky Model M—and only $199 + shipping!

Till recently, we were lead to believe that the iconically clicky, buckling-spring M's were much more common than the relatively few RD variants. But no. For some incomprehensible reason, virtually every Model M that turns up these days turns out to be un-clicky—even those with erstwhile classically-clicky p/n's like 1390401. Indeed, if you can't find a listing like this one that specifically mentions it's a clicky M, you never know what the heck you're getting.

How did we reach this desperate, disorienting point of clickiness insecurity? Has the world lost its sense of smell? How many fingers am I holding up? Should I wear brown shoes with a blue suit? As you can see, I have many questions.

[fohat.digs]

It must be extremely confusing for newbies reading rants about how the earliest Model Ms are great and that after about 1987 they became inferior, and that brand new Unicomps with modern colors and native USB are garbage, yet they all seem to sell in a relatively similar and narrow price band.

Why wouldn't an early M in good condition be worth twice the selling price of a new Unicomp, they might ask?

[ander]

It must be extremely confusing for newbies reading rants about how the earliest Model Ms are great and that after about 1987 they became inferior, and that brand new Unicomps with modern colors and native USB are garbage, yet they all seem to sell in a relatively similar and narrow price band...

The only rational solution is to have one of each, right? Then you don't have to guess or take other peeps's words for it.

Why wouldn't an early M in good condition be worth twice the selling price of a new Unicomp, they might ask?

Because the Unicomp:

(1.) Is NIB (vintage M's clean up great, but it's not quite the same, and some peeps are picky about that)
(2.) Is black (for those who find "pearl" too dated)
(3.) Is USB-ready
(4.) Is warrantied
(5.) Has a creaky case (well, somebody must consider that a feature)
(6.) Is the last keeb of any kind still made in the USA, by nice people running a small, dedicated business out of its gloriously original location, who couldn't stand to see the computer industry's clickiest-clackiest keyboard production line shut down forever (can ya blame 'em?) and who've pulled off the miracle of producing genuine buckling-spring keebs, domestically, for less than most imported MKs with comparatively wimpy switches.
(7.) Would no doubt be endorsed by Natalie Portman, if she knew about them. (Someone should tell her.)

[JP]

Yes, someone let Natalie know. I'm sure she would even do a commercial for Unicomp. It would be a smashing success. They could even reinvest any additional revenue in tooling for current and future products such as an SSK Model M 

[ander]

Yes, someone let Natalie know. I'm sure she would even do a commercial for Unicomp. It would be a smashing success. They could even reinvest any additional revenue in tooling for current and future products such as an SSK Model M 

 

[ander]

You don't see bargains like this very often:

IBM clicky PS/2 keyboard 1391401 Model M 1988

I tested the keyboard this last week on my office computer, and all keys function as designed. It felt great to be typing again on this classic keyboard...

I will vacuum the keyboard and wipe it down, but I don't want to take all the keys off to wash them individually... You can see this was well used and the keys are dirty. I have reduced the starting price accordingly.

Can you, too, see this person carrying this filthy board into an office, connecting it to a PC, and typing on it to be sure it works?

I'm glad it "felt great" to them. Personally, I would've been too busy going "Ew! Ick!" to enjoy it much, not to mention wondering what my colleagues were going to say about me at lunch.

[rowdy]

You don't see bargains like this very often:

IBM clicky PS/2 keyboard 1391401 Model M 1988


(Attachment Link)


(Attachment Link)


(Attachment Link)

I tested the keyboard this last week on my office computer, and all keys function as designed. It felt great to be typing again on this classic keyboard...

I will vacuum the keyboard and wipe it down, but I don't want to take all the keys off to wash them individually... You can see this was well used and the keys are dirty. I have reduced the starting price accordingly.

Can you, too, see this person carrying this filthy board into an office, connecting it to a PC, and typing on it to be sure it works?

I'm glad it "felt great" to them. Personally, I would've been too busy going "Ew! Ick!" to enjoy it much, not to mention wondering what my colleagues were going to say about me at lunch.

Could be a home office ...

[ander]

Could be a home office ...

Oh, yeah, right. I hope so, anyway. Or maybe he meant the office next to the oil rig he apparently works on.

[OldIsNew]

USB flavored! It's my favorite!

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Macintosh-Flavored-USB-Keyboard-works-w-iMac-iBook-G3-G4-towers-Vintage-Lime/183487914748

[ander]

USB flavored! It's my favorite!

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Macintosh-Flavored-USB-Keyboard-works-w-iMac-iBook-G3-G4-towers-Vintage-Lime/183487914748

Flavored? So you actually lick the thing? Good thing it's NIB, huh?

[ander]

VINTAGE Focus FK-2000 Plus Mechanical Keyboard TESTED ULTRA RARE!!





Never mind that it's not even NIB, that it has clone switches, and that they're usually just $50–60... It's ULTRA RARE!!

[ander]

IBM V102 P/N 10L2000, FRU05K7078, ID1MXJS337738, Keyboard

[ander]

Every now and then, someone presses the wrong button and something gets made upside-down:

















It happens with keyboards too! Behold, this ultra-rare upside-down Unicomp OEM M-122:

VINTAGE IO UNICOMP MODEL M BLACK KEYBOARD














If you've always wanted an upside-down keeb but never thought you could afford such a rarity, here's your chance—at a BIN price of just $29.95 + shipping! Incredible deal!!

[Note: The keeb isn't actually upside-down; the seller just posted their photos that way. If you neglect to read this part and rush ahead and buy this thing and are disappointed when it arrives entirely normal, don't blame me.]

[no, the other guy]

Hilarious.

[rowdy]

Come to Australia.

All our keyboards are upside down!

[ander]

Come to Australia... All our keyboards are upside down!

I understand it takes no effort to drink beer, either—you just open it and let it flow into your mouth. Now that's living.

[OldIsNew]

Come to Australia.

All our keyboards are upside down!

I knew it! That's so cool!
I want to come visit but does it really take a week to get used to all the blood rushing to your head?

[ander]

Come to Australia... All our keyboards are upside down!

¿sıɥʇ ǝʞıן ʞooן ʇ,uop sʇsod ɹnoʎ ǝɯoɔ ʍoɥ 'ǝnɹʇ s,ʇɐɥʇ ɟı—ǝʇnuıɯ ɐ ʇıɐʍ ʇnq˙˙˙

[ander]

(Auction page here) So, is it, like, filled with cocaine or something?

Oh, and it's not being shipped—you have to pick it up in Hoofddorp, Netherlands (which seems like a pleasant enough place, but still).

[BobCarltheThird]

(Attachment Link)


(Auction page here) So, is it, like, filled with cocaine or something?

Oh, and it's not being shipped—you have to pick it up in Hoofddorp, Netherlands (which seems like a pleasant enough place, but still).

But don't you see? It says RARE in all caps! That totally makes it worth the extra 1600 dollars.

[ander]

But don't you see? It says RARE in all caps! That totally makes it worth the extra 1600 dollars.

Rare also means "recurring at long intervals". So I'm guessing it means someone goofy enough to buy something like this comes along only once a year or so.

[ander]

Here's an interesting thing:








Indeed—with two-piece keys, both the cap and stem would have to be absent for a key to be considered "missing". This seller clearly knows their stuff, keeb-wise!

[ander]

[editing]

[ander]

Here's something mysterious—someone selling a Unicomp Ultra Classic who says:





What is it, anyway, about rearranging furniture that makes people want to sell their clicky keebs?

I like my keebs so much, I intentionally avoid rearranging my furniture so I won't feel compelled to sell them. Still, why does it happen at all?

Rod Serling will now step out from behind the drapes and explain.





(Anyone who doesn't get that hasn't watched enough old TV shows.)

[ander]

And here's an interesting deal:








• Seriously grimy (seller couldn't be bothered to wipe it down—zoom in at your own risk)

• Cord wrapped around keeb (always attractive)

• It's an M2 (crappiest M ever)

• Price about 4x beyond realistic

Otherwise, quite a bargain!