IBM Model F AT on eBay

[JP]

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Vintage-IBM-Clicky-Keyboard-for-Personal-Computer-AT-untested/272910104778?hash=item3f8ab5b8ca:g:IQUAAOSwIVhZ-Uil

And another:
https://www.ebay.com/itm/IBM-AT-Keyboard-Clicky-84-key-style/182877410538?hash=item2a9457d4ea:g:uTkAAOSwK~RZ~fLi

[fohat.digs]

I bought an AT from hyderconsulting a few years ago.

[SamirD]

Does it come with the AT to ps2 adapter on there?  And why is it on there if it's not been tested?  Hmmm...

[ander]

Does it come with the AT to ps2 adapter on there?  And why is it on there if it's not been tested?  Hmmm...

When non-USB keebs say "untested", it often just means the seller doesn't have the necessary converter—not that there's anything wrong with the board, necessarily.

[SamirD]

Does it come with the AT to ps2 adapter on there?  And why is it on there if it's not been tested?  Hmmm...

When non-USB keebs say "untested", it often just means the seller doesn't have the necessary converter—not that there's anything wrong with the board, necessarily.

But I've seen a lot of 'untested' stuff that really should be listed as 'for parts'.  Ebay sellers of IBM keyboards can be quite...how do I put it...grayscale?

[ander]

But I've seen a lot of 'untested' stuff that really should be listed as 'for parts'.  Ebay sellers of IBM keyboards can be quite...how do I put it...grayscale? ;D

Sorry you haven't had better luck... Of the couple dozen M's I've bought online (most of which I've restored to give to friends), I think two of them had a few non-working keys, and just one didn't work at all. If they haven't obviously been thrashed, I've found they're more likely to be operational than other boards that are many years newer.

[SamirD]

But I've seen a lot of 'untested' stuff that really should be listed as 'for parts'.  Ebay sellers of IBM keyboards can be quite...how do I put it...grayscale?

Sorry you haven't had better luck... Of the couple dozen M's I've bought online (most of which I've restored to give to friends), I think two of them had a few non-working keys, and just one didn't work at all. If they haven't obviously been thrashed, I've found they're more likely to be operational than other boards that are many years newer.

That's good to know.  I'll keep it in mind. 

At some point I'm sure I need to get an F even though I'd never use it regularly due to the layout--but that's what's happened to a few of my other keyboards (where is my logitech again?), so I guess one more couldn't hurt!

The only place I've been burned or nearly burned multiple times is on Intel network cards--so, so, so many fakes on ebay that it's not even funny.  I don't even look at anything 'new from china' anymore as they're almost 100% fakes.  Better to get a used genuine product.

[Wolf123rt]

Does it come with the AT to ps2 adapter on there?  And why is it on there if it's not been tested?  Hmmm...

I got it yesterday and everything works also it came with the adapter

[SamirD]

Does it come with the AT to ps2 adapter on there?  And why is it on there if it's not been tested?  Hmmm...

I got it yesterday and everything works also it came with the adapter

That's awesome!    Great deal too since the adapter itself can be between $5-10 depending on where you get it.

[ander]

At some point I'm sure I need to get an F even though I'd never use it regularly due to the layout--but that's what's happened to a few of my other keyboards (where is my logitech again?), so I guess one more couldn't hurt!

1. Yes, I agree, at some point you must have at least one F—just to be able to call yourself a buckling-spring aficionado, if nothing else. I think F's are awesome, if you don't mind making even a bit more noise than with an M (or I should say, if the people around you don't mind; it's unlikely to bother us, as we're too busy enjoying typing).

2. If the AT and (certainly) XT layouts intimidate you, I suggest an F-122:





...whose layout is the most similar to ANSI. And since you'll need a Soarer's converter cable (easy, but $40) or a Teensy (cheap, but more trouble) for it anyway, you can program the keys however you wish (for example, putting ESC anywhere, or making the extra middle arrow button another "up").

And just as importantly, F-122s are legendarily BIG and HEAVY, which will make you feel like a real man!! Okay, that worked for me; your mileage may vary.

At the very least, it'll redefine your idea of a solid board. The only times these babies move around is in an earthquake, or if the building you're in is being demolished.

The only place I've been burned or nearly burned multiple times is on Intel network cards--so, so, so many fakes on ebay that it's not even funny.  I don't even look at anything 'new from china' anymore as they're almost 100% fakes.  Better to get a used genuine product.

Yeah, I suppose it's a lot easier to fake a PCB than a whole keyboard.

Does it come with the AT to ps2 adapter on there?  And why is it on there if it's not been tested?  Hmmm...

I got it yesterday and everything works also it came with the adapter

Nice! Is it your first F? How would you describe the touch 'n' sound?

[rowdy]

At some point I'm sure I need to get an F even though I'd never use it regularly due to the layout--but that's what's happened to a few of my other keyboards (where is my logitech again?), so I guess one more couldn't hurt!

1. Yes, I agree, at some point you must have at least one F—just to be able to call yourself a buckling-spring aficionado, if nothing else. I think F's are awesome, if you don't mind making even a bit more noise than with an M (or I should say, if the people around you don't mind; it's unlikely to bother us, as we're too busy enjoying typing).

2. If the AT and (certainly) XT layouts intimidate you, I suggest an F-122:

Show Image

...whose layout is the most similar to ANSI. And since you'll need a Soarer's converter cable (easy, but $40) or a Teensy (cheap, but more trouble) for it anyway, you can program the keys however you wish (for example, putting ESC anywhere, or making the extra middle arrow button another "up").

And just as importantly, F-122s are legendarily BIG and HEAVY, which will make you feel like a real man!! Okay, that worked for me; your mileage may vary.

At the very least, it'll redefine your idea of a solid board. The only times these babies move around is in an earthquake, or if the building you're in is being demolished.

The only place I've been burned or nearly burned multiple times is on Intel network cards--so, so, so many fakes on ebay that it's not even funny.  I don't even look at anything 'new from china' anymore as they're almost 100% fakes.  Better to get a used genuine product.

Yeah, I suppose it's a lot easier to fake a PCB than a whole keyboard.

Does it come with the AT to ps2 adapter on there?  And why is it on there if it's not been tested?  Hmmm...

I got it yesterday and everything works also it came with the adapter

Nice! Is it your first F? How would you describe the touch 'n' sound?

Heh make the middle arrkw cluster button Ctrl-Alt-Del 'cause everyone's going to be pressing it to see what it does :))

[SamirD]

At some point I'm sure I need to get an F even though I'd never use it regularly due to the layout--but that's what's happened to a few of my other keyboards (where is my logitech again?), so I guess one more couldn't hurt!

1. Yes, I agree, at some point you must have at least one F—just to be able to call yourself a buckling-spring aficionado, if nothing else. I think F's are awesome, if you don't mind making even a bit more noise than with an M (or I should say, if the people around you don't mind; it's unlikely to bother us, as we're too busy enjoying typing).

2. If the AT and (certainly) XT layouts intimidate you, I suggest an F-122:

Show Image

...whose layout is the most similar to ANSI. And since you'll need a Soarer's converter cable (easy, but $40) or a Teensy (cheap, but more trouble) for it anyway, you can program the keys however you wish (for example, putting ESC anywhere, or making the extra middle arrow button another "up").

And just as importantly, F-122s are legendarily BIG and HEAVY, which will make you feel like a real man!! Okay, that worked for me; your mileage may vary.

At the very least, it'll redefine your idea of a solid board. The only times these babies move around is in an earthquake, or if the building you're in is being demolished.

The only place I've been burned or nearly burned multiple times is on Intel network cards--so, so, so many fakes on ebay that it's not even funny.  I don't even look at anything 'new from china' anymore as they're almost 100% fakes.  Better to get a used genuine product.

Yeah, I suppose it's a lot easier to fake a PCB than a whole keyboard.

Does it come with the AT to ps2 adapter on there?  And why is it on there if it's not been tested?  Hmmm...

I got it yesterday and everything works also it came with the adapter

Nice! Is it your first F? How would you describe the touch 'n' sound?

As always, I have to agree with you.  Okay, so the next time I see a deal on a model F, I'll have to bite.  Besides, since it was the first keyboard I typed on (we had them in our advanced typing class), I have to get one to re-live the nostalgia.

[Wolf123rt]

At some point I'm sure I need to get an F even though I'd never use it regularly due to the layout--but that's what's happened to a few of my other keyboards (where is my logitech again?), so I guess one more couldn't hurt!

1. Yes, I agree, at some point you must have at least one F—just to be able to call yourself a buckling-spring aficionado, if nothing else. I think F's are awesome, if you don't mind making even a bit more noise than with an M (or I should say, if the people around you don't mind; it's unlikely to bother us, as we're too busy enjoying typing).

2. If the AT and (certainly) XT layouts intimidate you, I suggest an F-122:

Show Image

...whose layout is the most similar to ANSI. And since you'll need a Soarer's converter cable (easy, but $40) or a Teensy (cheap, but more trouble) for it anyway, you can program the keys however you wish (for example, putting ESC anywhere, or making the extra middle arrow button another "up").

And just as importantly, F-122s are legendarily BIG and HEAVY, which will make you feel like a real man!! Okay, that worked for me; your mileage may vary.

At the very least, it'll redefine your idea of a solid board. The only times these babies move around is in an earthquake, or if the building you're in is being demolished.

The only place I've been burned or nearly burned multiple times is on Intel network cards--so, so, so many fakes on ebay that it's not even funny.  I don't even look at anything 'new from china' anymore as they're almost 100% fakes.  Better to get a used genuine product.

Yeah, I suppose it's a lot easier to fake a PCB than a whole keyboard.

Does it come with the AT to ps2 adapter on there?  And why is it on there if it's not been tested?  Hmmm...

I got it yesterday and everything works also it came with the adapter

Nice! Is it your first F? How would you describe the touch 'n' sound?

Thanks and yes it is my first Model F though not my first buckling spring keyboard as I used to have a Model M, the sound is very pingy and metallic also higher pitched than the Model M, I really do enjoy the sound of it. The feel is great, it's really smooth and the weight of the switches is perfect for me, the only problem I had with the keyboard was the spacebar being pretty heavy but I quickly got used to it. I am just really happy with the keyboard and I even like it better than my blue alps and topre boards.