NIB Lexmark Model M13s (trackpoint), $100

[ander]

From Electronics Plus (Cindy on Deskthority):

Lexmark 1403380 M13 Trackpoint Keyboard, NIB











At this posting, 6 available at $100 ea. + shipping.

Were I a trackpoint fan, I'd gobble up one of these myself.

[JP]

I grabbed one of these. I'm surprised there are still some left.

[ander]

Really!

Cindy at Electronics Plus is great, BTW. She's a long-time DT member, and has spent years rescuing vintage MKs from destruction on behalf of geeks like us.

[ander]

6 still available? I'm astounded. I don't think rare NIB boards like these would last long on eBay.

[Drake9800]

how difficult would this be to set up over usb?
was about to click PURCHASE until I started thinking about adapters and shipping to canada

[JP]

6 still available? I'm astounded. I don't think rare NIB boards like these would last long on eBay.

I suspect the same. The oddball connector kills it for some folks but that's not a big deal. Also this would make for a great keyboard for someone with a vintage PC. The trackpoint is essentially unusable on a modern system due to the low dpi so really only an interesting curiosity and footnote in computing history. I think they are neat though. Also the downside to any M13 is the irreplaceable controller (different from other Model M's) and thinner plastic where the controller area is so much more fragile than a regular M. On the plus side they do have solid one-piece keys.

[ed_avis]

You can get PS/2 to USB adaptors that have two sockets, one for keyboard and one for mouse.  They work with this board.

[ander]

You bet. In fact, that's the kind I use just for keyboards (the mouse connector's optional). They're the cheapest and most widely compatible, in my experience.





Note that it's a converter, not an adapter. An adapter just changes the shape of the plug:





...and doesn't have the built-in electronics that change the ps/2 signals to USB. (That's the module you see in the middle of the converter.) I think these adapters were sold with early USB mice that had the converter electronics built into them and could "speak' both protocols.

[ander]

Just checked, and 6 of these puppies are still available.

[JP]

4 available 

[ed_avis]

"These new in box keyboards feature a fixed cable with a 9-pin serial connection for the trackpoint and a 5-pin DIN for the keyboard."

Look at the pictures on Ebay!  It's a mutant M13 which has a serial mouse instead of PS/2 mouse.  So the usual converter pictured above won't work.

[JP]

It will you just need extra adapters. For the keyboard going from 5 pin din to ps2 is super easy. Also one could negate this with a replacement cable or worst case the controller from another M13 perhaps from a donor in bad shape. Getting the 9 pin serial to ps2 is fairly easy but note that the track point has really low dpi so is worthless on a modern system. Actually this keyboard setup is perfect for some vintage computers.

[ed_avis]

So can you confirm that a simple passive adaptor will convert the serial port connector to a PS/2 mouse connector?  In other words, does the same M13 controller board support both PS/2 and serial port protocols for the mouse, detected automatically?

[JP]

So can you confirm that a simple passive adaptor will convert the serial port connector to a PS/2 mouse connector?  In other words, does the same M13 controller board support both PS/2 and serial port protocols for the mouse, detected automatically?

I could but I'd have to open the box and it wouldn't be new anymore