geekhack
geekhack Community => Keyboards => Topic started by: sharktastica on Wed, 12 August 2026, 18:46:10
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45 years ago today, on 12th August 1981, the computing landscape changed forever. IBM launched the Personal Computer, the vessel that kickstarted x86's popularity in computing at offices and homes alike. It was, of course, not a feat IBM achieved by itself - the IBM-compatible "clone" market is what helped keep the ecosystem prominent in the long run. But I like to think a big part of its success was its keyboard. Not the perfect layout as most may agree, but certainly a competent, well-built keyboard - the Model F/XT.
In just over day, I managed to scramble together something to celebrate the occasion. Barely in time for it to still be the 12th in my timezone... But nonetheless, a lot of pictures and commentry on the F/XT, where it came from, and what it became. Please enjoy!
https://sharktastica.co.uk/articles/pc-fxt-45 (https://sharktastica.co.uk/articles/pc-fxt-45)
(https://sharktastica.co.uk/resources/images/model_fs/6936938-1_1501100_ibm.webp)
(There are definitely things I could've added and improved on, but it will do. NEVER leave things last minute, people...)
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The XT in that metal industrial gray case is just *chef's kiss