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geekhack Community => Keyboards => Topic started by: Aseral on Thu, 23 June 2011, 12:50:16

Title: Is this a good deal for IBM model M?
Post by: Aseral on Thu, 23 June 2011, 12:50:16: http://www.clickykeyboards.com/index.cfm/fa/items.main/parentcat/29524/subcatid/0/id/510001 would you say this is a good deal?
Title: Is this a good deal for IBM model M?
Post by: Mayor Winters on Thu, 23 June 2011, 12:55:01: 80 dollars for a perfect condition IBM blue label? My god YES.
Title: Is this a good deal for IBM model M?
Post by: theferenc on Thu, 23 June 2011, 12:56:27: Definitely more than I would spend, but if you are only going to get one, and use it as it comes, then yeah, it seems to be. Clicky Keyboards has an excellent reputation around here, as well.
Title: Is this a good deal for IBM model M?
Post by: HaveANiceDay on Thu, 23 June 2011, 12:57:59: I love the blue label. Best thing ever.
Title: Is this a good deal for IBM model M?
Post by: Ascaii on Thu, 23 June 2011, 12:59:16: considering youre paying for cleaning and testing its decent enough. If you happen to be in europe and want one of these, I still have a few ANSI model M boards originally from clickkeyboards that im selling. That way youd save the exorb itant transatlantic shipping cost. If you are in the US and want a working, clean board, go for it.
Title: Is this a good deal for IBM model M?
Post by: theferenc on Thu, 23 June 2011, 13:00:18: Hey Winters, how dead is yours? Is it a controller thing, or what?
Title: Is this a good deal for IBM model M?
Post by: wanabe on Thu, 23 June 2011, 13:05:10: i wouldn't really call it a great deal... watch this guys auctions for new ones http://myworld.ebay.com/gear4games/

you can get them cheaper used if you don't mind cleaning one up a bit

edit: this seller has a few cheap ones (not sure if they come w/ cables - you should check)
http://myworld.ebay.com/heikesgirl607/
Title: Is this a good deal for IBM model M?
Post by: PlayerZero on Thu, 23 June 2011, 13:38:44: There's an offer on eBay (http://cgi.ebay.com/TWO-vintage-IBM-Model-M-clicky-keyboards-matching-MICE-/180685567355?pt=PCA_Mice_Trackballs&hash=item2a11b2f57b#ht_693wt_1139) for 2 model ms, one white label and one blue (the model with G in the name, for the blue one) and 2 old IBM mice all for $54 w/o shipping. I'd post a link but this is on my iPod. The description says refurbished and all that jazz... I've been looking on clickykeyboards too, but the stuff is used, or a least that one is. It seems like better deals are on eBay, but it os eBay so you never know
Title: Is this a good deal for IBM model M?
Post by: MissileMike on Thu, 23 June 2011, 13:39:55: Those gear4games blue label Ms go for about 75$ on average and they're brand new. The seller ships quick and the keyboards are as advertised.
Title: Is this a good deal for IBM model M?
Post by: Daniel Beaver on Thu, 23 June 2011, 14:04:31: Yes.

You can also find them for $35 on eBay, but buying them from clickykeyboards guarantees a certain level of "I won't have weird ****ing problems with it".
Title: Is this a good deal for IBM model M?
Post by: PlayerZero on Thu, 23 June 2011, 14:06:19: Quote from: Daniel Beaver;366341
Yes.

You can also find them for $35 on eBay, but buying them from clickykeyboards guarantees a certain level of "I won't have weird ****ing problems with it".

Is it worth the significantly higher cost though? Because I'm not sure where to get a Model M.
Title: Is this a good deal for IBM model M?
Post by: theferenc on Thu, 23 June 2011, 14:16:39: If it's going to be your only Model M, you really want a Model M and not a Unicomp, and you don't plan to open it up and do some major work on it, then yes, I would say it's worth it.
Title: Is this a good deal for IBM model M?
Post by: PlayerZero on Thu, 23 June 2011, 14:18:20: Yes, yes. Quite. NIB, older Ms seem pretty rare though. With cheap, I guess you just hope and pray. :pray:
Title: Is this a good deal for IBM model M?
Post by: jpc on Sat, 25 June 2011, 05:00:17: No, $80 is too much for one that could have a lot of miles on it and spongy springs.

Unicomp will sell you one with a warranty, choice of color, custom layout if you want, USB if you want, smaller footprint if you want, etc., for around $80. The springs will be perfect.
Title: Is this a good deal for IBM model M?
Post by: ch_123 on Sat, 25 June 2011, 05:29:25: At that price, I'd veer towards a new Unicomp. Not sure the one in the OP is worth 2-3 times the price of one you'd pick up on eBay.
Title: Is this a good deal for IBM model M?
Post by: Mayor Winters on Sat, 25 June 2011, 08:13:20: Quote from: theferenc;366287
Hey Winters, how dead is yours? Is it a controller thing, or what?

Dont know really, I found it on a school, dusty as hell, I tried to clean it and I did a good job, but after a few weeks it started to not to work, happening:

Disconnecting from the computers, doesnt mater what computer, you are typing and then it dissapears, also some keys doesnt work at the moment, num led not working now. And the computer finds the keyboard once each 10 times or so lol.

I think is a PCB problem, but im getting a new one and saving this for fix when I have time, and full clean.
Title: Is this a good deal for IBM model M?
Post by: theferenc on Sat, 25 June 2011, 09:05:57: Yeah, that sounds like a dead controller.
Title: Is this a good deal for IBM model M?
Post by: Mayor Winters on Sat, 25 June 2011, 10:35:40: Quote from: ripster;367691
You know I don't ever think I've seen a truly dead IBM Model M Controller. Most of the time it's due to liquid spills on the membrane or PS/2 compatibility issues. See the PS/2 Compatibility Wiki to make sure your computer(s) is not on the list.

Tried on gigabyte boards, Dell boards, Asrock boards, Asus boards, my Toshiba A300 satellite laptop with a converter (actually 2, to ps2 and to usb xD which works perfect with my cherry g80), and no matter the computer it did the same, but at first it was working very well, just as a brand new. AH!And also on an old 386 olivetti computer, and the same.

Also, when I cleaned it I found food inside, you know, it was on a school, the kids might used to eat and drink on it...

But anyway, thank you both and I will fix it when I have time, Im getting another one in proper condition!