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geekhack Community => Keyboards => Topic started by: wumpyr on Fri, 23 January 2009, 21:57:39

Title: How rare are international model Ms?
Post by: wumpyr on Fri, 23 January 2009, 21:57:39

I would love to get my hands on an Italian layout Model M - classic, spacesaver, m13 - whatever, as long as it is buckling spring.  I'd probably hand over a very decent amount of cash for a good one.

I see there was one sold previously in the clickykeyboard's archive.

What are my chances of finding such a layout? Or should I just give up, roll over and die? ;)

Does anybody have an Italian M they would part with?

thanks

Title: How rare are international model Ms?
Post by: xyzzy on Sat, 24 January 2009, 03:29:02

International layout Model M have been manufactured mostly in the "classic" version (1391404). Sometimes you can spot one on ebay.it.

Once you have one (or more ;)), you can look for a Unicomp Model M 85key spacesaver (UNI04C6), which is the only M spacesaver with ISO layout ever produced, and swap the keycaps with the 1391404 as you can see here (http://geekhack.org/showthread.php?p=17332#post17332).

Regarding the M13, I've seen some with ISO layout (IIRC french or canadian layout), if you can get one you might be able to do the same keycaps-swap with the 1391404.

Title: How rare are international model Ms?
Post by: wumpyr on Sun, 25 January 2009, 00:30:18

Excuse my ignorance, are the unicomp keyboards manufactured with key caps+stems or a single key piece like the M13?

Title: How rare are international model Ms?
Post by: iMav on Sun, 25 January 2009, 01:41:59

Quote from: wumpyr;19546

Excuse my ignorance, are the unicomp keyboards manufactured with key caps+stems or a single key piece like the M13?

Yes.  :)

They offer both, depending on color and preference.

If all you care about is ISO layout with buckling spring, why not simply order a new Model M from Unicomp with blank keycaps?

Title: How rare are international model Ms?
Post by: wumpyr on Sun, 25 January 2009, 03:26:54

Hi iMav

Yes, I could, but I would prefer an original Model M :)  Does unicomp sell just the keycaps?  I'll probably take their italian keycaps and retrofit an original ISO Model M.

Title: How rare are international model Ms?
Post by: Etinin on Sun, 25 January 2009, 20:06:59

I think they do. You should contact them.

Title: How rare are international model Ms?
Post by: wumpyr on Sun, 01 February 2009, 15:11:02

Jim Owens from unicomp tells me that they sell a complete button set that are compatible with ibm/lexmark model Ms in most languages for $20. Sweet.