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geekhack Community => Keyboards => Topic started by: Snarfangel on Mon, 17 February 2014, 21:03:50

Title: What on earth is an IBM 4683, 76X0100 POS keyboard?
Post by: Snarfangel on Mon, 17 February 2014, 21:03:50

Here is the Ebay link: http://www.ebay.com/itm/IBM-Keyboard-Matrix-4683-76X0100-/161214882594?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item258927e322 (http://www.ebay.com/itm/IBM-Keyboard-Matrix-4683-76X0100-/161214882594?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item258927e322)
(http://i.ebayimg.com/00/s/NzY4WDEwMjQ=/z/tXAAAMXQOQdRHUR4/$T2eC16NHJHgE9n0yEipFBRHUR4SUgw~~60_57.JPG)

It's clearly a POS keyboard, and has an 18x7 matrix plus a number pad that is flipped like a phone pad (actually, it probably *is* a phone pad, since it doesn't show mathematical functions except for a slash), but I have no clue what kind of switch or connector it has. Has anyone seen this beast before? I'm not going to spend $100 plus shipping to satisfy my curiosity, but on the other hand, a matrix buckling spring would be seriously tempting...  :))

Title: Re: What on earth is an IBM 4683, 76X0100 POS keyboard?
Post by: berserkfan on Mon, 17 February 2014, 21:16:45

Quote from: Snarfangel on Mon, 17 February 2014, 21:03:50

Here is the Ebay link: http://www.ebay.com/itm/IBM-Keyboard-Matrix-4683-76X0100-/161214882594?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item258927e322 (http://www.ebay.com/itm/IBM-Keyboard-Matrix-4683-76X0100-/161214882594?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item258927e322)

Show Image

(http://i.ebayimg.com/00/s/NzY4WDEwMjQ=/z/tXAAAMXQOQdRHUR4/$T2eC16NHJHgE9n0yEipFBRHUR4SUgw~~60_57.JPG)

It's clearly a POS keyboard, and has an 18x7 matrix plus a number pad that is flipped like a phone pad (actually, it probably *is* a phone pad, since it doesn't show mathematical functions except for a slash), but I have no clue what kind of switch or connector it has. Has anyone seen this beast before? I'm not going to spend $100 plus shipping to satisfy my curiosity, but on the other hand, a matrix buckling spring would be seriously tempting...  :))

can't be buckling spring. The keycaps are too low. No space for a spring.

Title: Re: What on earth is an IBM 4683, 76X0100 POS keyboard?
Post by: smknjoe on Mon, 17 February 2014, 21:26:28

I wouldn't be so quit to judge, berserkfan. The bottom edge of that top board looks awfully thick. An inch or more I would guess.

Title: Re: What on earth is an IBM 4683, 76X0100 POS keyboard?
Post by: Aer Fixus on Mon, 17 February 2014, 22:01:07

If no one know what this is and no one wants to purchase it, we could ask the seller to remove one of the caps and take a picture.

Alternatively, we could scour the internet for the specs on this guy and find out what it really is.

Title: Re: What on earth is an IBM 4683, 76X0100 POS keyboard?
Post by: luis911 on Mon, 17 February 2014, 22:23:26

Looks like some sort of phone receiver with the capabilities of transfering a crap ton of calls.

Title: Re: What on earth is an IBM 4683, 76X0100 POS keyboard?
Post by: smknjoe on Mon, 17 February 2014, 22:45:15

Quote from: luis911 on Mon, 17 February 2014, 22:23:26

Looks like some sort of phone receiver with the capabilities of transfering a crap ton of calls.

Now that you mention it, and after looking at it closer, you may be right. If it is phone related I bet it's probably part of a PBX system. I didn't know that IBM was in the phone business, but it does look like it says "Message Pending" on one of the labels.

Title: Re: What on earth is an IBM 4683, 76X0100 POS keyboard?
Post by: smknjoe on Mon, 17 February 2014, 23:42:40

If you look at the other items this seller has you'll see other similar items that are POS boards, not PBX. This one even shows the switch stems: http://www.ebay.com/itm/92F6330-469X-6300-IBM-M8-Operator-Disp-Keyboard-REPAIR-REFURBISHMENT-SERVICE/390543182883?_trksid=p2047675.m2109&_trkparms=aid%3D555012%26algo%3DPW.MBE%26ao%3D1%26asc%3D389%26meid%3D4915104435235778955%26pid%3D100010%26prg%3D1076%26rk%3D5%26rkt%3D15%26sd%3D161214882594%26

Title: Re: What on earth is an IBM 4683, 76X0100 POS keyboard?
Post by: Snarfangel on Tue, 18 February 2014, 16:55:17

Quote from: smknjoe on Mon, 17 February 2014, 23:42:40

If you look at the other items this seller has you'll see other similar items that are POS boards, not PBX. This one even shows the switch stems: http://www.ebay.com/itm/92F6330-469X-6300-IBM-M8-Operator-Disp-Keyboard-REPAIR-REFURBISHMENT-SERVICE/390543182883?_trksid=p2047675.m2109&_trkparms=aid%3D555012%26algo%3DPW.MBE%26ao%3D1%26asc%3D389%26meid%3D4915104435235778955%26pid%3D100010%26prg%3D1076%26rk%3D5%26rkt%3D15%26sd%3D161214882594%26

Thanks, good catch. So...

What kind of key is this:
[attachimg=1]

(The keycaps look a little different, but I am not nearly as familiar with the types of keys as a lot of Geekhackers).

Title: Re: What on earth is an IBM 4683, 76X0100 POS keyboard?
Post by: dorkvader on Wed, 19 February 2014, 01:22:07

that's IBM's POS rubberdomes. We use them at work, and I even repaired one.

Decent for domes, metal plate. Many use what appear to be SDL cables.