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geekhack Marketplace => Great Finds => Topic started by: MANISH7 on Tue, 07 April 2009, 15:30:29

Title: NIB Model M 1991 White Label
Post by: MANISH7 on Tue, 07 April 2009, 15:30:29
This is part #1394540. It is white label and without drainage holes. This is identical to the common 1391401 but has two speakers.

http://cgi.ebay.com/IBM-Model-M-Clicky-Keyboard-Part-1394540-NEW_W0QQitemZ310132850333QQcmdZViewItemQQptZPCA_Mice_Trackballs?hash=item310132850333&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14&_trkparms=72%3A1205|66%3A2|65%3A12|39%3A1|240%3A1318|301%3A1|293%3A1|294%3A50

The above sold for $27. If I hadn't butted in with a $26 bid, the buyer would have gotten it for $22. I feel bad about wasting a couple of his bucks. I just bid for the heck it, in case of dumb luck I did get it for $26.

http://cgi.ebay.com/IBM-Model-M-Clicky-Keyboard-Part-1394540-NEW_W0QQitemZ250402561136QQcmdZViewItemQQptZPCA_Mice_Trackballs?hash=item250402561136&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14&_trkparms=72%3A1205|66%3A2|65%3A12|39%3A1|240%3A1318|301%3A1|293%3A1|294%3A50

Here are blue label 1391401 made by IBM. Just as good IMO.

One hour to go (04/08)  - UPDATE SOLD for $37.

http://cgi.ebay.com/IBM-1391401-Model-M-Clicky-Keyboard-1392090-NEW_W0QQitemZ310132719728QQcmdZViewItemQQptZPCA_Mice_Trackballs?hash=item310132719728&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14&_trkparms=72%3A1205|66%3A2|65%3A12|39%3A1|240%3A1318|301%3A1|293%3A1|294%3A50

(2 days to go)

http://cgi.ebay.com/IBM-1391401-Model-M-Clicky-Keyboard-1392090-NEW_W0QQitemZ310133998297QQcmdZViewItemQQptZPCA_Mice_Trackballs?hash=item310133998297&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14&_trkparms=72%3A1205|66%3A2|65%3A12|39%3A1|240%3A1318|301%3A1|293%3A1|294%3A50

(9 days to go)

http://cgi.ebay.com/IBM-1391401-Model-M-Clicky-Keyboard-1392090-NEW_W0QQitemZ250398892131QQcmdZViewItemQQptZPCA_Mice_Trackballs?hash=item250398892131&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14&_trkparms=72%3A1205|66%3A2|65%3A12|39%3A1|240%3A1318|301%3A1|293%3A1|294%3A50
Title: NIB Model M 1991 White Label for cheap
Post by: MANISH7 on Tue, 07 April 2009, 15:32:08
When they say NIB, they mean NIB. The keyboard is sealed to the foam with original tape. All of these keyboards come without cables (so just order one from Unicomp).
Title: NIB Model M 1991 White Label for cheap
Post by: FKSSR on Tue, 07 April 2009, 16:02:14
Thanks for posting.  I may keep my eye on them, but I'd rather have a black Unicomp, at this point.
Title: NIB Model M 1991 White Label for cheap
Post by: MANISH7 on Tue, 07 April 2009, 19:49:31
Cool! I paid $50 and was ecstatic :) These guys are awesome. How long ago did you get yours? I just got mine this week.
Title: NIB Model M 1991 White Label for cheap
Post by: rdjack21 on Tue, 07 April 2009, 21:15:27
I've been keeping eye on those trying to decide if I want one or not. According to http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Model_M_Keyboard the 1394540 was "Made for IBM RS/6000 computer. Contains real speaker". So it may work but I don't know.
Title: NIB Model M 1991 White Label for cheap
Post by: rdjack21 on Tue, 07 April 2009, 23:34:46
Quote from: ripster;27577
The "real speaker" thing makes me suspicious.  I thought IBM used an older mold for the cases but never put a speaker in the keyboards for PCs.

On the other hand the cable connector is a SDR connector so it MIGHT be for a PC.

Someone should ask this seller if it works with PCs.  He obviously knows and should be mentioning it if it doesn't.

- Ripster


I didn't ask the seller but I did find this about the IBM RS/6000 keyboards http://www.tifaq.org/keyboards/accessories-interfaces.html#pc-rios which states that the board will not work in a normal PC without a converter and then also some extra software. So maybe it would be a good parts board.
Title: NIB Model M 1991 White Label for cheap
Post by: Hak Foo on Wed, 08 April 2009, 01:18:01
Quote from: rdjack21;27580
I didn't ask the seller but I did find this about the IBM RS/6000 keyboards http://www.tifaq.org/keyboards/accessories-interfaces.html#pc-rios which states that the board will not work in a normal PC without a converter and then also some extra software. So maybe it would be a good parts board.


It sounds like (but don't take this as gospel) they're talking about the other way:  the guy has some AT-style ergo keyboard he was trying to plug into the RS/6000; he had to adapt it down to a PS/2 style plug, and then run some program on the RS/6000 to make it work.  But it actually sounds like he was hot-swapping the keyboard too, which is (apparently) not broadly supported for PS/2 interfaces.

The issue is does it work the other way.
Title: NIB Model M 1991 White Label for cheap
Post by: MANISH7 on Wed, 08 April 2009, 12:02:45
I just want to mention that the blue label 1391401s made by IBM are really awesome too. It is just as heavy and solid and well constructed as the white label. I actually like the blue color too. If you can get a blue label 1391401 for less than $60  I'd call it a good deal and certainly a fair one (these things were originally priced in 1990 at $100 IIRC). I don't think its quality is any lesser than the white label. I wouldn't say the same for the other Lexmark made models.
Title: NIB Model M 1991 White Label for cheap
Post by: FKSSR on Wed, 08 April 2009, 13:31:40
hahahha.  Sweet!  That just lends more credibility to my belief that there has to be at least one reference to the Model M in the "Good Book." :P
Title: NIB Model M 1991 White Label for cheap
Post by: dw_junon on Wed, 08 April 2009, 18:23:15
I'm wondering what a "fake speaker" is.

The speaker in the P/N 1394540 functions as the system speaker for earlier RS/6000 computers, which makes sense if you think of having a remote console away from the system itself (and system beeps actually being useful).

As far as I was able to find out a speaker was never offered with PC products, though could well have been intended.  A suggestion that it was implemented in a "MF-I" [Multi Function 1] keyboard, which I have seen repeated, was retracted by its author.

The speaker is controlled by the two extra lines that are usually redundant on a PS/2 6 pin mini-DIN, so if you were using a 1394540 with a RS6K product you would need a six conductor cable.  For a PS/2 application, you won't be able to do anything with speaker, but I always wondered whether it would complain if you didn't have the six conductor cable.

Anyway, it's a good example of how functionally similar IBM keyboards were between product lines, in this case to the point that they can be swapped!  Only one way, mind...
Title: NIB Model M 1991 White Label for cheap
Post by: lowpoly on Thu, 09 April 2009, 03:39:49
Quote from: MANISH7;27516
I feel bad about wasting a couple of his bucks.
This is just how ebay works. The 2nd highest bidder defines the value.