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geekhack Community => Keyboards => Topic started by: jayray999 on Tue, 07 April 2009, 16:49:39
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Someone's offering me a "new in box" Model M (1993, Made in USA) for $35.
1. Is it a good deal?
2. What should I look for on the label?
3. Anything I should check on the keyboard itself?
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my favorite place to get a great condition model m is a seller on ebay.
his model m's say "refurbished". they have all worked absolutely perfect and have been spotless.
if this is indeed new in box. you should buy it and find out if you like it. the numbers dont matter if its a model m and you like it (which you should...)
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Check this Model M Buyer's Guide, too:
http://www.clickykeyboard.com/buyersguide.htm
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Well I do love the Model M but I 've heard its capacitors can dry out over time and some vintages are better than others. ;-)
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Check this Model M Buyer's Guide, too:
http://www.clickykeyboard.com/buyersguide.htm
Thanks. Exactly what I was looking for.
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1. Yes it is a good deal but this is a good week to be greedy. Check the ebay finds section.
2. Personally, I notice very little difference in the key action amongst the various Model Ms. Some believe that the keyboards manufactured by IBM (particularly 1991 or earlier) are better than the subsequent models by Lexmark because the former have detachable cables and denser plastic. The Blue Labels (blue IBM logo) have drainage holes which can actually be useful if you're concerned about spilling drinks near your keyboard. Others like me find them ugly and unnecessary. Keyboard snobs will say IBM > Lexmark brand, White Label > Blue Label. If it is an IBM manufactured keyboard the label will say only IBM and not Lexmark or Unicomp.
Part #1391401 is what most people refer to when they refer to "IBM Model M". Since yours is from 1993, I bet its something else (just check Wiki). Amongst those labels, I doubt there is much difference in plastic density or design.
3. Label should cover it. I'm also overboard and like to the original tape seal of the keyboard inside the foam to make sure it is new. I don't know if you need to do that.
When you factor in ordering a cable and paying a high shipping fee, you'd probably end up spending $80 for a white label 1991 Model M on ebay. On an absolute scale or for keyboard snobs, that's a pretty good deal when considering they can go for $200+ at clickykeyboards. At the same time, in comparison to your $35 deal, it's not that hot. Personally, if you care only about functionality, there's little difference between what you are ordering and the ebay stuff.
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A NIB for $35 is a very good deal.
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@Etinin. Thanks.
I just looked at the Wikipedia entry. Useful for verifying part numbers:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Model_M_Keyboard
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Ok, the guy selling to me has no cable. Is that bad?
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You can usually find replacement cables at clickyboards.com or pckeyboards.com
The original cable is always better if you can get it and it's in good condition.
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Unicomp sells spare cables. These should as good as new.
http://pckeyboards.stores.yahoo.net/cabdetmin.html
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If it's got no cable, good. That means it's a 1391401 with drainage holes (1993 after all,) my favorite variant of the classic M.
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sounds like a decent deal. and dont forget, you can always wear the M as body armor in a pinch.
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If it's got no cable, good. That means it's a 1391401 with drainage holes (1993 after all,) my favorite variant of the classic M.
It seems to be part # 1397599.
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Weird, not sure what's different about that one.
Does it say it was made by IBM, or manufactured for IBM by Lexmark?
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If it's got no cable, good. That means it's a 1391401 with drainage holes (1993 after all,) my favorite variant of the classic M.
Out of curiosity - why is this your favorite variant? I like the color of blue instead of boring black on the logo. Drainage holes also seem well done (not cheap) and can of course be useful for some. This variant also seems just as solid and well built as my 1980s white label.
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I myself like the style of the black logo better (although the aluminum ones rule).
I second this.
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Weird, not sure what's different about that one.
Does it say it was made by IBM, or manufactured for IBM by Lexmark?
Haven't seen it yet but judging by the Wikipedia entry, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Model_M_Keyboard it is one of the last IBMs.
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There actually are Lexmark-assembled 1391401s, FWIW.
But, I prefer the feel of my 1993 1391401 to my 1993... whatever the part number is (52G9658?) Lexmark board. Which is why the Lexmark is for parts. (Well, that and the fact that the cable that came on it was bad.)
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For some time back in the day, most IBM keyboards were sent with system units [computers]; they weren't marketed as products in their own right until the mid-nineties ["Options by IBM"] though of course if you knew the numbers they could be ordered as spares/replacements.
As is mentioned in announcement letters, the keyboard cable was often packaged with system literature (Guide to Operations, Reference Diskette, etc. ), with the keyboard in its own box. Presumably this was more convenient in some way, I don't really know. Anyway...
That is why sellers "never" "include" a cable with [insert the current buzzword for making people pay more for something old] IBM keyboards.
Here's a clickykeyboards example (http://www.clickykeyboards.com/index.cfm/fa/items.main/parentcat/9246/subcatid/0/id/139764) of a 1397599. $35 seems quite reasonable to me.
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nice info. I didn't know that.
P.S. You have A LOT of boards...