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geekhack Community => Keyboards => Topic started by: blueangel2323 on Tue, 06 October 2015, 22:53:00

Title: Identify these two IBM keyboards
Post by: blueangel2323 on Tue, 06 October 2015, 22:53:00
What model are these IBM keyboards? Are they worth anything?

(http://i.ebayimg.com/00/s/ODAwWDgwMA==/z/CbwAAOSwunJWFBdD/$_27.JPG)
Title: Re: Identify these two IBM keyboards
Post by: Snowdog993 on Tue, 06 October 2015, 23:02:22
Both rubberdome.  Top one is a Model A.  (Newer model with Windows keys...)
Bottom one is a newer rubberdome.
Title: Re: Identify these two IBM keyboards
Post by: blueangel2323 on Tue, 06 October 2015, 23:22:23
Too bad. I knew they didn't look anything like the famous Model F and M but I was hoping there were some rare mechanical keyboards made by IBM that I didn't know about. Thanks for the info.
Title: Re: Identify these two IBM keyboards
Post by: fohat.digs on Wed, 07 October 2015, 07:32:02
The top one is an 8923 and is a very nice and well-built rubber dome.

The bottom one looks like it has a Unicomp LED label and is probably newer.
Title: Re: Identify these two IBM keyboards
Post by: chyros on Wed, 07 October 2015, 09:14:38
Yeah the 8923 is easily one of the heaviest RD boards I've found yet, it comes with a steel plate and everything. They feel pretty OK as far as rubber domes go. Nothing really special, but it's better than whatever they use in offices nowadays.
Title: Re: Identify these two IBM keyboards
Post by: Snowdog993 on Wed, 07 October 2015, 10:24:50
Have you guys even seen a Model A?

Title: Re: Identify these two IBM keyboards
Post by: SamirD on Wed, 07 October 2015, 11:15:40
Both of those keyboards are just some IBM rubber domes, although the top one has had some accolades on here as being 'not that bad'.  Personally, I hate it and quickly replaced all 8 of ours with Ms.  But I still have them.

I have quite a few of the bottom one as well, mainly in black.  They were used a lot on the 'Netvista' series of IBM computers that were used on a lot of hotel property management systems (where I got them when these systems were upgraded or taken out of service).
Have you guys even seen a Model A?


Is that still a rubber dome?  It does look a bit like the top one, but the keycaps look smoother.

Title: Re: Identify these two IBM keyboards
Post by: Snowdog993 on Wed, 07 October 2015, 11:21:10
Both of those keyboards are just some IBM rubber domes, although the top one has had some accolades on here as being 'not that bad'.  Personally, I hate it and quickly replaced all 8 of ours with Ms.  But I still have them.

I have quite a few of the bottom one as well, mainly in black.  They were used a lot on the 'Netvista' series of IBM computers that were used on a lot of hotel property management systems (where I got them when these systems were upgraded or taken out of service).
Have you guys even seen a Model A?


Is that still a rubber dome?  It does look a bit like the top one, but the keycaps look smoother.

Yes, the Model A is a rubber dome.
Title: Re: Identify these two IBM keyboards
Post by: SamirD on Wed, 07 October 2015, 11:38:10
Yes, the Model A is a rubber dome.

How does the 101 layout version compare with the one in the top photo with the windows keys?

Title: Re: Identify these two IBM keyboards
Post by: Snowdog993 on Wed, 07 October 2015, 11:43:23
Yes, the Model A is a rubber dome.

How does the 101 layout version compare with the one in the top photo with the windows keys?

After reading on the 8923, I suppose they are similar keyboards.  They both apparently have metal backplates on them.  The only difference (I suppose) is who made them.  The Model A is made for IBM by Lexmark.  I don't know about the 8923.
Title: Re: Identify these two IBM keyboards
Post by: SamirD on Wed, 07 October 2015, 12:36:30
Yes, the Model A is a rubber dome.

How does the 101 layout version compare with the one in the top photo with the windows keys?
I'll have to check the next time I'm back near mine, but I'm suspecting it would also be Lexmark.

After reading on the 8923, I suppose they are similar keyboards.  They both apparently have metal backplates on them.  The only difference (I suppose) is who made them.  The Model A is made for IBM by Lexmark.  I don't know about the 8923.


Title: Re: Identify these two IBM keyboards
Post by: Snowdog993 on Thu, 08 October 2015, 18:57:52
Yes, the Model A is a rubber dome.

How does the 101 layout version compare with the one in the top photo with the windows keys?

After reading on the 8923, I suppose they are similar keyboards.  They both apparently have metal backplates on them.  The only difference (I suppose) is who made them.  The Model A is made for IBM by Lexmark.  I don't know about the 8923.

I'll have to check the next time I'm back near mine, but I'm suspecting it would also be Lexmark.

Did you check it?  I am kind of curious about this.  I think they went to another manufacturer with the Windows keyboards about that time.
Title: Re: Identify these two IBM keyboards
Post by: niubio on Thu, 08 October 2015, 19:28:07
Isn't this "winkey Model A" made by Chicony?

link (http://utensilia.tk/urzadzenia/ibm-chicony_kb-6326/1.jpg), link2 (http://utensilia.tk/urzadzenia/ibm-chicony_kb-6326/5.jpg), link3 (http://utensilia.tk/urzadzenia/ibm-chicony_kb-6326/7.jpg)

"E8HKB" in FCC ID...
Title: Re: Identify these two IBM keyboards
Post by: Snowdog993 on Thu, 08 October 2015, 20:30:13
Isn't this "winkey Model A" made by Chicony?

link (http://utensilia.tk/urzadzenia/ibm-chicony_kb-6326/1.jpg), link2 (http://utensilia.tk/urzadzenia/ibm-chicony_kb-6326/5.jpg), link3 (http://utensilia.tk/urzadzenia/ibm-chicony_kb-6326/7.jpg)

"E8HKB" in FCC ID...

If it had Windows keys, I would agree.  Seems that IBM went with some other manufacturers in Thailand to make them.

Edit: So the transition was somewhere between 1995 and 1996.  Interesting stuff.
Title: Re: Identify these two IBM keyboards
Post by: SamirD on Thu, 08 October 2015, 22:51:05
Did you check it?  I am kind of curious about this.  I think they went to another manufacturer with the Windows keyboards about that time.
It will be a few weeks before I'm back where I can. :(  But made in Thailand seems to ring a bell for some reason.  It's been almost 2 decades since I looked at the labels on those.