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geekhack Community => Keyboards => Topic started by: y11971alex on Tue, 18 October 2016, 17:55:51

Title: IBM 3278 1742720 Beamspring Get!
Post by: y11971alex on Tue, 18 October 2016, 17:55:51
Crossposted on DT.

I ordered this keyboard from a certain computer supplier in Minnesota for $75.  Except for some blemishes and a snapped manual door retainer, this keyboard is in excellent condition.  The metal plates show no obvious signs of corrosion, and the contamination shield seems largely intact, and the key feel is still quite tactile.



(http://i.imgur.com/jyb9ZPI.jpg)
^the snapped, L-shaped retainer tab

(http://i.imgur.com/juemGB1.jpg)
^keyboard uncovered.  It's the 75-key typewriter model, p/n 1742720

(http://i.imgur.com/UpkSalx.jpg)

(http://i.imgur.com/NKKsCM2.jpg)

(http://i.imgur.com/iDp7J7L.jpg)
^the obligatory CANNON cable

(http://i.imgur.com/JZWrHH4.jpg)
^reverse view

(http://i.imgur.com/e6iPrGk.jpg)
^reverse view

(http://i.imgur.com/LhBxjko.jpg)
^rubber foot

(http://i.imgur.com/de0hp4P.jpg)
^interior, with the blue contamination shield

(http://i.imgur.com/1Cv7iVK.jpg)
^controller board

(http://i.imgur.com/Pps79Uc.jpg)
^controller chip

(http://i.imgur.com/o5rVHGJ.jpg)
^keyboard connector

(http://i.imgur.com/ikRqRqt.jpg?1)
^solenoid

(http://i.imgur.com/VM3ywuC.jpg)
^top case

(http://i.imgur.com/bTIeoz1.jpg)
^the spring-loaded manual door

(http://i.imgur.com/hgaozZn.jpg)
^the threaded screw-hole
Title: Re: IBM 3278 1742720 Beamspring Get!
Post by: blackriver on Thu, 20 October 2016, 14:13:40
Just out of curiosity, is this more of a collectors piece or is there a way to actually use it with modern computers???
Title: Re: IBM 3278 1742720 Beamspring Get!
Post by: y11971alex on Thu, 20 October 2016, 14:17:03
Quote from: blackriver on Thu, 20 October 2016, 14:13:40
Just out of curiosity, is this more of a collectors piece or is there a way to actually use it with modern computers???
It's both.  There's something called a xwhatsit's controller that replaces its original controller, and it's USB-compatible.
Title: Re: IBM 3278 1742720 Beamspring Get!
Post by: henz on Thu, 20 October 2016, 14:17:07
Quote from: blackriver on Thu, 20 October 2016, 14:13:40
Just out of curiosity, is this more of a collectors piece or is there a way to actually use it with modern computers???

you can get every keyboard to work if you really want to.
Title: Re: IBM 3278 1742720 Beamspring Get!
Post by: Niomosy on Thu, 20 October 2016, 17:59:45
Well damn if that isn't a steal on a beamspring board.  I hope I can some day have that luck just so I can try one out.
Title: Re: IBM 3278 1742720 Beamspring Get!
Post by: y11971alex on Thu, 20 October 2016, 18:07:22
Quote from: Niomosy on Thu, 20 October 2016, 17:59:45
Well damn if that isn't a steal on a beamspring board.  I hope I can some day have that luck just so I can try one out.
Well, I did once offer a beam spring tour like they did with Topre RF/HHKB, but nobody seemed that enthusiastic.
Title: Re: IBM 3278 1742720 Beamspring Get!
Post by: blackriver on Fri, 21 October 2016, 10:37:44
Quote from: henz on Thu, 20 October 2016, 14:17:07
you can get every keyboard to work if you really want to.

Sure I suppose that goes with anything :thumb:, what I really meant was is y11971alex looking to just collect these or does he modernize them?
Title: Re: IBM 3278 1742720 Beamspring Get!
Post by: romevi on Fri, 21 October 2016, 10:39:56
Pretty freaking jealous. Nice find!
Title: Re: IBM 3278 1742720 Beamspring Get!
Post by: Bucake on Fri, 21 October 2016, 10:53:27
starting to hate you..



how is the feel compared to your 3101?
great pictures, obviously a really cool board :-)
Title: Re: IBM 3278 1742720 Beamspring Get!
Post by: y11971alex on Fri, 21 October 2016, 11:03:33
Quote from: Bucake on Fri, 21 October 2016, 10:53:27
starting to hate you..



how is the feel compared to your 3101?
great pictures, obviously a really cool board :-)
I kept it stock so far other than installing my xwhatsit and solenoid driver.  Feel is unsurprisingly exactly the same as the 3101 when it still had the contamination shield on, since 3101 and 3278 keyboards are identical except the case and circuitry.