geekhack
geekhack Community => Keyboards => Topic started by: cwenos on Fri, 30 December 2016, 20:03:27
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I have just stumbled upon a large amount of old mechanical keyboards including 7 XL/Datacomp keyboards. I have been able to find information on the IBM model M's that I have but I have not been able to find any information on these particular keyboards. On the front of the keyboard it says it is XL/Datacomp and the model is LX-122-US Part number: 901025-50 Date 05-09-1994. I would appreciate any information if anyone knows, thanks!
Edit: Here are the pictures of the board http://imgur.com/a/gknjo
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If they have mechanical switches then they may be worth something.
If they are membrane/rubber dome keyboards then they are probably trash.
If they have interesting switches or high-quality keycaps then they are usually worth more.
What kind of connector does it have? Is it AT, XT or even PS/2?
Please do take a picture of the keyboard and post. You can attach images to posts on this forum.
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I just edited the original post with links, thanks!
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That looks like a rebranded Model M.
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Pretty sure they're Lexmark OEM Model M122s made for Datacomp. Judging by the caps they're probably buckling springs.
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Lexmark manufactured the Model M keyboards for IBM in the early '90s. In 1996 Lexmark's machines were taken over by Unicomp who still makes the keyboards.
The "Model M" moniker refers to the construction, not to the layout. The most common layout is the one with 101 keys for sure, but there were also those without numeric keypad and these big 122-key keyboards.
Unfortunately, these "battleships" are the least desirable types because they are so big, and the later-made keyboards are often less desirable because they are often made with thinner plastic and metal than the early ones.
You can often find the going sales price for an item on eBay if you have the right search term and check "Sold listings". From what I can see, the price is about half that of a 101-key Model M.