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geekhack Community => Keyboards => Topic started by: kppanic on Mon, 08 February 2010, 08:55:04

Title: Ibm kb-7993
Post by: kppanic on Mon, 08 February 2010, 08:55:04

Hello,

I just got my hands on an IBM keyboard Model KB-7993.  MFG is 98-34, i'm guessing 1998, it's got the Window Key!

I am wondering, what kind of switch is this?

Cheers!

Title: Ibm kb-7993
Post by: ch_123 on Mon, 08 February 2010, 09:09:50

Bog standard Rubber dome.

Title: Ibm kb-7993
Post by: keyb_gr on Mon, 08 February 2010, 09:10:40

Seems to be a first gen Rapid Access 'board. A rubber dome board, but apparently one of the better kind. It's got individual sliders, right?

Title: Ibm kb-7993
Post by: kppanic on Mon, 08 February 2010, 09:34:10

Quote from: keyb_gr;157028

Seems to be a first gen Rapid Access 'board. A rubber dome board, but apparently one of the better kind. It's got individual sliders, right?

Dern... It did feel like rubber dome but didn't really think it was rubber dome... :(

Individual sliders? I have no idea what that is,

but on the right side of the numpad it's got volume control and some keys for multimedia functions as well as a sleep key on top right.  I tried googling but got no info on this board.

Title: Ibm kb-7993
Post by: Mental Hobbit on Mon, 08 February 2010, 10:03:12

Quote from: kppanic;157030

volume control and some keys for multimedia functions

That's always a clear indication of rubber dome. I don't know of any mechanical keyboard that has separate multimedia keys.

Title: Ibm kb-7993
Post by: meltie on Mon, 08 February 2010, 10:32:03

From your description I'd agree that it is a Rapid Access I, standard rubber dome. I currently own (and want to sell) a Rapid Access II and a Rapid Access III. While the II is pretty good for rubber dome, the III can only be called mediocre. I don't know the I, but if it compares to the II, it is a good rubber dome board.

Title: Ibm kb-7993
Post by: ironcoder on Mon, 08 February 2010, 12:15:46

Quote from: kppanic;157026

Hello,

I just got my hands on an IBM keyboard Model KB-7993.  MFG is 98-34, i'm guessing 1998, it's got the Window Key!

I am wondering, what kind of switch is this?

Cheers!

Any IBM keyword with Windows keys, well..think about it!

Title: Ibm kb-7993
Post by: itlnstln on Mon, 08 February 2010, 12:24:44

Quote from: ironcoder;157041

Any IBM keyword with Windows keys, well..think about it!

Unicomps don't count?  Poor Unicomp.

Title: Ibm kb-7993
Post by: ironcoder on Mon, 08 February 2010, 12:29:59

Quote from: itlnstln;157042

Unicomps don't count?  Poor Unicomp.

How would I know? They don't return emails...

But I'll say this, IBM is about as opposite from Windows as you can get. At least they were up until a few years ago. Now, who knows.

Title: Ibm kb-7993
Post by: itlnstln on Mon, 08 February 2010, 12:55:50

Quote from: ironcoder;157044

How would I know? They don't return emails...
 
But I'll say this, IBM is about as opposite from Windows as you can get. At least they were up until a few years ago. Now, who knows.

Which is ironic, because Windows (and MS-DOS before) was "born" on IBMs (and compatibles).  That's why I find it funny when these kids use a Model M on their Macs.

Title: Ibm kb-7993
Post by: sethstorm on Tue, 09 February 2010, 23:47:20

Quote from: Mental Hobbit;157031

That's always a clear indication of rubber dome. I don't know of any mechanical keyboard that has separate multimedia keys.

Remapped terminal keyboards?

Title: Ibm kb-7993
Post by: sethstorm on Tue, 09 February 2010, 23:55:50

Quote from: meltie;157034

From your description I'd agree that it is a Rapid Access I, standard rubber dome. I currently own (and want to sell) a Rapid Access II and a Rapid Access III. While the II is pretty good for rubber dome, the III can only be called mediocre. I don't know the I, but if it compares to the II, it is a good rubber dome board.

Which model numbers are those?  That makes me think of my USB-laden SK-8805 that is similar to what you're describing.