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geekhack Community => Keyboards => Topic started by: tandberg on Wed, 31 January 2018, 03:52:46

Title: Is this 196c ibm typewriter any good?
Post by: tandberg on Wed, 31 January 2018, 03:52:46

I found this typewriter and was wondering if the switches in this are any good. Are they beamspring/buckling?[attachimg=1]

Title: Re: Is this 196c ibm typewriter any good?
Post by: chyros on Wed, 31 January 2018, 12:43:24

Urk, is that a Selectric? Oo

Title: Re: Is this 196c ibm typewriter any good?
Post by: Deefenestrate on Wed, 31 January 2018, 17:06:15

Nice shoes.

Title: Re: Is this 196c ibm typewriter any good?
Post by: Findecanor on Wed, 31 January 2018, 17:13:21

It does not have individual key switches. Each key is on a bar, like a mechanical typewriter. It is then electro-mechanical (not electronic) inside.

The IBM Beam Spring key switch was designed to emulate the typing feel of the Selectric. The Buckling Spring switch was then invented as a cheaper lower-profile alternative to the Beam Spring.