Compaq MX-11800

[izcool]

Hi there,

I'm new to these forums and have a question.

The other day I bought a Compaq MX-11800 keyboard the other day at one of my local thrift stores for around $5.00.  It stood out to me because it was nothing I ever saw before, and made me think it would've been used with a rackmount Compaq server.  I have a few Compaq ProLiant servers in my basement that are around the age of this keyboard, beige, so I thought it'd be something to compliment my existing equipment.

I did a search online for this keyboard and found that it has a huge following, especially on these forums, and ones on eBay seem to be highly priced!  Are these keyboards truly worth that much, being like $100.00 or so in an auction for a Buy-It-Now?

I tested my keyboard out and mine works 100%, all the keys do what they're supposed to do, and the trackball works, too.  It doesn't seem to have any yellowing and has the rubber feet on the bottom to raise the keyboard up higher.

I remember awhile ago I had some sort of a Northgate keyboard that was worth a lot of money ($100.00?) - and I sold it on eBay.  What is this Compaq one worth, about?  I have no attachment to it, really, I just bought it since it looked very odd and seemed to be used with servers.

Photo of what I have -



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I didn't clean the price sticker off of it.  The black smudge that's off of the price sticker that's on the keyboard will clean off, because I bought a lot of things from the thrift store before and cleaned that smudge off of other things similar to this in the past.

Thanks -

- Mike.

[ricercar]

Among knowledgeable collectors such as here on Geekhack, I'd price it at $35, but I tend to price my boards too high and come down if it won't sell. eBay is more unpredictable. I saw forty used Compaq 11802 go on eBay for $20 each, shipped. eBay also has them often with a rack drawer included for $75 to $125 USD. Locally here in silicon valley, I bought one for $15 from a surplus dealer.

YMMV.

I use GooGone for removing sticker residue. It works on ANY kind of sticker.

[izcool]

Okay.  Thanks you guys.  I'm really surprised that I got responses so quick to be honest.  I actually have several Northgate keyboards lying around.  From thrift shopping.  One of them I know, off-hand, is a Northgate Ergonomic Evolution, which has a built-in touchpad mouse in the bottom of it.  It's really large and heavy.  I think I had a Northgate 102 before that taught me that they're worth some money.  I hadn't checked to see what the other ones I have may be worth.

- Mike.

[Phaedrus2129]

I bought one off of another member here for $25. They're pretty good boards. Here's a protip: eBay Buy It Now prices are almost always triple or quadruple what anyone would pay for a board. For instance, Cherry G84 boards being listed for $50+ when most people wouldn't spend more than $10 for one. I paid $16.50 shipped for mine.

But the Compaq is a good board. Keyboards are for being used, not sold. Unless you've got a NIB IBM M15 or something, don't expect huge sums of money from selling keyboards.

[Rajagra]

These are fabulous keyboards, with Cherry brown switches that are light and smooth. But they are let down by the distant placement of the Ins/Del/Home/End/PgUp/PgDn keys and the fact that the trackball is rather naff for desktop use. These betray their intended use with servers, where those aspects of the design were not a problem. Also lack of Windows keys makes them harder to sell now.

In terms of quality they are worth $100, but they appear often on ebay for much less. I bought a batch of 5 for £5 each if I recall. But maybe they are harder to find in the US.

[ricercar]

The Northgate Evolution is a gem. You can  get $$$ for that.

[itlnstln]

The Northgate Evolution is a gem. You can  get $$$ for that.

I think someone in the Netherlands' postal service feels the same way.

[itlnstln]

Awesome.  That pic means a little more to me.  Wal-Mart is one of our main competitors.

[Rajagra]

Is that sign for a pedophile crossing? Do you have to accelerate as you approach?

[itlnstln]

Is that sign for a pedophile crossing? Do you have to accelerate as you approach?

Well, it is in front of a Wal-Mart...

Regardless, I do accelerate as I approach one.

[kishy]

Excuse me, but since when does Wal Mart have green on their buildings?

Last I checked it was blue. You've failed.

[itlnstln]

Ahem, asshat.  It's what I do for a living.

[Mental Hobbit]

Is stealing from Walmart considered immoral there?

[itlnstln]

I don't think so, but then again, I'm biased.

[kishy]

Ahem, asshat.  It's what I do for a living.

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Your store does it wrong.

[kishy]

Regarding the DE-9 vs DB-9 "discussion" - why would anyone argue that use of the DB9 term has become valid? It's just wrong - get over it - and stop promoting ignorance!

DE9 is correct. DB9 is not.

[itlnstln]

Building codes.  Not everyone likes blue. One has to know their enemy (well, not McDonalds).  

[kishy]

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It would appear the Golden Arches have a little fungus problem.

[itlnstln]

It would appear the Golden Arches have a little fungus problem.

That's why the flag is at half mast.