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Author Topic: [UK] IBM Model M2  (Read 4352 times)

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Offline whininggit

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[UK] IBM Model M2
« on: Sun, 25 July 2010, 05:21:00 »
« Last Edit: Sun, 25 July 2010, 05:24:09 by whininggit »
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Offline Findecanor

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[UK] IBM Model M2
« Reply #1 on: Sun, 25 July 2010, 08:08:45 »
... and now it is mine.

What took you so long? I saw it a week ago and then convinced the seller to open up for bidders outside the UK. Would have been sweeter if that other bidder had left it alone, though.

I think that it is a bit strange that there is a "eBay finds" subforum. On other collector's forums that I frequent, there are strict rules against posting links to live eBay auctions that are not your own. The purpose is often stated as to avoid bidding wars between members. It also rewards having eBay skills.
« Last Edit: Sun, 25 July 2010, 08:56:49 by Findecanor »
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Offline microsoft windows

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[UK] IBM Model M2
« Reply #2 on: Sun, 25 July 2010, 11:20:23 »
If we were really interested in preventing wars between members here, discussing politics would be against the rules.:ranger:
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Offline EverythingIBM

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[UK] IBM Model M2
« Reply #3 on: Sun, 25 July 2010, 14:17:52 »
Quote from: Findecanor;206181
... and now it is mine.

What took you so long? I saw it a week ago and then convinced the seller to open up for bidders outside the UK. Would have been sweeter if that other bidder had left it alone, though.

I think that it is a bit strange that there is a "eBay finds" subforum. On other collector's forums that I frequent, there are strict rules against posting links to live eBay auctions that are not your own. The purpose is often stated as to avoid bidding wars between members. It also rewards having eBay skills.


That way any geekhacker who gets a good keyboard can post some pictures or reviews: opposed to some unknown person who probably wouldn't spend the time doing so.
It also helps those who are looking for a particular keyboard and gives more opportunity to get one.

Although not many people are keen of the IBM Model M2s.
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Offline microsoft windows

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[UK] IBM Model M2
« Reply #4 on: Sun, 25 July 2010, 14:19:11 »
What exactly was wrong with the M2 capacitors?
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Offline spolia optima

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[UK] IBM Model M2
« Reply #5 on: Sun, 25 July 2010, 14:37:50 »
I absolutely love the 1395300 M2. Excellent key feel and IMHO a bit lighter keypress than a full-sized M. Ironically, the smaller and lighter M2 is much louder (CLACK CLACK CLACK) and with none of the ping of a full-sized M. Well, I haven't done any measurements but they sure seem louder.
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Offline EverythingIBM

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[UK] IBM Model M2
« Reply #6 on: Sun, 25 July 2010, 14:38:14 »
Quote from: microsoft windows;206282
What exactly was wrong with the M2 capacitors?


It's not only that (a lot of the M2s still work -- including the one Kishy has at his aunt bessy's house), but the feel of the keys is supposedly different.
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Offline Findecanor

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[UK] IBM Model M2
« Reply #7 on: Sun, 25 July 2010, 14:47:07 »
From what I have been able to understand from reading about this keyboard on this board, the capacitors in the M2 should have a tendency to degrade when the board has not been used for a long time.
Therefore, a "mint in box" M2 is kind of a gamble: some work, some do not.
According to the seller, this keyboard was used less than a year ago, so it should have a higher probability of working all right.

Unlike the Model M, this keyboard is flat. It is also much smaller than a Model M, and less sturdy.
I am not a stranger to modifying things, and I have a few things in mind ...
« Last Edit: Sun, 25 July 2010, 14:50:19 by Findecanor »
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Offline ch_123

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[UK] IBM Model M2
« Reply #8 on: Sun, 25 July 2010, 15:02:25 »
As far as I know, the type of capacitors they used were quite new when they designed the M2, and they didn't last very long. It might have been a cost cutting thing, but I think it's more likely that they needed newer (and thus smaller) capacitors for the comparatively tiny controller board that the M2 has.

The build quality of the keyboards themselves aren't particularly great either.

Quote
I absolutely love the 1395300 M2. Excellent key feel and IMHO a bit lighter keypress than a full-sized M. Ironically, the smaller and lighter M2 is much louder (CLACK CLACK CLACK) and with none of the ping of a full-sized M. Well, I haven't done any measurements but they sure seem louder.


Lots of people who have them reckon the same. Perhaps it's because of the smaller case, whereas an M has lots of hollow space for the sound to get lost in.
« Last Edit: Sun, 25 July 2010, 15:51:37 by ch_123 »
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Offline microsoft windows

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« Reply #9 on: Sun, 25 July 2010, 15:24:29 »
They probably cheaped out and bought Chinese capacitors.
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Offline hoggy

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[UK] IBM Model M2
« Reply #10 on: Sun, 25 July 2010, 15:59:43 »
Quote from: Findecanor;206181
The purpose is often stated as to avoid bidding wars between members. It also rewards having eBay skills.


I'll occasionally bid on one of the finds, but don't place high bids.

I prefer to find items that have been listed badly - those that are much harder find.
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Offline EverythingIBM

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[UK] IBM Model M2
« Reply #11 on: Sun, 25 July 2010, 16:03:36 »
Quote from: microsoft windows;206324
They probably cheaped out and bought Chinese capacitors.


All capacitors will eventually stop working if a charge isn't sent through them now and then.
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Offline microsoft windows

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« Reply #12 on: Sun, 25 July 2010, 19:39:16 »
Yeah, but look at the original Model M's. They never ever had capacitor problems.
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Offline EverythingIBM

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[UK] IBM Model M2
« Reply #13 on: Sun, 25 July 2010, 19:57:08 »
Quote from: microsoft windows;206381
Yeah, but look at the original Model M's. They never ever had capacitor problems.


If you kept one in a box for 40 years without a charge they would.
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Keyboards: '86 M, M5-2, M13, SSK, F AT, F XT

Offline Rusty Rat

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[UK] IBM Model M2
« Reply #14 on: Mon, 26 July 2010, 06:51:09 »
Quote from: spolia optima;206300
I absolutely love the 1395300 M2. Excellent key feel and IMHO a bit lighter keypress than a full-sized M. Ironically, the smaller and lighter M2 is much louder (CLACK CLACK CLACK) and with none of the ping of a full-sized M. Well, I haven't done any measurements but they sure seem louder.

They are noisy and tinnier than a Model M. I think probably no metal plate, lighter key caps and a lighter construction makes them this way. If co workers complained about a Model M they would kill you for using an M2.
I have this theory the extra noise was a market ploy by IBM to convince home users they had a real IBM at home.
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Offline ch_123

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[UK] IBM Model M2
« Reply #15 on: Mon, 26 July 2010, 07:01:46 »
Quote from: ch_123;206311
As far as I know, the type of capacitors they used were quite new when they designed the M2, and they didn't last very long. It might have been a cost cutting thing, but I think it's more likely that they needed newer (and thus smaller) capacitors for the comparatively tiny controller board that the M2 has.


To qualify this further, the M2 controller uses surface mount components which pretty much no other Model M keyboard (except possibly the 42H1292 and later) use. Surface mount was pretty new when the M2 was designed, so that's probably where the problem comes from.
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Offline Findecanor

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[UK] IBM Model M2
« Reply #16 on: Thu, 29 July 2010, 15:08:08 »
CLICKETY-CLICKETY-TWANG-TWAAAAaaaang

I wonder if we have been duped into believing this to having been a used Model M2. It is almost too clean. Practically no crud anywhere and the keys aren't the least bit yellow.
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Offline EverythingIBM

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[UK] IBM Model M2
« Reply #17 on: Thu, 29 July 2010, 15:09:38 »
Quote from: Findecanor;207578
CLICKETY-CLICKETY-TWANG-TWAAAAaaaang

I wonder if we have been duped into believing this to having been a used Model M2. It is almost too clean. Practically no crud anywhere and the keys aren't the least bit yellow.


Does it work? Cosmetics are one thing, but functionality is another. =)
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Keyboards: '86 M, M5-2, M13, SSK, F AT, F XT
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