Have I paid over the odds for a Model M?

[h4ppyh4x0r]

Just bought a model m 1391406 for £50 plus £10 tax and £10 shipping - £70 total.


Is this a reasonable price to pay, or have I been screwed over?

Thanks.

[Dgsbllx]

Sounds half reasonable assuming the condition is good.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/IBM-Model-M-3151-1395764-Clicky-Keyboard-Changable-Key-Caps-RJ45-/141022659776?pt=UK_Computing_ComputerComponents_KeyboardsMice&hash=item20d59b04c0

However, you could have picked up one of those for £30 (seller is accepting offers of that) but that would still require a Soarer's converter or equivalent meaning £20 or so and some diy on top.

[oscillik]

Just bought a model m 1391406 for £50 plus £10 tax and £10 shipping - £70 total.


Is this a reasonable price to pay, or have I been ****ed over?

Thanks.

I just paid $260 + $55 shipping + £54 import fees for my HHKB. God knows how much it has cost me all converted into British Pounds. Do I regret it? Nope.

I think if you're feeling like you've spent too much, then you have. I treat this kind of thing like collecting rare vinyl. If you're ok with spending that much on something you want, then the cost is justified. I dunno. I have no idea of the going value of a Model M. But I hope this makes some kind of sense.

[Krogenar]

It depends on the condition -- paying a bit extra for an immaculately restored, clean Model M isn't a bad deal. Some people will say that you'll end up enjoying and appreciating the 'board more if you buy one that needs some work, and then clean it up yourself.

[terrpn]

rj45 

30 day warranty

[Game Theory]

Or build Soarer's converter and use the board with pride:)
http://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=17458.0

[h4ppyh4x0r]

Sounds half reasonable assuming the condition is good.

I'd say it's in really good shape. All keys and LEDs work, no bent springs, "birth certificate" in poor shape but legible (has some writing on it, and is old and worn), exterior immaculate, keycaps *almost* immaculate (some have grime down the sides, but the tops are all clean).

If anyone cares, here are some pictures in imgur album form: http://imgur.com/a/mCL0E

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/IBM-Model-M-3151-1395764-Clicky-Keyboard-Changable-Key-Caps-RJ45-/141022659776?pt=UK_Computing_ComputerComponents_KeyboardsMice&hash=item20d59b04c0

However, you could have picked up one of those for £30 (seller is accepting offers of that) but that would still require a Soarer's converter or equivalent meaning £20 or so and some diy on top.

I thought about buying that one, and I did check out Soarer's Converter, but I didn't want to risk breaking the thing and in any case I couldn't find a link to buy.

Thanks everyone for confirming my sanity.

[1391406]

Sounds half reasonable assuming the condition is good.

I'd say it's in really good shape. All keys and LEDs work, no bent springs, "birth certificate" in poor shape but legible (has some writing on it, and is old and worn), exterior immaculate, keycaps *almost* immaculate (some have grime down the sides, but the tops are all clean).

If anyone cares, here are some pictures in imgur album form: http://imgur.com/a/mCL0E

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/IBM-Model-M-3151-1395764-Clicky-Keyboard-Changable-Key-Caps-RJ45-/141022659776?pt=UK_Computing_ComputerComponents_KeyboardsMice&hash=item20d59b04c0

However, you could have picked up one of those for £30 (seller is accepting offers of that) but that would still require a Soarer's converter or equivalent meaning £20 or so and some diy on top.

I thought about buying that one, and I did check out Soarer's Converter, but I didn't want to risk breaking the thing and in any case I couldn't find a link to buy.

Thanks everyone for confirming my sanity.

All you really need to do is clean up the key caps. The board looks to be in good shape. So, in my opinion, it was money well spent.

[h4ppyh4x0r]

All you really need to do is clean up the key caps.

I probably should... do I just pop them off and put them in a bowl of warm water?

[ch_123]

Yes, and a bit of Fairy Liquid (or your favorite washing up detergent of choice)

[Findecanor]

£50 is about the standard price for a Model M over here in Sweden. Postage would be about £20 here.
But I do think that the prices for Model Ms have been inflated a bit here.

[ch_123]

It's also worth noting that Euro-layout Model Ms tend to be more expensive than the US layout ones due to relative rarity. Thus why I no longer use the UK layout any more

[rowdy]

Or dental tabs - they work a treat.

I paid $31 for my two Model M, but both were missing keycaps and cables.  One cable cost me more than the keyboards.