IBM Original PC/AT Clicky Keyboard- PS/2 & AT

[Parn]

The seller has five IBM AT keyboards to sell.
 
http://cgi.ebay.com/Vintage-IBM-Original-PC-AT-Clicky-Keyboard-PS-2-AT_W0QQitemZ390094179659QQcmdZViewItemQQptZLH_DefaultDomain_0?hash=item5ad36ccd4b&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14

[timw4mail]

I would get another, and yet I can't see a reason to have two when you have one...and can only use one at a time.

I encourage some people to take the opportunity (Ripster) and try a true Buckling Spring keyboard.

[wellington1869]

tim, so which is easier to live with, the xt or the at plug? i always forget, its been so long.

those boards linked above have small backspace, by the way.

[timw4mail]

tim, so which is easier to live with, the xt or the at plug? i always forget, its been so long.

those boards linked above have small backspace, by the way.

AT, just need a passive AT->PS/2 adapter.

Small backspace is the norm with 84 key layouts.

[wellington1869]

AT, just need a passive AT->PS/2 adapter.

Small backspace is the norm with 84 key layouts.

so from ebay pictures i gather the XT version had the bigger backspace?  The xt 83-key versions also are much cheaper it seems (selling for between 30 and 60 bucks). Prolly cuz there's no ps2 adapter?

[timw4mail]

so from ebay pictures i gather the XT version had the bigger backspace?  The xt 83-key versions also are much cheaper it seems (selling for between 30 and 60 bucks). Prolly cuz there's no ps2 adapter?

XT has no indicator lights, weirdly shaped longer keys, and a different set of scancodes that require an active adapter to make work with PS/2.

The stupid layout, and the different set of scancodes outrule any usefullness for the XT version, as far as I'm concerned.

Here's another mislabeled XT Model F:
http://cgi.ebay.com/IBM-1503206-5150-83-KEY-KEYBOARD-AT-5150_W0QQitemZ200256093528QQcmdZViewItemQQptZPCA_Mice_Trackballs?hash=item2ea0317d58&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14

[JBert]

so from ebay pictures i gather the XT version had the bigger backspace?  The xt 83-key versions also are much cheaper it seems (selling for between 30 and 60 bucks). Prolly cuz there's no ps2 adapter?

The XT has an ISO layout, and most of the "special" keys are actually ridged: they're two keys wide, but they only have a top surface of 1 key in the middle. Take a look at the pictures to see what I mean.
Other annoyances include the fact that they need an active converter, and the remark of maxlugar that they don't feel as nice as the AT.

I'd try this one to feel for myself how much of a difference AT <> XT makes, but the shipping cost combined with the asking price is just too much for me.

Also, I prefer an ISO layout. Did these ones actually come with the ISO layout in Europe?

[JBert]

Here's another mislabeled XT Model F:
http://cgi.ebay.com/IBM-1503206-5150-83-KEY-KEYBOARD-AT-5150_W0QQitemZ200256093528QQcmdZViewItemQQptZPCA_Mice_Trackballs?hash=item2ea0317d58&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14

Not that overpriced one again...

[ch_123]

Things could be worse. I mean, you could spend $300 on a rubber dome board!

And I've yet to establish why the slightly crumbly foam affects the keyboard....

Even at $130 it's still worth it for what appears to be a good condition Model F. I wonder how generous of an offer he is willing to accept...

[rdjack21]

Hey I don't go around bad mouthing your Model F boards. At least my $300 rubber dome board is new

If I did not need to let my bank account recover a little I would get one of these.

[ch_123]

Just a joke, I actually intend on getting a Topre board one of these days.

[JBert]

You guys keep talking the price up.  $130 for a used keyboard with crumbly foam!

The foam might just be for sound dampening - dust it off and it's ready to go.

[timw4mail]

The foam might just be for sound dampening - dust it off and it's ready to go.

I haven't bothered opening mine up, because I don't want to deal with a bunch of hammers falling out. That way, I also don't have to worry about crumbling foam.

[JBert]

Maybe that's even the best approach. The foam doesn't crumple as long as there is no pressure on it.

[ch_123]

Also, I prefer an ISO layout. Did these ones actually come with the ISO layout in Europe?

No, I saw a German one on eBay once, and it was identical except for the markings on the keys. Although it may or may not have had an extra key beside left shift. I don't really remember. It certainly was pretty much identical to the US layout wise.

[microsoft windows]

I would never pay $130 for one of those old AT keyboards. Maybe $10, but that's the most.

[ch_123]

Have you ever used one?

[maxlugar]

I would never pay $130 for one of those old AT keyboards. Maybe $10, but that's the most.

You may not, but there are plenty of people who will gladly part with 130 bones and  a lot more to get an original IBM PC AT 84-key keyboard in decent condition.

To each his own, but this is the keyboard that reignited my interest in mechanical keyboards and the one that I keep coming back to, no matter what else I try.  You don't get much better mechancial action than the 84-key PC AT Model F.  Model Ms...buckling spring, but not even in the same league.  In fact, most keyboards in current production  are flimsy toys in comparison to the King of Keyboards.

You'll never get a functional 84-key PC AT keyboard for 10 bucks from a seller who knows the true market value.   Maybe from Goodwill or the Salvation Army. On second thought, why even waste your time looking.  Like I told clickclack, I'm not out to convince anyone of the 84-key PC AT's superiority.  The more of you out there who have no interest, the more for me to hoard.

The only shame is that people who never try something will never know what they're missing.

I blame geekhack.org for my massive and growing keyboard collection.  Oh well, keyboards are safer than guns.

[InSanCen]

I blame geekhack.org for my massive and growing keyboard collection.  Oh well, keyboards are safer than guns.

As does everyone on here. Including my other half...

[ch_123]

Other annoyances include the fact that they need an active converter, and the remark of maxlugar that they don't feel as nice as the AT.

There seems to be quite a few people who reckon the XT is nicer to type on than the AT.

[timw4mail]

There seems to be quite a few people who reckon the XT is nicer to type on than the AT.

Given the absurd layout, I'm not sure the difference would be enough to matter to most people.

[ch_123]

People would probably say the same about the AT one

Either way, I'd consider the lack of AT support to be a far more pertinent problem.

[maxlugar]

People would probably say the same about the AT one

Either way, I'd consider the lack of AT support to be a far more pertinent problem.

There seems to be quite a few people who reckon the XT is nicer to type on than the AT.

Those people who believe the PC/XT 83-key Model F is nicer are those who prefer notchy, clicky, very loud keyboards.  There's nothing wrong with that.  I know that the internals of the 83-key and 84-key Model F keyboards look similar, but I have typed on enough of each to realize that there are real differences that can't be attributed to age, storage conditions, or wear.

The key action on an 84-key Model F in good condition is smoother than an 83-key in comparable condition. The layout and differences in scan codes, etc. have already been beat to death.

As far as the lack of support for the AT, who gives a rip?  Those of us who are lucky enough to have one (or several) 84-key AT keyboards understand why many of the Japanese and Korean collectors shell out BIG bucks for ones they can find in good condition.  

Although it technically does not have mechanical key switches, no other keyboard comes close to the glorious mechanical action of the AT's key presses.  Sandy's site, translated into English, describes the AT keystrokes as "euphoric".  The 84-key AT is enjoybale to type on, but I personally wouldn't go that far  

As much as I love my AT keyboards, I acknowledge they are not perfect.  The single most annoying thing is the long and stiff (um, I guess firm would be a better choice of words) space bar.  Whenver I resume typing on my AT keyboard after using any other keyboard, this fact is painfully apparent.

As far as I'm concerned we Model F fans, (yes, I include you 83-key PC/XT people too) are a sub-cult or off-shoot from the larger body of geekhacks.

[timw4mail]

As much as I love my AT keyboards, I acknowledge they are not perfect.  The single most annoying thing is the long and stiff (um, I guess firm would be a better choice of words) space bar.  Whenver I resume typing on my AT keyboard after using any other keyboard, this fact is painfully apparent.

As far as I'm concerned we Model F fans, (yes, I include you 83-key PC/XT people too) are a sub-cult or off-shoot from the larger body of geekhacks.

But, what other keyboard has a 7" long spacebar? Maybe mine isn't as stiff, but it doesn't seem to bother me much.

[ch_123]

If you type on a Model F on a very regular basis, the space bar becomes second nature. However, try going a week without the Model F and using something like a Blue Cherry board exclusively, and then try the Model F again... It will take a while to readjust to it =P

[timw4mail]

If you type on a Model F on a very regular basis, the space bar becomes second nature. However, try going a week without the Model F and using something like a Blue Cherry board exclusively, and then try the Model F again... It will take a while to readjust to it =P

I haven't used my Model F in a few weeks, as I've been using this Compaq...I'm anxious to get back to it when I get home.

There's just something satisfying about such a mechanical mechanism...