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Author Topic: IBM [UK] Model M2, New  (Read 2179 times)

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Offline Dimswitch

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IBM [UK] Model M2, New
« on: Fri, 14 June 2013, 03:32:02 »
(Edit: added pictures because everything's better with pictures)

Just picked this up on the 'bay for $45 delievered: http://www.ebay.com/itm/121126467669?ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1497.l2649

Haven't really been in the game long enough to know for sure - was this a 'great find'?

Also, from my local thrift store:
IBM Model F 83-key: $2
25844-0

IBM (Lexmark) Model M: $4
25846-1

Gateway2000 AnyKey (with spare AT->ps/2 adapter): $1.25
25848-2
« Last Edit: Wed, 19 June 2013, 18:01:24 by Dimswitch »
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Offline fohat.digs

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Re: IBM [UK] Model M2, New
« Reply #1 on: Fri, 14 June 2013, 09:41:55 »
You did good. The M/F Models were great deals!

$45 for the M2 is a bit high, assuming it works. Way high if it doesn't.

The Gateway 2000 Anykey probably has MX compatible caps, but I think they are lower grade.
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"However, even though I was born in the Mesozoic, I do know what anyone who wants to reach out to young people should say: Billionaires took your money. They took your chance to buy a home. They took your chance at a good education. They stole your opportunities. Billionaires took the things you want in life. If you really want those things, you have to take them back.
That's the message. That's the whole message. Say that every day, not just to reach America's frustrated young white men, but people of every age, race, and gender.
Late-stage capitalism is a wealth-concentration engine, focused on vacuuming up every dollar and putting it in as few hands as possible. Republicans are helping that vacuum suck.
How does a tiny fraction of the population get away with this? They do it by dividing the other 99% of Americans against themselves."
- Marc Sumner 2025-05-30

Offline Dimswitch

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Re: IBM [UK] Model M2, New
« Reply #2 on: Fri, 14 June 2013, 15:40:36 »
Really? It seemed like a good price for a "new" semi-compact buckling spring keyboard (even with some potential soldering required)... Ah well.

And the keycaps on the gateway are double-shot and seem to be cherry compatible but they aren't really anything special to look at. I just think the hardware macro capability/remapping is cool.

Side note: I realize after reading the sticky that this was not the type of post that this subforum is meant for, my apologies.
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Offline fohat.digs

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Re: IBM [UK] Model M2, New
« Reply #3 on: Fri, 14 June 2013, 16:50:07 »
I always thought that the M2 "could have" been spectacular - it seemed so on paper.

After buying 2 (neither of which worked properly), and realizing that the keys and the overall feel are very different, I lost interest.
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"However, even though I was born in the Mesozoic, I do know what anyone who wants to reach out to young people should say: Billionaires took your money. They took your chance to buy a home. They took your chance at a good education. They stole your opportunities. Billionaires took the things you want in life. If you really want those things, you have to take them back.
That's the message. That's the whole message. Say that every day, not just to reach America's frustrated young white men, but people of every age, race, and gender.
Late-stage capitalism is a wealth-concentration engine, focused on vacuuming up every dollar and putting it in as few hands as possible. Republicans are helping that vacuum suck.
How does a tiny fraction of the population get away with this? They do it by dividing the other 99% of Americans against themselves."
- Marc Sumner 2025-05-30

Offline JWK

  • Posts: 21
Re: IBM [UK] Model M2, New
« Reply #4 on: Fri, 14 June 2013, 17:48:21 »
The M2 is not as tough as the M or F -- if you put it on the floor and stomp on it a couple times it will probably quit working -- not so for the M and F. 

> I always thought that the M2 "could have" been spectacular

Unicomp fixed it -- essentially put the M into into an M2 form factor.
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Offline damorgue

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Re: IBM [UK] Model M2, New
« Reply #5 on: Fri, 14 June 2013, 18:17:03 »
I had one which couldn't do ctrl x, s or W. It would never cut or save. Ctrl and the s,x and w keys all worked individually though. I don't have it anymore, but I liked the feel of it back then, and have been searching for another one with Swedish layout ever since.
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Offline ed_avis

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Re: IBM [UK] Model M2, New
« Reply #6 on: Sat, 15 June 2013, 09:52:38 »
That's one hell of a thrift store!  I never find any decent stuff in charity or secondhand shops in London :-(
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Offline Dimswitch

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Re: IBM [UK] Model M2, New
« Reply #7 on: Wed, 19 June 2013, 17:29:28 »
So the keyboard arrived today... It works!

Cosmetically and functionally flawless - typing on it right now, actually.  ;D

I'm surprised these aren't more popular given their classic feel and small footprint. This thing leaves plenty of room in my keyboard drawer for my mouse.

Very happy with this purchase - lets just hope those capacitors continue to hold up for another 20 years!
« Last Edit: Wed, 19 June 2013, 17:32:00 by Dimswitch »
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Offline fohat.digs

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Re: IBM [UK] Model M2, New
« Reply #8 on: Wed, 19 June 2013, 19:08:04 »
Quote from: Dimswitch on Wed, 19 June 2013, 17:29:28
I'm surprised these aren't more popular given their classic feel and small footprint.

Could have, would have, should have ....

More metal and less plastic would have helped a lot.

Also, IBM made parts (eg keycaps, plates, mats) interchangeable across many models so that an ISO Model M can easily be converted to ANSI, for example. Why use all different keys and stabilizers on the M2?

I may still buy yet another one if I come across it at the right price.
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"However, even though I was born in the Mesozoic, I do know what anyone who wants to reach out to young people should say: Billionaires took your money. They took your chance to buy a home. They took your chance at a good education. They stole your opportunities. Billionaires took the things you want in life. If you really want those things, you have to take them back.
That's the message. That's the whole message. Say that every day, not just to reach America's frustrated young white men, but people of every age, race, and gender.
Late-stage capitalism is a wealth-concentration engine, focused on vacuuming up every dollar and putting it in as few hands as possible. Republicans are helping that vacuum suck.
How does a tiny fraction of the population get away with this? They do it by dividing the other 99% of Americans against themselves."
- Marc Sumner 2025-05-30

Offline Dimswitch

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  • Posts: 19
  • Location: Midland, MI
Re: IBM [UK] Model M2, New
« Reply #9 on: Thu, 20 June 2013, 15:06:19 »
Quote from: fohat.digs on Wed, 19 June 2013, 19:08:04
Quote from: Dimswitch on Wed, 19 June 2013, 17:29:28
I'm surprised these aren't more popular given their classic feel and small footprint.

Could have, would have, should have ....

More metal and less plastic would have helped a lot.

Also, IBM made parts (eg keycaps, plates, mats) interchangeable across many models so that an ISO Model M can easily be converted to ANSI, for example. Why use all different keys and stabilizers on the M2?

I may still buy yet another one if I come across it at the right price.

Well to be honest, for keyboards, well-done plastic just makes more sense than metal. It's lighter (cheaper to ship and carry), completely corrosion resistant, has natural lubricative properties on moving parts, and arguably more durable against the type of stresses (light impact) keyboards may be subjected to (as in: plastic tends to flex and return to form, whereas most metals tend to stay deformed when bent). That being said, we all prefer things made out of solid metal - myself included - but that's not always a logically-derived preference. There's a reason Glock has a reputation as the most reliable handgun in the world, and its not because the frame is made out of metal.  :p

As for the parts' un-interchangeability, I believe that's because IBM was going for a more "modern feel", wanting shorter keys and shorter throws - less old school "typewriter" feel and more practical for modern applications. (And, as a side-effect, gaming...) It is indeed a significant change from a standard Model M...

In terms of pure keyboarding feel my Model F certainly takes the cake, but as the logical choice for a daily driver this M2 seems hard to beat.

If you do decide to give the M2 another shot I wish you the best of luck finding one in good repair, that works, and is a great price.
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