IBM M2's (1395300) x 4 NIB - eBay UK

[Dirty Bint]

There is a listing of 4 separate lots by the same vendor of some IBM M2's brand new in boxes on eBay UK


http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/IBM-1395300-M2-Keyboard-/270589751525?cmd=ViewItem&pt=UK_Computing_ComputerComponents_KeyboardsMice&hash=item3f0067f0e5


Buckling spring but with one piece keys and fixed PS2 cord. I am slightly tempted but not sure if £50 GBP represents value for NIB on this model and also they seem to be US layout rather than UK.


The same vendor also has some brand new AST keyboards with ALPS mechanical switches listed on eBay UK

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Professional-tactile-keyboard-ALPS-mechanical-keys-/270589760475?cmd=ViewItem&pt=UK_Computing_ComputerComponents_KeyboardsMice&hash=item3f006813db



Rgds
Dirty Bint

[ch_123]

The M2s have controller issues, I'm not sure sinking £50 into them is a good idea unless you're prepared to solder new capacitors if (more like when) they fail.

[didjamatic]

I have one in storage missing a cord and right enter key if someone is looking for a project or parts M2.

[Half-Saint]

The M2s have controller issues, I'm not sure sinking £50 into them is a good idea unless you're prepared to solder new capacitors if (more like when) they fail.

Capacitors are cheap and recapping the controller board shouldn't take long. However, at 50 per board plus at least 20 for shipping, I find this to be rather expensive despite it being NIB.

[kishy]

Yeah, because of the record of unreliability, this is one of those situations where NIB isn't necessarily a good thing.

Listing makes no mention of testing them and with no returns accepted, that's far from a good deal given the risk.

[ch_123]

I think the problem with the capacitors is that they wear out at an abnormally quick rate. So yes, NIB is probably a good indication that they will work and last a bit longer than a non-new one, but these things are all relative.

But hey, people used to pay $80 for Filco Zeros with XM switches...

[didjamatic]

Yeah, and capacitors can affect "the tone" of the keyboard.

Anyone who has read up on vintage amps or guitars is familiar with the allusive tone.  It doesn't actually exist in reality, it's only perceived by people while listening to recordings of Hendrix, SRV, Clapton, Floyd, BB King or Junior Kimbrough.  Then people spend a lifetime and fourtunes trying to reproduce the tone.

Just to nip this in the bud and prevent any rumors, capacitors do NOT affect the tone of a keyboard, but there is probably someone out there that thinks it does.

[kishy]

Capacitors (electrolytic ones) as I understand it can and do degrade simply by existing...

There are some times when NIB isn't a good thing because lack of use can destroy things. Batteries are an example. M2 keyboard might be another thing.

That Unicomp rubber dome keyboard had a break in one of the wires inside the keyboard...it was NIB. Factory defect I suspect.

[didjamatic]

To some, NIB could mean "Not In Box"  "Never In Box" or "No In Box"

[kishy]

Now It Buy

[EverythingIBM]

Capacitors (electrolytic ones) as I understand it can and do degrade simply by existing...

There are some times when NIB isn't a good thing because lack of use can destroy things. Batteries are an example. M2 keyboard might be another thing.

That Unicomp rubber dome keyboard had a break in one of the wires inside the keyboard...it was NIB. Factory defect I suspect.

Electrolytic capacitors will indeed fail if they don't have a charge running through them every so often (so, NIB ancient electronics are guaranteed to fail if they haven't been powered on now and then). They're probably one of the most tempermental electronic component in my opinion. I wish they could have figured out something better.