Author Topic: So I found a Model M 89'  (Read 1863 times)

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Offline mickd

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So I found a Model M 89'
« on: Wed, 07 November 2012, 02:36:58 »
So I found this today and I'm hoping it was a good thing to pick it up! I've never had a buckling spring board before and I have to say it does feel kind of nice :)

I wasn't able to find the cable for it unfortunately, so I can't plug it in to try. It was in the middle of a whole heap of old computers, monitors and keyboards (though this was the only keyboard that wasn't a standard hp or dell rubber dome).

The front is amazingly very clean. Either whoever previously owned it decided to clean it (even under the keycaps), or it was hardly used. The back side though has a bit of dirt. The label has some oil on it and there's like 3 spots that look like it has a tiny bit of blue smudged on.

So what does everyone think? And any ideas about getting a cable for it?

7402-0
7404-1
7406-2

P.S. Sorry about the phone photos!

Offline Krogenar

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Re: So I found a Model M 89'
« Reply #1 on: Wed, 07 November 2012, 07:30:13 »
You can find cables for it on eBay, or over at http://www.clickykeyboards.com -- not sure if you would need a PS/2 or AT style cable or not. But enjoy the buckling springs! Nice find.
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Offline fohat.digs

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Re: So I found a Model M 89'
« Reply #2 on: Wed, 07 November 2012, 07:36:09 »
These are great if USB is what you need, if a bit pricey. Used SDL-to-PS2 cables usually go for $10-12 + shipping on ebay.


http://www.ebay.com/itm/USB-SDL-6-Pin-6ft-IBM-Lexmark-Unicomp-Type-M-Clicky-Keyboard-Cable-NEW-/280862986246


"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 0100010

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Re: So I found a Model M 89'
« Reply #3 on: Wed, 07 November 2012, 08:32:16 »
1391401 will need an SDL to PS2 cable.
  Quoting me causes a posting error that you need to ignore.

Offline Bry

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Re: So I found a Model M 89'
« Reply #4 on: Wed, 07 November 2012, 08:37:06 »
I'm jelly right now.

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Offline mickd

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Re: So I found a Model M 89'
« Reply #5 on: Wed, 07 November 2012, 18:53:22 »
Thanks guys!

Good to know that it goes to PS2. Was worried it would use some weird connector that I've never seen.

It's funny because before I went to this shed full of old computers I was saying to my co-workers that it would be awesome if we walked in and there was a mountain of old clicky keyboards. Needless to say the moment I got there you could tell everything was from the 2000s. Then towards the end of the day packing these old computers up I found this sitting in the middle of the pile :P Guess someone held onto it for a bit longer than usual and for some reason finally decided to get rid of it.

O well, their loss is my gain!

Offline fohat.digs

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Re: So I found a Model M 89'
« Reply #6 on: Wed, 07 November 2012, 18:57:59 »
The old beige coiled PS2 cords are what goes properly with the Model M, but if you aren't a purist, then Orihalcon's USB cables are great.

I am not a particular fan of USB, but it is nice to not have to screw around with additional parts and adapters.

"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 xsphat

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Re: So I found a Model M 89'
« Reply #7 on: Wed, 07 November 2012, 19:13:59 »
These are great if USB is what you need, if a bit pricey. Used SDL-to-PS2 cables usually go for $10-12 + shipping on ebay.


http://www.ebay.com/itm/USB-SDL-6-Pin-6ft-IBM-Lexmark-Unicomp-Type-M-Clicky-Keyboard-Cable-NEW-/280862986246




Great find! I never knew a thing like existed. I use a $15 Radio Shack branded PS/2 to USB converter. Thing is, the one I have is like 5 years old and still works flawlessly.

Offline mickd

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Re: So I found a Model M 89'
« Reply #8 on: Wed, 07 November 2012, 20:14:17 »
Yeah those cables are cool. I also dislike using extra adapters. I used to use the USB -> PS2 one that came with my Filco but stopped because it always felt as if the extra bulk of having an adapter was weighing down on the ps2 port and making it slightly unstable.

But since I'm find with using just PS2 as well, I might go that route (since it's cheaper). :)

Offline fohat.digs

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Re: So I found a Model M 89'
« Reply #9 on: Wed, 07 November 2012, 20:23:42 »
Orihalcon's cables are not cheap, but he bought a lot of parts and built them himself. I have 2 and they have worked great for me.

I suspect that he sold a few dozen here, and maybe at Deskthority, but now probably has a basket of stock gathering dust in the storeroom.
"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 samwisekoi

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Re: So I found a Model M 89'
« Reply #10 on: Thu, 08 November 2012, 08:19:32 »
Unicomp sells replacement keyboard cables.

http://pckeyboard.com/page/category/Cables

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