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Author Topic: How much are IBM Model M (terminal) keyboards worth?  (Read 6265 times)

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Offline 1391406

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How much are IBM Model M (terminal) keyboards worth?
« on: Mon, 25 February 2013, 16:02:51 »
From what I understand they're not usable with modern PC's, yet most of the ones I see on eBay are selling for as much or more than regular Model M's.
« Last Edit: Mon, 25 February 2013, 20:35:40 by 1391406 »
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Offline terran5992

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Re: How much are IBM Model F (terminal) keyboards worth?
« Reply #1 on: Mon, 25 February 2013, 16:11:30 »
I would guess less than a model m
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Offline fohat.digs

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Re: How much are IBM Model F (terminal) keyboards worth?
« Reply #2 on: Mon, 25 February 2013, 17:03:03 »
They are all over the place. I have paid between $25 and $85, but really nice specimens are quite scarce and would probably bring quite a bit. They are much harder to find and leagues better than Ms.

Are you buying or selling?

edit - I was referring to the large 122-key model. The smaller ones, especially with odd layouts, are probably worth little.
« Last Edit: Mon, 25 February 2013, 17:41:24 by fohat.digs »
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Offline tipo33

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Re: How much are IBM Model F (terminal) keyboards worth?
« Reply #3 on: Mon, 25 February 2013, 17:07:28 »
Quote from: 1391406 on Mon, 25 February 2013, 16:02:51
From what I understand they're not usable with modern PC's...
The soarer converter is the solution, If you are interested in using one.
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Offline 1391406

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Re: How much are IBM Model F (terminal) keyboards worth?
« Reply #4 on: Mon, 25 February 2013, 17:41:02 »
Quote from: fohat.digs on Mon, 25 February 2013, 17:03:03
They are all over the place. I have paid between $25 and $85, but really nice specimens are quite scarce and would probably bring quite a bit.

Are you buying or selling?

I was actually looking for an AT Model F and saw a number of terminal boards up for sale before running across a bundled package (of five) with a starting bid of $80. Seemed like they might have good resale value if they could be had at a low enough price, and all of them looked to be in good condition.
« Last Edit: Mon, 25 February 2013, 20:58:53 by 1391406 »
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Offline fohat.digs

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Re: How much are IBM Model F (terminal) keyboards worth?
« Reply #5 on: Mon, 25 February 2013, 20:03:04 »
If they are the big ones (122-key) then that is a great deal.

If they are smaller ones with non-standard layout - personally - I wouldn't bother.
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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 1391406

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Re: How much are IBM Model F (terminal) keyboards worth?
« Reply #6 on: Mon, 25 February 2013, 20:26:29 »
Quote from: fohat.digs on Mon, 25 February 2013, 20:03:04
If they are the big ones (122-key) then that is a great deal.

If they are smaller ones with non-standard layout - personally - I wouldn't bother.


It's the 122-key variant.
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Offline fohat.digs

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Re: How much are IBM Model M (terminal) keyboards worth?
« Reply #7 on: Mon, 25 February 2013, 21:11:21 »
You changed the title of the thread, and that changes everything.

In my opinion, a Model M terminal is worth about as much as the (incomplete ANSI) set of keycaps it possesses. Or, if it is lightly used, you can get a good set of donor springs from it.

PS - having said that, I would like to buy a complete F1-F24 set for the top.
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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 1391406

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Re: How much are IBM Model M (terminal) keyboards worth?
« Reply #8 on: Mon, 25 February 2013, 23:20:49 »
Quote from: fohat.digs on Mon, 25 February 2013, 21:11:21
You changed the title of the thread, and that changes everything.

In my opinion, a Model M terminal is worth about as much as the (incomplete ANSI) set of keycaps it possesses. Or, if it is lightly used, you can get a good set of donor springs from it.

PS - having said that, I would like to buy a complete F1-F24 set for the top.

After my last post, I happened to look up the model number for those (1395660) and realized they were M's not F's, in which case I'm glad I didn't place a bid.
« Last Edit: Mon, 25 February 2013, 23:29:26 by 1391406 »
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Offline 1391406

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Re: How much are IBM Model M (terminal) keyboards worth?
« Reply #9 on: Mon, 25 February 2013, 23:26:15 »
And while we're at it, how much would you estimate a mint condition XT Model F (1501100) with the original box is worth? I found one for $80, which would be for personal use. Granted, I'm not crazy about the layout, but until I can find an AT... I just don't want to pay more than what it's worth.
« Last Edit: Tue, 26 February 2013, 00:09:14 by 1391406 »
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Offline sleepy916

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Re: How much are IBM Model M (terminal) keyboards worth?
« Reply #10 on: Tue, 26 February 2013, 01:04:48 »
Quote from: 1391406 on Mon, 25 February 2013, 23:26:15
And while we're at it, how much would you estimate a mint condition XT Model F (1501100) with the original box is worth? I found one for $80, which would be for personal use. Granted, I'm not crazy about the layout, but until I can find an AT... I just don't want to pay more than what it's worth.

The XTs you can find fairly cheap, under $60 sometimes. It's the ATs that cost $100+. I haven't really seen any Model Fs that are the 122 key ones for sale lately.
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Offline fohat.digs

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Re: How much are IBM Model M (terminal) keyboards worth?
« Reply #11 on: Tue, 26 February 2013, 09:25:50 »
I don't know how it changes the marketplace worldwide, but Soarer's converter makes the Model F viable with a modern computer.

F ATs have always been valuable and the going rate seems to be somewhere in the $125-150 range, more for a really nice one.

F XTs were really cheap (<$20) until a couple of years ago, when Soarer came along, now they are at least twice that. I see them on ebay listed for $100 or more, but I doubt that anybody gets that kind of money. They feel great but the layout is impossible, for me anyway.

The large 122-key F boards can be modded to a nice layout, and are getting a lot of interest lately. I love mine but only because I can get a near-ANSI layout with capacitive switches.

I can't see the appeal of the the M-122s, unless you just want extra keys and have the desk space. Otherwise, I would imagine that an M-122 should sell for 1/2 to 2/3 what a regular M sells for, and you will probably need to spend $22 for a Teensy to go with it.
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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 h2gofast

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Re: How much are IBM Model M (terminal) keyboards worth?
« Reply #12 on: Wed, 27 February 2013, 21:32:09 »
Wow, talk about timing.  I've had a few boxes of the old 122 key model M Terminals in the basement.  The wife threatened to throw them out if I didn't get rid of them or a couple of bikes.  And the bikes are staying.  Half of them are 5pin DIN's and the other half the RJ-45 looking connectors.  The ones I've tested so far all  work with the Soarer converter.  I'm typing this on an RJ-45 connector model M.  About 6 of them are model F's  one of which has this oddball 15 pin connector and a different layout.  Is there any interest in these outside of this thread? 
I'd hate to throw them out, and then find out someone had an interest.
As far as the prices on ebay.  What people are asking for them and what they are getting are two different things.  I listed one and not a bite. 
« Last Edit: Wed, 27 February 2013, 21:35:52 by h2gofast »
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Offline bazemk1979

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Re: How much are IBM Model M (terminal) keyboards worth?
« Reply #13 on: Wed, 27 February 2013, 22:10:32 »
Left you PM, selling mein that I bought it new and used it for few weeks http://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=39948.0
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Offline 1391406

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Re: How much are IBM Model M (terminal) keyboards worth?
« Reply #14 on: Wed, 27 February 2013, 23:51:58 »
Quote from: h2gofast on Wed, 27 February 2013, 21:32:09
Is there any interest in these outside of this thread?

Do you have any 122-key Model F's?
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Offline h2gofast

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Re: How much are IBM Model M (terminal) keyboards worth?
« Reply #15 on: Thu, 28 February 2013, 07:17:04 »
Responded to PM's and yes I have 4-5 122 key model F's but have not tested them with my teensy yet.  I have two projects this weekend and this is one of them.   
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Offline Grim Fandango

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Re: How much are IBM Model M (terminal) keyboards worth?
« Reply #16 on: Thu, 28 February 2013, 08:12:21 »
Here in Holland they are sold for the equivalent of about 30 to 60 dollars, depending on their condition.
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Offline Aer Fixus

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Re: How much are IBM Model M (terminal) keyboards worth?
« Reply #17 on: Thu, 28 February 2013, 09:00:47 »
h2gofast, I'm interested in one of your 122 key Model Fs.
I've sent you a PM about it.
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Quote from: SpAmRaY on Fri, 29 November 2013, 22:37:31
I lie all the time.... I really don't even like keyboards
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