Author Topic: Mysterious Model M mini on Reddit (Read 10309 times)

intelli78 · « **on:** Wed, 18 June 2014, 13:41:04 »

http://www.reddit.com/r/MechanicalKeyboards/comments/28gckh/click_clack_found_this_mysterious_model_m_mini_in/?sort=confidence

Frenir · « **Reply #1 on:** Wed, 18 June 2014, 13:43:29 »

I bet that's gonna be worth a lot.

CPTBadAss · « **Reply #2 on:** Wed, 18 June 2014, 13:48:59 »

HEY! I've been looking for a picture of that for a hot minute! Thanks for sharing!

intelli78 · « **Reply #3 on:** Wed, 18 June 2014, 13:50:13 »

Quote from: CPTBadAss on Wed, 18 June 2014, 13:48:59

HEY! I've been looking for a picture of that for a hot minute! Thanks for sharing!

Sure...what else do you know about it? Sounds like you have heard of it before.

Computer-Lab in Basement · « **Reply #4 on:** Wed, 18 June 2014, 14:05:10 »

I have seen that pic before. Don't remember where, or the details behind it, but DEFINITELY seen that pic before...

The board in question appears to be attached to that large blue device...

intelli78 · « **Reply #5 on:** Wed, 18 June 2014, 14:12:00 »

Reverse Google image search doesn't turn up anything else.

Ripster did say that it may not actually be an IBM. But I hope it is.

Photekq · « **Reply #6 on:** Wed, 18 June 2014, 14:13:08 »

You've seen it posted by clickclack before. (source + lots of broken attachments)

Quote from: Computer-Lab in Basement on Wed, 18 June 2014, 14:05:10

I have seen that pic before. Don't remember where, or the details behind it, but DEFINITELY seen that pic before...

The board in question appears to be attached to that large blue device...

Computer-Lab in Basement · « **Reply #7 on:** Wed, 18 June 2014, 14:17:06 »

Quote from: intelli78 on Wed, 18 June 2014, 14:12:00

Reverse Google image search doesn't turn up anything else.

Ripster did say that it may not actually be an IBM. But I hope it is.

That is a possibility, but I think the style is too close to Model M to be a coincidence...

If the dustcover wasn't in the way, you'd be able to see the name of the device brand or whatever, and could search based on that.

0100010 · « **Reply #8 on:** Wed, 18 June 2014, 14:32:23 »

Looks like red and green text on the "Alt" and "Ctrl" keys too.

Acknown3 · « **Reply #9 on:** Wed, 18 June 2014, 15:53:57 »

Quote from: 0100010 on Wed, 18 June 2014, 14:32:23

Looks like red and green text on the "Alt" and "Ctrl" keys too.

Perhaps blue text?

JimByr · « **Reply #10 on:** Wed, 18 June 2014, 22:31:03 »

Based on the distinctive blue color, it appears to be an early Gerber Signmaker. These were being made in the 80s so the keyboard would fit. All of the images that I can find have the keyboard built in but this might be an earlier model. Maybe a mid-80s Signmaker III? No luck finding a better image yet.

REVENGE · « **Reply #11 on:** Thu, 19 June 2014, 02:28:26 »

Quote from: JimByr on Wed, 18 June 2014, 22:31:03

Based on the distinctive blue color, it appears to be an early Gerber Signmaker. These were being made in the 80s so the keyboard would fit. All of the images that I can find have the keyboard built in but this might be an earlier model. Maybe a mid-80s Signmaker III? No luck finding a better image yet.

McRip didn't post/link to the full set of pictures that ClickClack originally posted. The keyboard is using a PS/2 connector, so it is probably not connecting directly to the GSP device. If it is related to the Signmaker, it might be plugged into a CAD PC addon, which is in turn connected to the Signmaker.

Oobly · « **Reply #12 on:** Thu, 19 June 2014, 03:00:33 »

That is seriously cool!

Like a 60% Space Saving. That's a buckling spring board I could consider using.

CPTBadAss · « **Reply #13 on:** Thu, 19 June 2014, 06:02:10 »

Quote from: intelli78 on Wed, 18 June 2014, 13:50:13

Quote from: CPTBadAss on Wed, 18 June 2014, 13:48:59
HEY! I've been looking for a picture of that for a hot minute! Thanks for sharing!

Sure...what else do you know about it? Sounds like you have heard of it before.

As photekq pointed out, I was suspecting that this was the board that ClickClack had found. I've been wanting to see pictures since I was shown that thread from CC with all the sadsters.

Coreda · « **Reply #14 on:** Thu, 19 June 2014, 06:30:00 »

Hehe, how on earth was Ripster browsing a thread from 2010. Anyway, here's the archived original photos of the board. Curious.

dorkvader · « **Reply #15 on:** Thu, 19 June 2014, 07:32:29 »

He posted a larger picture of it once he actually got the keyboard. I will see if I can find a backup I made or contact another member who has done so
It does have a place for LEDs, which is why I'm so upset for him not taking disassembly pictures.

vivalarevolución · « **Reply #16 on:** Thu, 19 June 2014, 08:01:21 »

Looks cool. I hope we can find more information.

berserkfan · « **Reply #17 on:** Thu, 19 June 2014, 12:16:24 »

let's start with a Unicomp SSK revival first. If that happens (eg when moon is blue and red), we can go for the next step, which is a 60% buckling spring.

I'm not going to spend time oogling a keyboard I know I can never have in my hands. One look at it, and I knew I had to avert my eyes or risk it becoming an obsession.

dorkvader · « **Reply #18 on:** Thu, 19 June 2014, 17:54:06 »

Thanks to Hasu for finding this for me.

CPTBadAss · « **Reply #19 on:** Thu, 19 June 2014, 17:55:10 »

Ugh that board is sexy. Small bezel and WKL! And is that a LED window in the caps lock step??

Photekq · « **Reply #20 on:** Thu, 19 June 2014, 17:57:03 »

So is it actually made by IBM? A true model M 60%?

CPTBadAss · « **Reply #21 on:** Thu, 19 June 2014, 17:57:59 »

Ooooo, and it's PS/2!

intelli78 · « **Reply #22 on:** Thu, 19 June 2014, 18:03:54 »

Epic. Surely Clickclack would be willing to jump in on this thread?

HPE1000 · « **Reply #23 on:** Thu, 19 June 2014, 18:09:44 »

I want one

dorkvader · « **Reply #24 on:** Thu, 19 June 2014, 18:09:58 »

Quote from: intelli78 on Thu, 19 June 2014, 18:03:54

Epic. Surely Clickclack would be willing to jump in on this thread?

He's always been tight-lipped about his collection, especially recently.

I would love to see photos of the internals (an LED on an M membrane? a windowed IBM keycap?) but I'm not holding my breath.

Eventually someone else will get one and hopefully post pictures.

Zeal · « **Reply #25 on:** Thu, 19 June 2014, 18:10:20 »

Interesting. Have there been any other reports of a 60% BS? I've only seen Kishies and SSKs. There's bound to be some more, somewhere...
Did CC ever snap a pic of the label?

rowdy · « **Reply #26 on:** Thu, 19 June 2014, 18:41:46 »

That is one nice keyboard!

Who is going to try to start making some?

0100010 · « **Reply #27 on:** Thu, 19 June 2014, 18:52:38 »

Hasu used to have a different picture of that posted in this thread : http://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=29483.0

False_Dmitry_II · « **Reply #28 on:** Fri, 20 June 2014, 16:28:19 »

Quote from: 0100010 on Thu, 19 June 2014, 18:52:38

Hasu used to have a different picture of that posted in this thread : http://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=29483.0

Reading that thread it was a mod, not just found like this one.

The_Beast · « **Reply #29 on:** Fri, 20 June 2014, 16:31:15 »

Could it not just be a normal IBM with a really nice chop job?

It's not hard....

Zeal · « **Reply #30 on:** Fri, 20 June 2014, 17:57:11 »

Quote from: The_Beast on Fri, 20 June 2014, 16:31:15

Could it not just be a normal IBM with a really nice chop job?

It's not hard....
Show Image

The 60% model m has an led caps lock on the step. There also isn't a function row.

E TwentyNine · « **Reply #31 on:** Fri, 20 June 2014, 18:35:40 »

Quote from: Zeal on Fri, 20 June 2014, 17:57:11

Quote from: The_Beast on Fri, 20 June 2014, 16:31:15
Could it not just be a normal IBM with a really nice chop job?

It's not hard....
Show Image

The 60% model m has an led caps lock on the step. There also isn't a function row.

I thought someone was making or did make a 60% M chop (without Fn row).

It's more difficult but not beyond the realm of possibility.

The LED on the caps would lead me to believe this was a custom chop as I've never seen that on any M.

HPE1000 · « **Reply #32 on:** Fri, 20 June 2014, 18:41:38 »

I'd love to give that a shot if I ever got a beat up model m on the cheap. I would paint it for sure, since the cut marks are going to be noticeable no matter how clean they are.

0100010 · « **Reply #33 on:** Fri, 20 June 2014, 20:34:24 »

Quote from: False_Dmitry_II on Fri, 20 June 2014, 16:28:19

Quote from: 0100010 on Thu, 19 June 2014, 18:52:38
Hasu used to have a different picture of that posted in this thread : http://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=29483.0

Reading that thread it was a mod, not just found like this one.

Nope. Hasu did make his own mini Model M, as posted in that thread. But - he added a post with an image to link to ClickClacks unobtanium Micro Model M (which was the inspiration). From memory, the picture that was linked in that thread (which is no longer available), is different than the one Dorkvader posted earlier in this thread.

Zeal · « **Reply #34 on:** Fri, 20 June 2014, 20:41:44 »

Speaking of which, does Unicomp know if they have ever made a stepped, LED caps lock, that's on the step?

hasu · « **Reply #35 on:** Fri, 20 June 2014, 21:24:22 »

0100010, I think a photo dorkvader posted is the one. I'm sure this is the most detailed photo of micro M so far.
I'd never been able to get any useful info about the micro M and I worked on the mod in the end.

The shape of M micro is very attractive to me even after Model F 60% has come true.

0100010 · « **Reply #36 on:** Fri, 20 June 2014, 22:52:25 »

Cool - thanks Hasu. I must be confusing the 'Micro M' image with other ~60% model M's that are out there.

0100010 · « **Reply #37 on:** Fri, 20 June 2014, 23:05:16 »

Quote from: Zeal on Fri, 20 June 2014, 17:57:11

Quote from: The_Beast on Fri, 20 June 2014, 16:31:15
Could it not just be a normal IBM with a really nice chop job?

It's not hard....
Show Image

The 60% model m has an led caps lock on the step. There also isn't a function row.

There has been a few chop jobs with F row :

http://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=40006.60

http://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=44875.30

There has been at least one 60% w/o an F row :

http://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=40111.90

lowpoly · « **Reply #38 on:** Sat, 21 June 2014, 10:56:55 »

Clickclack's original thread is legendary. One of the best keyboard threads ever.

microsoft windows · « **Reply #39 on:** Thu, 26 June 2014, 14:34:41 »

I remember when that "mini micro" model M was found. Don't know too much else about it though. Does Clickclack still have it?

Lammie · « **Reply #40 on:** Fri, 27 June 2014, 12:08:01 »

Wonder when Unicomp is finally putting some new and updated models of their M's into the market. A Spacesaver would be very nice and think it would sell very well. Also if unicomp just made capacitives...

Daydreamin again..

intelli78 · « **Reply #41 on:** Thu, 29 January 2015, 08:05:58 »

I have been trying to uncover more about this keyboard, with little luck.

I contacted CC but he ignored my PM.

I also found this image, but there was no discussion of its origin:

It's interesting because it's IBM-branded. Note that it has a different case design than CC's. Possible it's a DIY job--the right side, especially at top corner looks a little slanted--but not sure. That could just be barrel distortion from the camera lens.

SpAmRaY · « **Reply #42 on:** Thu, 29 January 2015, 08:09:26 »

Maybe like all the other rare boards someone will turn up a lot of these, seems to happen a lot lately. Although I'd hate to see how high of a price they would go for.

CPTBadAss · « **Reply #43 on:** Thu, 29 January 2015, 08:10:05 »

If it is DIY, that's gotta be the cleanest DIY job I've ever seen. That bezel is so thin. Kinid of reminds me of the M2.

monotagary · « **Reply #44 on:** Thu, 29 January 2015, 11:38:25 »

Quote from: berserkfan on Thu, 19 June 2014, 12:16:24

let's start with a Unicomp SSK revival first. If that happens (eg when moon is blue and red), we can go for the next step, which is a 60% buckling spring.

I'm not going to spend time oogling a keyboard I know I can never have in my hands. One look at it, and I knew I had to avert my eyes or risk it becoming an obsession.

I felt the exact same way when I saw this. I just died a little bit inside knowing that I will probably never own something that beautiful.

GL1TCH3D · « **Reply #45 on:** Thu, 29 January 2015, 11:58:00 »

Quote from: intelli78 on Thu, 29 January 2015, 08:05:58

I have been trying to uncover more about this keyboard, with little luck.

I contacted CC but he ignored my PM.

I also found this image, but there was no discussion of its origin:
Show Image

It's interesting because it's IBM-branded. Note that it has a different case design than CC's. Possible it's a DIY job--the right side, especially at top corner looks a little slanted--but not sure. That could just be barrel distortion from the camera lens.

The spacebar seems curved too so I think it may just be distortion.

I'd be interested in learning more about these boards.

I have a hard time believing that these aren't mods / jobs though.

jdcarpe · « **Reply #46 on:** Thu, 29 January 2015, 11:59:26 »

Photoshop...

Shayde · « **Reply #47 on:** Thu, 29 January 2015, 12:28:28 »

Quote from: jdcarpe on Thu, 29 January 2015, 11:59:26

Photoshop...

Yes, that's when I thought when I saw it. You can see the plastic colour doesn't quite match to the bottom right of the right Ctrl key, and the angles are just off. I can't see how a bad camera angle would do that.

Melvang · « **Reply #48 on:** Thu, 29 January 2015, 12:52:49 »

Quote from: intelli78 on Thu, 29 January 2015, 08:05:58

I have been trying to uncover more about this keyboard, with little luck.

I contacted CC but he ignored my PM.

I also found this image, but there was no discussion of its origin:
Show Image

It's interesting because it's IBM-branded. Note that it has a different case design than CC's. Possible it's a DIY job--the right side, especially at top corner looks a little slanted--but not sure. That could just be barrel distortion from the camera lens.

This looks to be a photoshop job. Look at the step from the curve to the flat part on the right side. The step looks to go from about an 1/8" wide at the bottom to nothing at the top with what appears to be a slight shift in color above it in the bezel with a fairly crisp line. Though it is a slight change I think I can see it.

0100010 · « **Reply #49 on:** Thu, 29 January 2015, 15:17:17 »

Quote from: intelli78 on Thu, 29 January 2015, 08:05:58

I have been trying to uncover more about this keyboard, with little luck.

I contacted CC but he ignored my PM.

I also found this image, but there was no discussion of its origin:
Show Image

It's interesting because it's IBM-branded. Note that it has a different case design than CC's. Possible it's a DIY job--the right side, especially at top corner looks a little slanted--but not sure. That could just be barrel distortion from the camera lens.

News:

Author Topic: Mysterious Model M mini on Reddit (Read 10309 times)