[eBay] NIB IBM Model F Bigfoot?

[koalapear]

This looks like a Model F 5291 Display Terminal a.k.a. "bigfoot" to me despite it being listed as an M and having a label that says it's an M. If it is indeed an M then it's the first time I've seen one in this form factor!

http://www.ebay.com/itm/New-IBM-Model-M-Clicky-Keyboard-/251703892894?pt=PCA_Mice_Trackballs&hash=item3a9ab89b9e

Apologies if this has already been posted.

[intelli78]

That is interesting. I am no IBM expert, but that doesn't look like a keyboard made in 1996.

[koalapear]

That is interesting. I am no IBM expert, but that doesn't look like a keyboard made in 1996.

That's what I was thinking. I thought these were more mid-eighties vintage. I also thought Model F production stopped in '94. Although, the label does have the correct part number... the plot thickens.

[intelli78]

I vaguely remember having this discussion before, about model Fs made in '96...will see if I can find the link.

[Aer Fixus]

Indeed this conversation has happened before. https://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=64783.0
It was even on the same listing!

It was concluded that the board was probably refurbished in 1996 and the internals are the original 80's vintage bits. The label is incorrect, but likely just through error.

The workers might not have even known that a Model F line existed, so they just stuck an M sticker with the right part # on it. Maybe it would be a hassle to add Model F into the label making machine for such a low number of these boards moving through. Who knows, but it's not like the eBay seller put the sticker on to try and fool anyone.

[koalapear]

Indeed this conversation has happened before. https://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=64783.0
It was even on the same listing!

It was concluded that the board was probably refurbished in 1996 and the internals are the original 80's vintage bits. The label is incorrect, but likely just through error.

The workers might not have even known that a Model F line existed, so they just stuck an M sticker with the right part # on it. Maybe it would be a hassle to add Model F into the label making machine for such a low number of these boards moving through. Who knows, but it's not like the eBay seller put the sticker on to try and fool anyone.

Ah, that makes sense! I apologize for rehashing an old topic. Any idea if this is a good price or not? I'm seriously interested in a Model F. The process of getting it to work with a modern PC sounds annoying though.

[berserkfan]

Indeed this conversation has happened before. https://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=64783.0
It was even on the same listing!

It was concluded that the board was probably refurbished in 1996 and the internals are the original 80's vintage bits. The label is incorrect, but likely just through error.

The workers might not have even known that a Model F line existed, so they just stuck an M sticker with the right part # on it. Maybe it would be a hassle to add Model F into the label making machine for such a low number of these boards moving through. Who knows, but it's not like the eBay seller put the sticker on to try and fool anyone.

Ah, that makes sense! I apologize for rehashing an old topic. Any idea if this is a good price or not? I'm seriously interested in a Model F. The process of getting it to work with a modern PC sounds annoying though.

Layout sucks

Quality is super

Don't worry about the Model M label; probably has nothing to do with the capacitative internals.

You can easily adapt it nowadays to USB. What you will have a lot of difficulty adapting to, is the layout. Frankly if I was still in my Model F craze I would have pounced on this keyboard faster than you can say Topre is for Rubber Dummies. Fortunately I am now in matrix mode, and the only keyboards that I am going to pounce on are 6x8, 7x8 and 8x8 matrices.

[koalapear]

Layout sucks

Quality is super

Don't worry about the Model M label; probably has nothing to do with the capacitative internals.

You can easily adapt it nowadays to USB. What you will have a lot of difficulty adapting to, is the layout. Frankly if I was still in my Model F craze I would have pounced on this keyboard faster than you can say Topre is for Rubber Dummies. Fortunately I am now in matrix mode, and the only keyboards that I am going to pounce on are 6x8, 7x8 and 8x8 matrices.

I feel like I could probably deal with the layout. It's another way to stop other people from using my computer!  )

I'll probably pick it up if someone else doesn't since now that I've looked into it USB conversion seems pretty straight forward.

[ed_avis]

Is this the same layout as the IBM PC or PC-XT keyboards or are there subtle differences?

[dorkvader]

Is this the same layout as the IBM PC or PC-XT keyboards or are there subtle differences?

I am almost positive the layout is the same.

On some, I think the legends can have small differences.

You can double-check by looking at pictures.

[RoflCopter4]

Not much you can do with the Bigfoot though. As far as I know it doesn't work with the normal Soarer converter, so you'd probably have to get pretty creative to get it to work on a modern PC.

[koalapear]

Not much you can do with the Bigfoot though. As far as I know it doesn't work with the normal Soarer converter, so you'd probably have to get pretty creative to get it to work on a modern PC.

https://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=48950.0

It is possible! You have to use Soarer's controller. Doesn't look like too big of a hassle to me.

[faceyourfaces]

I bought this keyboard from that listing yesterday. I can't wait for it to come in. 

[ezrahilyer]

I bought this keyboard from that listing yesterday. I can't wait for it to come in. 

That's awesome! What are you planning to do with it? Any cool mod ideas?

[faceyourfaces]

I bought this keyboard from that listing yesterday. I can't wait for it to come in. 

That's awesome! What are you planning to do with it? Any cool mod ideas?

Not sure yet, probably going to be sitting around for a little bit untouched until I have some more time, unfortunately. I'm open to suggestions; I'm really excited to do something with it.

[Xonar]

I bought this keyboard from that listing yesterday. I can't wait for it to come in. 

Seems that it's been relisted now. Did you send it back or did he somehow have more than one of these? O_o If you actually got your board safe and sound and he has another, I may jump on this one myself. 

[faceyourfaces]

I bought this keyboard from that listing yesterday. I can't wait for it to come in. 

Seems that it's been relisted now. Did you send it back or did he somehow have more than one of these? O_o If you actually got your board safe and sound and he has another, I may jump on this one myself. 

From the looks of it the seller may just have another one because the one he sold to me is still sitting right here in my room. Pretty surprising.

[fohat.digs]

From the looks of it the seller may just have another one

If you have multiples of identical or similar items, it is much better for the seller to dribble them out one at a time to keep up the perception of scarcity.

[faceyourfaces]

From the looks of it the seller may just have another one

If you have multiples of identical or similar items, it is much better for the seller to dribble them out one at a time to keep up the perception of scarcity.

It's a pretty great strategy actually.