Do you guys think these are actually new old stock?

[Shyfe]

http://cgi.ebay.com/NOS-IBM-Model-M-Clicky-Keyboard-White-logo-PS-2-Boxed_W0QQitemZ130321794013QQcmdZViewItemQQptZPCA_Mice_Trackballs?hash=item1e57c8c3dd&_trksid=p3911.c0.m14

I've seen him list a lot as NOS but the stickers on the back all look worn out. Kind of hard to believe they are never used. Also, just to vent a little, I bidded on that one but lost to the other guy to 15.95

[lecorsair]

I'll let you know next week. I bought an open-box model M he claimed is new, just missing box and unused, guess I'll see how accurate his descriptions are and let you know.

[Shyfe]

Kinda odd that they look that way when put in a box but mine looks completely new even though it was used, and I look forward to it lecorsair.

[rdh]

I've seen him list a lot as NOS but the stickers on the back all look worn out. Kind of hard to believe they are never used. Also, just to vent a little, I bidded on that one but lost to the other guy to 15.95

Guess that makes me "the other guy".

I was outbid, but ended up with it anyway (surprise!) when the actual winner retracted their bid.

Anyway, the board is absolutely clean, not yellowed at all, not even any dust.   The cable looks new, unstretched and not dirty.   It seems to work perfectly.  As far as I can tell, the seller's description is accurate.



OTOH, I haven't quite figured why the label looks like it got wet, but I noticed in the picture of the stack of boxes the seller found, some of them had water marks on 'em.  I'll find out if it looks like the inside got wet when I get the right hex driver to open the case.




EDIT: that's water marks on the boxes, btw.  :-)   Here's the picture:  

[Shyfe]

wow dude i hate you. i had to settle for a $35 keyboard that was used and dirty. what was your maximum bid btw?

[rdh]

wow dude i hate you. i had to settle for a $35 keyboard that was used and dirty. what was your maximum bid btw?

$27.  I figured I'd keep it low and I'd just have to bid on several auctions before I managed to get a keyboard.  This one is where I got lucky.

If it makes you feel better, I think the space bar's stabilizer wire has come off, so the space bar only registers when you press it on the center.  Gotta go track down that hex driver...

[Shyfe]

that's alright $27 is good. i woulda shot myself if i could have gotten it for <$20

[rdh]

Don't be surprised if a couple of plastic rivet heads rattling around the bottom when you open it up - it's par for the course

I 'd bet you're right.  I found a little plastic bit loose in the box that could be a rivet head, and several of the keys make really loud sproingy noises as they return.   (That is, I think they're really loud; this my first M.)

[Shyfe]

does anyone happen to know how much model m's costed in the late 80's and early 90's? i know the original retail price when it came out was $250

[ch_123]

I've heard a figure of $150, but that may have been after the Lexmark switchover.

Model Fs, on the other hand, were selling for something like $300-350 when they came out.

[microsoft windows]

I'm not sure. I've never seen a picture of one with a price tag, even on clickykeyboards.com.

[Shyfe]

lol i bet the springs are all rusted from water damage >_>

[lecorsair]

My $15 blue label NOS keyboard arrived today. Pretty much as described by the seller, mint, keys are untouched with nice clean sandy texture. However, mine didn't come with the original packaging and wasn't packed well so the space bar arrived separated with metal clip thing rattling inside box. Luckily no harm done and snapped back into place in seconds.

[SCTony]

I received  a 42H1292 from him 2 days ago which was listed as used (it is used) but it could almost pass for new. His description was accurate. I was very happy with my purchase from him. This 42H1292 is sweet :dance:

[ch_123]

Ah, the infamous 42H, how does it stack up against your 1391401?

[SCTony]

I prefer the 42H over the 1391401 by a good bit but I think it might be due to the new springs and overall newness of the 42H. The keys feel crisp and uniform.

I modded the 1391401 by replacing the plastic rivets with very short (#4x 3/8" flat-head screws) which I cut almost in half. They seem to be sturdy and don't protrude through the base plate.

[ch_123]

I don't know what a NIB 1391401 is like, but using a well worn UK-layout variant, I'd rather take a Unicomp or 42H any day of the week, even it is a 'simplified' design.

[lecorsair]

Oddly enough, I still prefer my M2 variant of the 10 or so keyboards I have.

[ch_123]

How does the M2 feel like to type on compared with the regular Ms?

[lecorsair]

M2 has a much higher pitched "click/clack" sound. The feel is about the same any other M, just a slight tad shorter travel - I think - maybe. Over all, the experience is closer to an IBM Selectric, than any other M I've tried. Could be am just wacked in the head :loco:

[rdh]

I 'd bet you're right.  I found a little plastic bit loose in the box that could be a rivet head, and several of the keys make really loud sproingy noises as they return.   (That is, I think they're really loud; this my first M.)

Getting the space bar's stabilizer wire back in place was less messy than I had feared.

I opened it up today, and didn't see any obvious marks from liquid
exposure:



...but I did get a fair-sized collection of loose rivet heads:




As far as I know, the rivet heads and out of place stabilizer wire are normal enough for these keyboards, so to return the OP's original question: Yes, I think that seller has new old stock.

[JBert]

...but I did get a fair-sized collection of loose rivet heads:




As far as I know, the rivet heads and out of place stabilizer wire are normal enough for these keyboards, so to return the OP's original question: Yes, I think that seller has new old stock.

That's probably the greatest weakness of the model M - apart from beverage spills.

[cmr]

you might want to start with something less corrosive. coca-cola has always been my battery terminal cleaner of choice.