RE: British Sources for IBM 1391406 - Model M

[roaduck]

A supplier (no names) sent me the wrong keyboard this morning.

I've been waiting for a 1391406 since 18th September and, was sent an IBM 89P9278-P2 which is Chinese junk so they'll have to come and pick it up and refund my debit card.

There is one more company I could try but that'll be refurbs as well.

Computer fairs are very good as well - like car boots but bigger and just for pc stuff.I have a massive one near me in Manchester at Bowlers.

You could also ask your local pc shop or maybe your local University, college or school.

If you want a New Old Stock  or New In Box - These are probably your best bet


http://www.britishcomputerfairs.com/

http://www.computermarkets.co.uk/

http://www.londoncomputerfairs.com/

http://www.northeastcomputerfairs.com/

http://www.fairs.co.uk/

Failing that knock on some doors, ask local businesses if they have any in a back room stashed away.

Before the internet if I really wanted something specific, I rang somewhere up then followed it up with a letter.

Good Luck!
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[ch_123]

A lot of European Geekhackers (myself included) end up ditching their ISO keyboards for US layout ones. You end up with a wider and cheaper (even when including shipping) selection that way.

[roaduck]

A lot of European Geekhackers (myself included) end up ditching their ISO keyboards for US layout ones. You end up with a wider and cheaper (even when including shipping) selection that way.

It's a shame isn't it ch_123 that us Brits have to fork out a bomb because we have no real choice here and then when we buy abroad we get clobbered by import taxes when they come in - it's bleedin scandalous - protectionism.

[ch_123]

us Brits

I'm Irish, and not from the bit that you lot still own :wink:

[roaduck]

I'm Irish, and not from the bit that you lot still own :wink:

Glad to hear it ch_123, I love all Ireland and I am not proud of English Imperialism and Colonialism at all.Although I'm only a quarter English - most of my family is from Poland and Ukraine - the other half is Welsh and a bit of English lol.

[roaduck]

I was expecting a 1391406 model M to come like this one

Instead I got this one but in grey for £65 delivered - I was livid after waiting two weeks for delivery.Actually it didn't look too bad but the rubber domes were dire and it was as light as a box of matches.

So, after bollocking the supplier on the phone and a stiff email I arranged for it to be scooped up and they can carry on the quest to find me a bleedin' buckling spring job.

[Rajagra]

I'm Irish, and not from the bit that you lot still own :wink:

Ah, you mean the bit that just surrendered to a Federal Europe.

I hope you enjoy serving under President Blair if he gets elected as predicted.

I love the way the pro-Europe brigade kept doing referendums until they got the result they wanted.

[roaduck]

Ah, you mean the bit that just surrendered to a Federal Europe.

I hope you enjoy serving under President Blair if he gets elected as predicted.

I love the way the pro-Europe brigade kept doing referendums until they got the result they wanted.

Oh my God Rajagra the vote was 67% in favour and they turned it down only a year and a half ago.What has changed in just sixteen months? What a blag.

I thought that the Irish were going to save our bacon Rajagra.To say I'm disappointed is an understatement - the vote must have been rigged and you're right they only do referenda if they know the result beforehand.

The ramifications for the signing of the sixth part of the Central European act which started with Heath in 1969 are enormous.

It'll just get rubber-stamped now, the fascist Police State will expand and all our taxes will go into a black hole in Brussels or Strasbourg wherever.

[ch_123]

Ah, you mean the bit that just surrendered to a Federal Europe.

I like to think of it as the Franco-Belgian empire. Us Irish always secretly seem to want to be part of some empire or another

Tbh, given the choice between surrendering to the French, and surrendering to Sinn Fein (basically the political wing of the IRA) and a load of rabid conservative Catholics, both of whom would wish to see us return to the 1930s, I've made my bed.

What has changed in just sixteen months? What a blag.

I voted no in the last one, and yes in this one. What changed? I became much more cynical about the ability of Ireland's political apparatus to run our country. Alot of the so-called 'evils' associated with the Lisbon treaty were just as likely to happen under 'sovereign' Irish control.

[roaduck]

ch_123 said

"Alot of the so-called 'evils' associated with the Lisbon treaty were just as likely to happen under 'sovereign' Irish control."

I just believe that a big yacht (Irish Government) is easier to steer than an ocean liner (The EU) lol.

[robert]

I'd like to "second" Roaduck's suggestion from his posting of 21st Sept as to where to buy a used IBM model M 1391406 .... ie R and R

I've been looking for one on Ebay for the past 4 or 5 months I think. I've seen only 2 (in UK that is ..... they're very common in USA .. at least the 1391401 US layout is) in that time: they went for £38 and £35 respectively plus postage of approx. £11. I also saw a Unicomp (described as made-for-IBM) that had a trackball or similar ... that sold for £56 plus postage!!!

I stumbled across this site and Roadruck's posting (of 21st Sept.) a couple of weeks ago.  I checked out the sources he lists and was very impressed by R and R. I spoke to Andy Kempster who was very friendly and helpful - he patiently answered my questions on the 'phone, and then by email .  A much better response than I got from the other companies .. and cheaper too!  Like Roaduck .. I paid £43 and something incl. vat and next day delivery.  The keyboard arrived the following morning well packed.  Apart from a grubby lead the keyboard itself is in really good condition ... I can't see ANYTHING wrong cosmetically and everything functions 100% (apart from the lead ... if it had been sold as new-old-stock I wouldn't have disputed it). It comes with a 90 day guarantee and Andy said I could return it for any reason if I wasn't happy.
I'm very happy indeed! It's cheaper than the 2 sold privately on Ebay ... and they could not have been in better condition.  If I can afford it next month I might get another as a spare.  Which is why I shouldn't be advertising them (in case they sell out) ...'cept that I promised Andy that I would if I was pleased.  He says (as of 1 week ago) that he has 14 left and they're all in similar condition.  So ... if anyone is looking for one I do suggest giving him a ring.
PS. Mine is an IBM made one from 1992 with a really long lead (I don't know if Lexmark-made ones are inferior or not - I've just read that they have drainage holes on the bottom  (good idea?) but are not quite so heavily built.
Anyway .... I do hope this is useful to someone .... as Roaduck's original posting was to me.

[robert]

I'd be interested to know.... if anyone happens to know:-

1) I've read that Lexmark took over building them for IBM in approx. 1992 (?), and that they have captive leads, drainage holes (in case of coffee spills?) and that they're not quite as good as the IBM made ones.  Is this last bit true?  Do they feel different? Are they less solidly built?

2) I've read (possibly somewhere on this site?) that IBM did actually carry on making them in Scotland until 1999 (?).  Is that true? Was it only in Scotland that IBM continued manufacture?

3) Are the Sottish made IBM 1391406's the same as the USA made 1391401's (apart from the key layout) ... in terms of how they feel and how solidly they're constructed?

PS: with reference to my previous posting recommending R and R ... I should say, perhaps, that although I think the one I just bought feels as good as new ....a/ I'm not a touch typist (yet) and b/ the last new one I tried was in 1990 and I've not really used a computer since .. until 6 months ago

[itlnstln]

I am not sure about the other two questions, but as far as the first one goes, the Lexmarks have drainage holes, and the IBM Ms generally do not (I don't know of any that do, but I can be wrong).  I am not sure what "captive leads" are, so I can't help you there.  Lastly, it is generally regarded as a myth around here that the Lexmark Ms were of any lower quality than the IBMs.

[ch_123]

I'd be interested to know.... if anyone happens to know:-

1) I've read that Lexmark took over building them for IBM in approx. 1992 (?), and that they have captive leads, drainage holes (in case of coffee spills?) and that they're not quite as good as the IBM made ones.  Is this last bit true?  Do they feel different? Are they less solidly built?

Depends on the model in question. Some of Lexmarks boards were not built to the same standards as IBM's (particularly the 42H1292). Whether they feel better or worse is open to a lot of debate... Some of the models like the 42H are generally considered to be less stiff than the likes of the 1391401.

2) I've read (possibly somewhere on this site?) that IBM did actually carry on making them in Scotland until 1999 (?).  Is that true? Was it only in Scotland that IBM continued manufacture?

The Scottish plant was the only producer of 'vanilla' Model Ms. Unicomp continued to make trackpoint and trackball keyboards, and Maxi-Switch was still churning out M13s till at least 1998.

3) Are the Sottish made IBM 1391406's the same as the USA made 1391401's (apart from the key layout) ... in terms of how they feel and how solidly they're constructed?

I think they're the same for all intents and purposes.

I am not sure what "captive leads" are

Non-removable cables, AFAIK.

[ironcoder]

It's a shame isn't it ch_123 that us Brits have to fork out a bomb because we have no real choice here and then when we buy abroad we get clobbered by import taxes when they come in - it's bleedin scandalous - protectionism.

You're not alone, pal. I just got to pay 100 dollars taxes and fees on a 300 dollar keyboard order plus 75 bucks shipping. Basically I spent 500 bucks to get 2 Filcos and a few accessories.

[ironcoder]

A lot of European Geekhackers (myself included) end up ditching their ISO keyboards for US layout ones. You end up with a wider and cheaper (even when including shipping) selection that way.

One thing I really prefer about the ISO layout is that huge Enter key. Reminds me of the good old days...