IBM 3278 1742720 Beamspring Get!

[y11971alex]

Crossposted on DT.

I ordered this keyboard from a certain computer supplier in Minnesota for $75.  Except for some blemishes and a snapped manual door retainer, this keyboard is in excellent condition.  The metal plates show no obvious signs of corrosion, and the contamination shield seems largely intact, and the key feel is still quite tactile.




^the snapped, L-shaped retainer tab


^keyboard uncovered.  It's the 75-key typewriter model, p/n 1742720






^the obligatory CANNON cable


^reverse view


^reverse view


^rubber foot


^interior, with the blue contamination shield


^controller board


^controller chip


^keyboard connector


^solenoid


^top case


^the spring-loaded manual door


^the threaded screw-hole

[blackriver]

Just out of curiosity, is this more of a collectors piece or is there a way to actually use it with modern computers???

[y11971alex]

Just out of curiosity, is this more of a collectors piece or is there a way to actually use it with modern computers???

It's both.  There's something called a xwhatsit's controller that replaces its original controller, and it's USB-compatible.

[henz]

Just out of curiosity, is this more of a collectors piece or is there a way to actually use it with modern computers???

you can get every keyboard to work if you really want to.

[Niomosy]

Well damn if that isn't a steal on a beamspring board.  I hope I can some day have that luck just so I can try one out.

[y11971alex]

Well damn if that isn't a steal on a beamspring board.  I hope I can some day have that luck just so I can try one out.

Well, I did once offer a beam spring tour like they did with Topre RF/HHKB, but nobody seemed that enthusiastic.

[blackriver]

you can get every keyboard to work if you really want to.

Sure I suppose that goes with anything , what I really meant was is y11971alex looking to just collect these or does he modernize them?

[romevi]

Pretty freaking jealous. Nice find!

[Bucake]

starting to hate you..



how is the feel compared to your 3101?
great pictures, obviously a really cool board :-)

[y11971alex]

starting to hate you..



how is the feel compared to your 3101?
great pictures, obviously a really cool board :-)

I kept it stock so far other than installing my xwhatsit and solenoid driver.  Feel is unsurprisingly exactly the same as the 3101 when it still had the contamination shield on, since 3101 and 3278 keyboards are identical except the case and circuitry.