Author Topic: IBM Displaywriter Beamspring with built-in xwhatsit controller  (Read 5327 times)

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Offline ibmkeyboardsrule

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https://www.ebay.com/itm/IBM-Displaywriter-Keyboard-WITH-modern-xwhatsit-controller-USB-cable-built-in/263609790254

Just jumping the gun by answering in advance the usual question, whether it's a Deskthority/Geekhack member behind this latest... it is (cough cough).

I saw a post mentioning the prices for these are "topping $1K" lately, and the ones I've seen on eBay usually don't even have the controller already built in and therefore likely haven't been tested at all.
So I figured I wouldn't be totally off the charts asking for same but with the controller. Anyone needing more info, please PM me.

Returning you back to the sane world, heh (and I appreciate that some may decidedly not agree that beam spring kb prices as of late are a "great" find).
« Last Edit: Sun, 15 April 2018, 12:03:04 by ibmkeyboardsrule »

Offline Tarienn

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Re: IBM Displaywriter Beamspring with built-in xwhatsit controller
« Reply #1 on: Sun, 15 April 2018, 11:32:19 »
I agree, this price is completely reasonable. That being said, I spent way to long entertaining the idea that this keyboard was within my budget. (SPOILERS: It's not, but I want it anyway)

I'm gonna go take a cold shower now.

Offline Techno Trousers

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Re: IBM Displaywriter Beamspring with built-in xwhatsit controller
« Reply #2 on: Sun, 15 April 2018, 11:33:56 »
Definitely not an unreasonable asking price, given what these have been going for lately. GLWS.

Offline ibmkeyboardsrule

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Re: IBM Displaywriter Beamspring with built-in xwhatsit controller
« Reply #3 on: Sun, 15 April 2018, 11:42:55 »
Thanks for the supportive notes... I plan to well pack this tank in hopes it doesn't get damaged en route.
Perhaps a price-compromise for more folks is buying a new model F from Ellipsis, if one can wait a bit longer. I have one of his on order and plan to merrily get by with that instead :)

BTW I bought this on eBay just a few years back for I believe was only $250 (and that was when xwhatsit controllers were already around, though they took several months. to order/receive).
« Last Edit: Sun, 15 April 2018, 11:59:03 by ibmkeyboardsrule »

Offline JP

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Re: IBM Displaywriter Beamspring with built-in xwhatsit controller
« Reply #4 on: Sun, 15 April 2018, 12:22:31 »
Did you do any other restoration work like cleaning, new foam, etc? Also good luck with the sale.
About Me | The Collection
Therapy is expensive so I buy keyboards and bike parts.

Offline ibmkeyboardsrule

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Re: IBM Displaywriter Beamspring with built-in xwhatsit controller
« Reply #5 on: Sun, 15 April 2018, 12:38:40 »
A fellow GH installed the xwhatsit controller & usb cable for me. It was already in decent external appearance. Think he may have done a very light cleaning inside (if at all) but no new foam or major cleaning/refurbishing, no.

Attached are a couple original pics when he received it and began working on it.

Offline Tarienn

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Re: IBM Displaywriter Beamspring with built-in xwhatsit controller
« Reply #6 on: Sun, 15 April 2018, 13:38:34 »
Yeah, I'm slowly paying off my Model F F77 from Elipses. This hobby...

I was also around when Beamspring keyboards were sub-300 bucks. If only I had knew their value back then. :\

Offline orihalcon

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Re: IBM Displaywriter Beamspring with built-in xwhatsit controller
« Reply #7 on: Sun, 15 April 2018, 15:16:13 »
My guess is that it sells within 24 hours =)

Offline ibmkeyboardsrule

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Re: IBM Displaywriter Beamspring with built-in xwhatsit controller
« Reply #8 on: Sun, 15 April 2018, 17:17:31 »
About 117 views so far.

That 3278 beamspring's eBay auction (that's listed on GH great finds recently closed, and it indicates "sold" -- the asking price was two grand. Wowzers... makes me wonder, even if the GH community can someday design a modern beam spring KB (I recall one or two prelim steps toward that in the past year or two of posts... any clue whether they made further steps?), what would the be unit cost... hard to imagine it would be the same or less than the $350+ ellipse is listing the new model F for...maybe twice as much (or more?).
« Last Edit: Sun, 15 April 2018, 17:33:24 by ibmkeyboardsrule »

Offline ander

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Re: IBM Displaywriter Beamspring with built-in xwhatsit controller
« Reply #9 on: Sun, 15 April 2018, 20:45:51 »
I saw a post mentioning the prices for these are "topping $1K" lately, and the ones I've seen on eBay usually don't even have the controller already built in and therefore likely haven't been tested at all... So I figured I wouldn't be totally off the charts asking for same but with the controller.

Yes—given what unrestored, unmodded beams go for now, I think your price is entirely reasonable. (Whether any of us could afford it or not is another story, LOL.)

I'm just sorry to hear you're selling it out of necessity. Being in LV, couldn't you get an interim job dealing at a casino or something so you wouldn't have to part with your keebly treasure?
We are not chasing wildly after beauty with fear at our backs. – Natalie Goldberg

Offline ibmkeyboardsrule

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Re: IBM Displaywriter Beamspring with built-in xwhatsit controller
« Reply #10 on: Sun, 15 April 2018, 23:52:51 »
I think I'd choke on the casino's ciggy smoke, heh.

It sold within 12 hours... thanks for the encouragement and support. Heck, if they're anything less than thrilled with it, they can just re-list it, and (shhhh) probably for a couple hundred bucks more.

Hopefully, those prelim ideas mentioned in some past threads on GH/DT about bringing back the beam spring for a special run will happen someday.
« Last Edit: Mon, 16 April 2018, 01:15:36 by ibmkeyboardsrule »

Offline stu-rem

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Re: IBM Displaywriter Beamspring with built-in xwhatsit controller
« Reply #11 on: Mon, 16 April 2018, 13:54:38 »
https://www.ebay.com/itm/IBM-Displaywriter-Keyboard-WITH-modern-xwhatsit-controller-USB-cable-built-in/263609790254

Just jumping the gun by answering in advance the usual question, whether it's a Deskthority/Geekhack member behind this latest... it is (cough cough).

I saw a post mentioning the prices for these are "topping $1K" lately, and the ones I've seen on eBay usually don't even have the controller already built in and therefore likely haven't been tested at all.
So I figured I wouldn't be totally off the charts asking for same but with the controller. Anyone needing more info, please PM me.

Returning you back to the sane world, heh (and I appreciate that some may decidedly not agree that beam spring kb prices as of late are a "great" find).
Wow -- lovely keys; but I'd completely forgotten that crazy square arrow layout!

Sent from my SM-N9005 using Tapatalk


Offline ibmkeyboardsrule

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Re: IBM Displaywriter Beamspring with built-in xwhatsit controller
« Reply #12 on: Mon, 16 April 2018, 13:59:51 »
Yep... one of several reasons we'd love someone to design a modern version with an ANSI layout. Someday...

Offline ander

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Re: IBM Displaywriter Beamspring with built-in xwhatsit controller
« Reply #13 on: Tue, 24 April 2018, 19:22:35 »
Yep... one of several reasons we'd love someone to design a modern version with an ANSI layout. Someday...

Man, wouldn't that be an awesome thing!
We are not chasing wildly after beauty with fear at our backs. – Natalie Goldberg