Author Topic: Everyone should go to a Catholic College... (Read 10174 times)

Pixel_Outlaw · « **on:** Mon, 17 May 2010, 15:22:25 »

TO COLLECT THEIR HEAVENLY KEYBOARDS!!!

Yes, picked these two up from a local Catholic College, free for both. The AT&T is built just like a Model M inside, this leads me to believe that there are plenty of mechanical keyboards out there that might be missed by people because they are not branded by IBM/Lexmark. The IBM has a permanent cord, as does the AT&T. The AT&T has keycaps the IBM does not. The case is very slightly different at the edges too. Both are fine heavy keyboards. They had a box of 10 or so boards but would only give me 2, the rest were going to eBay and Goodwill.

I'm denture tabbing the Model M keys right now. Pretty bad stuff under the keys like half a dog and a continental breakfast.

Model M 0163398

Sticker

AT&T

didjamatic · « **Reply #1 on:** Mon, 17 May 2010, 15:30:45 »

Awesome! Unfortunately I bought 2 NIB AT&T boards once thinking they were mechanical and they were keytronics. AT&T is big enough I'm sure there are many variations to be found.

itlnstln · « **Reply #2 on:** Mon, 17 May 2010, 15:32:02 »

Good find. I didn't think those AT&T 'boards had BS. You would know better than me, though.

Pixel_Outlaw · « **Reply #3 on:** Mon, 17 May 2010, 15:40:32 »

It was pretty interesting to find an "offbrand" clicker.

Here is the model info in case you are inclined to find one.

Shot of the cap,key and spring.

Here you can see the case difference.

ch_123 · « **Reply #4 on:** Mon, 17 May 2010, 15:43:33 »

It's very strange... the lock light area looks too small, and having the logo printed straight on the case is odd too, but otherwise it's clearly a Model M. Is there a label on the back.

kishy · « **Reply #5 on:** Mon, 17 May 2010, 15:44:17 »

Whoa! IBM style buckling springs but not by IBM?

CH, the case just doesn't look like a Model M to me, not sure what the difference is but it doesn't look right. Same guts in a different case maybe?

ksd5 · « **Reply #6 on:** Mon, 17 May 2010, 15:46:03 »

That's odd. I thought that IBM/Lexmark had exclusive rights to the buckling spring mechanism. Either AT&T licensed it from them, or they illegally implemented the technology.

kishy · « **Reply #7 on:** Mon, 17 May 2010, 15:47:42 »

The little bumps around the spring barrels look like what you find in a Model M.

I think the deck inside is probably built by Lexmark...case, at least as seen in photos here, isn't matching a Model M.

Edit: it's the front edge. That is distinctly not a Model M case.

ch_123 · « **Reply #8 on:** Mon, 17 May 2010, 15:48:21 »

It's an OEM rebrand. Just like the Dell Model Ms -

kishy · « **Reply #9 on:** Mon, 17 May 2010, 15:49:58 »

Quote from: ch_123;183238

It's an OEM rebrand. Just like the Dell Model Ms -

Show Image

See the edit that was just made. Totally different case.

ch_123 · « **Reply #10 on:** Mon, 17 May 2010, 15:50:30 »

Quote from: kishy;183234

Whoa! IBM style buckling springs but not by IBM?

CH, the case just doesn't look like a Model M to me, not sure what the difference is but it doesn't look right. Same guts in a different case maybe?

You're right, the case is a different shape. Where as an IBM is wedge shaped with the curvature contained within, the whole body of that AT&T is curved.

I'm still convinced it's made by IBM/Lexmark.

Pixel_Outlaw · « **Reply #11 on:** Mon, 17 May 2010, 15:55:22 »

I'd love to open up the AT&T for you gents but I don't have a socket that will fit inside at the moment...

When I saw it in the box it defiantly caused a logic error in my brain. This may mean that there are great affordable keyboards out there that are indeed on par with the Model M that are simply not being collected and are therefore ripe for the taking.

ch_123 · « **Reply #12 on:** Mon, 17 May 2010, 16:01:05 »

There's no reason why a standard Model M keyboard assembly wouldn't fit inside that case. Either IBM made the casing for AT&T, or AT&T made their own case... I'm thinking that the former would be more likely.

Mental Hobbit · « **Reply #13 on:** Mon, 17 May 2010, 16:02:48 »

On this photo it looks like the barrel plate isn't flat (well, curved), but as if it has a recession around or below the barrel.

Quote from: Pixel_Outlaw;183231

Show Image

ch_123 · « **Reply #14 on:** Mon, 17 May 2010, 16:05:01 »

Is it just me, or is the bottom half of that double part key different to a regular one?

itlnstln · « **Reply #15 on:** Mon, 17 May 2010, 16:36:30 »

Quote from: webwit;183261

It's a Japanese IBM board in a non-Japanese format.

Are you saying that they are using the Brother modules, or is it based on a different 'board?

ch_123 · « **Reply #16 on:** Mon, 17 May 2010, 16:38:06 »

I don't think so... That barrel doesn't look removable.

itlnstln · « **Reply #17 on:** Mon, 17 May 2010, 16:41:47 »

I didn't think so, either. It's pretty damn interesting. Weren't the good folks at AT&T responsible for the patent showing the piece of foam in a buckling spring to reduce the "pinging" sound?

pfink · « **Reply #18 on:** Mon, 17 May 2010, 16:45:37 »

Quote from: Pixel_Outlaw;183242

This may mean that there are great affordable keyboards out there that are indeed on par with the Model M that are simply not being collected and are therefore ripe for the taking.

Affordable? Eh, maybe, maybe not...

http://cgi.ebay.com/AT-T-KBD-305B-Keyboard-FCC-ID-AS593MK305-PS-2-Clicky-/200448465308

itlnstln · « **Reply #19 on:** Mon, 17 May 2010, 16:47:24 »

Maybe it's just an AT&T-made 'board with BS technology licensed from IBM.

ch_123 · « **Reply #20 on:** Mon, 17 May 2010, 16:50:36 »

Unlikely. Would AT&T need enough keyboards to make it worth their time setting up their own production line when IBM was already making them for everyone else?

Pixel_Outlaw · « **Reply #21 on:** Mon, 17 May 2010, 16:51:30 »

Quote from: pfink;183268

Affordable? Eh, maybe, maybe not...

http://cgi.ebay.com/AT-T-KBD-305B-Keyboard-FCC-ID-AS593MK305-PS-2-Clicky-/200448465308

Thst is exactly like mine. I was going to post a pic of the bottom later but I am currently sticking keys back on my Model M I got today. The feet are maybe the most interesting thing. They pull strait down from the board and offer little notches along the back to hook against the case. Also as you can probably see the cord comes out from the middle. It uses an odd telephone line looking connector with only a single locking tab. I guess they are already on to the whole AT&T model hahaha. So much for an affordable collectible.

ch_123 · « **Reply #22 on:** Mon, 17 May 2010, 16:53:38 »

Can you swap a key from an IBM to the AT&T and vice-versa?

Pixel_Outlaw · « **Reply #23 on:** Mon, 17 May 2010, 16:56:04 »

Yes I can, they are identical in every way.

didjamatic · « **Reply #24 on:** Mon, 17 May 2010, 17:11:49 »

Care to check the key resistance until click with a Ripometer? (stack of coins... nickels are 5g, pennies about 2.5g)

FYI - Some of this model have serial connectors rather than PS/2.

ch_123 · « **Reply #25 on:** Mon, 17 May 2010, 17:13:07 »

It's going to be the same. Of course, BS are quite hard to accurately measure so the best thing here is to pop it open and see what's inside.

didjamatic · « **Reply #26 on:** Mon, 17 May 2010, 17:28:03 »

But what if this one is capacitive, has lighter springs using Hanzo steel and mithiril hammers?

ricercar · « **Reply #27 on:** Mon, 17 May 2010, 17:35:39 »

There are off brand model Ms. I have an Alaris in the shop for a bolt mod.

Pic pending. SD card adapter is MIA.

ch_123 · « **Reply #28 on:** Mon, 17 May 2010, 17:37:36 »

This one is interesting because it has a custom case design.

EverythingIBM · « **Reply #29 on:** Mon, 17 May 2010, 17:40:56 »

Quote from: ch_123;183291

This one is interesting because it has a custom case design.

The LED label happens to be the same as a Model M. I guess IBM loved that dark grey label: so much in fact that they reused it on the black M13s without bothering to change the colouring.

kishy · « **Reply #30 on:** Mon, 17 May 2010, 17:42:18 »

Wow...I never noticed that before.

It goes pretty well though, I must say.

EverythingIBM · « **Reply #31 on:** Mon, 17 May 2010, 17:48:01 »

Quote from: kishy;183293

Wow...I never noticed that before.

It goes pretty well though, I must say.

I like the later lexmark ones that were just the creamy light colour without the bordering... or one like this:

EverythingIBM · « **Reply #32 on:** Mon, 17 May 2010, 17:49:30 »

Quote from: ch_123;183294

Wrong and wrong. The Black M13 has a darker colour and white text.
And while the colours are the same, the markings on the AT&T are different.

It's still that dark grey colour...

ch_123 · « **Reply #33 on:** Mon, 17 May 2010, 17:50:54 »

It's more of a black grey as opposed to a greenish grey. Trust me, I've had my M13 beside a 1391406, they're not the same.

That one in that picture is a Unicomp one, made in 2003...

EverythingIBM · « **Reply #34 on:** Mon, 17 May 2010, 17:52:46 »

Quote from: ch_123;183297

It's more of a black grey as opposed to a greenish grey. Trust me, I've had my M13 beside a 1391406, they're not the same.

Alright I'll trust you!

kishy · « **Reply #35 on:** Mon, 17 May 2010, 18:10:53 »

Quote from: ch_123;183297

It's more of a black grey as opposed to a greenish grey. Trust me, I've had my M13 beside a 1391406, they're not the same.

That one in that picture is a Unicomp one, made in 2003...

Is it not possible it's the same label but because of darker plastic behind it, it appears ...nevermind, white writing. EIBM, I'll never forgive you for this.

EverythingIBM · « **Reply #36 on:** Mon, 17 May 2010, 23:24:39 »

Quote from: kishy;183303

Is it not possible it's the same label but because of darker plastic behind it, it appears ...nevermind, white writing. EIBM, I'll never forgive you for this.

Hmmm... someone else needs to go to a catholic college and take a seminar called "forgiveness" =p

kishy · « **Reply #37 on:** Mon, 17 May 2010, 23:26:59 »

Alright, I forgive you, anything...just as long as I don't need to join one of those cults.

EverythingIBM · « **Reply #38 on:** Mon, 17 May 2010, 23:30:28 »

Quote from: kishy;183396

Alright, I forgive you, anything...just as long as I don't need to join one of those cults.

Sorry, you must join the IBM cult, or, you are not allowed to possess model M keyboards.

kishy · « **Reply #39 on:** Mon, 17 May 2010, 23:38:45 »

Aren't I already in it? I've got two PS/2s. Hardcore IBMers don't touch IBM hardware newer than P1.

EverythingIBM · « **Reply #40 on:** Tue, 18 May 2010, 00:57:58 »

Quote from: kishy;183399

Aren't I already in it? I've got two PS/2s. Hardcore IBMers don't touch IBM hardware newer than P1.

I hate those types of IBMers. One of them scoffed at my intellistation and only wanted literally useless IBM stuff ("13 stripes only"). He blocked my email lol. Whatever... I like IBM equipment that I can use.

kishy · « **Reply #41 on:** Tue, 18 May 2010, 01:00:35 »

Well, if you happened to preach 300PL stuff, that'd do it. You're the only person I've even heard of who finds those machines even slightly non-destruction-worthy.

EverythingIBM · « **Reply #42 on:** Tue, 18 May 2010, 01:17:57 »

Quote from: kishy;183411

Well, if you happened to preach 300PL stuff, that'd do it. You're the only person I've even heard of who finds those machines even slightly non-destruction-worthy.

Well, I like type 6562 in particular. The newer ones spin the fans way too fast and make too much noise (due to having ****ty heatsinks and too much voltage)... it ruins my DOS experience.

300PLs have a really cool case design, I can't explain it. It's just cool!

ch_123 · « **Reply #43 on:** Tue, 18 May 2010, 05:06:27 »

Quote from: kishy;183399

Aren't I already in it? I've got two PS/2s. Hardcore IBMers don't touch IBM hardware newer than P1.

Leaving aside my lifelong dream to have a System/Z in my basement (and indeed to have a basement in the first place) what you're saying definitely holds true of x86 desktops after the PS/2.

kishy · « **Reply #44 on:** Tue, 18 May 2010, 11:58:15 »

Quote from: ch_123;183425

Leaving aside my lifelong dream to have a System/Z in my basement (and indeed to have a basement in the first place) what you're saying definitely holds true of x86 desktops after the PS/2.

Don't get a basement, you'll fill it with stuff.

quadibloc · « **Reply #45 on:** Tue, 18 May 2010, 12:54:14 »

I'm just impressed by the fact that it is a Model M with keycaps with italic printing on them. Obviously, that will appeal to people who want to use an adapter to connect them to a Macintosh.

itlnstln · « **Reply #46 on:** Tue, 18 May 2010, 13:03:23 »

For some reason, I am very intrigued by the AT&T 'board. I want to know more about it.

ch_123 · « **Reply #47 on:** Tue, 18 May 2010, 13:40:58 »

Quote from: quadibloc;183563

I'm just impressed by the fact that it is a Model M with keycaps with italic printing on them. Obviously, that will appeal to people who want to use an adapter to connect them to a Macintosh.

The German Ambra Model Ms had italics as well.

Pixel_Outlaw · « **Reply #48 on:** Tue, 18 May 2010, 14:52:38 »

OK I will open it tonight. I'm currently on lunch.
One big difference is that it is about only 1/2 the volume of a normal IBM spring.

Pixel_Outlaw · « **Reply #49 on:** Tue, 18 May 2010, 20:18:33 »

Ok as promised.

This is the chipset and light assembly.

Here you can see the curve of the board.

Another pic of the light assembly.

News:

Author Topic: Everyone should go to a Catholic College... (Read 10174 times)