IBM Displaywriter
This article is a stub. You can help Deskthority by expanding it.
 | |
| Branding | IBM |
|---|---|
| Manufacturer | IBM |
| Keyswitches |
Beam spring (original keyboard) Capacitive buckling springs (since 1982) |
| Weight | Enough to knock sense into a Spartan |
The original Displaywriter keyboard is among those that use IBM's beam spring keyswitch. It is incompatible with xwhatsit's regular Beamspring controller.[Citation needed]
IBM 82-key Displaywriter keyboard
Overall view
Size comparison with IBM Personal Computer AT keyboard
Keycap detail showing front legends
Angle view
Side view showing differing keycap profiles
Closeup showing intact keycap texture
Closeup of the µ key
Underside of the keyboard
"Made in Italy by IBM"
Switch to Model F keyboard
In 1982 IBM started supplying the Displaywriter with a Model F keyboard, marketing the new keyboard as a "low profile, ergonomic" alternative to the original beam spring keyboards. It was available only in the 84-key, 96-character layout, and not the less common 82-key, 92-character layout.
The Displaywriter Model F has a unique all-pearl color scheme, and so far only the German layout version has been found.
External links
- Kbdbabel — IBM Displaywriter controller schematic Retrieved 2024-04-23.
- Tom Wong-Cornall — Xwhatsit documentation — DIY project on how to convert the keyboard to USB. Last updated 2015-04-15. Retrieved 2024-04-23.
- Webwit's Beam spring gallery Retrieved 2024-04-23.
