IDENTIFY THE KEYBOARD thread

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Palatino

14 Oct 2021, 23:34

Not unless your intel on it is more visible.

davkol

14 Oct 2021, 23:40

Palatino wrote:
14 Oct 2021, 09:14
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Who can uncover the secret of the Terryboard? Is it actually made of sapient pearwood? Will it snicker at you if you type weak prose? Can you set it to auto-write while you go and take a bath? We must know. We will know.
early Sony Vaio keyboard

User avatar
Palatino

15 Oct 2021, 00:33

Aha, thank you. Had hoped mechanical as I like the shape, and Terry. Looks like it’s a PCVA-KB4P/U.
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User avatar
hellothere

15 Oct 2021, 00:58

absurd_logic589 wrote:
14 Oct 2021, 22:55
Can any one tell me anything about this intel keyboard?
https://imgur.com/AiHs8SA
https://imgur.com/L56fadi
Fixed your bad links.

It's an Intel MDS 225.

Oh. You wanted a bit more?

There's a lot of info about this keyboard and the Intel Microcomputer Development System online. Just Google it.

What kind of switches does it have? This thread says Micro Switch.

TicTocTom

15 Oct 2021, 01:03

Like a model M but with a rectangular badge (missing)

Please help me ID what looks to me like a Model M copy. Any idea of make, model or switch?

Thanks

Edit. Krytronic maybe? Looks like Keytronic E03600 rubber dome, but without windows keys. Anyone know the model or switch?
Attachments
Model M style?
Model M style?
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Lucid

15 Oct 2021, 01:25

Doesn’t have the distinctive KeyTronic font

TicTocTom

15 Oct 2021, 02:35

That’s good news, I think.

TicTocTom

15 Oct 2021, 03:23

TicTocTom wrote:
15 Oct 2021, 01:03
Like a model M but with a rectangular badge (missing)

Please help me ID what looks to me like a Model M copy. Any idea of make, model or switch?

Thanks

Edit. Krytronic maybe? Looks like Keytronic E03600 rubber dome, but without windows keys. Anyone know the model or switch?
EditEdit… wait, is this just a Unicomp?

Lucid

15 Oct 2021, 03:43

The shapes of the tops and the font don’t look like IBM buckling spring keycaps though

Shorle

16 Oct 2021, 13:57

This Unisys is simular to the usual Mitsumi KPQ system but has a different "receiver", still dome above plate with slider it seems.
Also notice the rough finish on the case.
Image

Lucid

16 Oct 2021, 15:00


User avatar
hellothere

19 Oct 2021, 00:33

I'm answering my own questions today :D.

NEC PC-9801V
Spoiler:
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This keyboard probably has NEC blue oval switches. Reference.

NEC PC98
Spoiler:
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This keyboard most likely has NMB dome w/slider, per Chyros.

This seller currently has a number of keyboards for sale and these two caught my eye. Took a while before I was able to find info on them.

The other ones from this seller are a brown/tan 8801, which I think has Alps integrated dome and an 8801 mkII that has the possibility of having blue Alps, but it's probably Futaba.

I made an offer on the 9801V, although I now have at least 2 and a 1/2 NEC blue oval keyboards. Hey, it's pretty.

User avatar
soyuz

19 Oct 2021, 04:11

hellothere wrote:
19 Oct 2021, 00:33
I'm answering my own questions today :D.

NEC PC-9801V
Spoiler:
s-l1600 - Copy.jpg
This keyboard probably has NEC blue oval switches. Reference.

NEC PC98
Spoiler:
s-l1600 (1) - Copy.jpg
This keyboard most likely has NMB dome w/slider, per Chyros.

This seller currently has a number of keyboards for sale and these two caught my eye. Took a while before I was able to find info on them.

The other ones from this seller are a brown/tan 8801, which I think has Alps integrated dome and an 8801 mkII that has the possibility of having blue Alps, but it's probably Futaba.

I made an offer on the 9801V, although I now have at least 2 and a 1/2 NEC blue oval keyboards. Hey, it's pretty.
in order: cream oval, probs dws, nec vintage linear, 100% futaba, no chance of blue alps

User avatar
hellothere

21 Oct 2021, 02:47

Seller responded that he won't remove keycaps to confirm.

Both of my offers on the 9801 were turned down. I just think $120 is a bit too much. I still think it's a really nice looking keyboard.

inozenz

21 Oct 2021, 08:08

hellothere wrote:
21 Oct 2021, 02:47
Seller responded that he won't remove keycaps to confirm.

Both of my offers on the 9801 were turned down. I just think $120 is a bit too much. I still think it's a really nice looking keyboard.
wasnt it free international shipping? considering that its indeed nec oval creams and not yellowed at all, its a pretty good deal for 120$.

4_404

21 Oct 2021, 08:39

Does anyone recognise anything about this? Clearly not a normal keyboard, and it's nearly as tall as it is wide. Uses steel sliders to press Micro Switch microswitches. Branded GTE Information Systems, dated PCB dated 1973. Has a strange logo on the PCBs which looks like an E/C, M/I or W/I and a lighting bolt.
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inozenz

21 Oct 2021, 09:29

4_404 wrote:
21 Oct 2021, 08:39
Does anyone recognise anything about this? Clearly not a normal keyboard, and it's nearly as tall as it is wide. Uses steel sliders to press Micro Switch microswitches. Branded GTE Information Systems, dated PCB dated 1973. Has a strange logo on the PCBs which looks like an E/C, M/I or W/I and a lighting bolt.
Spoiler:
2.jpg3.jpg4.jpg5.jpg6.jpg7.jpg8.jpg9.jpg10.jpg
1.jpg
What a layout xD abcdefghijklmopqrstuvwxyz

4_404

21 Oct 2021, 11:01

inozenz wrote:
21 Oct 2021, 09:29
4_404 wrote:
21 Oct 2021, 08:39
Does anyone recognise anything about this? Clearly not a normal keyboard, and it's nearly as tall as it is wide. Uses steel sliders to press Micro Switch microswitches. Branded GTE Information Systems, dated PCB dated 1973. Has a strange logo on the PCBs which looks like an E/C, M/I or W/I and a lighting bolt.
Spoiler:
2.jpg3.jpg4.jpg5.jpg6.jpg7.jpg8.jpg9.jpg10.jpg
1.jpg
What a layout xD abcdefghijklmopqrstuvwxyz
Yeah it's a classic isn't it. I like the space bar in the bottom left and the LED where the space bar should be.

inozenz

21 Oct 2021, 12:04

4_404 wrote:
21 Oct 2021, 11:01
inozenz wrote:
21 Oct 2021, 09:29
4_404 wrote:
21 Oct 2021, 08:39
Does anyone recognise anything about this? Clearly not a normal keyboard, and it's nearly as tall as it is wide. Uses steel sliders to press Micro Switch microswitches. Branded GTE Information Systems, dated PCB dated 1973. Has a strange logo on the PCBs which looks like an E/C, M/I or W/I and a lighting bolt.
Spoiler:
2.jpg3.jpg4.jpg5.jpg6.jpg7.jpg8.jpg9.jpg10.jpg
1.jpg
What a layout xD abcdefghijklmopqrstuvwxyz
Yeah it's a classic isn't it. I like the space bar in the bottom left and the LED where the space bar should be.
perfect layout for teachers xD

User avatar
hellothere

21 Oct 2021, 19:28

I was thinking more along the lines of "stock market." I Googled Market Minder + Limit Minder and got https://www.jstor.org/stable/4529591. Financial Analysts Journal from 1973. The article's behind a paywall, though. I then Googled "video-scan" and got back this from 1970:
St[o]ckmaster is the original price interrogation unit from Reuters: Videomaster is an even more advanced system with capacity for additional modes of operation, such as display of Videoscan information and link-up with your own computer.
Hey, I thought it was interesting.

SOTGO

21 Oct 2021, 23:24

hellothere wrote:
21 Oct 2021, 19:28
I Googled Market Minder + Limit Minder and got https://www.jstor.org/stable/4529591. Financial Analysts Journal from 1973. The article's behind a paywall, though.
I'm not sure about the legality of sending the PDF itself, but the relevant page is also depicted on this website: https://www.adspast.com/store/customer/ ... ctid=41738

The text talks about the Videomaster 7850, but it doesn't say anything about the keyboard associated with it, just the system. Also the picture is too hard to make out even in the better quality version.

4_404

22 Oct 2021, 00:12

SOTGO wrote:
21 Oct 2021, 23:24
hellothere wrote:
21 Oct 2021, 19:28
I Googled Market Minder + Limit Minder and got https://www.jstor.org/stable/4529591. Financial Analysts Journal from 1973. The article's behind a paywall, though.
I'm not sure about the legality of sending the PDF itself, but the relevant page is also depicted on this website: https://www.adspast.com/store/customer/ ... ctid=41738

The text talks about the Videomaster 7850, but it doesn't say anything about the keyboard associated with it, just the system. Also the picture is too hard to make out even in the better quality version.
Thanks, that's all great info. Looking at the Videomaster 7850, I saw this post https://www.reddit.com/r/vintagecomputi ... ash_seems/, which in turn linked to this ad with a great picture of the 7850 https://i.imgur.com/naPIMNW.jpg.

It has a very different keyboard to the one I have, however this http://www.bitsavers.org/pdf/datapro/al ... 25_GTE.pdf mentions three different keyboard options:

"Three keyboard styles are available with the IS/7800, which duplicate those offered with the IBM 3270: typewriter, data entry, and operator console."

This seems promising, especially the operator console, however I'm not aware of any IBM 3270 keyboard even remotely similar to this one.

It appears that early on, the systems were marketed under the Ultronics brand. Here's another photo of the 'Videomaster 7000' product line from the 'Museum of American Finance https://www.flickr.com/photos/financemu ... ist-8F4DKu. This is an earlier machine than the 7850, and is clearly a different keyboard with a more normal layout, but has an identical profile and general aesthetic. This also identifies the logo from the keyboard PCB as the Ultronics logo. As such, it would appear that the one I have is either an alternative (e.g. operator console) keyboard for the Videomaster 7000, or the keyboard for one of its successors before the 7850.

Edit: More articles showing the typewriter style keyboard in action here and here.

Edit 2: While browsing the photos from the American Museum of Finance, I spotted the keyboard in the background of this photo. Note the ortho layout and 3u horizontal key.

ThePipersSon13

26 Oct 2021, 03:21

https://imgur.com/a/DZVjaKE
Hey everyone found this board on an ebay posting. The seller is indicating it came with a Unitron U2900T. I read that most Unitron keyboards are rebranded Datacomp's but can't find this one. The broken off switch seems like a grey cherry to me. Cheers

Lucid

26 Oct 2021, 03:39

ThePipersSon13 wrote:
26 Oct 2021, 03:21
https://imgur.com/a/DZVjaKE
Hey everyone found this board on an ebay posting. The seller is indicating it came with a Unitron U2900T. I read that most Unitron keyboards are rebranded Datacomp's but can't find this one. The broken off switch seems like a grey cherry to me. Cheers
Looks like an apple ii clone keyboard
https://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=58951.0

http://www.applelogic.org/UnitronAndI.html
(Scroll down to the bottom)


Looks like it could possibly come with alps as well
viewtopic.php?p=452525#p452525

User avatar
BeauxGnar

26 Oct 2021, 07:16

ThePipersSon13 wrote:
26 Oct 2021, 03:21
https://imgur.com/a/DZVjaKE
Hey everyone found this board on an ebay posting. The seller is indicating it came with a Unitron U2900T. I read that most Unitron keyboards are rebranded Datacomp's but can't find this one. The broken off switch seems like a grey cherry to me. Cheers
This does infact appear to be the keyboard from a U2900T system. After a bit of digging I did find this brochure but it's incredibly low res and in German. Something something keyboard Keytronic.

https://forum.classic-computing.de/inde ... humbnail=1

ZeFritz

26 Oct 2021, 11:18

BeauxGnar wrote:
26 Oct 2021, 07:16

This does infact appear to be the keyboard from a U2900T system. After a bit of digging I did find this brochure but it's incredibly low res and in German. Something something keyboard Keytronic.

https://forum.classic-computing.de/inde ... humbnail=1
Brochure says: „IBM plug in keyboard from KEYTRONIC or others“
„83 keys including function keys and numeric keys/keypad“

User avatar
Palatino

04 Nov 2021, 23:14

Does anyone recognise this? (minus the stickers, obviously)
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Lucid

05 Nov 2021, 00:10

Looks an awful lot like a Cherry KFN3

Morning_Spirit

06 Nov 2021, 02:16

Greetings Everyone,

This is my first post here and I wanted to share a couple of keyboard I found for sale locally. Some of this I already knew what to expect, just making sure that my guess is right.

Listed as Vintage Keyboard for Old Computer AT XT
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Can't find any info about it on the net by searching the model number.
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I recognize this is a 4-tab alps clone(?)
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This one is listed as Vintage Mechanical Keyboard Eagle F21
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Also can't find any clue after searching the model number
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Not even sure if its even mechanical, maybe sliders? membrane? But the mounting style is familiar.
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The last one is listed as Vintage Keyboard GXD3N Aurora Microsystem.
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Described by seller as not mechanical. Just asked to pull one keycap and a pic of the back, still waiting for a reply.

bonus
there's a dead g84 for sale for about $25 including shipping. no trackball module, maybe i can salvage the switches and keycaps, thinking of handwiring it
is it worth the money?
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Thank you for the attention. Pardon if there are language errors as English is not my first language. Cheers

User avatar
Palatino

06 Nov 2021, 07:06

Welcome to the forum.
The middle one, branded “Eagle”, has Tai-Hao semi-mechanical switches (not good, but the keycaps should be doubleshots if you want to harvest those) wiki/Tai-Hao_APC_semi-mechanical_keyboard
Generally searching for the FCCID is better than using the model name as different companies come up with all sorts of names and branding for the same basic keyboard.

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