How Rare is the IBM Model F Displaywriter?

Brett MacK · 26 Apr 2018, 02:00

I was always interested in this keyboard due to it's layout, and its white and black color scheme. Being the successor to the original displaywriter, and being a Model F, makes this keyboard a very unique one. But there seems to be a lot more of the older brother popping up on eBay/forums. Does anyone have any idea on the rarity of this board compared to other Model F's and beamsprings? I read Seebart's wonderful post about it, but am curious if anyone out there has any more information on the keyboard?

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xueyao · 26 Apr 2018, 02:26

I think it was sold as a replacement keyboard for the original, so it'll definitely be rarer than the original. I've never seen them on eBay, although it'd probably fetch a lower price than the beamspring brother.

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FXT · 26 Apr 2018, 05:51

Wow, that'd be an awesome TKL Model F. Had no idea that was a thing.

xueyao · 26 Apr 2018, 07:55

FXT wrote:Wow, that'd be an awesome TKL Model F. Had no idea that was a thing.

F62 or F77 would be your perfect TKL Model F, but obviously the original is priced sky high

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hypkx · 26 Apr 2018, 08:24

In the last three years I only saw two of them on German eBay, I think one of it is seebarts now.

orihalcon · 26 Apr 2018, 14:31

My understanding is that they were only released in Europe probably because they were only manufactured there. I also have seen a handful on ebay over the years. I actually was trying to bid in the last few seconds on one of them, but ebay mobile gave me some weird error and was not able to bid. Last one I can find evidence of was a *complete* Displaywriter system in working condition with the Model F included that went for 335 euros only a year ago at auction:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SBu105dIgoU

Guessing they are quite a few more out there (in Europe) that just haven't made it to ebay yet.

Not sure I'd say it has any of the benefits of benefits of a TKL Model F though. Basically has a limited 10 key with those two blocks of 8 on the right side that take up as much space as a real 10 key, yet the keyboard is just as wide. It's actually pretty much the same layout as an AT Model F that takes up more space, yet has fewer keys. A true unsaver if you will! The Model F104 Unsaver still saves you with width, giving you more space for a mouse on your work surface

I have often thought about modding a Displaywriter beamspring with 4 switches where the divider is on the right between those upper and lower blocks of 8 keys and you'd have yourself a full numpad/macro pad over there. Problem is that I'd need to design a new PCB and this is a skill set that I do not have :-/

FSTP · 27 Apr 2018, 00:16

I don't have anything useful to say other then I have only seen these pop up on eBay a few times in the last 4ish years I've been into keyboard and keyboard accessories.

Aesthetically its quite interesting to look at and I rather like it. However it would take some getting used to concerning its layout.

seebart · 27 Apr 2018, 18:54

I was PM'ing with orihalcon about this the other day and we agreed that this particular Displaywriter was only sold in Europe since he's never seen one in the US. Two did show up here last year, mine and alh8400's. If you see one get it unless its mad overpriced.

To answer your question, yes they are rare. It's a rather large and heavy keyboard. Here is my original thread:

keyboards-f2/ibm-displaywriter-model-f- ... playwriter

alh84001 even has the card on it:

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Our wiki reads:

IBM Displaywriter Model F Keyboard

In 1982, IBM made a Model F keyboard available for the Displaywriter, marketing them as "low profile, ergonomic" alternatives 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 used the same two-stage risers as some of the terminal keyboards, and had an all-white key colour scheme.

FSTP · 27 Apr 2018, 19:12

What would be considered overpriced?

codemonkeymike · 27 Apr 2018, 19:38

FSTP wrote: ↑What would be considered overpriced?

Depends on who you ask, some will say "20% less then ebay sold prices" others will say "The price I payed 4 years ago before people actually wanted it". What I am trying to get at is price is in the eye of the beholder in the collectables market. There is no Kelly blue book for keyboards. I personally would buy one if it came across my plate at $300, but I am sure someone would come by first with an offer 2x that.

Blaise170 · 27 Apr 2018, 19:59

Any keyboard that sells for over $200 is overpriced.

//gainsborough · 27 Apr 2018, 20:05

Blaise170 wrote: ↑Any keyboard that sells for over $200 is overpriced.

Disagree on a fundamental level. "overpriced" can't be a generalized statement like that - it's case-by-case.

Blaise170 · 27 Apr 2018, 20:13

//gainsborough wrote: ↑
Blaise170 wrote: ↑Any keyboard that sells for over $200 is overpriced.
Disagree on a fundamental level. "overpriced" can't be a generalized statement like that - it's case-by-case.

That's my opinion of course. People are free to spend $3000 on a Space Cadet Beam Spring with RGB underglow and gold plated case but you'll never see me spend anywhere near that much.

//gainsborough · 27 Apr 2018, 20:35

Blaise170 wrote: ↑
//gainsborough wrote: ↑
Blaise170 wrote: ↑Any keyboard that sells for over $200 is overpriced.
Disagree on a fundamental level. "overpriced" can't be a generalized statement like that - it's case-by-case.
That's my opinion of course. People are free to spend $3000 on a Space Cadet Beam Spring with RGB underglow and gold plated case but you'll never see me spend anywhere near that much.

Totally agree, but would you spend $210 on a space cadet?

=P

depletedvespene · 27 Apr 2018, 21:03

FSTP wrote: ↑I don't have anything useful to say other then I have only seen these pop up on eBay a few times in the last 4ish years I've been into keyboard and keyboard accessories.

Aesthetically its quite interesting to look at and I rather like it. However it would take some getting used to concerning its layout.

I already have a couple good ideas on how to implement a comfortable modern-ish layout. So, if anyone would lend me his DisplayWriter, I'll happily test it and share the results.

Blaise170 · 27 Apr 2018, 21:11

I would buy a Space Cadet for that much of course. There are a few exceptions, but then I also probably wouldn't have paid more than $300 for it.

alh84001 · 27 Apr 2018, 23:43

I was veeery lucky with getting this one. I got it together with monitor and main unit (no floppy disk unit or printer), and as shipping was from Germany, it could have been way worse on my wallet

.

Quite an interesting board, and really nice looking. It has a weird design flaw (or mine has a broken tab perhaps, I didn't check) where middle of the top case is not attached to the bottom case, so the top case bottom part tends to be a bit curved.

I'm a bit salty that I never got a beamspring displaywriter to keep this one company, and looking at the prices right now, I probably never will. I'm still debating whether to put my 3277 (PCB-modded) up for trade for it.

seebart · 28 Apr 2018, 11:42

alh84001 wrote: ↑ a bit salty that I never got a beamspring displaywriter to keep this one company, and looking at the prices right now, I probably never will. I'm still debating whether to put my 3277 (PCB-modded) up for trade for it.

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alh84001 · 29 Apr 2018, 13:29

I know, I know

. I'd strongly prefer the EN layout, and for it to be <trigger_warning /> as white as possible.

seebart · 29 Apr 2018, 13:30

But look at the printing in those keycaps...

alh84001 · 29 Apr 2018, 13:34

No 'xxx slut' key though

seebart · 29 Apr 2018, 13:37

alh84001 wrote: ↑No 'xxx slut' key though

Haha my man cut it out...

Brett MacK · 29 Apr 2018, 16:04

The 3277 is my favorite keyboard, but I don't think I could give up one child for a different one.

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Dingster · 29 Apr 2018, 16:36

Brett MacK wrote: ↑The 3277 is my favorite keyboard, but I don't think I could give up one child for a different one.
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Woah what a beauty! Restored ?

Brett MacK · 29 Apr 2018, 16:41

Dingster wrote: ↑ Woah what a beauty! Restored ?

Yeah I fully restored it. I didn't have to replace the foam because it was in great shape. I don't really think I have seen a nicer one condition wise, with the card still in tact. I got very lucky.

Dingster · 29 Apr 2018, 16:48

Brett MacK wrote: ↑
Dingster wrote: ↑ Woah what a beauty! Restored ?
Yeah I fully restored it. I didn't have to replace the foam because it was in great shape. I don't really think I have seen a nicer one condition wise, with the card still in tact. I got very lucky.

Nice, bet you can use the plate as a mirror

seebart · 30 Apr 2018, 11:14

Brett MacK wrote: ↑The 3277 is my favorite keyboard, but I don't think I could give up one child for a different one.

Very nice great white whale you got there Brett MacK.

DustGod · 02 May 2018, 23:17

Aaaah, some IBM porn right here.