IBM 3276 versus 5251

[ChetManley]

Interested to hear your thoughts. Let's say you had the opportunity for one or the other. Which would you pick and why? Particularly interested to hear from those that might have one of these as a daily driver.

[cakeanalytics]

It is kind of a hard pick. 5251 has a slightly better layout and more usable keys, but 3276 has the metal case.
You definitely see more 5251 for sale though.

[shine]

ergonomics wyse, the 3276 wins. 5251 is much taller and you need a wrist rest. 5251 has numpad and is better for everyday use. but you can map a numpad with 789, UIO (456), JKL (123).

if i just had to get one i would get 3276

[Weezer]

If you value build quality and a wrist rest over layout, the 3270 is the way to go. If you value a better layout the 5250 is better. I prefer the 3270 over the 5250 but I prefer the 5280 "beamfoot" (same layout as 5250 but has a palm wrest) over the 3270. Between the 5250 and 3270, the 3270 is an overall better keyboard if you can get over the funky right shift and enter key and can handle having your numpad be split by that divider on the right hand side.

[ChetManley]

Thank you for all the input. These are exactly the opinions and information I was looking for. I should note that I use an independent numpad set on the left side of whatever keyboard I am using and would likely do so in this scenario. I have factored this into my consideration so it is interesting to hear more about build quality and value of each board, although all comments are welcome. Thanks again.

[ChetManley]

I also should note that there is no dedicated numpad on the 3276 I am considering.

[karlmartin95]

I'll choose the 3276 between those two, but currently I have a "middle" version, the 5280 "Beamfoot", it has the 5251 layout with a palm wrest:

[Redmaus]

Thank you for all the input. These are exactly the opinions and information I was looking for. I should note that I use an independent numpad set on the left side of whatever keyboard I am using and would likely do so in this scenario. I have factored this into my consideration so it is interesting to hear more about build quality and value of each board, although all comments are welcome. Thanks again.

I would recommend the 3276, I just finished restoring mine and it is wonderful. I lubed sliders with tribosys(very minimal amount) and the white alpha keycaps are majestic. The metal case is wonderful as well. I have a 5251 coming in tomorrow so I'll be able to directly compare and contrast the two then. But right now I would say the 3276 is the winner.
Keep in mind you can remap everything, I have it setup to even better than a TKL atm. The F keys are just the top number row with >< being the FN key.

5jLzMOE.jpg (4.51 MiB) Viewed 1728 times