deskthority

A NIB recently sold for $102.50 on eBay. XT are apparently much more plentiful than AT versions.

I paid $76 for my XT, which was advertised as just IB, but I suspected it was actually new. There was zero rust on the barrel plate.

y11971alex wrote: ↑A NIB recently sold for $102.50 on eBay. XT are apparently much more plentiful than AT versions.

That is my experinece yes, even here in the EU.

The AT is a much more useable keyboard. You can use it very effectively, stock, and it's much more moddable than the XT, whose stupid is hard baked in.

I do wonder why there are more XTs out there though. Wasn't it the IBM PC keyboard for a shorter window of time, earlier in the platform's growth?

Muirium wrote: ↑The AT is a much more useable keyboard. You can use it very effectively, stock, and it's much more missable than the XT, whose stupid is hard baked in.

I do wonder why there are more XTs out there though. Wasn't t the IBM PC keyboard for a shorter window of time, earlier in the platform's growth?

PC was in production from 1981 to '86, the XT from '83 to '86, and the AT only from '84 to '86, and since the PC and XT shared a keyboard, both were in production for a combined 10 model/years, while the AT was only there for 3 model/years. The PC, and its outgrowths the XT and AT were available contemporaneously until the launch of the PS/2 line in 1987. Also to consider is that the both the PC/XT and AT were replaced by the Model M in '86, so the AT was ultimately only in production from Aug. '84 to the end of '85, when 1390131 appeared.

y11971alex wrote: ↑
PC was in production from 1981 to '86, the XT from '83 to '86, and the AT only from '84 to '86,

As someone who was using the computers at that time, PCs and XTs were the original industry standard, and while the "AT" (80286) was very exciting for its 15 minutes of fame (I bought one) it was quickly superseded by the 80386 and rapidly dropped out of the spotlight.

I can get this model F XT for 50 EUR, I think it is worth it, what do you think guys?

Do you own a Model F yet? If not, you probably won't be disappointed .

Nope!

Then have a good look at the layout, and if you think you can live with it, or can adapt it to your liking with the Soarer's converter, go for it. It sure has a great feel.

He's right. The XT was my very first mech. It's actually where I trained my muscle memory for HHKB arrows as IBM helpfully put a key right where Fn should be, and Soarer's converter handles the rest. I don't use the XT much now, but it's a classic feeling keyboard for sure. The AT is lighter and its spacebar is still just as wildly heavy, but the layout is a huge advantage and well worth the price difference when you find one. (Not that you're likely to beat my free XT—it was my Dad's—or my $25 AT—it was in Cindy's very first DT haul. Good times!)

@Alex & Fohat: nice history lesson. I was too young at the time. Didn't realise IBM was daft enough to keep the old XT keyboard in production alongside its superior successor. But it's no surprise!

Muirium wrote: ↑@Alex & Fohat: nice history lesson. I was too young at the time. Didn't realise IBM was daft enough to keep the old XT keyboard in production alongside its superior successor. But it's no surprise!

Not surprising really, people tended to stick with IBM's layouts quite religiously from what I understood. Many stuck with the AT layout when the Model M came out, too.

Indeed. That's IBM. If only they had made a board with the superior layout (Model M, especially SSK) and superior construction (Model F), then we'd have had our own Model MFs for years already!

But no, they never could quite point both feet in the same direction.

So a fair price for an F like this whould be? Just a 5DIN to ps/2 adapter will surffice to make it work on a modern PC right? I am kind of scared of these vintage layouts...

That's an F AT, one of the more expensive varieties. Prices vary a bit, but I usually see them go for >£100. And yeah, it's AT, so it's fully compatible with PS/2 (it's basically the same protocol).

It's expensive because it's moddable into an ANSI TKL model, so it's in high demand, and it's not that common.

Pity it lost its shiny IBM badge. But other than that and the writing on the case, it looks in nice condition. Definitely a fine board. Thoroughly useable as Chyros described. Stock or modded!

It costs $100 here, I checked, there are a dozen of 'em...

Are these the Taobao ones?

y11971alex wrote: ↑Are these the Taobao ones?

Yes.

What would a batch of ~100 MX blues, about three years old, go for?

30€ maybe?
but I dont know if blues get better with usage

I'm considering moving my beloved industrial IBM Model M (M13) with the trackpoint - has one-part keycaps. Made by Unicomp in 1999 - I have had since new and it was used for about 5 years before I started to use my ISO Model M. The outer casing on the cable is coming apart, but the inner casing is fine and the keyboard works fine (just need a cleaning!).

Any idea of value? (I'm in the UK):

Chicony KB5591 with Monterey Blues and Trackball?

http://imgur.com/a/56pUV

What would the value of the 4704 keyboards (62 or 77 keys) as "parts machines" be? The only prob is they are missing caps, and I literally have 1000s of F caps. Are the caps from F122s the same as the 4704? So if I could make them complete, the value would be? These are the old original keyboards, from storage at a maintenance facility.

Don't get too excited; they are trying to get a count for me. Hopefully not vaporware!

elecplus wrote: ↑
Are the caps from F122s the same as the 4704?

In general, yes. Personally, I don't think missing key caps would decrease the value by much at all, if the units were otherwise intact and operational. And the controllers will be replaced anyway.

Not necessariiy replaced, as there is a converter for them. As for keycaps, if you had a complete set of numrow keys with front-printed f# legends, maybe add a tiny bit on top of that, but I don't think anyone would cry over F122 keycaps.

I'm putting my name down for one each

Yeah, me too. I would love to get my hands on an OG kishsaver, and the f77 is too cool to pass up. Ill be in for one of each, if this does transpire.

With regards to lists and all that, if you do get your hands on some 4704s, Cindy, will (1) you go by one of the old lists (which one?), (2) create a new one or (3) list them at your ecommerce fcfs? In case of (1), I guess I'm fine. If (2): I'm in for a 62. If (3): wish me luck.

Elecplus: curses! I've just ordered an Ellipsesaver so I just can't defend buying one of those as well. But wow, what a find if it pans out! I wonder what the price tag will be - and what condition they're in.

Exciting!!!!!!

I also would like to buy one 4704. Is there a list that I can put my name in?

@elecplus, also interested on one 4704 F62.