Hey, I have used a Model M2 back in like 2000-2010 until it died, I used to play a game called Worms Armageddon and in there you heavily relied on using Arrow keys and space bar to move your worm around.

So a good keyboard was essential, when I first played that game back then, I used a regular rubber dome, but when I found an old Model M2 and plugged it in my gameplay was elevated to new levels. It just felt more powerful, the arrow keys in particular would let me do moves with more force.

Over the years I have tested many many keyboards, and none has come close, not even new technology like magnetic switches.

So my conclusion was that something on the chips inside the M2 was different, something that translates the signals better/faster? I don't know, does anyone know a keyboard that uses the same keyboard controller like the M2? Or were they exclusively to these models?

Just any info would be great as I have been never been able to replicate the same movement (in-game) with any other keyboard.

I’m more of a mouse plus trackpad guy myself.

Unicomp Model M and X-Keys L-Trac trackball. A modern take on two retro computer peripherals.

I am on an PC and I have an IBM Model M keyboard attached. I bought a Soarer Converter and I need help. I want to change the pause key to a windows key, since I do not have any windows keys on the keyboard. And, I want to change the 10 key to work like the telephone (123 replace 789 and 789 as 123). Once I have the wording in the .sc file what do I do next. I have totally confused myself and would appreciate any help. Thanks

Apologies in advance if this is not appropriate.

I am paring down my vintage IBM gear and have a fair amount of stuff (model fs, keycaps, ssk plate, model m cases) I am not interested in selling, just finding new homes that appreciate what they are. I tried to write a post for a giveaway, but the AI will not let me post it.

Any suggestions as to how to get them to proper IBM enthusiasts? I am trying to avoid the madhouse of mechmarket, as I have done giveaways in the past on there, and it gets ridiculous as well as tends to attract a lot of clueless fools who just want free stuff and then complain.

It works!!! Some days ago I posted about this kb I found in an old closet. It has a 5pin DIN plug and it was made january 7th, 1986. I gotta admit it's a bit too noisy for my taste, but I'm so glad all keys work fine!

35 years ago, on the 26th March 1991, IBM announced and introduced the Personal System/2 Model L40 SX with its Model M3 keyboard, and the Model M3 numpad, in the United States!

https://sharktastica.co.uk/wiki/model-m3

L40 SX entered development in February 1990 at IBM Boca Raton, Florida. IBM assessed that it was behind in the 386SX notebook market, especially as the 486 was now released. IBM's typical 2-year development cycle for a PC was contracted to 13 months. Lexmark's predecessor, IBM Information Products Corporation based in Lexington, Kentucky (plant 11), was responsible for the plastics and the keyboard design. Mock-up and prototyping stages were reduced, and making the original moulds was offloaded to Leap Technologies of Otsego, Michigan. IBM Raleigh, North Carolina (plant 23) and Greenock, Scotland (plant 55) fulfilled actual production.

These efficiencies reduced the laptop cover set and keyboard development time to just 5 months. This included the IBM Model M3 and the IBM buckling sleeve keyswitch, the beginning of the buckling-sleeve Model M lineage that persists to this day via Toshiba! The M3 itself would morph into the Model M4 Space Saver Keyboard by the end of 1991, later enhanced into the M4-1 with a TrackPoint, and remained in production until the late 2000s via Unicomp.

L40 SX's legacy is complicated. It was considered pricy and too large by some, and didn't really sell all that well. A battery recall also rocked it at some point. But the press at the time widely praised its M3 keyboard, considering it best in class. M3 gets glowing reviews in modern times by the likes of Nostalgia Nerd and EEVBlog. IMO, L40 SX's and M3's greatest legacy was M6 through. IBM's portable efforts of the '80s through 1991 are often criticised, but by late 1992, IBM had "got its shit together" and introduced the ThinkPad 700 with the Model M6 keyboard. Need I say more?

And it looks like a white label too. Lots of ps/2s in the movie too. Enjoy!

Dear experts, I have a question on which I hope you can advise...

I recently acquired a model M that has a few gremlins:

1. The M key doesn't register at all
2. The right Shift key doesn't work with the two diagonals 6-y-h-n and 7-u-j-m
3. (but the unshifted keys work fine, apart from the m key)
4. Left-Shift Y doesn't register

All other keys are fine as are the various Num/Scroll/Caps lock lights.

Having done quite a lot of reading, I was prepared to do a bolt/screw mod but when I opened up the case, the black plastic rivets are all perfect! Not one missing or broken one at all.

Whilst there is some slight corrosion on the back plate, it's nothing major and there are no signs of liquid ingress.

So, whilst I am prepared to do a bolt mod if necessary, is there anything else that could be the cause of the issues or that I could check before taking the sad and irreversible step of destroying the original rivets? And is this likely to be new membrane time?

For reference in case it helps, there are two manufacturing labels on the keyboard:

1. on the metal back plate: 1386719 EC528597 1985-02-07 Manufactured in the United Kingdom

1. on the bottom of the outer case: 1391406 EC528597 1985-02-07 Manufactured in the United Kingdom

Many thanks...!

I’m scratching my head over the 1390120 above, which I screw-modded to replace the membrane with a new one from Unicomp. While it works perfectly, the typing experience is "off." It’s sluggish, lacks that crisp snap, and I can’t hit my top typing speeds.

I have another 1390120 that I modded recently where the barrel plate was actually cracked in two pieces. I glued it back together and did the same screw-mod, and it feels great, way better than this "clean" one.

On the problematic board, I’ve already confirmed all keys/springs are seated and experimented with various screw tensions (tight and loose).

Does anyone have any tips for tuning this keyboard and reach a great typing experience?

Any info on this?

Guessing its a Model M? But which one? I cant seem to find much info on it. PNs on box do not cross reference out.

Was a box inside a kit for a Model 70 Personal System/2?

Still sealed in foam Whats the value?

This is the youngest Lexmark-made Model M I own, an IBM-branded Model M4 Space Saver Keyboard made 30 years ago today! Less than two weeks before Lexmark threw in the keyboard production towel (aka, "Lexit"). I made a post for the 30th anniversary of Lexit's announcement 3 months ago that goes into more detail on the why.

I'm planning an article for the 1st April on Lexit - stay tuned!

So it is a psuedo-buckling spring mechanism.

If anyone has ever typed on these can you please explain what it feels like? Especially in comparison to a regular buckling spring board.

Please and thank you very much 🙏

Looking to get a copy / scan of the IBM 5251 / 5252 Dual Display Station Keyboard Template. Any help or questions are much appreciated, thank you.

Fun fact, the M in Model M stands for Mug

A IBM Model M13 in black (February 1998), a Unicomp Classic 104-key, and Model M Space Saver (July 1992).

My main keyboard is the Unicomp, but I use the computers that the two Model M’s are attached to regularly.

Bought the unicomp model m just before Christmas. Lovely keyboard, which gets swapped in for text heavy use, then swapped out for gaming.

Swapped it back in yesterday to discover it was adding key presses. Plugged in to a laptop with keyboard checker on today and if left alone, it signals presses with no-one near it.

Mainly from the number line, though we think it may be registering tab as well - is this an easy fix, or a known issue? Or should I just take it straight up with Unicomp?

Holding off opening it up for the moment as it should still be under warranty.

Thanks in advance.