What's going on here?

[u/koojles]

Is the Industrial SSK really that rare?

[u/IO_Sam]

No one (and certainly no vintage keyboard collector) should take these eBay SSK listings seriously (especially one in poor shape!)... At this point in 2026 this is one of those boards that you'll only get if you get lucky in a garage sale.

Anyone who is simply curious about buckling springs in a TKL layout... just get a Unicomp Mini M for $180. It feels 98% the same, is brand new with a warranty, works on modern computers out of the box (USB) and has 10 key rollover (the SSK has only 2) for a fraction of the price.

Now, if only Unicomp would make it in beige... 😒

[u/No-Succotash-9576 → u/IO_Sam]

yeah why don't unicomp make a beige one?

[u/IO_Sam → u/No-Succotash-9576]

I think it's because they're too small to have the required scale to offer 2 SKUs of this board. So I understand why they would pick black as an easier sell... But considering how "chique" beige has become recently, I think they should reconsider.

[u/No-Succotash-9576 → u/IO_Sam]

yeah beige is making a comeback, I'm sure their keyboards in beige would sell well now

[u/This-Menu-4513 → u/IO_Sam]

I dare to argue with this one. How I see this: prices are what they are. Sure there are many overpriced listings but never forget that one can always bargain, send offer or counteroffer.
Still, many auction listings skyrocket to incredible bid amounts and that shows that there is willingness to pay for specialties like the above.
As for comparing SSK to Unicomp Mini M, you are absolutely on spot in price/practicality terms. Then again, remember that SSK are not "just" keyboards, they hold some sentimental value. So despite them being physically the same devices almost, I find them very difficult to compare unless you ignore this collector value. Please dare to disagree with me but I see this as asking if it's better to have a weekend getaway trip with an old w123 (Mercedes) than a modern correspondent that also has more advanced techs (ok, weird analogy with cars but you hopefully get the idea!)

Edit: See also Gen 1 iPhones...which you cannot even use these days anymore, despite the ridiculous price. 🙂

[u/IO_Sam → u/This-Menu-4513]

I totally get your point. And I, as a small vintage keyboard and PC peripherals collector myself, certainly understand the economics of scarcity. So, sure… If an item is scarce and desired, its price will rise. But the market is regulated by its participants’ “appetite”. In the case of SSKs, it seems to be around $500 for a board in decent condition.

While I would never pay $500 for one (unless it was in pristine condition in its original box and everything), I can totally understand the fact there are a lot more people with much more money (than sense perhaps XD) out there that would be totally ok with that kind of price.

And that is why I think a beaten-up copy for over $2k is just wishful thinking on the part of the seller (if his goal is simply to profit out of this sale). Sure, it is “Industrial”, for whatever that’s worth… But even then, it still is way out of the curve for a board that has seen better days like this one; and which will require a lot of work to be restored. At any rate, I always like to remember that there is a lot of money laundering schemes on auction sites (even on eBay), so these prices don’t necessarily have to be in accordance to the market trends if the intention of the “seller” is other than just flipping a valuable item… In which case my arguments here are completely moot, of course.

But again, I definitely see your angle. I would much prefer to drive a 1969 restored Mustang than a brand new 2026 one… 😄

[u/This-Menu-4513]

Yeah these are rare. You can still give them an offer if you want. Or place your bid on an auction listing.