IBM 5556 (Multistation) keyboard
Posted: 07 Nov 2016, 21:51
So, I got this keyboard about a month ago, but due to time constraints I only got to it this last weekend. I'm not sure which variant of the board this is, but I'm pretty sure it's either -003 or -004, and between those two, I'm leaning to -003. It's a later model with cylindrical PBT caps.
Initially i thought that it was in really bad condition, but after cleaning it I have to say it is actually pretty well preserved, especially the switch plate, and the switches are nice and smooth. I haven't been able to test the board with regular typing, since it won't cooperate nicely with Soarer's
Below are some pics. Unfortunately, I didn't take any while the board was open, so I'll add those later.
If you look closely, you'll see right leg (left in this pic) is broken :/
"F" and "J" keycaps are scooped a bit more I think. And there are bunch of legend color combinations. Also, I find it funny how all those keycaps are quite "noisy" with print, except those relatively big shift keys which only have arrows
There are all-black top- and front-printed legends on the left and modifiers, then there are regular legends
Y, H, I and K have blue front-printed legends. Also, "CAPS"
Then in top cluster, we have all-blue legends, then regular grey legends, and on the top right, we have keys with very light grey top-legends, and grey-blueish front-printed legends. that "FM" keycap looks more like those keycaps in the right cluster but without front-printed legend. I wonder if it was added as a replacement for missing "UF4" key, or if it is specific to this keyboard.
Those numpad operator keys have yet another color combo, wih regular grey and light grey (almost faint brownish) top-printed legends. Also, note all the arrows in the nav cluster!
Sorry for the shadow, but you get the idea.
So greeeen...
Plate is not perfect, but it's in pretty nice condition. Especially when compared to some other boards I got.
That's it for now.
Initially i thought that it was in really bad condition, but after cleaning it I have to say it is actually pretty well preserved, especially the switch plate, and the switches are nice and smooth. I haven't been able to test the board with regular typing, since it won't cooperate nicely with Soarer's
Below are some pics. Unfortunately, I didn't take any while the board was open, so I'll add those later.
If you look closely, you'll see right leg (left in this pic) is broken :/
"F" and "J" keycaps are scooped a bit more I think. And there are bunch of legend color combinations. Also, I find it funny how all those keycaps are quite "noisy" with print, except those relatively big shift keys which only have arrows
There are all-black top- and front-printed legends on the left and modifiers, then there are regular legends
Y, H, I and K have blue front-printed legends. Also, "CAPS"
Then in top cluster, we have all-blue legends, then regular grey legends, and on the top right, we have keys with very light grey top-legends, and grey-blueish front-printed legends. that "FM" keycap looks more like those keycaps in the right cluster but without front-printed legend. I wonder if it was added as a replacement for missing "UF4" key, or if it is specific to this keyboard.
Those numpad operator keys have yet another color combo, wih regular grey and light grey (almost faint brownish) top-printed legends. Also, note all the arrows in the nav cluster!
Sorry for the shadow, but you get the idea.
So greeeen...
Plate is not perfect, but it's in pretty nice condition. Especially when compared to some other boards I got.
That's it for now.
