What Are Your IBM Model F Preferences? (XT vs AT vs 122...)

[Muirium]

For what it's worth [brag mode engage]my XT feels almost exactly like my Kishsaver, they're more like peas in a pod, in fact, than any two of my handful of Model Ms. Guess it's all that metal, as the Kishsaver is just ahead in pure sharpness[/brag].

[Hypersphere]

For what it's worth [brag mode engage]my XT feels almost exactly like my Kishsaver, they're more like peas in a pod, in fact, than any two of my handful of Model Ms. Guess it's all that metal, as the Kishsaver is just ahead in pure sharpness[/brag].

Thanks, I needed that. It [almost] makes me feel better to have an XT and not a KS.

[ShawnMeg]

My favorite keyboard in terms of feel and sound is the XT, despite the layout.

Excellent! It is good to hear from another XT fan.

Now, if I can only get me hands on one at a reasonable price ....

[Hypersphere]

My favorite keyboard in terms of feel and sound is the XT, despite the layout.

Excellent! It is good to hear from another XT fan.

Now, if I can only get me hands on one at a reasonable price ....

Unfortunately, the average price of XTs on eBay has been steadily increasing. Nevertheless, I recently purchased two XTs at quite reasonable prices: one was $51 and the other was only $19. Sometimes you can find even better bargains from local and regional sources rather than online.

Among the Model F keyboards, some people prefer the F-122 or the AT, in part because they can be modified in a fairly straightforward way into an ANSI or even a HHKB-like layout. Then of course there is the Kishsaver, which is almost a HHKB with capacitive buckling spring switches. However, these keyboards are relatively scarce and can command high prices. For my money, the XT occupies the sweet spot in the Model F lineup.

[Muirium]

Has anyone seen a Kishsaver for sale since Tinnie's big haul of them last year? As far as I know they really are very scarce indeed.

[scottc]

I've been eagerly looking, and none here...

[Muirium]

I feel for you guys hunting them down. I'm not into this whole thing for rarities, but rather just how good hardware is to use. The Kishsaver is sublime, and it's a pity they're not just a matter of a few hundred bucks away like HHKBs and SSKs, their closest comparisons. In fact, I get the feeling that Kishsaver's are as rare as NIB or Industrial SSKs, which spells a lot of trouble trying to nab one.

I'm yet to get a beam spring, or an HHKB in fact. But I wouldn't trade this for either! It's easily my favourite board now.

[scottc]

I'm not into getting them for a collection, just because they're a solid little board with an almost perfect 60% layout. Pair that with capacitative BS and you've got a winner...

That, and a beam spring, are both high on my list right now.

[Muirium]

Same here, regards collecting. I'm into typing on keyboards. All of mine get active use. Especially the Kishy now Xwhatsit's got it back to the land of the living!

Naturally, Webwit has something even more:



A beam spring ~60%! Not as compact as the Kishsaver though, and I bet it's hellishly thick if you take a look from the sides. But yes, beam spring is definitely still on my interest list.

[Hypersphere]

I'm not into getting them for a collection, just because they're a solid little board with an almost perfect 60% layout. Pair that with capacitative BS and you've got a winner...

That, and a beam spring, are both high on my list right now.

I, also -- that is, I am seeking a more compact beam spring than the DisplayWriter and, of course, a Kishsaver. While I cannot deny that I am to some degree a collector, when it comes to a compact beam spring -- and especially when it comes to a Kishsaver -- I have every intention of putting these keyboards to serious use.

[Hypersphere]

Same here, regards collecting. I'm into typing on keyboards. All of mine get active use. Especially the Kishy now Xwhatsit's got it back to the land of the living!

Naturally, Webwit has something even more:

Spoiler:

A beam spring ~60%! Not as compact as the Kishsaver though, and I bet it's hellishly thick if you take a look from the sides. But yes, beam spring is definitely still on my interest list.

Beautiful! What is the model/part number of this one?

Oh, but there's no IBM logo or pen holder! Nevertheless, I would take one if you paid me enough.

[Muirium]

Webwit's the one to ask. Here's everything I know about it:

http://webwit.nl/input/ibm_beam_spring/rojon

Notably, the cable is quite similar to a Kishsaver's stock cable, even including the fabric tag. But make no mistake: these are different little beasts. Different decades in fact.

[webwit]

IBM 3277 66-key keyboard. At first glance I can't convert it with the beamspring controller, because the logic and board seem to be mounted on one piece. There should be a couple more out there, it was part of a group buy of 6 keyboards or something like that. Sometimes you find them like this:
http://deskthority.net/photos-f62/poor- ... ml#p161100
Mine was pretty pristine, looked unused, but the rubber protection shield was disintegrating anyway.

[Muirium]

Oh of course, I even commented on that thread! Parak's pictures make it look so much bigger that I didn't recognise the board. Being beam springs, they sure are chunky.

[Redmaus]

I have the model F, typing on a model M 122 key that I just cleaned and am testing to see if it works. I miss my model F already!

[gianni]

Is it possible to mod a model f replacing the big enter with an ISO enter? I've seen that it's possible to replace it with an ANSI enter...

[orihalcon]

Yes, F122, AT, and 4704 model F's can all accept an iso enter.

[Halvar]

Yes, I agree, although I think all F-122s have an ISO enter by birth. I can't remember to ever have seen an unmodified one with an ANSI enter key.

[Chyros]

AT for sound, F122 for coolness.

[Myoth]

Yes, F122, AT, and 4704 model F's can all accept an iso enter.

But is it possible to make it fully ISO ? meaning you can change the Lshift to have 2 keys instead of the Lshift ?

[0100010]

Yup, can split left shift.

[wobbled]

Yes, F122, AT, and 4704 model F's can all accept an iso enter.

But is it possible to make it fully ISO ? meaning you can change the Lshift to have 2 keys instead of the Lshift ?

Yep entirely possible, I'm pretty sure it's possible to modify all keys to 1u.

[fohat]

Yes, F122, AT, and 4704 model F's can all accept an iso enter.

But is it possible to make it fully ISO ? meaning you can change the Lshift to have 2 keys instead of the Lshift ?

122-key terminals come with ISO-style Enter, small left shift + 1u beside it, standard-IBM-length space bar, and one 2u vertical key at the lower right corner of numpad. To change any of that physical layout, you would have to take it apart to mod it.

[Mr.Nobody]

AT for sure...I do a lot of text-editing work...AT is the most suitable keyboard in every respect.

[DustGod]

How's gaming on a Model F?

[seebart]

How's gaming on a Model F?

If you don't mind the keyweight and the pretty "intense" clicky feedback it's great. In terms of preference I tend to sway between my XT and Unsaver but the XT has a great compact footprint.

[DustGod]

Not bad. I haven't restored and converted mine yet, but the switches feel lighter than membrane BS. I gamed (and still game occasionally) on my Model M, so I think I'll enjoy the F!

[Halvar]

I use my F-122 the most, because the almost-modern layout is just great.

I also love my FEXT but it is the loudest keyboard I have, because we had to take out the mat for it to work.

[0100010]

Same here, regards collecting. I'm into typing on keyboards. All of mine get active use. Especially the Kishy now Xwhatsit's got it back to the land of the living!

Naturally, Webwit has something even more:



A beam spring ~60%! Not as compact as the Kishsaver though, and I bet it's hellishly thick if you take a look from the sides. But yes, beam spring is definitely still on my interest list.

There is a smaller beamspring than that, the model number escapes me. Was for a police car terminal from the 70s.

Edit : IBM 2976...



Edit2 : Better pic

[DustGod]

Not exactly portable for today's standards, but super nice! I wonder if the keyboard is separable from the terminal in a reversible way...