Post your keyboard/keycaps!

[ddrfraser1]

Where do I get these?

They are from the Realforce model 108UG-JS ZH0400. The 108UW ZH0300 comes with cream alphas and grey modifiers (same tone as these). These are JustSystems promotional limited edition models which come with the red modifier keys.

There are also vintage OEM model keyboards from Topre that have these caps. Most famous example being the Nissho KB106DE, but there's also the Juki and Hatsuko models along with others.

These are all rather hard to source now and the demand is such that you can expect to pay a lot. Pre-late 2017, these weren't so expensive. Now they're typically in the high hundreds (700+ USD) into low 1000 range, depending on the market.

The cheapest ones you can get are the US market 104UG (no sublegends, all grey), the standard model JIS 108UG (no sublegends, all grey), and the Korean market 104UK (ANSI, cream alpha, grey mod, korean hangul sublegends).

These are not cheap either, and as production has ceased for them, the prices won't stay low. Expect around 270+ on average for the US model, around the same for the JIS, and the 104UK a bit higher. Expect a lot of price variation on places like eBay.

Thanks. It looked like from the picture they were part of a set, one that I assumed only existed in Asia. I did know about these sources too though. Still on the hunt

[sharktastica]

Got an Ambra Model M!

Unfortunately, it's not an AMB100x with the blue-grey case and bottom-left aligned italic keycaps, but I can't find any information about the AMB2001 so I'll be taking lots of better photos once it's cleaned up. It came with single-piece standard ISO UK keycaps that are not pictured since I'm in the process of cleaning them (the keycaps attached are just there to allow me to test the keyboard in the meantime).

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[sharktastica]

My second Wheelwriter keyboard!

About a month ago, I managed to snag an entire Wheelwriter 3500 for just £1, however, the rest of the typewriter is not in working order despite all looking as immaculate as this keyboard assembly. Unusually, this assembly is dated 2001, so I've asked Unicomp if they could enlighten me (ie, is it something they've made/repaired).

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[BadCrab]

Bought this Pingmaster from eBay today. Looks restored, numpad moved to the right, with Hasu controller so I'm assuming it's from one of you? I'm excited, I haven't used many Alps switches yet and never SKCC Greens.

[ddrfraser1]

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[sharktastica]

Red pill or blue pill? My Lexmark (with its new red keycaps) and Unicomp M13 together.

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Also got a Unicomp Model M4-1 from 1999.

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[webwit]

So I pulled out this HHKB while fixing a problem with the F62. The yellowing! It isn't even that old, only a couple of years. There is no excuse for a keyboard of that price. Also coming from F62, it now feels like shit!

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[ddrfraser1]

So I pulled out this HHKB while fixing a problem with the F62. The yellowing! It isn't even that old, only a couple of years. There is no excuse for a keyboard of that price. Also coming from F62, it now feels like shit!

yhkb1-1600.jpg

yhkb2-1600.jpg

Where was it in your sun room? It actually looks quite cool IMO. lube it up and drop some BKE domes in there and it will come to life. It's certainly a unique piece!

[John Doe]

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[sharktastica]

Sample of most of IBM and co's keyboard with pointing devices (missing "TrackPoint I" and M5-1).

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[ddrfraser1]

Sample of most of IBM and co's keyboard with pointing devices (missing "TrackPoint I" and M5-1).
DSC05046.jpg

Nice. I like what you did the the Unicomp. With those red accents you made their ugly badge actually look good for once

[webwit]

So I pulled out this HHKB while fixing a problem with the F62. The yellowing! It isn't even that old, only a couple of years. There is no excuse for a keyboard of that price. Also coming from F62, it now feels like shit!

yhkb1-1600.jpg

yhkb2-1600.jpg

Where was it in your sun room? It actually looks quite cool IMO. lube it up and drop some BKE domes in there and it will come to life. It's certainly a unique piece!

Actually no sun at all, used in a room facing north. I might try the "retrobright sun only" method to see what happens for entertainment - will it yellow more or deyellow.

[Khers]

So I pulled out this HHKB while fixing a problem with the F62. The yellowing! It isn't even that old, only a couple of years. There is no excuse for a keyboard of that price. Also coming from F62, it now feels like shit!

yhkb1-1600.jpg

yhkb2-1600.jpg

That's pretty much perfection as far as I'm concerned

[funkmon]

I think I may have the only all black New Model M in the world.

[ddrfraser1]

I think I may have the only all black New Model M in the world.

Now you just need to swap out the sticker.

[funkmon]

I actually bought 5 blank stickers for a plan I had, but I was talking to Troy at Unicomp and he mentioned that my MSR keyboards were actually really expensive. So I ripped off one of the readers and I'm selling it on eBay to see if someone buys it.

So, I needed some black to cover the hole. Enter the 5 black LED stickers.



You can see it kludged together in the middle there. I'll have to buy some more overlays later.

[kmnov2017]

My entire IBM family, arranged by DOB....

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Any guesses on which is the best ???

Missing a kishsaver ....

[Slom]

Any guesses on which is the best ???

F-AT? ... the best compromise of wrist friendly height, good switches and reasonable layout

[kmnov2017]

Any guesses on which is the best ???

F-AT? ... the best compromise of wrist friendly height, good switches and reasonable layout

The best switch feel, sound and build quality is the F XT. If you ask me, the IBM F XT is the best keyboard IBM ever made.

[snacksthecat]

Any guesses on which is the best ???

F-AT? ... the best compromise of wrist friendly height, good switches and reasonable layout

The best switch feel, sound and build quality is the F XT. If you ask me, the IBM F XT is the best keyboard IBM ever made.

Hmm interesting to prefer XT over AT. Is it build quality of the XT that gives it the edge? I can't cope with the crazy layout, myself.

I'm a simple man with a small desk so naturally I gravitate to the SSK.

[kmnov2017]

F-AT? ... the best compromise of wrist friendly height, good switches and reasonable layout

The best switch feel, sound and build quality is the F XT. If you ask me, the IBM F XT is the best keyboard IBM ever made.

Hmm interesting to prefer XT over AT. Is it build quality of the XT that gives it the edge? I can't cope with the crazy layout, myself.

I'm a simple man with a small desk so naturally I gravitate to the SSK.

The build quality of an XT is significantly higher than the AT. Plus the keyfeel and sound is also better on the XT. As for the layout, except for the model M, I don't use the native layout on any of the boards. I have the keys mapped to suit my needs and usually with an additional layer.

Also I'd suggest everyone to try pandrews QMKs for beamspring and model F. The days of buggy xwhatsit firmware and commonsense is over for good....

[funkmon]

I agree with this completely.

[ddrfraser1]

Interesting. Did not know this. I've never tried an XT.

[Scarpia]

Interesting choice, especially given that the XT is by far the cheapest model F and one of the least modern layout-wise. Build quality was never a problem for me with any vintage IBM keyboard, so to me, the improvement from a model M to an XT is entirely in the ‘nice to have’ category.

Still though, hearing someone praise the XT so highly (when they own both an SSK and a beamspring!) makes me want to dig up my XT from the basement...

[funkmon]

It's worth whipping out. I still had some muscle memory left from when I was really little using one, but it's legitimately easy. Remap the tilde to Return to make a Medium Ass Enter and you're good to go. Basically the same as any other keyboard.

I also have an AT and the XT is the one I have returned to more and more.

I'm going to clear off some room here and give the 4704 a solid try here but the all metal solid build of the XT just feels great compared to the AT and M, and the keyfeel is somehow more...gooder. I mean it sounds like ear cancer, but hey whatever. I even think the layout is superior to the AT and arguably superior to even the M, if you don't mind the numpad layer. I have turned the corner on that in the past month after I challenged myself to use one over a weekend. It's great.

I've been using a Model M this week mostly, but I brought over the XT a few times too. Great keyboard.

[AJM]

Although I can't stand the "noise" anymore , the F XT will always have a special place in my heart.
Especially for its last sensible layout, before the world got flooded by the abominable "Extended layout".
A serious problem is the heavy space bar, though. (Which can be improved a lot, but requires opening the inner assembly, of course.)

[Inxie]

Here's mine, just a bone stock mint condition Model F XT.

[kmnov2017]

The nokia 5110 and the Gameboy add a nice tough. I noticed those first before the keyboards....

[Inxie]

The nokia 5110 and the Gameboy add a nice tough. I noticed those first before the keyboards....

Haha, both are still used. Game Boy has an IPS LCD installed, and the Nokia 5190 still has active service (I don't use smart phones for a personal preference).

[funkmon]

So, regarding the XT being the best keyboard IBM ever made, I must concede that I may have spoken too soon. While I do consider the XT to be the best of the traditionally available Models F floating around, I just tried an F107. It turns out these are better.

The keyfeel and build quality of the XT put it above the 122 and AT, in addition to the keyboards derived from it, like the Bigfoot and so on, but the F107 feels like an XT, but weighs as much as the sun, and also you can use it with a virtually modern layout. Indeed, the layout may be the best of the Fs, because you can use Windows and Context Menu keys, unlike even a Model M.



Unfortunately it means you might have to buy a bigger desk.