IDENTIFY THE KEYBOARD thread

[Keybug]

I've been on a bit of a wild goose chase for the past few weeks trying to identify a much beloved keyboard of mine that I miss dearly. I'm hoping that someone here might be able to help point me in the right direction.

EDIT: I forgot to mention, but the label that can be seen on the keyboard says "News International", which is the parent company of the place I worked at (a national newspaper). It makes me think that either the keyboard was custom made, or the model was just branded for them?

It's a Devlin Rapid Access keyboard, most likely with Cherry MX brown switches as these are the only option in their current catalogue. I have two very similar pretty blue ones that I don't need anymore, also with MX brown, thoroughly documented here - and see other picture. Not sure what to ask for one, though.

[John Doe]

Got the board without more couple days ago.

In my first thought, its a 5251 beam spring or some kinda variant, but now I know it's not. Its much shorter than a nornal 77-key beam, more like being from a nondetachable device with case gone, so anybody here could give some help for identifying? Thanks in advance.

Man, I could have so much fun with that.

You could just move all the modules into a 5251 case. There's been enough of them floating around.

Still not that lucky to get 5251 for parts/repairs, really good idea tho. A more reasonable way for now is to draw a new PCB and plug xwhatsit to bring it to modern world.

[LostInSpaces]

It's a Devlin Rapid Access keyboard, most likely with Cherry MX brown switches as these are the only option in their current catalogue. I have two very similar pretty blue ones that I don't need anymore, also with MX brown, thoroughly documented here - and see other picture. Not sure what to ask for one, though.

Oh wow, I definitely did not expect that horrible picture to turn up anything. Thank you so much!

That write-up is super insightful as well. I definitely have a lot of reading to do now.

I might message you about yours at some point if you don't mind?

(Also, thanks ntv242 for your suggestions as well. Looking at all of the Reuters keyboards was actually really interesting!)

[ppCircle]

What is that and what switches it have?

[Keybug]

Siemens board with Siemens switches. The switches can be found in the wiki but not many of this family of keyboards are documented.

[thy_sikk]

Hi, I found this keyboard, I don't recall ever seeing it in black. It's a Chicony KB-5191 with MX Clones (Aristotles, according to wiki). Is it very rare or did no one bother to take a photo of it in black?

Also, not sure if it's the correct thread to post it in, but I don't really want to create a separate one.

[Keybug]

It is quite rare in black, maybe one in twenty or less. I have one, too, and plan to swap the case with the yellowed beige case of one with nicer switches.

Feel free to update that wiki!

[ppCircle]

Hi, I found this keyboard, I don't recall ever seeing it in black. It's a Chicony KB-5191 with MX Clones (Aristotles, according to wiki). Is it very rare or did no one bother to take a photo of it in black?

Also, not sure if it's the correct thread to post it in, but I don't really want to create a separate one.

I saw it too but i doesn't know what switches it have. Seller says he sold it before he sended me switch photo.

[thy_sikk]

I saw it too but i doesn't know what switches it have. Seller says he sold it before he sended me switch photo.

Yeah it's becasue I bought it first So you must be the person that always gets nice keyboards on Allegro/OLX before me xD

Here is the photo of the switch, according to wiki it's an mx clone

Spoiler:

I'll be sure to update the wiki once it arrives.

[Easy_Spinach]

anyone know what this is?

[blackhaz]

Could someone help identify this baby, please?





I assume it's rubber dome, but feels solid. I like the plastic, the touch and the sound.

[Findecanor]

Key Tronic rubber dome. The model number is after M/N on the back label.

[Jimi14]

Any idea what sort of keyboard the Ericsson PC came with? It was released in 1985 and is AT compatible. Doesn't look like it would be their own RMD 973.

[Chyros]

I have a similar keyboard, it uses some sort of spring over membrane switch IIRC.

[Rauha]

Any idea what sort of keyboard the Ericsson PC came with? It was released in 1985 and is AT compatible. Doesn't look like it would be their own RMD 973.

I bought identical looking keyboard last week that has RMD 973.





However it does not work with my external Soarer's AT converter. I was supposed to build XT converter for it last weekend, but got lazy and did not.


EDIT:
The model number of my board is 1050-005 US.

And mine unfortunately has US layout, instead of Swe/Fin layout in your picture, despite being a swedish designed keyboard, made in Sweden and bought in Finland.

[thy_sikk]

Hey, I found this curious thing and I can't find any info online on that. I suspect a rubber dome but I suppose it's better to ask you guys

FCC ID: FSQ811169
Seller refused to provide pics of the switches, unfortunately.

Pics:

Spoiler:

[PlacaFromHell]

Hey, I found this curious thing and I can't find any info online on that. I suspect a rubber dome but I suppose it's better to ask you guys

FCC ID: FSQ811169
Seller refused to provide pics of the switches, unfortunately.

Pics:

Spoiler:

Fujitsu peerless? Usually they have that kind of red dots.

[Keybug]

Fokus FK-8000 without the calculator, but wow, what a beautiful colour scheme. I suspect ALPS clones at best as it's a later model and doesn't have LED windows (which might have pointed to at least some SKCL switches).

[John Doe]

Anybody here could give a shot for identifying and converting?

Appreciate it.

[Chyros]

That's a German keyboard with IBM beamspring switches. Curiously, it looks like yours uses BLUE housings rather than the standard black.

Looks very rough, but beamsprings are gold.

[Cubelia]

Anybody here could give a shot for identifying and converting?

Appreciate it.

Looks like it was stripped down from an IBM 3741/3742 datastation. The original PCB isn't easily convertible so you might have to try manufacturing a new PCB and reuse the mechanical parts(e.g. the beamspring assemblies).

viewtopic.php?t=17397

[anmq91]

Wait I thought this was some sort of IBM BS board seeing as it was built in the Greenock plant?

[kmnov2017]

Anybody here could give a shot for identifying and converting?

Appreciate it.

Where on earth did you get this? Congrats on your beamspring find.

[kmnov2017]

Wait I thought this was some sort of IBM BS board seeing as it was built in the Greenock plant?

Except that the BS in this case is Beamspring

[EnthusiastDude]

Hi, I think this is a rubberdome, can anyone confirm?
Edit: I found out that it was already in this thread and someone said that it is fujitsu peerless.

20200112_114720__01.jpg (3.38 MiB) Viewed 7396 times

20200112_114729__01.jpg (2.86 MiB) Viewed 7396 times

[Keybug]

Samsung rubber dome. No way it's Fujitsu.

[John Doe]

Anybody here could give a shot for identifying and converting?

Appreciate it.

Looks like it was stripped down from an IBM 3741/3742 datastation. The original PCB isn't easily convertible so you might have to try manufacturing a new PCB and reuse the mechanical parts(e.g. the beamspring assemblies).

viewtopic.php?t=17397

Thanks, Cubelia.

Now I know what work I need to do, Red's PCB is great, I'll see if I have chance to order one.

Best.

[John Doe]

Anybody here could give a shot for identifying and converting?

Appreciate it.

Where on earth did you get this? Congrats on your beamspring find.

Not that lucky at all, got this off ebay. Seems a lot of work should be done to finish restoration.

[John Doe]

That's a German keyboard with IBM beamspring switches. Curiously, it looks like yours uses BLUE housings rather than the standard black.

Looks very rough, but beamsprings are gold.

Thanks, Chyros.

Actually also my first seeing blue housing, thats interesting. I'll check whats like after disassembly, bit curious now.

[Egnomic]

This is my doctoral advisor’s keyboard. I don’t know that much about vintage keyboards, but it doesn’t look like any apple keyboard I’ve ever seen before, especially since it’s 65%. It connects via USB, and I think it might have two ports on the side.

I do think it’s made by apple considering the font and the presence of an eject key.

I’ve only typed on it for a minute while fixing his computer but it feels quite nice. I can’t find a reference to this keyboard anywhere, but I’m probably looking in the wrong places.

P.S. sorry for the bad picture, I had to snap one quickly when he very briefly left the office so he wouldn’t think I’m a weirdo. I didn’t get the chance to flip it over and it might be months till I get the chance to be in his office unaccompanied again.