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IBM 122 F or 5251 Beamspring?

Posted: 02 Mar 2026, 00:44
by modelf
Let's say both are in working condition and USB (+Bluetooth) converted. Which one would you rather own or use?

Asking for a friend.

Re: IBM 122 F or 5251 Beamspring?

Posted: 02 Mar 2026, 02:32
by shine
f122 only

Re: IBM 122 F or 5251 Beamspring?

Posted: 02 Mar 2026, 10:51
by giokkk
Model F122 for sure.

Re: IBM 122 F or 5251 Beamspring?

Posted: 02 Mar 2026, 15:50
by Muirium
+1. The F is very practical for day to day use. Beamers are a lot more temperamental. F's don't shine the way ABS caps will, either.

Re: IBM 122 F or 5251 Beamspring?

Posted: 03 Mar 2026, 00:27
by Green Maned Lion
I'd want the Beamspring, but only because I already have an F.

I haven't played with a Beamspring, and when I do it will probably be Joe's, but I love my (IBM) F... and I love the M, too.

I daily my F; I'm not sure the beamspring could be dailied as easily as an F122, which is very similar in layout to an M.

Re: IBM 122 F or 5251 Beamspring?

Posted: 03 Mar 2026, 03:05
by modelf
The 5251 Beamspring has the same physical layout as an XT model F... so seems like if a user is used to the XT layout, it wouldn't be a stretch to use the 5251. And thanks to xwhatsit and his work, the keys can be mapped to anything. Chyrosran's video on the 5251 shows how to adjust power to each key to get it to function (using software and the xwhatsit controller). Would be fun to tinker with it.

A reason I still haven't grabbed an F122 is I have two great F/XT keyboards and one F/AT. I don't feel like I'm missing out on much in the model F world.