deskthority

I'm trying to figure out why nobody seems to like the keyboard that came with the IBM 5155 Portable PC. I've bought three so far, all of them around $25 - with me being the only bidder each time. It's a light-weight Model F keyboard, easily converted with Soarer's Teensy project. With Model F keyboards going for ridiculous prices these days, I would have thought people would be interested in the 5155. I love it: super clicky, non-flexing case that feels like wood, thin (relatively) and light. Why don't people want these?

Eliza says: What makes you think nobody likes the keyboard that came with the IBM 5155 Portable PC?

It's compact and light and you can put stuff in there, like the cable. I got mine from a dentist. It came like this. The hard disk had all his customer's details still on it. I think he really wanted an Apple.

webwit wrote:Eliza says: What makes you think nobody likes the keyboard that came with the IBM 5155 Portable PC?

Well, Eliza (I'm talking to the cat here), I'm referring to the fact that nobody seems to ever bid on them. Perhaps if cats could bid...

Maybe its the XTish layout or that it would not feel complete without the whole PC to some people. Then what if the PC were non functional ..... (off to the vintage-computer forum).

Hey, I remember 7bit was looking for a portable laptop with a mechanical keyboard. Maybe he should get one of these.

How does one of these feel compared to an XT, anyway? And is it much lighter?

webwit wrote: I got mine from a dentist. It came like this.

Ewww! So he might have stuck his hands in somebody's drooling mouth, then typed on the computer with his filthy hands. Look in that cord compartment for tooth fragments.

scottc wrote:Hey, I remember 7bit was looking for a portable laptop with a mechanical keyboard. Maybe he should get one of these.

The ultimate portable with the ultimate mechanical keyboard is the IBM 5100. (but if you put it on your lap, you'll probably end up with broken legs.

Muirium wrote:How does one of these feel compared to an XT, anyway? And is it much lighter?

I can't compare it to an XT, but it is clickier than my AT Model F. There's no metal backplate, so it's probably half the weight of the AT. (but that's a half-assed estimate)

That sounds promising. The difference in sound and feel between AT and XT is quite subtle, and depends as much on the condition of the boards.

My plan is to use one as a portable keyboard for use with my MacBook when travelling - because my 13lb beam spring is.. not quite portable.

mr_a500 wrote:My plan is to use one as a portable keyboard for use with my MacBook when travelling - because my 13lb beam spring is.. not quite portable.

"portable" - only with enough willpower and a strong enough back/rucksack.

For me, it is the hat caps and XT layout that I don't like. And, actually... I am not that much of a fan of buckling springs.

... but I do love it when a keyboard has a grey rectangle around the keys inside a white enclosure. I have been contemplating painting my Model M that way ...

Findecanor wrote:I am not that much of a fan of buckling springs.

But they are what started it all. How could you NOT like them?

Plenty of reasons.

They are a bit on the stiff side of things (well, a broken in Unicomp board is pretty light). Preload is awfully high on the Model M, especially early ones (but the F is plenty low). Actuation is quite late in the travel, so it can be slower and more likely to bottom out.

And, it's the beam springs that started it (it being IBM dedicated computer keyboards, as opposed to adapted typewriters) all.

How very odd... I just got a 5155 keyboard in the mail and it's much heavier than my other one. I don't have a scale to say exactly how much heavier, but it's very obvious. I'd say it's at least 33% heavier. Either there is variation in backplates (aluminium vs. steel) or somebody has stashed a bunch of gold in it for smuggling purposes. (I'm hoping for the gold)

Another difference is the feet. My other 5155 has medium-brown wood-like feet. This one has white hard plastic feet. (I'm too lazy for photos at the moment)

Brown wood-like feet? Are they the cork pads IBM absolutely loved to use on everything?

No, it's not cork. It's very hard - meant to take the weight of the whole 5155 computer. I have no idea what it's made of.

I made an IBM 5155 keyboard usb adapter. It's built with QMK firmware with VIAL support so you can do remapping and other configuration in real-time.