Keeblopnik

"C62030" (c62030)
04/10/2018 at 18:13 • Filed to: None

Warning: non-car-related, keyboard-heavy content ahead.

I finally found a good IBM Model M after searching for one for ages. I found it by chance at an electronics thrift store for only $56 after my student discount, and it’s in really excellent condition. A couple keycaps are very slightly shiny, despite being PBT, but there’s little to no yellowing and the color is uniform throughout. It’s obviously been moderately well-used but very well cared-for.

It’s a later Lexmark model from 1995 despite the gray label, but even so, it’s the most robust keyboard I’ve ever owned by a mile (and at that price, I just couldn’t pass it up). I’d kill for slightly longer key travel and a slightly less pingy sound, but the actual key feel is just indescribably smooth and solid. This was also the same store where I found one of the “cop boards” with rubber domes on top of MX Blacks, and a built-in trackpad for $5 (if you live in Portland there were still 3 left when I went the other day, so go nuts).

DISCUSSION (9)

ranwhenparked > C62030
04/10/2018 at 18:37

Love those keyboards. Would like to get a desktop eventually just to be able to use one. I mean, I realized recently that I use my laptop in the same room like 90% of the time.

C62030 > ranwhenparked
04/10/2018 at 18:41

I just plug my laptop into a keyboard and monitor whenever I’m at home, but I live in a dorm room so I’m not exactly carting it around the house.

ranwhenparked > C62030
04/10/2018 at 18:45

Well, yeah, I guess I could do that. The project I’ve wanted to do for years would be to build a new one using a 5150 PC case, and maybe stick a small LCD into a 5151 monitor shell and have a total sleeper. I know others have done similar, but values are getting to the point where you really can’t justify gutting a perfectly functional vintage IBM anymore.

Nibby > C62030
04/10/2018 at 18:49

Congrats! What part # does the label on the bottom say? I have a couple of the Lexmark ones with the blue IBM labels. They’re truly fantastic.

If you really want to clean it up nicely, remove all the key caps (some keys like spacebar and shift keys + caps lock do not have key caps IIRC) and wash them. While they’re drying (or just hand dry them yourself with a towel) use and air compressor on the keyboard to get rid of any crap in there.

C62030 > Nibby
04/10/2018 at 19:00

It’s part number 51G8572, basically a standard blue label but for some reason has a gray label instead. I’m a fan, I think the gray label looks a little bit sleeker.

None of my keyboards need a clean the same way my Razer BlackWidow does. It was my first board in like 8th grade, and 12-year-old me ate a lot of sandwiches over it. I’m pretty sure if I try to clean it it’ll bite me.

Nibby > C62030
04/10/2018 at 19:15

just do it; cleaning it will be quite fulfilling. It seems yours has a speaker inside it! Take a picture of it!

Mine is a 52G9658 which is similar but no speaker and a blue label. Also have a Unicomp. Have you used/had a Model M before this one?

winterlegacy, here 'till the end > C62030
04/10/2018 at 19:54

I have never been able to sample the greatness that is a classic IBM mechanical keyboard.

I’m still a filthy rubber dome keyboard user, but my Perixx PX-1100 does just fine. The keycaps are super resilient and the layout is nice, and it has the media controls that work perfectly fine with both AIMP and VLC.

winterlegacy, here 'till the end > C62030
04/10/2018 at 19:54

I have never been able to sample the greatness that is a classic IBM mechanical keyboard.

C62030 > Nibby
04/10/2018 at 20:52

Nope! In fact, typing on it in the store was the first time I’d tried buckling springs at all. They also had a pretty dirty blue label for nearly twice as much, which has been there for a couple months, unsurprisingly.