Old IBM keyboards - Page 2

It sure pay$ to read this forum doesn't it?



Thanks to all who provide good info and insight.

Holy you-know-what. Thebige's keyboard is already up to $455, and he's still got 9 days to go! You might end up with the record price for a keyboard. Congratulations!

My favorite part is that this price is for a keyboard that "could use a cleaning," as Thebige wrote in his auction description.

jesus $469! why are these worth so much???

Originally Posted by Chrissm14

jesus $469! why are these worth so much???

One reason is that it's a space saver keyboard with no number pad on the left hand side. These are rare, and hard to come by for most. I know gamers like using the model M's and they withstand the test of time. How many newer keyboards are going to be around in 20 years? Like the old saying goes "they don't make them like they use to".....

Still... I'm a vintage computing fan and I can't believe what some of these keyboards are getting. The demand for them has expanded beyond the retro collecting community. As TheDude pointed out, folks really like to use these keyboards, and they are incredibly sturdy. Btw not all model M's get such high prices. The industrial-style space-saver happens to be one of the more rare models, and prices on it have skyrocketed.

$810 us and i've had private offers the entire time... last one 900 US and to go to germany.... lol this is nuts

That is really cool and I hope they pay you for it when it ends.Just crazy what some stuff can go for.

I have sold thousands of the IBM terminal keyboards over the years.
Mostly with these part numbers:

1394099 / 1394100 / 1394167 / 1395660

Don't scrap them if you see them. If they look "decent" and the cable isn't cut off already,
they may still work and have some value. ($10 - $15 each)

This is amazing....over $800? What are people using these for?

Anybody in NC who wants a pallet of keyboards, here they are: PALLET OF VARIOUS BRAND KEYBOARDS - GovDeals.com

I saw at least one IBM in there. Current bid is $20; auction ends in 2 days.

Hey 89, welcome to SMF : ) There's one point that hasn't been addressed, maybe you can offer some clarification to. What does that connector plug in to ? Is it merely into an open networking card connection, or in to something else ?

Originally Posted by Bear

Hey 89, welcome to SMF : ) There's one point that hasn't been addressed, maybe you can offer some clarification to. What does that connector plug in to ? Is it merely into an open networking card connection, or in to something else ?

That is an AMP/Tyco "SDL" connector. It splits out into PS/2.

(Note: AMP should not be confused with Amphenol)

I believe IBM originally designed these because they were planning their PS/2 series soon. So the early model Ms that shipped with SDL to AT could be upgraded to SDL to PS/2. Some model Ms like the Model M5-2 use extra pins and split out into two PS/2 connectors (one for the mouse, and one for the keyboard).

Some people also have made SDL to USB cables. So the modularity is quite useful.

If you go to pckeyboard (dot) com you can order a bunch of these SDL to PS/2 cables. Unicomp still manufacturers Model M keyboards and parts.

Originally Posted by Bear

excepting they were introduced prior to PS2. What exactly, were they intended to plug in to until that time?

Probably a quick timeline explanation will help

1981 - IBM releases the IBM 5150 (it came with the Model F "XT" buckling spring keyboard-- this one uses the large 5-pin DIN connector, but it does not work with AT computers)
1984 - IBM releases the IBM 5170 (it came with the Model F "AT" buckling spring keyboard-- this one uses the large 5-pin DIN AT connector).
1985 - IBM releases the Model M -- later released with 5170s via the AT SDL connector

So there's two faucets:
#1 Model Ms with the "AT" SDL cables were in use with the 5170 and "Industrial" computers. However, I am not aware of the industrial models that use AT (type 7485/7587 are PS/2)
#2 Model F AT keyboards aren't as common because they were phased out after the Model M was released with the SDL to AT connectors.

I hope that makes sense.

EDIT: all SDL cables are cross compatible, so you can have an AT or PS/2 cable in whatever model M with an SDL (the M5-2s being an exception as they use more of the SDL pinout).

Originally Posted by Bear

But what does the at plug in to ??? : D

Okay, the jack labeled "system connector" plugs into the computer. That's a PS/2 connector.
The jack labeled "keyboard connector" plugs into the keyboard.


The "system connector" can either be a PS/2 connector (mini-DIN), or an AT connector (DIN). The SDL "keyboard connector" end always stays the same.

Both AT and PS/2 are essentially the same connector, just using different DIN jacks. This end always plugs into your computer. Older computers like the 5170 use AT. Whereas computers like a Personal System/2 model 9595 will use the smaller mini-DIN PS/2 jack.

For example, someone here has a model F AT with an AT to PS/2 adapter to use it in a regular PS/2 port:


If you take off the adapter, then you can plug it into an IBM 5170, you'll see a big circular jack to the left of the I/O panels: