- Model M keyboard
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The Model M keyboard is a class of computer keyboards manufactured by IBM, Lexmark and Unicomp, starting in 1984. The many different variations of the keyboard have their own distinct characteristics, with the vast majority having a buckling spring key design and many having fully swappable keycaps. Model M keyboards have been prized by computer enthusiasts and heavy typists because of the tactile and auditory feedback resulting from a keystroke.
The Model M is also regarded as a timeless and durable piece of hardware. Many units manufactured since the mid 1980s are still in use today, while the computers and monitors of the day are obsolete. Unicomp, which now owns the rights to the design, continues to sell Model M keyboards. Recently, the keyboards have made a comeback amongst writers and computer techs.[1] Unicomp has had difficulty making them profitable because they rarely break, and most retailers will not stock such an expensive keyboard.[1]
Contents
History
The Model M was designed to be a more cost effective keyboard than the Model F keyboards it replaced. Production for the original Model M began in 1985, and the keyboards were often bundled with new IBM computers in the 1980s. These keyboards were produced by IBM in their plants in Lexington, Greenock and Guadalajara. The most common Model M variant is the part number 1391401, which was the keyboard of the IBM PS/2. Until 1987, the keyboards featured a detachable AT cable; after that, they were bundled with a detachable PS/2 cable. Cables came in both 5- and 10-foot lengths (1.5 and 3 metres). From about 1994 onwards, the majority of Model Ms were manufactured with non-detachable cables to cut down manufacturing costs.
In March 1991, IBM divested a number of its hardware manufacturing operations, including keyboard manufacturing, to the investment firm Clayton & Dubilier, Inc. in a leveraged buyout to form Lexmark International, Inc.[2][3] The Model M keyboard continued to be produced by Lexmark in the United States and Mexico, and IBM in Scotland with IBM being Lexmark's major customer.[4] Many of the keyboards had IBM assembly part numbers 52G9658, 52G9700, 82G2383, 42H1292, and others. Because of pricing pressures, many of these Model M keyboards were manufactured with a new lower-cost keyboard design to improve its competitiveness in the keyboard business.[5] Lighter weight plastic, integrated keyboard cable, and uniform print color on the keys were some of the changes made.
In 1996, Lexmark's contract to produce keyboards for IBM ran out, and Lexmark sold the keyboard manufacturing equipment to some of their employees, who formed Unicomp. The Model M, similar to part number 42H1292 but first renamed 42H1292U and subsequently the "Customizer", is still in production. Different configurations can be purchased from Unicomp, including updated 104/105-key layouts, a "Linux" model (where the Ctrl and Caps Lock keys, and the ESC and tilde keys, are swapped), models with integrated Trackpoint pointing sticks or integrated trackballs, and POS-specific models, such as those with built-in magstripe readers. When Lexmark stopped producing the Model M designs for IBM, IBM continued manufacture in their Scottish plant, and subcontracted production of the Model M13 Trackpoint II keyboard to Maxiswitch. Production of Model Ms by these companies ended in 1999 and 1998 respectively. Although current Unicomp models may be purchased for roughly 79 USD, original production models retain their value well among collectors as well as computer enthusiasts, and it is not uncommon to see them selling for upwards of 150 USD for a single, used unit.
There are numerous variations of the Model M, but many of them are exceedingly rare. Sometimes it may be problematic to get them to communicate properly with a modern computer. A PS/2 to USB adapter would be necessary for computers without PS/2 ports, and the AT Model Ms additionally require an AT to PS/2 adapter. Some PS/2 to USB adapters are unreliable because the Model M tends to draw more power than some adapters expect. In response to these complaints, Unicomp added USB models to their lineup.
Design
Illustration from original U.S. Patent 4,118,611, issued to IBM in 1978The model people commonly refer to when they mention "Model M" is Part No. 1391401, which was by far the most common. This enhanced keyboard model included the patented buckling spring design[6] and swappable keycaps, as well as the heavy and sturdy design of the Model Ms in general. This keyboard is widely praised as being well-built. Evidence of this can be seen in the fact that keyboard design has changed little in the past twenty years, while the designs of everything from PCs to monitors to mice have changed dramatically. The sturdy design (including heavy steel backplates and a high-quality, strong plastic frame) of the keyboard allows even the most abused to survive these years with ease. The various models of the keyboard had small differences, while keeping the style of the key mechanism that makes the boards unique. The 1391472 model, for example, does not have a separate number pad, rather it incorporates a number pad into the body of the main keys as many laptop keyboards do. Likewise, the early 1390120 series did not feature LED indicators for the locking keys.
Most fans of the Model M especially prize its feel and sound. Unlike the common (but cheaper) dome switch design, the Model M's buckling spring design gives users obvious tactile (a distinctive resistance as the keys are depressed) and aural (a characteristic, loud "click-clack") feedback. Many users report that they can type faster and more-accurately on the Model M than other keyboards.[7]
In addition, the Model M keyboard is less susceptible to dirt and wear and tear; while dirt will interfere with proper operation of a dome switch keyboard, the design of a buckling spring keyboard is such that any dirt that falls between the cracks usually fails to make it into the spring mechanism. Failure of the mechanism to operate properly would require a large amount of accumulation, which is unlikely to occur.
There are some drawbacks to the Model M design. Because the keyboard is so heavy, it is not as portable as many modern keyboards. The keys are noisy enough to be inappropriate in a location (such as a public library) where noise is an issue. Also, liquids spilled on the keyboard do not drain out, and remain in the keyboard with potential to cause a short circuit. The 42H1292 design and post-1993 1370477s and 1391401s, mostly made by Lexmark and Unicomp, include drainage channels to prevent this.
Identification
All Model M keyboards manufactured by either IBM or Lexmark feature an ID label on the underside indicating the assembly part number, individual serial number, and date the keyboard was manufactured. There are other more obvious ways to distinguish between the range, namely the type of badge featured on the top of the keyboard. The first model Ms (part numbers 1390120 or 1390131) featured a square aluminum IBM badge in the top right corner. Part number 1391401 featured an oval, white IBM logo with grey lettering in the top left of the board. The later IBM manufactured keyboards and subsequent Lexmark keyboards of the early 1990s (IBM assembly part numbers 1370477, 52G9658, 52G9700, 92G7453, 82G2383, 42H1292, and others) featured a similar oval badge to part number 1391401, but instead with a grey background and blue lettering.
Features by part number
Part Number Key Type Detachable Interface Drainage Channels Label Type/Position Manufacturer Dates of Manufacture Copyright Misc features Key Caps Cable 1370477 Buckling spring No Yes PS/2 Yes Blue, left corner Lexmark ?-1995-? Lexmark International, Inc. 1984 1370478 Buckling spring Yes Yes PS/2 Yes Blue, left corner Lexmark 1993 Lexmark Int'l. Inc. 1984 M-5, trackball. Left and right click, and L/R "drag" buttons. 1386085 Buckling spring Yes Yes AT No Grey, left corner IBM 1988 IBM Corp. 1984 English layout. 1388032 Buckling spring Yes Yes PS/2 No{?} Silver logo on black metal, right corner IBM 1985 IBM Corp. 1984 English layout. 1389979[citation needed] Buckling spring Yes Yes AT No Silver, right corner IBM 1986–1987 IBM Corp. 1984 No LED lights for Num/Caps/Scroll lock. Swedish layout. 1390120 Buckling spring Yes Yes AT or PS/2 No Silver, right corner IBM 1986–1987 IBM Corp. 1984 No LED lights for Num/Caps/Scroll lock 1390131 Buckling spring Yes Yes AT or PS/2 No Silver, right corner IBM 1986–1988, 1993 IBM Corp. 1984 1390132 Buckling spring Yes Yes AT or PS/2 No Silver, right corner IBM 1986–? IBM Corp. 1986 French AZERTY layout 1390133 Buckling spring Yes Yes AT or PS/2 No Silver, right corner IBM ?-1986-1987 IBM Corp. 1984 German QWERTZ layout 1390148 Buckling spring Yes Yes XT No Silver, right corner IBM ?-1986-1987 IBM Corp. 1984 No LED lights for Num/Caps/Scroll lock. German QWERTZ layout 1390639[citation needed] Buckling spring Yes No XT Yes Silver, right corner IBM ? - 1987 - ? IBM Corp. 1985 Spanish QWERTY layout 1391401 Buckling spring Yes Yes AT or PS/2 No (yes 1992 and after) Grey (Blue 1992 and after), left corner IBM 1986–1996 IBM Corp. 1984 1391402 Buckling spring Yes Yes PS/2 Yes ? Grey (Blue 1992? and after), left corner IBM UK 1991–1996-? IBM Corp. 1985 French AZERTY layout 1391403 Buckling spring Yes Yes (no 1995 and later) AT or PS/2 Yes Grey, left corner and also Blue, left corner IBM UK/Lexmark International 1986–1997 IBM Corp./Lexmark International Inc. 1985 German QWERTZ layout 1391404 Buckling spring Yes Yes AT or PS/2 No Grey, left corner IBM UK 1986–? IBM Corporation (no year on label) Italian QWERTY layout 1393395 Buckling spring Yes Yes PS/2 No Grey, left corner IBM UK 1985-? IBM Corporation 1985 Italian QWERTY layout 1391405 Buckling spring Yes Yes AT or PS/2 No Black/Blue, left corner IBM 1986–? IBM Corp. 1985 Spanish QWERTY layout 1391406 Buckling spring Yes Yes AT or PS/2 No Grey, left corner IBM ≤1985–1999 IBM United Kingdom UK 102-key variant 1391407 Buckling spring Yes Yes PS/2 Yes Grey, left corner IBM ?–1994-1996-? IBM United Kingdom Danish/Icelandic 102-key 1391409 Buckling spring Yes Yes PS/2 No Gray, left corner IBM 1989-1994? IBM Corp. 1985/Lexmark Int. 1985 Norwegian 102-key 1391410 Buckling spring Yes Yes PS/2 (or AT?) No Gray, left corner IBM UK ?–1992–? IBM Corp. 1985 Portuguese 102-key 1391411 Buckling spring Yes Yes AT or PS/2 No Gray/blue, left corner IBM UK ?-1987–1997–? IBM Corp. 1985 Swedish 102-key 1391414 Buckling spring Yes Yes PS/2 (or AT?) No ? IBM UK ?–1996–? IBM Corp. 1985 Belgian AZERTY layout 1391412 Buckling spring Yes Yes PS/2 No Gray, left corner IBM UK 1987–1996 IBM Corp. Swiss French/German QWERTZ layout, 102-key 1391472 Buckling spring Yes Yes AT or PS/2 No Gray, left corner IBM 1987–1991 IBM Corp. 1984 Space saver; no numeric keypad or lights 1391506 Buckling spring Yes Yes PS/2 No Gray/blue, left corner and also grey left corner IBM de Mexico 1990 IBM Corp. 1984 Spanish QWERTY layout 1391511 Buckling spring Yes Yes PS/2 No Blue, left corner IBM UK 1990–1993 IBM Corp. 1985 Dutch 102-key 1392565 Buckling spring Yes No 8P5C (RJ-45) Yes Grey, left corner Lexmark (for IBM) ??? -- 1995 Lexmark International, Inc. 1984 Keyboard for terminals such as IBM 3151. Line drawing characters on the numeric keypad. "Page Up"/"Page Down" replaced with "Clear"/"Erase EOF". Bottom row consists of "Ctrl", "Reset", spacebar, "Ctrl", "Send". Speaker grill on bottom of unit. 1392934 Buckling spring Yes Yes AT or PS/2 No Gray, left corner IBM ?-1987-1990-? IBM Corp. 1984 Space saver; no numeric keypad or lights 1393464 Buckling spring Yes Yes PS/2 No{?} Grey, left corner IBM ?-1989-1992-? IBM Corp. 1984 Same as 1391401, with special key-caps: Used for airline reservations 1393669 Buckling spring Yes (no after ????) Yes (no after 1994) AT or PS/2 partial after 1995, yes after ???? Gray label, left corner / Blue label, left corner / IBM sign, below LEDs Lexmark UK / IBM UK / Unicomp 198?–200? Lexmark International Inc. 1985 / IBM Corp. 1985 / Unicomp 1996 Slovenian / Croatian (former YU) QWERTZ layout; with or without speaker grill on bottom of unit 1394064 Buckling spring Yes Yes PS/2 No ? Lexmark ?–1996–? Lexmark International, Inc. 1984 1394540 Buckling spring Yes Yes PS/2 No Gray, left corner IBM 1990-1991? IBM Corp. 1984 Made for IBM RS/6000 computer. Contains real speaker. 1398601 Buckling Spring Yes Yes AT 5-din or Ps/2 Yes Lexmark logo, left corner Lexmark ?-1993-? Lexmark Int'l Inc 1984 1394542 Buckling spring Yes Yes PS/2 Yes Gray/blue, left corner IBM UK 1991-1994? IBM Corp. 1985 German QWERTZ layout 1394545 Buckling spring Yes Yes PS/2 No Gray/Blue, left corner IBM UK / Lexmark 1990-1996? IBM Corp. 1985 / Lexmark International Inc. 1985 Made for IBM RS/6000 computer. Contains real speaker. Swedish/Finnish 102-key QWERTY layout. 1394958 Buckling spring Yes Yes PS/2 Yes Silver on black, left corner IBM UK ??-1998-?? IBM Corp. 1985 German QWERTZ, dark gray industrial version 1394966 Buckling spring Yes Yes PS/2 ? Silver on black, left corner IBM UK 1992-02-13 IBM Corp. 1985 Swedish 102-key, dark gray industrial version 1395300 Buckling spring No No PS/2 No Blue, top right right IBM 1990–1993 IBM Corp. 1984 Model M2; Shipped with IBM PS/1 1396790 Buckling spring Yes Yes PS/2 Yes Blue, top left IBM ?-1992-1995? IBM Corp. 1985 Made in UK by IBM; North American layout 1397003 Buckling spring Yes Yes PS/2 ? Blue, top left IBM ?-1993-1999? IBM Corp. 1985 Made in UK by IBM; German QWERTZ; 122 Keys 1397000 Buckling spring Yes Yes PS/2 ? Blue, top left Lexmark (for IBM) Unknown Lexmark International, Inc. 1984 122-key terminal emulation keyboard: Home/Rule key with arrow keys in a "plus" layout, 24 function keys, 10-key left cluster with terminal commands (Attn, Clear, Pause, ErEOF, etc.) 1397599 Buckling spring Yes Yes PS/2 Yes Gray, left corner IBM ?–1993–? IBM Corp. 1984 1397681 Buckling spring No Yes PS/2 (or AT?) Yes Gray, left corner (later Blue) IBM ?-1991-1993-? IBM Corp. 1984 Space saver; no numeric keypad or lights 1399625[citation needed] Buckling spring Yes No PS/2 Yes Blue, left corner Lexmark, IBM UK ?-1994-? Lexmark International Inc. 1985 Terminal keyboard; speaker grill on bottom of unit; no lights 13H6705 Buckling spring No No PS/2 Yes Silver, left corner Lexmark 1994–1998 Lexmark International, Inc. 1984 Trackpoint, two connectors for keyboard and mouse, the only Model M to come in Black 42H1292, 92G7453, 92G7483 Buckling spring Yes No PS/2 Yes Blue, left corner Lexmark, IBM UK 1993–1999 Lexmark International, Inc. 1984 42H1292U Buckling spring Yes No PS/2 Yes Blue, left corner Unicomp 1996–present Unicomp, Inc. 1984 Optional AT/DIN adapter 51G8572 Buckling spring Yes Yes PS/2 Yes Gray/Blue, left corner IBM, Lexmark, IBM UK 1993–1996 IBM Corp. 1984/Lexmark International, Inc. 1984 Model M; shipped with IBM RS/6000; speaker on bottom of unit 52G9658 Buckling spring Yes No PS/2 Yes Blue, left corner Lexmark ?-1993-? Lexmark International, Inc. 1984 Model M; speaker grill on bottom of unit 52G9700 Buckling spring Yes No PS/2 Yes Blue, left corner Lexmark 1993–1999 Lexmark International, Inc. 1984 Model M; speaker grill on bottom of unit 70G8638 Rubber Dome No No PS/2 Yes Square, top right Lexmark ?-1994-? Lexmark International. Inc. 1984 Speaker grill on bottom of unit, silkscreen keycaps 71G4621 Dome switches Yes No PS/2 Yes Blue, left corner Lexmark (for IBM) ?-1996-? Lexmark International, Inc. 1984 Danish QWERTY layout 71G4622 Dome switches No No PS/2 Yes Blue, left corner Lexmark (for IBM) ?-1995-? Lexmark International, Inc. 1984 Dutch QWERTY layout, 1378705, EC1391461 71G4625 Dome switches No No PS/2 Yes Grey, left corner Lexmark (for IBM) ?-1993-1996-? Lexmark International, Inc. 1985 German QWERTZ layout 71G4630 Dome switches No No PS/2 Yes Blue, left corner Lexmark (for IBM) ?-1994-? Lexmark International, Inc. 1984 Italian QWERTY layout 71G4643 Dome switches Yes No PS/2 Yes Blue, left corner Lexmark ?-1995-? Lexmark International, Inc. 1985 71G4644 Dome switches No No PS/2 Yes Blue, left corner Lexmark ?-1993-1995-? Lexmark International, Inc. 1984 8131276 Buckling spring No No RJ25 Yes Blue, Upper-right corner IBM UK ???-1997 IBM Corp. 82G2383 Buckling spring Yes No PS/2 Yes Blue, left corner Lexmark 1993–1999 Lexmark International, Inc. 1984 82G3281 Buckling spring No No PS/2 Yes ? Lexmark 1994–1995 Lexmark International, Inc. 1984 White trackpoint, two connectors for keyboard and mouse 82G3295 Buckling spring Yes No PS/2 Yes Blue "IBM", top left corner Lexmark ?–1995-? Lexmark International, Inc. 1984 06H4173 Buckling spring No No PS/2 Yes ? Unicomp 1998–1999 Unicomp, Inc. 1984 Industrial PS/2 trackpoint, two connectors for keyboard and mouse UB40R46 Buckling spring No No PS/2 Yes ? Unicomp ?–Present Unicomp, Inc. 1984 104 key, customizable layout. UB4044A Buckling spring No No USB Yes None Unicomp ?–Present Unicomp, Inc. 1984 104 key, customizable layout (USB version). 02K3817 Buckling spring Yes No PS/2 Yes None Unicomp ?-Present Unicomp, Inc. 1984 German layout unicomp keyboard UNI0T56 Buckling spring No No PS/2 Yes None Unicomp ?–2003–? ? 122 key, laid out for use with PC/5250 emulators; produces standard 101-key scancodes with keys that are not present on a standard keyboard mapped to standard keys with modifiers (e.g., F24 appears to the PC as shift+F12) 1386887 Buckling spring Yes No Terminal DIN-5 No Square metal, black on silver. Upper right. IBM ?–1986–? IBM Corp. 1985 122 key 3179 terminal keyboard 1389194 Buckling spring Yes No Terminal DIN-5 No Square metal, black on silver. Upper right. IBM ?–1986–? IBM Corp. 1984 122 key 3179/3192 terminal keyboard, APL keycaps 1369182 Buckling spring No No PS/2 Yes "DELL" logo, grey on white, upper left corner Lexmark "Made in the USA" ?-1993-? Lexmark International, Inc. 1984 Latin-American QWERTY Layout Part Number Key Type Detachable Interface Drainage Channels Label Type/Position Manufacturer Dates of Manufacture Copyright Misc features Key Caps Cable Note: The manufacture dates are approximate. Click "Show" to display the uncollapsed table.
References
- ^ a b Old-School Keyboard Makes Comeback Of Sorts, Martin Kaste, National Public Radio, January 30, 2009.
- ^ "IBM Archives: 1991". http://www-03.ibm.com/ibm/history/history/year_1991.html.
- ^ Lewis, Peter H. (December 22, 1991). "The Executive Computer; Can I.B.M. Learn From a Unit It Freed?". The New York Times. http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9D0CE2D9173CF931A15751C1A967958260. Retrieved May 13, 2010.
- ^ Levine, Bernard (1991). "Keyboard vendors punched on prices". Electronic News. http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m0EKF/is_n1891_v37/ai_11677212.
- ^ "Lexmark International Reports Best Year Ever Since Independent of IBM". Business Wire. December 12, 1994. http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m0EIN/is_1994_Dec_12/ai_15970392.
- ^ US patent 4118611, Richard Hunter Harris, "Buckling Spring Torsional Snap Actuator", issued 1978-10-03 — an IBM patent for buckling spring keys.
- ^ "My Clickety IBM Keyboard - RIP". http://weblogs.asp.net/dreilly/archive/2005/05/04/405591.aspx. Retrieved January 2011.
External links
- Care and feeding of an IBM Model M keyboard : A Model M restoration guide
- A Model M repairing guide
- Model M Modifications For operation with newer motherboards
- Unicomp - Current Model M manufacturer
- Clickykeyboards - Distributor of refurbished and never used Model M keyboards
- IBM Model M Simulator - Experience the sound of a Model M
- Convert Model M to DVORAK layout
- Model M review - Dansdata
- Model M review II - Dansdata
- Model M review III - Dansdata
- IBM Model M: The Best Computer Keyboard Ever - Low End Mac
- Inside the World's Greatest Keyboard - PC World
- Timeless Tools: The IBM Model-M Keyboard - RCD
- Custom keyboards based on Model M - Datamancer
Categories:- Computer keyboards
- IBM personal computers
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