VOGONS


First post, by dionb

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Hit the jackpot: this evening I can pick up a complete IBM PC330 (exact specs not yet known, but P1 / Win95 era bought in 1996) for free.

It's a complete system with period-correct monitor mouse and... not the keyboard. The keyboard is a beautiful Model M, but a pre-1992 second generation version. Now, IMHO you're not going to find a better keyboard than a second gen M with ANSI layout - and that keyboard is definitely going to get properly used, but it isn't quite right for this system. So I've been trying to figure out what it should have, but have been pulling a blank and would appreciate some help.

I found the IBM PC330/350 PC Partner Info Service Information site mirrored here:
http://ps-2.kev009.com/pcpartnerinfo/ctstips/101e2.htm

Digging there found this 'options' page:
http://ps-2.kev009.com/pcpartnerinfo/ctstips/ce8a.htm

Which lists keyboard options, but only specifically for the older 486-based 6577/6587. This is the list:

KB705 TRACKPOINT II KB PS 13H6705
104-KEY RUBBER-DOME KEYBOARD 41H9724
104-KEY RUBBER DOME KEYBRD BLACK 76H0109
ENHANCED KEYBOARD PS 92G7453
KB454 ENHANCED KEYBOARD PS/AT 92G7454
KB461 ENH KEYBOARD W/T PTII 92G7461

So just looking at the older PC330 models covered here, it should be either a rubber dome (in black or white), a period-correct blue-logo Lexmark model M or some trackpoint unobtanium. Is that still true for a Pentium model from 1996? I recall my mother's Aptiva 2168 (also an early 1996 model) had a white-ish rubber dome keyboard, so that's roughly what I am expecting (although I actually do have a Lexmark-era model M, so can always use that as a stopgap 😉 ).

Reply 1 of 1, by dionb

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Just got back from the pickup: no keyboard at all. Somebody offered him a price he couldn't refuse so he sold it out of the free lot I picked up. Slight disappointment, but one should not look a gift horse in the mouth. All the more reason to figure out the correct board in any case.