Re: OT: Keyboard question

"Barbara" <bcallen@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:
On Mon, 2 Feb 2009 02:20:13 UTC, anti@xxxxxxxxxxxx (Dushan Mitrovich)
wrote:

"Barbara" <bcallen@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:
Does anyone know a place where you can buy replacement key caps for
IBM (clicky) "M" model keyboards?

This afternoon I was browsing one of our local thrift shops and found
an IBM M2 (1395300) keyboard for $1.50! I love these things, and use
an M model on my big computer. The M2 is the compact model which I
believe originally shipped with the IBM PS1. (I had one of those
too...)

The M2 keyboard is in good shape, but it has unfortunately lost its
F7 key cap and spring. Not very important so far as function is
concerned, but a cosmetic blip. Except for that hole, it will clean
up like new.

Don't send me to www.clickykeyboards.com. They have replacement caps
for $1, but won't ship unless you order at least $9 worth of stuff.
AND I believe they are the larger M keys. The M2 keys are smaller,
shorter.

Incidentally, one place I checked was selling a refurbished M2 for
$121.12. Good as new, I'm sure, but a bit far from my find.

You might try Unicomp Keyboards, at (800) 777-4886 or

<http://pckeyboards.stores.yahoo.net>

Jim Owens there has been very friendly and knowledgeable when I was
looking for a good replacement for the awful keyboard that came with my
Mac Pro. Don't know if there's a minimum, tho.

- Dushan Mitrovich

Thanks for that reference! I called Jim, and he (IBM retiree)
certainly is knowledgeable on the subject of IBM classic keyboards.

Apparently the "M2" model is pretty rare. It clicks, types just like
the bigger "M" models, but is half the weight and quite a bit smaller.

He doesn't have an F7 key cap for this particular model, but he's
sending me (free!) a similar one plus spring that with some
modification will fill the gap in the function key set. It may never
work correctly but I really don't ever use the function keys. At
least it will "look" complete.

Good, I'm glad it helped. Hope it works as planned.

- Dushan

.

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