TitleVintage IBM PC XT Model F Mechanical Clicky Keyboard 1503206
ConditionNo chips or physical damage at all. Not clean or refurbished. Functionality unknown.
More about this keyboard
The IBM 5150 Personal Computer was an Intel 8088-based microcomputer released in August 1981 that thanks to its open architecture and software support became the basis of the "x86" PC family that continues to dominate desktop and laptop PCs to this day. The IBM Personal Computer Keyboard is the most common and widely considered to be the definitive Model F keyboard. After debuting with the 5150, it was later reused with the IBM 5160 Personal Computer XT released in March 1983 which is what the the PC Keyboard derives its common nickname from - F/XT. The F/XT played an important role in establishing the PC as a high-quality computer and solidifying buckling spring-based keyboards as IBM's go-to for well over a decade after its release. Relative to the competition, the F/XT brought unsurpassed reliability and build quality to the mix but arguably suffered from a layout too different from others. Most notably, the F/XT along with its predecessor and successors are criticised for their use of stepped multi-unit keys to reduce the need for stabilisers outside of the spacebar.