IBM 73x3832 Quiet Touch Compact Terminal Keyboard - Micro Switch

[snuci]

I got this recently simply because of the look. I think these are called "Unsavers". I love the look of this keyboard and I wanted to check what the low-profile Micro Switch ST key switches were like since I had a good experience in the past. They are rubber dome but they are also Micro Switch so I was curious.

The switches are not too bad on this keyboard but the space bar is a little mushy which ruins the experience. Oddly enough, they should be similar to my Gridcase 1520 keyboard but they do not seem alike at all. It may be that this keyboard has been heavily used or... perhaps not at all so the domes are a little stiffer. I do not get a tactile feel when typing on these.

Anyway, regardless of the experience, here's some pics on the construction. It's good to document this for others who may wonder about it. I still love the look.

IBM Micro Switch Unsaver - keyboard front

IBM Micro Switch Unsaver - keyboard front.JPG (274.2 KiB) Viewed 3180 times

IBM Micro Switch Unsaver - keyboard back

IBM Micro Switch Unsaver - keyboard back.JPG (241.45 KiB) Viewed 3180 times

IBM Micro Switch Unsaver - key switches removed

IBM Micro Switch Unsaver - key switches removed.JPG (276.85 KiB) Viewed 3180 times

IBM Micro Switch Unsaver - Enter key switch and stabalizer

IBM Micro Switch Unsaver - Enter key switch and stabalizer.JPG (408.58 KiB) Viewed 3180 times

IBM Micro Switch Unsaver - spacebar key switch

IBM Micro Switch Unsaver - spacebar key switch.JPG (350.93 KiB) Viewed 3180 times

IBM Micro Switch Unsaver - keyboard mechanism top

IBM Micro Switch Unsaver - keyboard mechanism top.JPG (242.33 KiB) Viewed 3180 times

IBM Micro Switch Unsaver - keyboard mechanism bottom

IBM Micro Switch Unsaver - keyboard mechanism bottom.JPG (244.5 KiB) Viewed 3180 times

IBM Micro Switch Unsaver - Membrane

IBM Micro Switch Unsaver - Membrane.JPG (235.67 KiB) Viewed 3180 times

IBM Micro Switch Unsaver - membrane layers

IBM Micro Switch Unsaver - membrane layers.JPG (289.57 KiB) Viewed 3180 times

IBM Micro Switch Unsaver - membrane identification

IBM Micro Switch Unsaver - membrane identification.JPG (303.84 KiB) Viewed 3180 times

IBM Micro Switch Unsaver - Controller IC

IBM Micro Switch Unsaver - Controller IC.JPG (238.05 KiB) Viewed 3180 times

IBM Micro Switch Unsaver - PCB sticker

IBM Micro Switch Unsaver - PCB sticker.JPG (327.6 KiB) Viewed 3180 times

IBM Micro Switch Unsaver - PCB idenitification

IBM Micro Switch Unsaver - PCB idenitification.JPG (316.04 KiB) Viewed 3180 times

IBM Micro Switch Unsaver - case identification

IBM Micro Switch Unsaver - case identification.JPG (278.25 KiB) Viewed 3180 times

IBM Micro Switch Unsaver - key caps

IBM Micro Switch Unsaver - key caps.JPG (239.41 KiB) Viewed 3180 times

[seebart]

Ah nice we've had this one here before. Interesting to see that it's manufactured my Micro Switch. Of course quite a few users here were very quick to label this as a crappy dome keyboard. Personally I'd love to own one. That's got to be the best flip stand of all time.

[Engicoder]

I have one of these as well. I think having the switches at the ends of the space bar contributes to its poor feel.

[terrycherry]

Great. I always hope to see this blue variant internal.
What's is the different of the dome with black and blue?

[gogusrl]

Do those caps work on Alps switches ? They look like they'd fit.

[terrycherry]

It's vertical if it fit on the horizontal alps switch it could be strange!

[emdude]

Even if they are Alps-compatible they'd only work with the AEK's wonky sideways-mounted function keys.

[gogusrl]

ups, didn't think about orientation.

[snuci]

For the record, these key caps are not Alps compatible.

I used a key cap from one of the top function keys on an AEK II (they are vertical) and the Alps key cap does not fit in these Micro Switch key switches. The Micro Switch key caps DO fit into the AEK II function key switch but it does not click in or is not solid and wiggles out when you press the key so they are not usable. Interesting question though.

[ideus]

Cool layout.