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Old Nixdorf Computer Keyboard
Posted: 23 Sep 2014, 08:54
by VERGiL
A colleage found an old Nixdorf Computer keyboard from probably around 1980-1990.
I wonder what switches are used in there. What do you guys think it is worth? The cable is kind of broken, the plug is missing.
Do you think it's safe to try pulling the caps with a MX keycap puller?
Posted: 23 Sep 2014, 09:27
by Daniel Beardsmore
VERGiL wrote: Do you think it's safe to try pulling the caps with a MX keycap puller?
Go for it!
Posted: 23 Sep 2014, 09:28
by rzwv
- yamajun.png (98.67 KiB) Viewed 20507 times
Posted: 23 Sep 2014, 09:45
by Daniel Beardsmore
Well, it's a change from the usual Japanese male nerd's picture assortments …
Posted: 23 Sep 2014, 10:45
by Halvar
If it's 80s Nixdorf, everything else than a Nixdorf made switch would be a disappointment.
Five keyholes? Wtf?
Posted: 23 Sep 2014, 11:52
by Nuum
Posted: 23 Sep 2014, 11:54
by 7bit
Welcome to the club!
Hope you have all those 5 keys, so you can use the keyboard!
edit: Just use a Filco keypuller and pull a key.
Posted: 23 Sep 2014, 14:21
by photekq
VERGiL wrote: What do you guys think it is worth?
If switches are MX, lots!
Posted: 23 Sep 2014, 14:53
by chzel
Halvar wrote: Five keyholes? Wtf?
My best guess is that it's probably for bank use, where you would need multiple levels of authorisation for various transactions.
Posted: 23 Sep 2014, 14:59
by Halvar
Use a keypuller and wiggle. It ain't worth an itch if you don't know the switch.
Posted: 23 Sep 2014, 15:00
by Parak
Those are not MX switches, but I'll leave it to HaaTa to elaborate whenever he wakes up
Posted: 23 Sep 2014, 19:13
by HaaTa
https://www.flickr.com/photos/triplehaa ... 956847424/
I'll make a post about this later this week, but it uses a type of Magnetic valve switch that I haven't seen before.
As well, it has a neat rubber stopper that works on press and release.
Posted: 23 Sep 2014, 19:16
by photekq
How can you tell it's not the MX version? Is there a difference with the casing/keycaps?
Posted: 23 Sep 2014, 23:25
by REVENGE
photekq wrote: How can you tell it's not the MX version? Is there a difference with the casing/keycaps?
OBVIOUS CAPS LOCK IS OBVIOUS
Posted: 23 Sep 2014, 23:27
by photekq
I don't see a difference
Posted: 23 Sep 2014, 23:28
by REVENGE
photekq wrote: I don't see a difference
Yes, I realized my mistake, but too late.
Posted: 24 Sep 2014, 00:05
by BlueBär
Legends on the leftmost cluster. Although that doesn't really mean anything.
Re: Old Nixdorf Computer Keyboard
Posted: 24 Sep 2014, 10:10
by Josh
photekq wrote:I don't see a difference
I think it's not the mx version
look at the arrow keys. I haven't seen a mx version has keys like FV or something...
Posted: 24 Sep 2014, 14:41
by Halvar
Seems like OP was a hit-and-run post.
Posted: 24 Sep 2014, 14:51
by ماء
Posted: 25 Sep 2014, 08:31
by VERGiL
Sorry for the late reply.
MX switches inside with double shot key caps.
Looks like Nixdorf Blacks:
http://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=59288.0
Posted: 25 Sep 2014, 09:59
by BlueBär
HaaTa wrote:
I'll make a post about this later this week, but it uses a type of Magnetic valve switch that I haven't seen before.
As well, it has a neat rubber stopper that works on press and release.
The day Haata was proved wrong. Mark in your calendars!
Posted: 25 Sep 2014, 10:27
by macmakkara
Wow nice find. Those are expensive and rare.
Posted: 25 Sep 2014, 10:55
by VERGiL
macmakkara wrote: Wow nice find. Those are expensive and rare.
Expensive, like how expensive?
Posted: 25 Sep 2014, 11:02
by HzFaq
Posted: 25 Sep 2014, 11:04
by macmakkara
And it was only PCB with switches. So with caps and case more.
Posted: 25 Sep 2014, 11:15
by photekq
The PCBs are worth more than the caps + case though
Posted: 25 Sep 2014, 12:02
by macmakkara
Yeah thats true but they still will rise the price.
Posted: 25 Sep 2014, 12:05
by Muirium
Yeah, some people are crazy for Nixdorf blacks. I have a single switch, and it is indeed the only linear MX that Cherry ever got fully right! But I wouldn't hack apart a nice keyboard like that just to harvest them.
Posted: 25 Sep 2014, 14:07
by 7bit
Muirium wrote: Yeah, some people are crazy for Nixdorf blacks. I have a single switch, and it is indeed the only linear MX that Cherry ever got fully right! But I wouldn't hack apart a nice keyboard like that just to harvest them.
Vintage blacks are the same as these. All that is different are the top covers.
