21 Dec
2005
21 Dec
'05
5:28 a.m.
Jim Leonard declared on Tuesday 20 December 2005 22:28:
Roger Merchberger wrote:
If you don't mind used (I've never seen a broken Model M.. it's hard to
break one even if you're trying, though I have seen missing/broken
keycaps or missing/cut off cables), a friend of mine got a couple boxes
of them (probably 20+ keyboards) for $10 at a large-ish hamfest.
There's absolutely no reason to spend $150 on a "NIB" one off ebay IMO,
unless you've got that much cash to burn... the small amount of time it
takes to clean them to a satisfactory level isn't worth nearly that
much, unless you get paid Enron CEO wages. :)
As to the durability of them... I've had Model M's I had laying around
survive hammer blows and my foot stomping on the keys on them. (yes, I
really have that many... the ones I did that to were missing some of the
keycaps).
Pat
--
Purdue University ITAP/RCAC --- http://www.rcac.purdue.edu/
The Computer Refuge --- http://computer-refuge.org
They can still be had, but they're not cheap.
Occaisionally someone on ebay will let a Model M go for very very
cheap with a Buy It Now price -- watch for those. The ones with the
trackpoint in the middle are hard to come by, though.
Then again, the $150 price for those NIB are worth it -- what device
do you use the most on any computer? My model Ms are nearly 20 years
old and flawless, I'd gladly pay $150 to get another if I needed it.