P/N 1394100
Type
Model M Type III Functional Key Keyboard
Nickname
Battlecruiser
OEM
IBM, Lexmark
Switches
IBM membrane buckling springs
Earliest Appearance
1989
Key Count
122
Original Keycaps
PBT with dye-sublimated legends
Casing Colour
White
Branding
IBM grey oval badge, IBM blue oval badge
Connection
Set 3 over Modular 8P5C ("RJ-45")
Layout/Language
ISO
More about this type of keyboard...
The Functional Key Keyboard Type III was a major overhaul over the previous Type I and Type II designs. Bringing the design language closer to that of an IBM Enhanced Keyboard, the Type III was slightly smaller and lighter than its predecessors and almost completely did away with DIP switches. Whilst the protocol remained the same, the cable was swapped from 240-degree DIN to RJ-45 to suit its typical host machines - the IBM InfoWindow and InfoWindow II series display stations. The 24-key function key block was only ever labelled "Fxx" in contrast to the previous iterations. These are also commonly referred to as the "M122" like the other Model M Functional Key Keyboards, and thus "Type III" is used to help distinguish it from the others.