SNKB-F1985-ATT-84
| Full Name | IBM Personal Computer AT Keyboard |
| Part NumberPart Number The number used to describe this keyboard's specific release; usually specific for a target region, language or SKU, etc. |
1503092 |
| TypeType A designation from my own type naming scheme used to categorise this keyboard with or from others by their common features and market intent but may/may not be derived from official names. |
Model F/AT PC Keyboard |
| Known Host SystemsKnown Host Systems A list of known host systems this keyboard could be bundled with or at least designed specifically to operate with. This could be terminals, desktop PCs or laptops. |
IBM 5170 Personal Computer AT (IBM 5170 family) |
| Key-switchesKey-switches The name of the known switching mechanism that lies under this keyboard's keys. |
IBM capacitive buckling springs |
| Original KeycapsOriginal Keycaps The keyboard's original keycaps' material and text/symbol printing technique. |
PBT with dye-sublimated legends |
| FeetFeet The style of this keyboard's flip-out or extendable feet. If applicable, this may also state how many levels of height adjustment are available and whether the feet could be rubberised. |
Single-setting riser feet |
| ProtocolProtocol The protocol(s) this keyboard can use to speak to the host computer (eg, scancode sets). |
IBM Mode 2 (scancode set 2) |
| ConnectionConnection The keyboard-to-host connection. This is could be a description of a cable (its colour, whether its coiled, whether its detachable, and what connector is at its end) or the name of a wireless technology. |
Black coiled-style fixed DIN (180) cable |
| Form FactorForm Factor The standardised or universally acknowledged name for this keyboard's layout form factor. |
Navblockless |
| Production Date | 1985-07-22 |
| Acquisition Date | 2023-03-01 |
About this keyboard type
The IBM Personal Computer AT Keyboard was the successor to the IBM PC and PC/XT Keyboards (Model F/XT) as IBM's main PC keyboard and is the last wholly unique Model F design and capacitive buckling springs host introduced. It was released at the same time as its host PC, the IBM Personal Computer AT (PC/AT) in August 1984, which was the final major release of the original IBM PC series. What's now commonly referred to as the "Model F/AT" represented a big step towards the now-standard PC keyboard design with its introduction of the ANSI-style large left shift key, separated numeric keypad and LED lock-lights to the IBM keyboard family. However, it would be quickly supplanted by the IBM Model M Enhanced Keyboard within two years. As the name implies, the F/AT uses the "AT" protocol (IBM scancode set 2) like later PS/2 keyboards. This meant that until the 2010s, F/ATs were considered the most valuable Model F keyboards as were amongst the few Model F variants that were easily adaptable to modern systems.
