SNKB-F1985-ATT-84

Notes

Production date converted from the internal shop date of 5131.

Original specs/details

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.