SNKB-F1986-FBS-122
| Full Name | IBM 3180 Display Station Typewriter Keyboard Element |
| Part NumberPart Number The number used to describe this keyboard's specific release; usually specific for a target region, language or SKU, etc. |
6111079 |
| 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 122-key Converged Keyboard |
| NicknameNickname A [keyboard enthusiast] community given name for this keyboard. It can be a shortening of its name and properties, a more abstract term, a real-life reference, or metonymy. |
Battleship |
| 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 3180 Model 2 Display Station (IBM 5250 family) |
| KeyswitchesKeyswitches 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. |
Dual-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 3) |
| 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. |
Grey coiled-style fixed DIN (240) cable |
| Form FactorForm Factor The standardised or universally acknowledged name for this keyboard's layout form factor. |
120% |
| Production Date | 1986-01-12 |
| Acquisition Date | 2022-03-30 |
About this keyboard type
The 122-key Model F Converged Keyboard was an expanded and prevalent version of the 104-key Model F Converged Keyboards. A sibling of the 127-key 4980 Display Station Typewriter Keyboard, the "F122" could be considered a convenient combination of the "F104" and the 24/25-key Model F keypad that was designed to operate alongside them. The first "F122" to market was the IBM 5271's Converged Keyboard for the IBM 3270 Personal Computer announced in October 1983 and available from Q1 1984, an IBM Personal Computer (5160 PC/XT based) with additional hardware and software to emulate an IBM 3270 terminal. As such, the "F127" (which was announced and released in October 1983) technically beat the "F122" to market. By March 1984, the "F122" was adopted for IBM's then-new generation of lower-cost terminals - the 3179 and 3180 series. The IBM 3179 Model 1 Color Display Station was a low-price but plug-compatible replacement for the IBM 3279 Color Display Station Models S2A and S2B. The IBM 3180 Display Station was a monochrome counterpart to 3179 and was available in a 3270-compatible Model 1 and 5250-compatible Model 2. The 3180-1 was designed to provide IBM 3278 Model 2 through 5 Display Station functionality, and the 3180-2 provided 5251 Model 11 Display Station functionality.
Besides its sheer size (for which this keyboard earned the modern nickname "battleship" or "battleship-sized" keyboard), the "F122" is recognisable for its 24-key program function key bank inherited from the "F104". Those keys will generally have a "PFxx" nomenclature on 3270-family keyboards and "Cmdxx" nomenclature on 5250-family keyboards, with some isolated examples sporting simply "Fxx". The "F122" also retained the left-hand side 10-key function key bank similar to previous IBM 3270 keyboard designs such as the 327X-75 type and 327X-87 type Model B keyboards but with 2 extra keys. "F122s" had two-setting riser feet that were accessible by pushing large buttons on the keyboard's sides, allowing users a choice of 6-degree, 12-degree or 18-degree typing angle. Unlike the "F104" however, most "F122s" used 240-degree 5-pin DIN plugs on their coiled cables. 3270 PC, 3179-1 and 3179-G "F122s" generally have an 8-position DIP switch bank present, whilst 3180-1 and 3180-2 keyboards lack them. Besides the "F127", two distinct variants in utility and features exist - the IBM 3205 Color Display Console Keyboard (3270-family operator console version of "F122") and IBM TPC Keyboard III (TEMPESTed version of the IBM 5271's Converged Keyboard).
