Will trade IBM 3191 & Keyboard for IBM 3101 & Keyboard

**willmurray461** · October 10th, 2018, 07:18 PM

I recently bought an IBM 3191 Terminal and F122 Keyboard off eBay, but I recently decided that I wanted to try to find an IBM terminal that could connect to my modern computer as a terminal without having to emulate a 3270 system and buy a controller unit. It seems the IBM 3101 is the only IBM terminal that supports serial communication, which I read can be used to connect to a linux machine and possibly Mac OS X. I am interested in trading my 3191 and keyboard for a 3101 and keyboard. I haven't tested the 3191 yet because it is at another location right now, but my guess is that it either doesn't work or needs to have it's capacitors replaced soon. Cosmetically, it and the keyboard look pretty good, and the keyboard is missing one key cap top (which was originally blank anyway). It is from the same guy that sold the 3191's to the people who started the recent threads in the "Mini's and Mainframes" genre on this forum. The 3101 doesn't need to be working, but I would prefer it to be theoretically repairable without the need of too much electrical/engineering experience. If anyone's interested, I can take pictures of the unit and keyboard.

**Al Kossow** · October 11th, 2018, 09:23 AM

Originally Posted by willmurray461

It seems the IBM 3101 is the only IBM terminal that supports serial communication

IBM made several generations of terminals after the 3101.
A 3151 will be much easier to find.

**willmurray461** · October 11th, 2018, 05:38 PM

I was aware of the other models in the 3101 line. I just aesthetically prefer the 3101 to the 3151/3161/etc. I saw a complete 3101 on eBay a while back, but I didn't buy it

. I'm just hoping I'll find someone who has one to trade. I'm also willing to buy it from someone if they're not interested in trading.

**Samir** · October 23rd, 2018, 11:31 AM

Would you consider a Wyse terminal? I know I have two that were originally connected to a linux server that was part of a hotel property management system so they should work for your purposes as well.

**willmurray461** · October 23rd, 2018, 12:04 PM

Not for the moment, however, thanks for the offer. I just prefer IBM terminals aesthetically, but also for their great keyboards. From a couple of google searches a Wise terminal doesn't really seem to be like what I'm looking for. On a side note, I just saw a complete IBM 3101 on eBay, but since it had a beam spring keyboard, some guy brought the auction up to $2,000! These prices are all because of the mechanical keyboard community!

**Samir** · October 23rd, 2018, 05:44 PM

I agree they have great keyboards and have the distinct IBM design.

And the beamspring keyboards while sought after, I have no idea where they go because very few in the keyboarding communities I know of actually have these due to their expense. They are supposedly one of the very best typing experiences available though, so even if you get one at that high price you'll be one of the very few that can actually use it, and even fewer (if not the only one) using it in its original capacity.

**willmurray461** · October 24th, 2018, 12:21 PM

I guess not everyone who has a beam spring is active in the mechanical keyboard community. Taking pictures and posting them takes a bit of work.

**Samir** · October 24th, 2018, 02:54 PM

Originally Posted by willmurray461

I guess not everyone who has a beam spring is active in the mechanical keyboard community. Taking pictures and posting them takes a bit of work.

It does, but in my experience all the high-dollar keyboard owners are completely awol. Many in the keyboard communities actually wonder where these keyboards go.