Be smart, stay dumb.

Back to the sheet Office Typewriter · D3
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D3 · Level 1 · Electric, no logic An electric rock

IBM Selectric II

IBM Selectric II electric typewriter, refurbished.

$400–900Buy on eBay
Estimate. Prices change.

A motor spins a golf-ball type element across the page. It is electromechanical through and through: cams, clutches and a satisfying thunk. Repairers still keep them running.

Repairable
Opens with common tools, spare parts are available, and replacement parts work without the maker unlocking them.

Where to buy

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Survival checklist

What it survives, next to the smart one it replaces.
1
=SURVIVES(threat)Survives…
ThisIBM Selectric II
What it replacesSmart oneMicrosoft Surface Laptop (Copilot+ PC)
2
Power cut
FALSE
FALSE
3
Wi-Fi goes down
TRUE
FALSE
4
The company switches off its servers
TRUE
FALSE
5
Someone tries to hack it
TRUE
FALSE
6
A firmware update goes wrong
TRUE
FALSE
7
Twenty years from now
TRUE
FALSE
8
=COUNTIF(TRUE)Total
5 of 65/6
0 of 60/6

The smart one is the Microsoft Surface Laptop (Copilot+ PC).

Row 3

See it in the sheetIn the sheet
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The golf-ball typewriter that ran offices for decades.

IBM Selectric II

$400–900
Repairable
IBM Selectric II$400–900
Buy on eBay