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New Model M Is an American-Made Keyboard That Puts a Spring Back in Your Typing

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Re: New Model M Is an American-Made Keyboard That Puts a Spring Back in Your Typing

#31

Post by ubercow13 »

nottorp wrote: post #6
formerly_proven wrote: post #2

The IBM Model M hype is absurdly overblown. Anyone who has used decent mechanical keyboards should be able to pretty much immediately notice just how cost-reduced that keyboard is. It is quite literally the cheapest buckling spring keyboard IBM managed to make in '89, and it shows. Cherry boards are often bashed for their flexing and wobbly cases, but the IBM Model M is hardly better with the top and lower parts of t…

> Why does the Model M have essentially zero spill resistance? Because the cheap design doesn't permit spill resistance. When you spill water on an M, expect to either have it dry for weeks or months as the water evaporates from between the membranes, or to disassemble it. If it wasn't pure mountain spring water, you have to disassemble it, which--due to plastic rivets-- is a destructive proecss. Hmm that would expla…

>Unfortunately the world has moved on and I want my separated inverted T arrow keys.

They have more modern layouts including inverted T arrows. Just look at the pictures on the homepage...

Re: New Model M Is an American-Made Keyboard That Puts a Spring Back in Your Typing

#32

Post by westoncb »

skocznymroczny wrote: post #26
formerly_proven wrote: post #2

The IBM Model M hype is absurdly overblown. Anyone who has used decent mechanical keyboards should be able to pretty much immediately notice just how cost-reduced that keyboard is. It is quite literally the cheapest buckling spring keyboard IBM managed to make in '89, and it shows. Cherry boards are often bashed for their flexing and wobbly cases, but the IBM Model M is hardly better with the top and lower parts of t…

I think a lot of the hype around mechanical keyboards in general is overblown. I had a period of transitioning to mechanical keyboards. I couldn't get used to the high-rise keys and long travel times which made my wrists hurt and made typing a chore. I kept convincing myself that I just had the wrong type of switch, so I changed keyboards every few months seeking that perfect feeling. The closest I got was low-profil…

I've gone through a similar experience. I like the other concepts in keyboards like Ergodox/Moonlander etc., but as far as actual key-press-feel, none of these enthusiast keyboards come close to e.g. macbook keys.

I think my ideal keyboard would be something like the Moonlander + the keys on the new macbook: a little bit of a click but basically zero travel.

Re: New Model M Is an American-Made Keyboard That Puts a Spring Back in Your Typing

#33

Post by cipherboy »

formerly_proven wrote: post #2

The IBM Model M hype is absurdly overblown. Anyone who has used decent mechanical keyboards should be able to pretty much immediately notice just how cost-reduced that keyboard is. It is quite literally the cheapest buckling spring keyboard IBM managed to make in '89, and it shows. Cherry boards are often bashed for their flexing and wobbly cases, but the IBM Model M is hardly better with the top and lower parts of t…

I own three Model Ms: my grandfather's 87, a '89, and a later Lexmark ('95? too lazy to look). The latter two were given to me by a colleague; they saw (what I can only assume to be, based on their original condition) extensive use at IBM before I cleaned them up. He had 7 others.

I've bolt modded the Lexmark for the day my grandfather's finally needs to be done. But all three have well withstood the test of time: my grandfather's still has most all of its rivets 33 years later. It was his only keyboard at home AFAIK; I've been using it for the last 5 years.

> The Model M has no replaceable parts.

Is categorically false. The stems, keycaps, springs, and membranes can all be replaced quite easily. Unicomp sells replacements. Many have also modded them to replace the controller with something more modern. You just need to find the right hex driver.

Just because there aren't lots of manufactuers (like with oh, say, Cherry-compatible switches or QMK boards) doesn't mean they aren't repairable or moddable.

Don't disagree with most of the rest of your points but... n=3 (+7?) data points, I've never heard of a barrel breaking under normal usage. And cleaning drinks is optional once it is dried :-) The '87 and the '89 both had coffee stains and functioned just fine. I mostly cleaned the barrel plate and moved on with usage. If I bolt mod either, I'll probably clean the membranes.

Fully agree that the Model F is more solid than the Model M. But the Model M feels a lot more solid to me than most anything modern.

Maybe I just got high-quality builds?

Re: New Model M Is an American-Made Keyboard That Puts a Spring Back in Your Typing

#34

Post by KptMarchewa »

westoncb wrote: post #32
skocznymroczny wrote: post #26

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I think a lot of the hype around mechanical keyboards in general is overblown. I had a period of transitioning to mechanical keyboards. I couldn't get used to the high-rise keys and long travel times which made my wrists hurt and made typing a chore. I kept convincing myself that I just had the wrong type of switch, so I changed keyboards every few months seeking that perfect feeling. The closest I got was low-profil…

I've gone through a similar experience. I like the other concepts in keyboards like Ergodox/Moonlander etc., but as far as actual key-press-feel, none of these enthusiast keyboards come close to e.g. macbook keys. I think my ideal keyboard would be something like the Moonlander + the keys on the new macbook: a little bit of a click but basically zero travel.

It's wild how tastes differ. I absolutely abhor the keypress of macbook keyboards, even more than the one in extremely cheap Acer laptop from ~2009.

Re: New Model M Is an American-Made Keyboard That Puts a Spring Back in Your Typing

#35

Post by bllguo »

jonathanstrange wrote: post #3

I have an Unicomp but right now use a Pok3r to save desk space. Both are fine mechanical keyboards. I like the programmability of the Pok3r. Unfortunately, I've realized that I really want a tenkeyless. The Unicomp is too large and the Pok3r too small. Does anybody know an affordable mechanical tenkeyless where Capslock and Ctrl is or can be switched in the hardware?

leopold fc750r, you can swap caps/left ctrl with the dip switches

Re: New Model M Is an American-Made Keyboard That Puts a Spring Back in Your Typing

#36

Post by taneq »

twic wrote: post #21
formerly_proven wrote: post #2

The IBM Model M hype is absurdly overblown. Anyone who has used decent mechanical keyboards should be able to pretty much immediately notice just how cost-reduced that keyboard is. It is quite literally the cheapest buckling spring keyboard IBM managed to make in '89, and it shows. Cherry boards are often bashed for their flexing and wobbly cases, but the IBM Model M is hardly better with the top and lower parts of t…

A Model M weighs 2.2 kg. Heavy things must be high quality.

“Weight, is sign of reliability. If it does not work, you can always throw it at him.” - Boris the Blade

Re: New Model M Is an American-Made Keyboard That Puts a Spring Back in Your Typing

#37

Post by adingus »

formerly_proven wrote: post #2

The IBM Model M hype is absurdly overblown. Anyone who has used decent mechanical keyboards should be able to pretty much immediately notice just how cost-reduced that keyboard is. It is quite literally the cheapest buckling spring keyboard IBM managed to make in '89, and it shows. Cherry boards are often bashed for their flexing and wobbly cases, but the IBM Model M is hardly better with the top and lower parts of t…

On the contrary, I think the issues you state are overblown. I have been using a 1989 mfg IBM model M for close to 10 years now and haven't noticed any of the problems you point out. No problems with fit & finish or longevity... I use the keyboard for gaming (fps mostly) and coding and have never had a problems with KRO.

I haven't been impressed with the few other types of mechanical keyboards I've used (which I admit is not many). The key presses just don't feel as authoritative as the model m and the model m does feel like a tank.

The only knock I can give the model m is the lack of modifier keys and remapping. I use a soarers converter to remedy these problems.

That said, would I buy a unicomp repop, or a model m at current prices? No, probably not.

Re: New Model M Is an American-Made Keyboard That Puts a Spring Back in Your Typing

#38

Post by Tsiklon »

mprovost wrote: post #9
jonathanstrange wrote: post #3

I have an Unicomp but right now use a Pok3r to save desk space. Both are fine mechanical keyboards. I like the programmability of the Pok3r. Unfortunately, I've realized that I really want a tenkeyless. The Unicomp is too large and the Pok3r too small. Does anybody know an affordable mechanical tenkeyless where Capslock and Ctrl is or can be switched in the hardware?

Check out the Happy Hacking keyboard [0]. It's got a great layout - Ctrl to the left of A. They're really well made in Japan. The Classic model isn't super expensive, I wouldn't pay extra for the "Professional". [0] https://www.hhkeyboard.com/uk/products/classic/

HHKB is a great keyboard (it's my personal choice of keyboard too, I love the Unix layout), but it's a 60% keyboard not a Ten Keyless, it sounds like the GP has a need for function keys.

Re: New Model M Is an American-Made Keyboard That Puts a Spring Back in Your Typing

#39

Post by KozmoNau7 »

skocznymroczny wrote: post #26
formerly_proven wrote: post #2

The IBM Model M hype is absurdly overblown. Anyone who has used decent mechanical keyboards should be able to pretty much immediately notice just how cost-reduced that keyboard is. It is quite literally the cheapest buckling spring keyboard IBM managed to make in '89, and it shows. Cherry boards are often bashed for their flexing and wobbly cases, but the IBM Model M is hardly better with the top and lower parts of t…

I think a lot of the hype around mechanical keyboards in general is overblown. I had a period of transitioning to mechanical keyboards. I couldn't get used to the high-rise keys and long travel times which made my wrists hurt and made typing a chore. I kept convincing myself that I just had the wrong type of switch, so I changed keyboards every few months seeking that perfect feeling. The closest I got was low-profil…

I could never get used to mechanical keyboards either, so I've been using a Logitech UltraX Premium for ages[1] now, a laptop-style scissor-switch design that rivals my Thinkpad X220 for typing feel.

Honestly, I have no idea what will replace it when/if it finally gives up the ghost.

[1] I bought it back when USB keyboards were the hot new thing to have, back in the stone age.

Re: New Model M Is an American-Made Keyboard That Puts a Spring Back in Your Typing

#40

Post by manyxcxi »

jonathanstrange wrote: post #3

I have an Unicomp but right now use a Pok3r to save desk space. Both are fine mechanical keyboards. I like the programmability of the Pok3r. Unfortunately, I've realized that I really want a tenkeyless. The Unicomp is too large and the Pok3r too small. Does anybody know an affordable mechanical tenkeyless where Capslock and Ctrl is or can be switched in the hardware?

I went with a Filco Ninja Majestouch TKL about four years ago and I’ve loved it. I needed ten keyless because my new under desk keyboard/mouse tray setup wasn’t really wide enough for a super wide keyboard.

You can choose the switch type you want to run with it as well, I’ve been running Cherry MX Blues, I think Black, Brown, and Red are also offered.

It’s a Windows keyboard so I swapped some keycaps and did some OS rebinding for Mac but I’ve loved it. I don’t know if they offer a Mac version yet or not.

It wasn’t cheap, but it wasn’t as expensive as my Das Keyboard I was moving from- which I had to replace after two years as it was fritzing out and the USB hub in it stopped working.

Here’s a link to a review I just found of it as it gives more detail. The reviewed version isn’t TKL though.

https://www.samkear.com/hardware/filco-majestouch-2-ninja-me...

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