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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

#261

Post by hakfoo »

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 "solid" is a relative thing. People weren't comparing the M to the F, which until recently was unavailable except for second-hand units with compromise layouts and weird interfaces. They were comparing them to the value-engineered rubber dome they were selling for $14 at the Office Supply Hut.

After like 2015 or so, when firms like Ducky and Filco began to bring appealing, consumer-focused MX-switch boards to market, the M becomes just one choice among many.

There's also the more subjective angle: people like specific key feels. I like the Model M sound and feel product, probably better even than Model F (too tangy). People will put up with a lot of rubbish for a better feel.

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

#262

Post by apricot »

amelius wrote: post #131

I'm still waiting for a hacker's keyboard. Should have a lambda key for sure. And special symbols like ⊥, ≤, ≥, ≠, ≔, ¬, ∀, ∃, → ... And a large escape key. Otherwise should just be a US keyboard.

You want a space cadet keyboard: http://xahlee.info/kbd/lmi-cadr_keyboard.html

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

#263

Post by hashkb »

slibhb wrote: post #186
benlumen wrote: post #10

I told myself this would be my next keyboard years ago. So know this about mechanical keyboards in general - choose wisely, because you'll be stuck with it. First, you won't ever go back to rubber dome like everyone always says, but second, the damn things don't seem to wear out. I'm still using the original Razer Blackwidow that I bought in first year uni - 2010. I thought I'd managed to kill it with beer in the fir…

I used a mechanical keyboard for 2 years. In my opinion they're like record players. The appeal is the retro factor. Chiclet keyboards are better in every measurable way and I'm using one of those now, some $25 keyboard from Dell. I can type faster on this one, more accurately, it gets dirty much slower, and it's significantly smaller. Of course there's nothing wrong with using something because it's cool.

Chiclet keyboards hurt my fingers. Maybe I type too hard; but rather than correct that habit I bought a WASD with some nice cushion. Much more comfortable, and less pain.

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

#264

Post by wyclif »

chasil wrote: post #233
mamcx wrote: post #165

Earlier quoted context omitted.

> and so everyone’s just typing with much more force than necessary This is interesting!. I learn typing in a VERY old mechanical typewriter, then in an electronic one, then in a computer keyboard. You need to hammer the keys in the old typewriter, like hitting with all the force in the world. But in the electronic it was so soft! Then the computers come and was like in the middle. I made my own mechanical keyboard,…

I took my typing class in 1983 junior high. There were two IBM Selectrics in the back of the room, and everything else was manual. There was a schedule for the lucky two. I think we had more than one Apple ][ for after-school signup at that point, but I'm not sure.

I'll avoid dating myself, but let's just say I took typing class around the same time you did. Classroom had 20 IBM Selectrics. I was the only male in the class and probably the only student who wasn't in the Business/Accounting track (I was in College Prep and they couldn't figure out why I would take the class since professionals at the time had a secretary type all their correspondence). I foresaw that it was going to be a valuable skill because I was also in my school's first computer science class. None of the guys, and they were all guys, in my comp sci class could type, they were all hunt-and-peck.

So I learned the traditional way with an egg timer and a spiral-bound exercise book on a stand. Curled fingers. I still type this way, and I can still do about 170+ wpm depending on how many cups of coffee I've had.

Later, this really helped me when I got an IBM Model F keyboard or Sun UNIX keyboard and when I would fly around Vi like a keyboard assassin it would amaze my colleagues. My current keyboard is a mechanical Ducky with Cherry MX Brown switches: https://www.duckychannel.com.tw/en/Ducky-One-Golden-grey-TKL

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

#265

Post by mycall »

dkarl wrote: post #115
mewse wrote: post #75

Earlier quoted context omitted.

> They can be loud, depending on the switches you get. It’s worth noting that for folks who don’t know proper typing technique (which is probably nearly everybody under the age of 40, as nobody really teaches it any more, at least in the countries where I’ve lived) it almost doesn’t matter what sort of mechanical switch you’re using, in terms of noise. In my experience, the majority of mechanical keyboard noise for m…

> My theory is that most folks these days learned to type on membrane keyboards where you have to bottom out the keys (often with quite a lot of force, if the keyboard is old) I hate this. It's uncomfortable. If you aren't old enough to have used a good laptop before laptops could be thinner than two inches, you can think of modern laptop keyboards as the 21st century equivalent of a girdle. You give up a certain amo…

I've ordered an opti-mechanical new laptop to hopefully rediscover comfort in typing. Wish me luck)

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

#266

Post by mycall »

wyclif wrote: post #264
chasil wrote: post #233

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I took my typing class in 1983 junior high. There were two IBM Selectrics in the back of the room, and everything else was manual. There was a schedule for the lucky two. I think we had more than one Apple ][ for after-school signup at that point, but I'm not sure.

I'll avoid dating myself, but let's just say I took typing class around the same time you did. Classroom had 20 IBM Selectrics. I was the only male in the class and probably the only student who wasn't in the Business/Accounting track (I was in College Prep and they couldn't figure out why I would take the class since professionals at the time had a secretary type all their correspondence). I foresaw that it was goin…

170 is insane. I have similar history and top out at 88wpm @ https://play.typeracer.com

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

#267

Post by andrewf »

jasonv wrote: post #135

I spend my day on a Macbook Air and a MS Surface, and a Dell. The Dell keyboard is squishy and horrible to type on. I ordered a Logitech mechanical keyboard but it came broken, so I returned it.. and didn't get a chance to try it out. Anyone have a recommendation for a low-profile, relatively quiet mechanical keyboard that will not feel disruptive to my Mac & Surface keyboard habits? Something akin to those, but mech…

Apple will sell you a low-profile chiclet keyboard that feels a lot like an older Macbook Air. I have one at work. I've got a daskeyboard (Brown switches) at home.

I think both chiclet and mechanical keyboards give me tactile feedback I'm comfortable with.

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

#268

Post by konart »

Krisando wrote: post #254
konart wrote: post #199

>The New Model M is a typing keyboard, not a gaming keyboard. If you care about “ghosting,” it’s not the keyboard for you. This is a strange statement. My Space65 is also a typing keyboard and I do care about ghosting.

He's confusing ghosting with key rollover. Ghosting isn't a problem on the Model M, key rollover is.

Yeah. But still - key rollover over here either :D

That vs gaming keyboards comparison is just out of place.

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

#269

Post by KozmoNau7 »

marianov wrote: post #73
KozmoNau7 wrote: post #39

Earlier quoted context omitted.

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.

Best keyboard I ever used is my current Thinkpad x220. I would need something with a better CPU tough

I'm still hanging on to my X220i with the i3, upgraded to 8GB RAM, SSD, 5GHz WLAN and a 9-cell battery. It's not a speed machine, but it's still adequate for everyday use.

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

#270

Post by TheCapeGreek »

executesorder66 wrote: post #45
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…

So I'm not alone. I really can't understand the appeal of a mechanical keyboard. - They are loud - They are expensive - The keys are massive and ugly - Massive travel time (So slow to type on) Sure they are a bit more customizable, but is that really worth all the drawbacks? Especially the worse typing, which is the main point of a keyboard. If you are a mechanical keyboard fanatic, and my comment angered you, please…

Without the increase travel time I find it near impossible to not bottom out on normie keyboards. When typing at high speed it causes my fingers massive joint pain because I'm basically tapping on a surface constantly instead of getting feedback. And I used to use the Mac keyboards from ~2010 for years before a cheapo generic keyboard caused me to have those issues and I shelled out for a mechanical.

Haven't had that particular issue since, only RSI was the kinds I'd have had regardless of if I used normal keyboards or not.

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