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IBM is still making ThinkPad keyboards

mthompson.org

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Re: IBM is still making ThinkPad keyboards

#31

Post by apricot »

WizzleKake wrote: post #7

http://www.pckeyboard.com/ Unicomp is still keeping the glory days of the IBM Model M keyboard alive.

Ah, the Model M. Still have mine from 1990, used it for decades, and I would still be using it at home if it were not for the fact that it was so loud it woke up my newborn son sleeping in the other room.

So I got a quieter keyboard (Realforce 87U that I picked up in Japan, very different key feeling but in a good way) and put the Model M in storage.

My son is now 7 years old, loves Minecraft, and wants to learn programming. So we've been spending some quality father-son time on pcpartpicker.com lately, in search of the best computer he can afford. "No need to buy a keyboard," I told him, "I've got exactly what you need."

You never actually own a Model M. You merely look after it for the next generation.

Re: IBM is still making ThinkPad keyboards

#32

Post by jamescun »

chrisBob wrote: post #10

This guy went out of his way to buy something with a trackpoint? Surely this is a hoax.

Back in the late 90s I had a Toshiba Satellite Pro 420 with the green nipple mouse. It was by far better than any touchpad that came along until very recently.

(If anybody knows the actual term other than "nipple mouse" please let me know).

Re: IBM is still making ThinkPad keyboards

#33

Post by binaryapparatus »

melling wrote: post #20
jseliger wrote: post #18

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Those are excellent and I used one for years: http://jakeseliger.com/2008/05/07/product-review-unicomp-cus... before switching to a Kinesis Advantage. Though I like the keyfeel of the Model M better, the ergonomics of the Kinesis are better.

Can anyone discuss the ergonomics of the Kinesis? It has MX Brown Cherry switches which are easier on the hands, for example. I've often wonder if its unique shape had proven benefits. Many people have tried using it but have given up. Is it better than an ErgoDox, for instance? http://ergodox.org

I am using Kinesis Advantage for three years. Got one after initial symptoms of 'something is going on with my palm bones' and it is the best ergonomic investment I ever did. It is extremely good keyboard, especially 'LF' version with red cherry switches. My next keyboard will be Kinesis Advantage again, that's how good they are.

Re: IBM is still making ThinkPad keyboards

#34

Post by valarauca1 »

brudgers wrote: post #27

It wouldn't surprise me if there were service contracts requiring continued manufacture of the keyboard to insure replacement parts.

Replacement parts are normally made in the same production run as Production parts. You just project the number of replacement/warrenty claims, and build 10% over that.

Cuts the cost of dyes/run times. This is also why replacement parts become next to impossible to find 10-15 years down the line. If they are available they'll become outrageously expensive due to another company purchasing the rights to make spare parts.

Source: Worked as a military contract and sourced engine parts from Level3 Communication.

Re: IBM is still making ThinkPad keyboards

#35

Post by pjgomez »

I have had the very same keyboard shown in the article for more than ten years and it still works perfectly, although I was a bit disappointed at the time because it didn't feel quite the ones in the laptops. Lately though, I went all nostalgic and undusted an old IBM 1391405, that clicks like a charm while I am typing this.

Re: IBM is still making ThinkPad keyboards

#38

Post by gcb0 »

there's modern design by a company called Tex that has true mechanical keys plus the center mouse thingy. tex yoda. look it up.

i don't use mine much because they dumbly made it a two buttons mouse only.

Re: IBM is still making ThinkPad keyboards

#40

Post by nix0n »

jamescun wrote: post #32
chrisBob wrote: post #10

This guy went out of his way to buy something with a trackpoint? Surely this is a hoax.

Back in the late 90s I had a Toshiba Satellite Pro 420 with the green nipple mouse. It was by far better than any touchpad that came along until very recently. (If anybody knows the actual term other than "nipple mouse" please let me know).

According to https://xkcd.com/243/ it's either TrackPoint(tm) or "clit mouse"
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