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IBM is still making ThinkPad keyboards

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Re: IBM is still making ThinkPad keyboards

#91

Post by apricot »

gcb0 wrote: post #43
apricot wrote: post #31

Earlier quoted context omitted.

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 prog…

if you got a real force to replace a buckling spring you didn't do your homework :) torpe keys are louder than cherry, mostly because cherry you can use heavier key caps and dampening rubber all around. there are rumors of topre with dampening on the up motion, but even finding regular topre is already difficult enough (also imported mines from Japan, like you) also, the feeling from tactile cherries are closer the b…

Just because I love buckling springs doesn't mean I don't also enjoy Topre. I'm far from monogamous when it comes to keyboards.

And I most certainly did my homework, which in my case meant walking around in Den-Den Town (Osaka's version of Akihabara) trying keyboards at various stores. In the end, my two favorites were a Fujitsu Libertouch and the Realforce I got.

When you say "Topre keys are louder than cherry", I guess you're excluding the clicky cherries. I have a Filco with blue cherries at work, and it's much louder than my Realforce.

Re: IBM is still making ThinkPad keyboards

#92

Post by apricot »

mverwijs wrote: post #49
apricot wrote: post #31

Earlier quoted context omitted.

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 prog…

OT, but fun: For programming, run a spigot server with the scriptcraft plugin. Instant JavaScript fun inside minecraft!

Thank you, I will investigate that. The number and variety of Minecraft add-ons is amazing.

Re: IBM is still making ThinkPad keyboards

#93

Post by benburton »

MichaelGG wrote: post #58
WizzleKake wrote: post #7

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

If only they'd make a split layout ergo design. One of the only mechanical ergos out there (available today) is the Matias Ergo Pro. And it's got a lot of dumb design decisions. Like dedicated copy/cut etc keys that just send Ctrl-C Ctrl-X etc. Bizarre. Strange placement of Ctrl that still, after months of usage, cause me typos. And a remote Esc that hurts more than normal to reach. Among other silly key placements.…

Best bet is to wait for Massdrop to relaunch that ErgoDox kit: https://www.massdrop.com/buy/ergodox?mode=guest_open

Re: IBM is still making ThinkPad keyboards

#94

Post by BrianEatWorld »

pkamb wrote: post #66
chdir wrote: post #41

I use a standing desk, and hence require a separate keyboard to go with my laptop for proper head & wrist position. I've been searching for a wireless thinkpad keyboard which is a replica of the T series keyboard (with touchpad & dedicated mouse buttons). It seems not many people ask for it and hence they don't make it. I've tried logitech & Microsoft's wireless keyboards, they aren't that much fun to use. Posting it…

Not wireless, and no trackpad, but this is a replica of the best T-Series keyboard and is very good: https://support.lenovo.com/us/en/documents/pd005137

Watch out when shopping for this model. This specific model is tough to find reasonably priced and the current iteration doesn't have a built in USB cord. Instead, it connects via a USB mini-5 that is pretty weak mechanically. I was using mine as a keyboard for my media pc and it broke after two months of fairly normal use.

Re: IBM is still making ThinkPad keyboards

#95

Post by dijit »

v4n4d1s wrote: post #62

I switched to DasKeyboard Ultimate S a few years ago, never looked back to the old IBM ThinkPad keyboards.

no mobile though.

I had the crazy idea of sticking a cubietruck into a ten keyless mechanical keyboard, attaching it to a 10" tft/lcd and adding an adjustable kickstand.

I really do like to have a good keyboard when mobile. :\

Re: IBM is still making ThinkPad keyboards

#96

Post by acomjean »

agumonkey wrote: post #73
jonbaer wrote: post #26

Does no one remember the Butterfly keyboard on the 701? https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/IBM_ThinkPad_Butterfly_keyboar...

Never had the pleasure to own or use one. My best was this : http://mla-s1-p.mlstatic.com/mouse-ibm-ps2-ball-scroll-point... Fond memories.

I had one once upon a time.... The trackpoint on a mouse was truly great.

Re: IBM is still making ThinkPad keyboards

#97

Post by agumonkey »

acomjean wrote: post #96
agumonkey wrote: post #73

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Never had the pleasure to own or use one. My best was this : http://mla-s1-p.mlstatic.com/mouse-ibm-ps2-ball-scroll-point... Fond memories.

I had one once upon a time.... The trackpoint on a mouse was truly great.

I got the IBM keyboard that came with it on the IBM 300GL desktop. It's not a model M but it was pretty nifty anyway.

Re: IBM is still making ThinkPad keyboards

#99

Post by [deleted] »

MichaelGG wrote: post #53
bad_user wrote: post #51

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I have both a ThinkPad and a MacBook Pro and MacBooks are also doing it. I prefer to override Caps Lock to be another Ctrl and I can't remember the last time I felt the need to use the normal left-Ctrl. The best part is that Caps Lock is here to stay because many users like to write ALL CAPS.

The Lenovo X1 Carbon actually did remove caps, instead putting home/end there. I believe it also removed the F keys, instead adding an "adaptive" touch strip. They undid it in the latest version. I wouldn't consider anything safe from the terrible designers at Lenovo. It is fine that they wanna experiment. I just wish they'd sell a premium option with the old style, good, keyboards.

[deleted]

Re: IBM is still making ThinkPad keyboards

#100

Post by brudgers »

valarauca1 wrote: post #34
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 par…

That's one way to do it. The scale of ThinkPad keyboards may be susceptible to alternative approaches since there's a product line aspect, i.e. many products with interchangeable parts produced over many years.
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