Vortex's Take on the Model M: Cover Band or New Legend?

#1

Post by trbutler » Tue, Jul 29, 2025, 5:11 PM UTC

Vortex's Take on the Model M: Cover Band or New Legend?
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Re: Vortex's Take on the Model M: Cover Band or New Legend?

#2

Post by os2warpman » Tue, Jul 29, 2025, 5:18 PM UTC

What it looks like is irrelevant. Inconsistent and misaligned typefaces on the keycaps are irrelevant. (Why are you even looking at your keyboard?)

The only relevant thing is buckling springs.

IBM perfected text input on personal computers in 1977 with the F and later M. Any comparison of any keyboard to the M is futile, and any attempt at replicating it must focus solely and absolutely on the one and only aspect of the keyboard that makes it special.

>For our test, Vortex provided a keyboard with Cherry MX Blues

Sigh.

Cosplaying.

Re: Vortex's Take on the Model M: Cover Band or New Legend?

#3

Post by trbutler » Tue, Jul 29, 2025, 5:21 PM UTC

os2warpman wrote: post #2

What it looks like is irrelevant. Inconsistent and misaligned typefaces on the keycaps are irrelevant. (Why are you even looking at your keyboard?) The only relevant thing is buckling springs. IBM perfected text input on personal computers in 1977 with the F and later M. Any comparison of any keyboard to the M is futile, and any attempt at replicating it must focus solely and absolutely on the one and only aspect of…

The intriguing part is the wireless functionality and customizability with macros and such -- things it would be fantastic to see Unicomp offer with a variant of the original.

Re: Vortex's Take on the Model M: Cover Band or New Legend?

#4

Post by scblock » Tue, Jul 29, 2025, 5:52 PM UTC

os2warpman wrote: post #2

What it looks like is irrelevant. Inconsistent and misaligned typefaces on the keycaps are irrelevant. (Why are you even looking at your keyboard?) The only relevant thing is buckling springs. IBM perfected text input on personal computers in 1977 with the F and later M. Any comparison of any keyboard to the M is futile, and any attempt at replicating it must focus solely and absolutely on the one and only aspect of…

I prefer several types of modern mechanical key switches to the buckling spring switches for several reasons including sound, feel, travel length, and activation force (gaming and typing have different optimal force to me, for example) but you're correct that the switches are what make it special. And Cherry blues are my least favorite modern switch. All the noise, but not great feel.