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The "Not Quite Amiga but still computer related category" => Alternative Operating Systems => Topic started by: runequester on July 30, 2011, 08:49:33 PM

Title: IBM model M keyboard
Post by: runequester on July 30, 2011, 08:49:33 PM
Just got this in the mail. Built in 1993, weighs as much as my wife's laptop, sounds like a typewriter.. and its ****ing amazing.
Title: Re: IBM model M keyboard
Post by: XDelusion on July 30, 2011, 08:52:43 PM
Show us some pics, I love those old IBM keyboards. Some of them were as heavy as tanks, and you KNEW when you pressed a key! :)
Title: Re: IBM model M keyboard
Post by: commodorejohn on July 30, 2011, 09:03:23 PM
I've got one of these at work, as my coworker's computer had its PS/2 port conk out ;D Best keyboard I've ever used, hands-down.
Title: Re: IBM model M keyboard
Post by: Duce on July 30, 2011, 09:10:48 PM
Very loyal following for those Model M kb's, real solid bit of hardware.
Title: Re: IBM model M keyboard
Post by: XDelusion on July 30, 2011, 09:33:06 PM
Steam Punk edition! ;)
Title: Re: IBM model M keyboard
Post by: lsmart on July 30, 2011, 10:05:55 PM
It is indeed one of the best keyboards ever manufactured. Unfortunately there just is no way to use it at work for me - quiet operation is required.

At Home: Sadly the UNICOMP-Keyboard is not 100% like the originals from the 80`s but I figured I find the extra (Windows-)Keys actually useful and there is a minor defect on my real Model-M that makes using the alt-key a pain.

The UNICOMP is the closest you can come to a real Model-M. I think it´s even better than some Model-M keyboards from the late 90s, but I might be wrong.
Title: Re: IBM model M keyboard
Post by: B00tDisk on July 30, 2011, 10:44:21 PM
Quote from: lsmart;652279
It is indeed one of the best keyboards ever manufactured. Unfortunately there just is no way to use it at work for me - quiet operation is required.

At Home: Sadly the UNICOMP-Keyboard is not 100% like the originals from the 80`s but I figured I find the extra (Windows-)Keys actually useful and there is a minor defect on my real Model-M that makes using the alt-key a pain.

The UNICOMP is the closest you can come to a real Model-M. I think it´s even better than some Model-M keyboards from the late 90s, but I might be wrong.


IBM made silent model-Ms - achieved very easily by packing the spring mech with grease!

Model-Ms are the greatest keyboards ever made.  I have had the one I am currently typing on for 13 years and it is frigging indestructible.
Title: Re: IBM model M keyboard
Post by: TheBilgeRat on July 30, 2011, 11:14:34 PM
Don't think I'd ever go back to buckling spring, but i do have my eyes on a torpe...
Title: Re: IBM model M keyboard
Post by: murph on August 01, 2011, 03:14:05 AM
I have these on all of my machines, they are the best.
Title: Re: IBM model M keyboard
Post by: Heiroglyph on August 01, 2011, 04:06:15 AM
Quote from: lsmart;652279
It is indeed one of the best keyboards ever manufactured. Unfortunately there just is no way to use it at work for me - quiet operation is required.

At Home: Sadly the UNICOMP-Keyboard is not 100% like the originals from the 80`s but I figured I find the extra (Windows-)Keys actually useful and there is a minor defect on my real Model-M that makes using the alt-key a pain.

The UNICOMP is the closest you can come to a real Model-M. I think it´s even better than some Model-M keyboards from the late 90s, but I might be wrong.


I love the Unicomp versions, plenty close to the original and worth every penny.  I bought the USB version for use at the office and I swear my typing improved.

If it wasn't so loud I'd buy one for home too, but since I tend to be the last one in bed it would probably be a problem.
Title: Re: IBM model M keyboard
Post by: B00tDisk on August 01, 2011, 06:04:10 AM
Quote from: Heiroglyph;652469
I love the Unicomp versions, plenty close to the original and worth every penny.  I bought the USB version for use at the office and I swear my typing improved.


Are the UNICOMP versions heavy?  Like, physically heavy, like an original Model-M?

This is an important factor.
Title: Re: IBM model M keyboard
Post by: Colani1200 on August 01, 2011, 09:16:55 AM
I am using one of these with my Aros machine. Excellent keyboard. But the Amiga keyboards manufactured by Cherry weren't bad either. Hard to decide which one I'd prefer.
Title: Re: IBM model M keyboard
Post by: Heiroglyph on August 01, 2011, 02:48:04 PM
Quote from: B00tDisk;652474
Are the UNICOMP versions heavy?  Like, physically heavy, like an original Model-M?

This is an important factor.


They are very solid, perfect for self defense ;)

It feels a lot heavier than any other keyboard I've seen recently, but it's been so long since I saw a real model M that I can't say.

USB and the Windows keys outweigh any of the other differences to me.  The key caps and action were the main things I wanted.