Author Topic: What keyboard are you thinking about buying?  (Read 5726 times)

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Offline xsphat

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What keyboard are you thinking about buying?
« on: Tue, 16 October 2007, 00:58:35 »
I am thinking about buying an HHKB Lite 2 for work, but other than that, I can't think of a single keyboard I want to try that is available in the USA.

I need inspiration here, people.

Offline iMav

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What keyboard are you thinking about buying?
« Reply #1 on: Tue, 16 October 2007, 01:27:14 »
Do you, specifically, desire a HHKB Lite 2??  Or do you desire another HHKB keyboard and can't justify the cost of the Pro?

I'd like to try one of the "Mighty Mouse" keyboards from Unicomp...but, sadly, they have been out of stock for quite a while.



Probably for the best anyway as they don't use buckling springs nor mechanical switches.

I'd really like to pick up another 84-key Model M spacesaver...but I really don't have a good reason to do so other then a desire to hoard keyboards.  :)

Offline xsphat

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What keyboard are you thinking about buying?
« Reply #2 on: Tue, 16 October 2007, 01:35:53 »
I'd like a Lite 2 for work, and maybe in the future a second Pro 2 for a backup at home.

Offline Mikecase00

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What keyboard are you thinking about buying?
« Reply #3 on: Tue, 16 October 2007, 10:40:47 »
I'm tempted to give one of these http://www.deckkeyboards.com/legend.php a try.  Standard 105 key layout, adjustable backlighting for the keys, clicky mechanical key switches... It'd be the perfect keyboard if it didn't have Windows keys and the key font was a little more toned down.
IBM Model M 1391401 (dyed black) w/ keys from M-13
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IBM Model M 1392934 SpaceSaver
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http://www.mikecase.net

Offline iMav

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What keyboard are you thinking about buying?
« Reply #4 on: Tue, 16 October 2007, 10:50:51 »
Quote from: Mikecase00
It'd be the perfect keyboard if it didn't have Windows keys and the key font was a little more toned down.

You can choose between Win and Mac keycaps.  In fact, they have Linux-themed and BLANK keycaps as well.  It doesn't look like you have much to worry about as far as keycap customization is concerned.

Hmmm...that 82-key board looks pretty sweet . . .

Offline Mikecase00

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What keyboard are you thinking about buying?
« Reply #5 on: Tue, 16 October 2007, 11:52:34 »
Quote from: iMav
Quote from: Mikecase00
It'd be the perfect keyboard if it didn't have Windows keys and the key font was a little more toned down.

You can choose between Win and Mac keycaps.  In fact, they have Linux-themed and BLANK keycaps as well.  It doesn't look like you have much to worry about as far as keycap customization is concerned.

Hmmm...that 82-key board looks pretty sweet . . .


It's not the Windows logo (although I do admit I like the optional Penguin key) it's that I don't like having the additional keys at all.  The additional keys on a 105 keyboard shorten the space bar and increase the likelihood that I accidentally bring up the right click context menu.  That and I find them totally unnecessary.  The only time I hit them when typing on a 105 is by mistake...
IBM Model M 1391401 (dyed black) w/ keys from M-13
IBM M-13 Trackpoint (naturally black)
IBM Model M 1392934 SpaceSaver
Several plain IBM 1391401 Ms
Epson Equity Q203A
http://www.mikecase.net

Offline Mikecase00

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What keyboard are you thinking about buying?
« Reply #6 on: Tue, 16 October 2007, 11:58:58 »
Quote from: iMav
I'd like to try one of the "Mighty Mouse" keyboards from Unicomp...but, sadly, they have been out of stock for quite a while.


BTW, those Unicomp "Mighty Mouse" keyboards are copies of the IBM Space Saver 2 boards which show up with some frequency on eBay in the $40 range.  If you want one, troll eBay for a while and you'll see one come up.
IBM Model M 1391401 (dyed black) w/ keys from M-13
IBM M-13 Trackpoint (naturally black)
IBM Model M 1392934 SpaceSaver
Several plain IBM 1391401 Ms
Epson Equity Q203A
http://www.mikecase.net

Offline iMav

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What keyboard are you thinking about buying?
« Reply #7 on: Tue, 16 October 2007, 12:11:46 »
Quote from: Mikecase00
BTW, those Unicomp "Mighty Mouse" keyboards are copies of the IBM Space Saver 2 boards which show up with some frequency on eBay in the $40 range.  If you want one, troll eBay for a while and you'll see one come up.

Well, not really a copy.  Unicomp owns the technology and, I believe, made the last of the IBM-branded ones.  If I buy one, I'll buy it from Unicomp when they are available.  They earned my loyalty by assembling the LAST Model M 84-key space saver for me.  ;)

Also, I think they are actually the modern-day IBM model M4-1 space saver (as opposed to the spacesaver 2).

Offline Mikecase00

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What keyboard are you thinking about buying?
« Reply #8 on: Tue, 16 October 2007, 12:22:46 »
You're correct of course.  By the time those keyboards were being shipped it was almost certainly Unicomp doing the manufacturing for IBM.  It's unfortunate they never produced an 84 key buckling spring space saver with trackpoint.  That seems like it would have been a better idea than the full size 101 key trackpoints they produced.
IBM Model M 1391401 (dyed black) w/ keys from M-13
IBM M-13 Trackpoint (naturally black)
IBM Model M 1392934 SpaceSaver
Several plain IBM 1391401 Ms
Epson Equity Q203A
http://www.mikecase.net

Offline iMav

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What keyboard are you thinking about buying?
« Reply #9 on: Tue, 16 October 2007, 12:49:27 »
Quote from: Mikecase00
It's unfortunate they never produced an 84 key buckling spring space saver with trackpoint.

THAT would be the PERFECT keyboard.

I am interested in getting the "Mighty Mouse"...as I think it would be a great keyboard to carry along with my laptop (due to its small size and integrated trackpoint).  I've read that, although they use rubber dome switches, the MM does rubber domes right.  Very firm rubber which provide nice resistance and snap back into place.  I'm definitely interested in giving one of these a try if they ever roll them out the door again.

Offline Marutks

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Re: What keyboard are you thinking about buying?
« Reply #10 on: Mon, 24 July 2017, 07:07:09 »
I hope to get FJELL and RAMA A-65 kits if there is R2 GB.  After all case is the most important part in a keyboard.

Offline TalkingTree

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Re: What keyboard are you thinking about buying?
« Reply #11 on: Mon, 24 July 2017, 07:23:01 »
After all case is the most important part in a keyboard.
Not really, but how did you even find this ten years old thread?
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Offline antquinonez

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Re: What keyboard are you thinking about buying?
« Reply #12 on: Mon, 24 July 2017, 09:29:06 »
I want to get one of those black label, super clean, bolt modded if necessary Model Ms from Clicky Boards. I think the price is worth it -- it takes quite some effort to pop all those key caps and stems, wash the crap out of the plate and to address those broken plastic 'bolts' (or whatever the heck they were thinking)....

http://clickykeyboards.com/shop/?orderby=price-desc