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geekhack Community => Keyboards => Topic started by: xsphat on Sun, 18 May 2008, 03:29:20

Title: EnduraPro question
Post by: xsphat on Sun, 18 May 2008, 03:29:20
Would someone post a pic of the side view of a Model M and an EnduraPro so I can get a height comparison?

Does the EnduraPro feel like a Model M (Not the switches, the keyboard itself) or does it feel smaller? I want to know if the EnduraPro has the authoritative feeling of the M.
Title: EnduraPro question
Post by: iMav on Sun, 18 May 2008, 06:29:53
[Click on photos for larger view]

(http://www.uhhh.org/~lherzog/blog-images/pro-mini-1.jpg) (http://www.uhhh.org/~lherzog/blog-images/pro-mini-1-big.jpg)
(http://www.uhhh.org/~lherzog/blog-images/pro-mini-2.jpg) (http://www.uhhh.org/~lherzog/blog-images/pro-mini-2-big.jpg)
(http://www.uhhh.org/~lherzog/blog-images/pro-mini-3.jpg) (http://www.uhhh.org/~lherzog/blog-images/pro-mini-3-big.jpg)
(http://www.uhhh.org/~lherzog/blog-images/pro-mini-4.jpg) (http://www.uhhh.org/~lherzog/blog-images/pro-mini-4-big.jpg)
Title: EnduraPro question
Post by: bigpook on Sun, 18 May 2008, 06:53:53
They look the same to me. At least with respect to the angle of the keys.
Title: EnduraPro question
Post by: xsphat on Sun, 18 May 2008, 11:38:13
Thanks iMav, you gave me the exact shot wanted.

I pulled out the M the other night and I've been enjoying it because of the size and the way it fits in my keyboard tray. So the EnduraPro is a bigger keyboard afterall ...
Title: EnduraPro question
Post by: iMav on Sun, 18 May 2008, 14:25:35
Quote from: xsphat;4732
Thanks iMav, you gave me the exact shot wanted.

I pulled out the M the other night and I've been enjoying it because of the size and the way it fits in my keyboard tray. So the EnduraPro is a bigger keyboard afterall ...

It is still Unicomp's "spacesaver'.  But that is, primarily, due to the width of the 'board.  Here are some comparisons with the 84-key spacesaver:

(http://www.uhhh.org/~lherzog/blog-images/pro-mini-5.jpg) (http://www.uhhh.org/~lherzog/blog-images/pro-mini-5-big.jpg)
(http://www.uhhh.org/~lherzog/blog-images/pro-mini-6.jpg) (http://www.uhhh.org/~lherzog/blog-images/pro-mini-6-big.jpg)

As you can image, the full, original Model M is quite a bit wider.
Title: EnduraPro question
Post by: xsphat on Sun, 18 May 2008, 15:08:22
Thanks iMav, you answered my questions again! I'm gonna give my M another chance because I like it where it is and it does feel good, though I know that a brand new keyboard would feel better.

I kind of wish they still made new old school Model Ms with the track point.
Title: EnduraPro question
Post by: iMav on Sun, 18 May 2008, 17:22:39
Quote from: xsphat
I kind of wish they still made new old school Model Ms with the track point.
Just get an Endurapro.  It's a Model M through and through.  I recently bought two spacesavers (trackpoint-less Endurapro's) for a couple of friends of mine and they are deliriously happy with them.
Title: EnduraPro question
Post by: Waves77 on Sun, 18 May 2008, 19:06:36
Quote from: iMav;4738
Just get an Endurapro.  It's a Model M through and through..


Are you comparing this to a 1391401 model M? Somehow I read different opinions regarding how the Endurapro's compare, and I wonder what model M people are comparing it to exactly...

For example even my industrial 1394946 feels different to my 1391401 (not by much, but enough to be noticeable).
Title: EnduraPro question
Post by: iMav on Sun, 18 May 2008, 19:38:04
Quote from: Waves77;4739
Are you comparing this to a 1391401 model M?

No.  I am saying the Endurapro IS a Model M.  :) (see upper right "Model M" identification)

(http://www.uhhh.org/~lherzog/blog-images/pro-model-m-1.jpg) (http://www.uhhh.org/~lherzog/blog-images/pro-model-m-1-big.jpg)

Seriously.  Same metal backplate, same buckling springs, same company (at least the company that made the last several models for IBM).

What Unicomp produces are the modern-day Model M keyboards. I think they feel great and are worthy of the Model M designation.
Title: EnduraPro question
Post by: xsphat on Mon, 19 May 2008, 12:25:24
The only buckling springs I've ever typed on are in the 1391401 I was given, so I guess I really don't know what to expect from the Unicomp keyboard since mine was most likely manufactured by Leximark.

I have no doubt that the EnduraPro is the modern Model M, so I am really interested in trying a brand new one out.

Hey iMav, how do I get to be such a good pal of yours that you buy me keyboards?
Title: EnduraPro question
Post by: iMav on Mon, 19 May 2008, 12:31:39
Quote from: xsphat
Hey iMav, how do I get to be such a good pal of yours that you buy me keyboards?

Considering you are one of only two people that have ever received keyboards on behalf of geekhack, I find that question rather funny.  :)
Title: EnduraPro question
Post by: ashort on Mon, 19 May 2008, 12:32:02
Quote from: xsphat;4763
Hey iMav, how do I get to be such a good pal of yours that you buy me keyboards?


What a great way to boost geekhack membership.  "Fill out this form and iMav will buy you a very noisy keyboard!"

:-D
Title: EnduraPro question
Post by: xsphat on Mon, 19 May 2008, 12:38:43
Funny, da bof a yus.
Title: EnduraPro question
Post by: bigpook on Mon, 19 May 2008, 13:10:57
xsphat

I have a 1987 1391401 and a unicomp linux board and they feel the same to me. My model m spacesaver however has a different feel. Its hard to describe but I would say my unicomp board is tighter versus the spacesaver. The spacesaver is dated at 1987, and I don't know what kind of life it had before I got it. It has a hollower click to it compared to the unicomp board. But the action is the same.
Not that it is undesireable, after a few minutes of typing I settle right in.

I would certainly reccommend a unicomp board, If its a modern/new model m that you are looking for then I do not think you will be disappointed.
Title: EnduraPro question
Post by: Eclairz on Mon, 19 May 2008, 13:30:20
no wonder xsphat has more posts than imav
Title: EnduraPro question
Post by: xsphat on Mon, 19 May 2008, 13:37:35
Thanks, Pook. I am buying a new keyboard with my stimulus check, so I'm looking hard into them. Plus I have a novel I'm writing this summer and something about writing on the M feels right, even though the Alps whites are louder and more crisp than my 1988 1391401.
Title: EnduraPro question
Post by: bigpook on Tue, 20 May 2008, 14:15:58
Cool, let us know how it goes when you get it.
Title: EnduraPro question
Post by: bhtooefr on Wed, 04 June 2008, 16:51:37
I know the thread's a bit old, but I'll go ahead and say my comments.

I find that the EnduraPro has a different sound to it, and the keys are MUCH lighter. Quality is, IMO, a bit lower... but after getting acclimated to it, I now prefer typing on the Unicomp board, to my 1993 genuine IBM Model M, and that's the best quality keyboard I own.
Title: EnduraPro question
Post by: bigpook on Wed, 04 June 2008, 17:24:25
I am thinking that the model m's have a different feel that is dependent on age and use. I have  a model m space saver that has a light feel on the keys compared to my unicomp model m clone. Regrettably, I prefer the unicomp, its newer but more importantly for me, has a better feel. Its a pleasure for me to type on it.

I just ordered another unicomp keyboard, this time around it will be the spacesaver with black keys and a linux layout. I will let you all know how that turns out. I am also waiting on another model m spacesaver that I got off of e-bay. I am hoping that it has a better feel than the one I have now.