How I Learned to Love the IBM Model M Keyboard... Again!
or,
Why Bolt Modding is a Valuable Service
- I -
My first experience with the IBM Model M keyboard was in high school. The year was 1989, and I was a sophomore, taking a Computer Science class which was mostly populated with seniors looking to get their "computer" credit so they could graduate. We were learning how to create simplistic programs using Turbo Pascal. The PCs we were using were brand new IBM PS/2 models, complete with the Model M keyboard. Before this, the only computer I had been exposed to in school was the Commodore 64 used in my 7th grade Computer Literacy class. Side note: that class was taught by a football coach, who knew very little about computers. I ended up "teaching" most of my peers what they learned that year, as I had a Sanyo XT-clone luggable at home, and had used my trusty TI-99/4A to learn how to write simple BASIC code a few years before. What I remember most about my high school Computer Science class, besides the cheerleader who sat next to me and "let" me do her work for her, was that awesome keyboard. It had removable keycap tops, and we used to prank the hunt-and-peck typists by swapping the 'A' and 'S' keycaps.
- II -
This has nothing to do with the Model M.
When I went to college in 1992, there were a couple guys (twin brothers) who lived down the hall from me in the dorms. One of them had a Focus 9001 keyboard with clicky white Alps switches, and a calculator with LCD display in the tenkey area. I didn't know at the time what Alps switches were, I just knew I liked them. They had a friend who would come over from time to time, and he typed so fast on that keyboard, I was just in awe. We nicknamed him "Types With Keyboard," since the movie Dances with Wolves had recently come out, and was a popular culture reference at the time.
- III -
The next time I used a Model M keyboard was in 2001 or so. I was in the Air Force, and stationed at Hickam Air Force Base in Hawaii. Rough assignment, I know. I had bought a new Dell computer, and had it in my dorm room there, but I was dissatisfied with the way the keyboard felt. I soon found myself doing searches on eBay for that nice, clicky keyboard I had once used in high school. I learned that they were called Model M's, and, not long after, there were two of them en route to me. One was a NOS 42H1292, with the permanently attached PS/2 cable. The other was a Greenock, born on Halloween, 31-OCT-1996. It wasn't new, but was in like-new condition. I used those keyboards daily while I was stationed in Hawaii. When I transferred to my next duty station, they got packed away, and were little used after that.
- IV -
March 2012. I break out the Model M again. Find a little forum called Geekhack, and its sister site, the then-young Deskthority. I ordered a Filco from Amazon, and began a tryst with Cherry MX based keyboards. I have continued to use my Model M's on and off, but they just didn't excite me the way other shiny new stuff was doing. I bought an SSK, and while I liked the tenkeyless form factor, it still didn't seem perfect for me. I tested the waters with Model F's, and found that perfection of actuation that I had been missing. Unfortunately, the layout of Model F's leaves something to be desired. The XT requires a converter to work, and the layout is, well, inconvenient, to put it nicely. The AT has that bigass Enter, function keys on the left, and no cursor arrow/nav block. Finding an F-122 has been a challenge, fraught with frustration for me, so far. But even that will require some modification to get closer to a standard ANSI layout. When IBM designed the layout of the Model M, they really reached perfection with it. A 101-key Model M really is the perfect form factor, from my perspective. Now how to get that lighter click of the Model F, in a perfect layout like the Model M?
- V -
Enter bolt modding. I purchased a bolt modded 1390120 from prdlm2009. I don't know if it's all due to the bolt mod, or if the thicker steel backplate of the silver badge 1390120 has something to do with how it feels (probably), but typing on this Model M is simply a dream come true. No more slight inconsistencies at actuation. No more heavy click. Just a light, wonderful feeling that lets you forget the keyboard is even there. I don't play games on my PC, so 2KRO is not an issue for me. This is what Topre was supposed to be, right? Keyboard nirvana. I have a couple more Model M's with the thicker steel backplate in the wings being or about to be bolt modded. The only negative about the 1390120 is the lack of indicator LEDs. But that's why they made the 1390131. I have a feeling these are going to be in main rotation on my desk for quite some time.
- VI -
Now, I'm not saying I'm giving up on MX completely. Far from it. I still use a Rosewill daily at work, since, with its MX Reds, it's much quieter than a buckling spring. I still love Alps. Topre is good too, and really just about as silent as you would want in a keyboard. The great thing about MX and Alps switches, especially for people like me who like to play around with new designs, is that they are a discrete switch. This allows for easy mounting in plates and on PCBs, for when you want to change the design drastically. See ErgoDox, GH60, SmallFry keyboard, GHPad, etc. None of those would be possible without discrete switches.
- VII -
So, what's the point? Have your Model M bolt modded, or do it yourself. Even if the rivets are still intact, or mostly so. Pay more for this added value. Clean it up and put it back on your desk. If you don't have a Model M, get one -- there are plenty out there for the taking. Learn to love the Model M again, as I have. Enjoy your feeling of oneness with your input device! Happy keyboarding!!
