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geekhack Community => Keyboards => Topic started by: 8_INCH_FLOPPY on Fri, 10 September 2010, 15:58:31

Title: What is so great about the compact Model M Mini?
Post by: 8_INCH_FLOPPY on Fri, 10 September 2010, 15:58:31
Why does everyone want a model M mini?  Really, what is the appeal?  Why would you be willing to pay +$120 dollars for a keyboard with less features, when you could buy a top of the line Model M for less than half the price?
Title: What is so great about the compact Model M Mini?
Post by: runeazn on Fri, 10 September 2010, 15:59:00
since they likew it small..
Title: What is so great about the compact Model M Mini?
Post by: timw4mail on Fri, 10 September 2010, 15:59:12
Some people like keyboards without 10keys.

I'm not really one of them.
Title: What is so great about the compact Model M Mini?
Post by: Phaedrus2129 on Fri, 10 September 2010, 16:01:44
The Model M is the enemy of desk space. For those who love buckling springs, but need something that can fit on something smaller than the deck of an aircraft carrier, the Model M Mini is ideal.
Title: What is so great about the compact Model M Mini?
Post by: ch_123 on Fri, 10 September 2010, 16:05:47
If you've ever put a regular Model M on your desk, you'd see why.

Besides, not a lot of people use those numpads anyway.
Title: What is so great about the compact Model M Mini?
Post by: 8_INCH_FLOPPY on Fri, 10 September 2010, 16:13:11
I have put a Model M on my desk, and I loved it.  The only keyboards better than a large Model M are a mechanical Terminal keyboard with at least 122 keys, and my Fujitsu FKB4725.
Title: What is so great about the compact Model M Mini?
Post by: shrap on Fri, 10 September 2010, 16:46:33
Tenkeyless is a feature.
Title: What is so great about the compact Model M Mini?
Post by: 8_INCH_FLOPPY on Fri, 10 September 2010, 16:54:18
To  ch_123, my response is: ????


To ripster, the last owner is of no importance, and has no effect of value.  I own an oscilloscope that was probably used by NASA to design and build rocket ships.  Does anyone care?  No.  All they care about is what it can do and how well it can do it... And how much space it takes up.... Hmmm.. I'm seeing a pattern here.  Ah well, I guess I'm just different in  that I like my electronics being big.

Of course, I hope what you said about rarity is correct, because if it is, I can make some serious cash on my Wireless Cherry model-F-layout keyboard.
Title: What is so great about the compact Model M Mini?
Post by: 8_INCH_FLOPPY on Fri, 10 September 2010, 17:05:40
Quote from: shrap;221784
Tenkeyless is a feature.


This just goes to show that if your marketing department is good enough, you can make consumers believe anything.
Title: What is so great about the compact Model M Mini?
Post by: Phaedrus2129 on Fri, 10 September 2010, 17:07:01
Quote from: 8_INCH_FLOPPY;221790
This just goes to show that if your marketing department is good enough, you can make consumers believe anything.

Unicomp? Filco? Marketing?



BWAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!! HA HA HA! HAHAHAHAHA!!


hehehe



Sure.
(http://www.getyourserenity.com/blog/media/blogs/a/logo_wink.gif)
Title: What is so great about the compact Model M Mini?
Post by: 8_INCH_FLOPPY on Fri, 10 September 2010, 17:11:54
I know they don't really have any official marketing at all, but it's still the same principle.  If you hear/read something enough, you start to believe it.  Think about it.  If you guys didn't talk about model M minis enough, would they still go for triple-digit prices on Ebay.  Tenkeyless is a feature, lol.
Title: What is so great about the compact Model M Mini?
Post by: TexasFlood on Fri, 10 September 2010, 17:15:20
Quote from: 8_INCH_FLOPPY;221792
I know they don't really have any official marketing at all, but it's still the same principle.  If you hear/read something enough, you start to believe it.  Think about it.  If you guys didn't talk about model M minis enough, would they still go for triple-digit prices on Ebay.  Tenkeyless is a feature, lol.
So geekhackers have enough influence to drive up ebay model M mini prices? We're powerful!
Title: What is so great about the compact Model M Mini?
Post by: ch_123 on Fri, 10 September 2010, 17:35:30
I got my SSK for free.

The OP is starting to remind me of John Deer...
Title: What is so great about the compact Model M Mini?
Post by: 8_INCH_FLOPPY on Fri, 10 September 2010, 18:07:41
Yes, I imagine that most people who would pay that kind of money for a keyboard would probably research it first?  In fact,  half of the people willing to pay so much for a keyboard are probably members of this forum, lol.

So, I am starting to remind you of a brand of farm equipment?  I'm not sure if that's meant to be praising or insulting?
Title: What is so great about the compact Model M Mini?
Post by: ch_123 on Fri, 10 September 2010, 18:34:47
No, it was a reference to a certain forum member who sadly isn't with us any more.

Quote
To ch_123, my response is: ????


It was a reply to the previous post. Read the previous post, consider the implications of said post, look at the picture.
Title: What is so great about the compact Model M Mini?
Post by: 8_INCH_FLOPPY on Fri, 10 September 2010, 18:45:33
Ok, I get it.  Bigger with fewer keys, less efficient.  Heh, I sure hope you didn't take that picture on my account.  What happened to Mr. Deer?  Is he "sadly no longer with us" as in dead?
Title: What is so great about the compact Model M Mini?
Post by: ch_123 on Fri, 10 September 2010, 18:48:51
Wish those were mine, it was someone else's.

And yes, you could say Mr. Deer is dead in a sense.
Title: What is so great about the compact Model M Mini?
Post by: Scarzy on Fri, 10 September 2010, 19:08:00
Quote from: ripster;221768
It's prettier. (http://geekhack.org/showthread.php?t=10249)


Don't want to drag the other thread up, but that first one is beautiful. Just how rare are these things? Thinking of trying to buy since I don't really ever use my numpad.
Title: What is so great about the compact Model M Mini?
Post by: 8_INCH_FLOPPY on Fri, 10 September 2010, 19:47:30
Y'all are always worrying about your keyboards wearing out and yet you don't like the idea of having a backup set of numberkeys, arrowkeys, and an extra enter key.
Title: What is so great about the compact Model M Mini?
Post by: didjamatic on Fri, 10 September 2010, 20:32:33
There are about 75-100 full size Model M's on ebay for every Space Saving Model M that gets listed.  Model M Mini's were often used in dust-free data centers where they were seldom used compared to a desktop keyboard.  This is true of many compacts.
Title: What is so great about the compact Model M Mini?
Post by: platon on Fri, 10 September 2010, 20:45:27
Quote from: 8_INCH_FLOPPY;221826
Y'all are always worrying about your keyboards wearing out and yet you don't like the idea of having a backup set of numberkeys, arrowkeys, and an extra enter key.

I believe you don't really get the big picture. There are members here with more than 10 M's not including the "spare parts" keyboards.

Personally i have a NIB space saver, a used spaced saver and a full size model M. Plus a complete set of blank keycaps. You know what? i don't even use them. It turns out i am a filco brown guy.

But i like owning them, i use them from time to time when i feel a need for a little "vintage" injection. It brings back memories of the years i was a kid playing with computers. Pure nostalgia. The lines between toy, collector's item and input device are blurry with this kind of keyboards.

If you really want to rationalize the purchase of a space saver there are only 2.5 viable arguments imo.

A: its cute.
B: it takes less space off your desktop.
C: (only for right handed people): supposing you type with the home row somewhat aligned with your torso, you can handle the mouse like a normal person, not thinking "ooh i wish i could bend my arm a little, my shoulder hurts, programming sucks i should have become an actor"
Title: What is so great about the compact Model M Mini?
Post by: elbowglue on Fri, 10 September 2010, 21:12:02
Why do I pay more for space saving layout?  I would rather be able to have mouse closer to midline, and in cases where the mouse can't move further to the right, I like to have keyboard lined up more where I sit.  It is worth the premium.  It is not marketing, imho it's just better.

Now what I wonder is why someone dosen't cut the edge off of a regular model M with a hacksaw and call it their ghetto mini.  It certainly would be cheaper, and you could probably just fold the membrane underneath.  (I think)
Title: What is so great about the compact Model M Mini?
Post by: KillerBee on Fri, 10 September 2010, 23:39:32
Buckling Spring TINY!! Yay!! I like furry bunnies too

8 Inch Floppy, this thread is pointless if you complin about not being able to buy one, then say just that! But dont penalize others because the own a mini and you dont!

I like the mini look... would I ever buy one MAYBE NOT but I dont knock on other peoples minis because I dont have one.
Title: What is so great about the compact Model M Mini?
Post by: ch_123 on Sat, 11 September 2010, 04:27:05
Quote from: didjamatic;221835
There are about 75-100 full size Model M's on ebay for every Space Saving Model M that gets listed.  Model M Mini's were often used in dust-free data centers where they were seldom used compared to a desktop keyboard.  This is true of many compacts.


When buying a PS/2 or Industrial, you had a "Select a Keyboard" option with IBM. With the PS/2s, this allowed you to chose between a fullsize, a space saver and a terminal emulator. With the Industrial, this allowed you to choose between a fullsize, and space saver, and later an M13 and an M4-1.

So in a funny sense, everytime you see a 1391401 or 1394946, that represents one SSK that could have been, but was is not.
Title: What is so great about the compact Model M Mini?
Post by: chimera15 on Sat, 11 September 2010, 04:53:43
It's a lot more difficult to hold a full model m on your lap if you sit in a big comfy chair to surf, watch shows, play games, read, program, draw, paint, ect, and don't have a desk.  Same reason I love TBE's, siig minitouches, and think normal mice are stupid.  If you spend 14-18 hours a day on computers of one type or another it's stupid to sit at a desk.
Title: What is so great about the compact Model M Mini?
Post by: ch_123 on Sat, 11 September 2010, 05:26:13
Fujitsu Peerless best keyboard evar.
Title: What is so great about the compact Model M Mini?
Post by: lmnop on Sat, 11 September 2010, 05:27:36
I like that industrial coloured one :)
Title: What is so great about the compact Model M Mini?
Post by: ch_123 on Sat, 11 September 2010, 06:24:39
Probably the prettiest Model M variant

(http://geekhack.org/attachment.php?attachmentid=12285&d=1283022321)
(http://geekhack.org/attachment.php?attachmentid=10626&stc=1&d=1275702813)

I like Pfink's black one though -

(http://www.soybomb.com/ratpfink/keyboards/20100604/Black.jpg)
Title: What is so great about the compact Model M Mini?
Post by: didjamatic on Sat, 11 September 2010, 07:28:10
That Industrial Mini is a good looking Model M for sure, but for me the 1390653 Black Square Label Industrial is the sexiest Model M ever made.

(http://www.clickykeyboard.com/_ebay/05548/05548-001.jpg)
Title: What is so great about the compact Model M Mini?
Post by: J888www on Sat, 11 September 2010, 09:19:26
It has "Je ne sais quoi" which can be found in only One other keyboard.
Title: What is so great about the compact Model M Mini?
Post by: WhiteRice on Sat, 11 September 2010, 10:55:43
It's a model m, but smaller. I don't use a keypad because I try and avoid taking my fingers away from the home row.

The price is a result of scarcity.
Title: What is so great about the compact Model M Mini?
Post by: MissileMike on Sat, 11 September 2010, 11:47:59
Buckling spring is such an clever switch design.  It's so simple compared to all the others, and it feels great to type on.  I think the price of these minis is going to continue to rise over the next couple years.
Title: What is so great about the compact Model M Mini?
Post by: microsoft windows on Sat, 11 September 2010, 12:05:43
Quote from: ch_123;221769


Besides, not a lot of people use those numpads anyway.


You're wrong. Most people use their number pads. Ever been in a bank, store, or workplace that involves entering lots of numeric data?
Title: What is so great about the compact Model M Mini?
Post by: ManjyomeThunder on Sat, 11 September 2010, 12:20:05
Quote from: microsoft windows;222027
You're wrong. Most people use their number pads. Ever been in a bank, store, or workplace that involves entering lots of numeric data?


Do most people work in a bank, store, or workplace that involves entering lots of numeric data? And when they're on their computers at home, do they need to do so as well?
Title: What is so great about the compact Model M Mini?
Post by: ch_123 on Sat, 11 September 2010, 12:27:26
Quote from: microsoft windows;222027
You're wrong. Most people use their number pads. Ever been in a bank, store, or workplace that involves entering lots of numeric data?


Good point son, I forgot that this is the banker's forum.

And since when do people who work in banks or shops qualify as "most people"?
Title: What is so great about the compact Model M Mini?
Post by: shrap on Sun, 12 September 2010, 13:03:25
You know, I really don't understand these hater threads where the OP implies that we're all dumb for having different opinions than they do. You'd think a forum about such esoteric items such as mechanical keyboards wouldn't really need this negativity.

I especially like the responses that say "everyone needs a numpad!!!" when clearly some of us don't have them and don't need them.
Title: What is so great about the compact Model M Mini?
Post by: ricercar on Sun, 12 September 2010, 14:11:00
Constructive keyboard debate leads to new keyboard knowledge.