geekhack
geekhack Community => Keyboards => Topic started by: soymilk on Thu, 16 February 2012, 13:33:41
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is the model m the closest thing to a model f? one of my friends had both of them, and the f just felt a lot more.. crisp, if that makes sense. im pretty close to pulling the trigger on a unicomp, and was hoping that the difference was mostly due to different levels of use on the two keyboards over the years.
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is the model m the closest thing to a model f? one of my friends had both of them, and the f just felt a lot more.. crisp, if that makes sense. im pretty close to pulling the trigger on a unicomp, and was hoping that the difference was mostly due to different levels of use on the two keyboards over the years.
I have heard that Model F's used a capacitive switch, which sounds a bit different (as well as being more expensive and even longer lasting (!)) than the Model M. Doing a quick Google, I saw this:
Whereas the Model M has more of a click-clack or, as some would deem, a chunka-thunk sound with each key press, the F has a plinky sound. Besides the "nonstandard" layout* of the F, coupled with its added heft and its fixed, non-removable AT cord, the major difference between the F and M, in two words, is capacitive keyswitches. The Model M uses buckling spring technology, and the F uses capacitive keyswitches. It makes for more of a plinky sound.
Available here: http://lowendmac.com/thomas/09tt/ibm-model-f-keyboard.html
Not sure what they mean by click-clack and chunka-thunk, though. :) I've heard that a lot of people liked the Model F sound better, but I really like my model-M-ish Unicomp. And I thought both used a buckling spring, but I am really new at this (despite having used buckling spring keyboards when they were still new from IBM).
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unicomp should just start making model F's with a modern keyboard layout too :)
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unicomp should just start making model F's with a modern keyboard layout too :)
i would buy one in a heart beat.
i think the f layout makes it a sexy looking keyboard personally.
and a great conversation piece when someone uses ur computer :D
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I bought a Model F for home protection.
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F is not a layout! There's XT, AT and Terminal 122-key 'boards for starters. And then some less common ones that are totally incompatible with PCs (without replacing the controller - even a converter couldn't work because some don't send break codes).
As for the feel - the actuation force is slightly less, but the numbers don't account for how different the two feel - typing on an M always seems a _lot_ more work to me.
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unicomp should just start making model F's with a modern keyboard layout too :)
Are you willing to pay three as much? The Model M was developed as a way to save costs.
To answer the OP's question: the Model M has a very similar feel to the Model F. A lot of the perceived difference comes from the sound, which is quite distinct.
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I don't know, rip-o-nickels or not, the F feels crisper and lighter to me than an M.
And even when flossed, the sound is much more satisfying.
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GLWNT.
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You should really click my RipOmeter (http://geekhack.org/showwiki.php?title=Island:6189) links. Because it does say it's lighter.
Gravity does not lie despite what Webwit says.
Gravity is completely overrated. It's the weakest of the four fundamental forces, for God's sake!
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My recipe: Bolt modded Model M with Unicomp springs (optional, some don't feel any difference) without rubber between membranes. Also bolts must be very loose. The feel and sound is very similar to Model F - see that video:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LZnTkLpt-TQ&list=WL1ED8AC24CFC8C138
I haven't tried it with Unicomp keyboard yet but I guess it would be similar too.
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Are you willing to pay three as much? The Model M was developed as a way to save costs.
To answer the OP's question: the Model M has a very similar feel to the Model F. A lot of the perceived difference comes from the sound, which is quite distinct.
hm, didnt know that.
My recipe: Bolt modded Model M with Unicomp springs (optional, some don't feel any difference) without rubber between membranes. Also bolts must be very loose. The feel and sound is very similar to Model F - see that video:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LZnTkLpt-TQ&list=WL1ED8AC24CFC8C138
I haven't tried it with Unicomp keyboard yet but I guess it would be similar too.
interesting. something to keep in mind for down the line i guess, as i doubt i will want to do this any time soon :p
also, what is bolt modding? i see it mentioned in pretty much any thread that mentions a model m but nothing that actually says what the mod is.
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that definitely looks like more effort than i'd be willing to put in, hopefully i like it how it is :o