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geekhack Community => Keyboards => Topic started by: khaangaaroo on Sat, 30 March 2013, 18:07:18

Title: IBM model F vs SSK vs Unicomp
Post by: khaangaaroo on Sat, 30 March 2013, 18:07:18

I have a model F. It's the first and only buckling spring that I've tried. I kinda want the SSK form factor but I'm not sure if it's worth the money because I'll probably only use it once or twice a month for fun. So my question is does the SSK feel the same or very similar to the Model F?

I read somewhere here that Unicomp is looking to make a TKL by the end of the year. Do Unicomps feel the same as IBM BS? If a TKL Unicomp does comes out, do you guys think it'll be a better buy than a SSK?

Title: Re: IBM model F vs SSK vs Unicomp
Post by: 1391406 on Sat, 30 March 2013, 18:55:44

Model F's use capacitive Buckling Springs (as opposed to SSK's membrane variant) and do feel different in the sense that the key press doesn't require as much force and feels crisper than regular Buckling Springs.

In a blind taste test, I doubt you'd be able to tell between a Unicomp board and an IBM Model M.

Title: Re: IBM model F vs SSK vs Unicomp
Post by: AKIMbO on Sat, 30 March 2013, 21:33:46

Capacitive BS feels nothing like BS over membrane. 

What 1391406 says about vintage M's and Unicomp boards is true...you won't be able to tell the difference.

Title: Re: IBM model F vs SSK vs Unicomp
Post by: khaangaaroo on Mon, 01 April 2013, 12:03:53

So you guys are saying capacitive is better. I guess I'll try a cheaper membrane BS to see how they feel before jumping on a more expensive SSK then.

Title: Re: IBM model F vs SSK vs Unicomp
Post by: mkawa on Mon, 01 April 2013, 12:08:16

yah, they're right, F feels better

also, nnnooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo :( buy my board waaaaa

Title: Re: IBM model F vs SSK vs Unicomp
Post by: khaangaaroo on Mon, 01 April 2013, 12:25:30

haha sorry mkawa. I was so close. The price was tempting.

Title: Re: IBM model F vs SSK vs Unicomp
Post by: fohat.digs on Mon, 01 April 2013, 13:22:45

With the Model Fs, the jury is out on whether it is the switches themselves that make the feel so good, or whether it is the overall construction as a whole (I am inclined to believe the latter).

Also, no Model Fs come in a user-friendly, ANSI-standard layout, so be prepared to make some sort of sacrifice there.

Title: Re: IBM model F vs SSK vs Unicomp
Post by: 1391406 on Mon, 01 April 2013, 15:35:21

There might be people who prefer the feel of Model M's over Model F's, but I don't know of any.

Title: Re: IBM model F vs SSK vs Unicomp
Post by: mkawa on Mon, 01 April 2013, 18:32:58

everyone who's used a well functioning model F has been inducted into the cult. we protect our own.

that said, F's are a pain in other ways. they're all XT, you have to hack on them to get an ANSI layout, they're huge, heavy, etc... the closest you can get to an F in "more modern" form factors are Ms, and that's not going to change anytime soon (although wcass and the xtant crew are trying quite valiantly)

Title: Re: IBM model F vs SSK vs Unicomp
Post by: morpheus on Mon, 01 April 2013, 19:30:38

Is it confirmed that Unicomp is coming out with a BS TKL?

That would be so sweet.