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geekhack Community => Keyboards => Topic started by: elmomax on Tue, 04 November 2008, 19:21:34

Title: I hate my model M spacesaver
Post by: elmomax on Tue, 04 November 2008, 19:21:34

My clickykeyboards Model M spacesaver arrived today. I immediately went to plug it in and started typing and I was miserable. The sound is hollow and metallic... and the space key is floppy and weird in feel and sound... something is definitely amiss. I do not want this keyboard at all.... I hate it.

The feel does not seem right on the keys but the spacebar is really amiss  -- it seems to wiggle and flail about and seems off- just plain off and the feel of the keys is dreadful and the sound even worse.
This keyboard is going back immediately.

I am so disappointed.... is it that the model m is not for me or is it this model m is just plain off?

Title: I hate my model M spacesaver
Post by: bigpook on Tue, 04 November 2008, 19:37:21

make sure that the space bar has not gotten detached in some way during shipping.

is this your first model m? what do you mean by the feel of the keys not being right?

I have a model M mini and 2 full size model m's. To be honest, each one is different in feel and sound. I prefer the model m mini overall. the keys have a great feel, as do all of my model m's....

Title: I hate my model M spacesaver
Post by: elmomax on Tue, 04 November 2008, 19:54:50

How do I determine if the space bar has gotten detatched. It is working, it just feels wobbly and not right. This is my first model M so I have nothing to compare it with except my SMK 85 keyboards with alps switches.  Maybe I need to give it a bit more time but without a doubt the spacebar is amiss.

Title: I hate my model M spacesaver
Post by: bhtooefr on Tue, 04 November 2008, 21:17:54

Get a flathead screwdriver under it, near the center of the key, and gently pry. Make sure the metal bar slides into the latching points under the bottom row of regular keys when you put it back in.

As for the sound... yeah, that's normal on some of them.

Title: I hate my model M spacesaver
Post by: xsphat on Tue, 04 November 2008, 22:41:19

When in doubt, send it back. You might have a bad one, because I sure like my Model M mini and so do a lot of people around here. You already gave them them the money, send it back and have them send you the next one they get. The other option is you could send it to Unicomp to get refurbed.

Title: I hate my model M spacesaver
Post by: elmomax on Wed, 05 November 2008, 05:42:48

You are so right xsphat -- when I typed on it I kept thinking this is dreadful - what is the big deal and thought this must be a dud. And that spacebar is definitely not right. Sadly, it goes back on Saturday.  I am not for opening it up and trying to fix it myself.

Title: I hate my model M spacesaver
Post by: xsphat on Wed, 05 November 2008, 12:28:15

Good girl.

Title: I hate my model M spacesaver
Post by: bhtooefr on Wed, 05 November 2008, 16:32:48

Well, at least make sure the spacebar is properly seated - that isn't exactly opening it up.

Title: I hate my model M spacesaver
Post by: bigpook on Wed, 05 November 2008, 16:45:04

I agree, but not everyone is comfortable doing that.

Title: I hate my model M spacesaver
Post by: itlnstln on Wed, 05 November 2008, 16:52:17

Even more so if there is a potential for warranty issues if something goes wrong.  It sort of reminds me when my Evolution spazzed out for the first time.  Scary stuff.

Title: I hate my model M spacesaver
Post by: bigpook on Wed, 05 November 2008, 17:00:36

What happened with your Evolution?

Title: I hate my model M spacesaver
Post by: elmomax on Wed, 05 November 2008, 17:27:35

As a very young girl I had my own hammer, screwdriver and pliers that my dad gave me. I recall trying to take apart our table radio at a very young age.... I did take the plug out LOL.... I am fearless, though often lack skill..  My mother often  said I "was always looking to see from where the feet grew" --- she did not encourage my curiousity in electrical appliances.  Many windup clocks also came undone at my hands as a child. I excelled at taking things apart, but was not as proficient at putting things back together.

I was going to take your advice and try to fix the space bar but thought about the $150 I paid for this keyboard and the recession and decided it was best to put the keyboard back in its box and send it back. Though I do want to see how the buckling springs work... for now pictures will need to suffice ... maybe some other time LOL

Sadly I will now have to wait for another Model M mini to call my very own.

Title: I hate my model M spacesaver
Post by: bigpook on Wed, 05 November 2008, 17:31:55

Well, its better to be safe than sorry.  At 150 dollars you don't want to take the risk of hosing it up.
 There are other model m mini's out there, you just need to be patient.

Title: I hate my model M spacesaver
Post by: lowpoly on Wed, 05 November 2008, 18:13:05

Quote

Sadly I will now have to wait for another Model M mini to call my very own.

Maybe get a cheap standard Model M first?

Title: I hate my model M spacesaver
Post by: bigpook on Wed, 05 November 2008, 18:24:21

If you can deal with the numpad then the unicomp spacesaver would be something to consider. Its around 70 dollars I think.
Theres always e-bay for used model m's but the unicomps are new. I am really liking my unicomp spacesaver. I just wish it didn't have a numpad.

Title: I hate my model M spacesaver
Post by: iMav on Wed, 05 November 2008, 23:03:42

It may simply be that you don't like buckling springs.  Have you used other Model M keyboards before?  (and, if so, what was your impression of them?)

As far as mini keyboards are concerned, I like the Cherry ML4100's quite a bit (my son has one on his computer, so I've gotten used to the layout a bit more), I like the IBM M4's (Unicomp "mighty mouse") with their "buckling rubber sleeves", and I absolutely adore the HHKB Pro's.  I also like the blue Cherry switches and find the blue-Cherry-equipped SMK-88's to be nice (my daughter has one on her computer).

Title: I hate my model M spacesaver
Post by: lexicon on Wed, 05 November 2008, 23:03:50

Here is a refurbished 1391401 (i.e., original IBM) Model M on eBay for $39.95 you might try:

http://cgi.ebay.com/IBM-CLICKY-VINTAGE-KEYBOARD-Model-M-REFURBISHED-1391401_W0QQitemZ290273102076QQcmdZViewItemQQptZPCA_Mice_Trackballs?hash=item290273102076&_trksid=p3911.c0.m14&_trkparms=72%3A1209|66%3A2|65%3A12|39%3A1|240%3A1318 (http://cgi.ebay.com/IBM-CLICKY-VINTAGE-KEYBOARD-Model-M-REFURBISHED-1391401_W0QQitemZ290273102076QQcmdZViewItemQQptZPCA_Mice_Trackballs?hash=item290273102076&_trksid=p3911.c0.m14&_trkparms=72%3A1209|66%3A2|65%3A12|39%3A1|240%3A1318)

I have bought two keyboards from this seller and both were in very good condition.

Title: I hate my model M spacesaver
Post by: itlnstln on Thu, 06 November 2008, 06:22:14

Quote from: bigpook;10327

What happened with your Evolution?

Like all Northgates, the Evolution is programmable (there is virtaully no documentation on how to program the Evolution, though).  Unfortunately, there is bug in the programming hardware (it seems to happen when the Shift key is used a lot or held down, but it's hard to tell; maybe it is the way to enter the progamming mode, or something) that causes the kb to lock up, and, on reboot, starts sending random letters when typing.  The kb can be reset by shutting down and holding the Escape key until after the POST screen.  Not a real big deal since it doesn't happen much, but it can be pretty annoying (especially when trying to get some imprtant work done).  There is a way to fix it permenantly, but it requires giving the 'board a lobotomy and removing the programming chip.

Title: I hate my model M spacesaver
Post by: bigpook on Thu, 06 November 2008, 06:43:19

I can see that would be annoying. I have something similar with my IBM Model M mini when connected to a KVM. It will just lock up and not respond. I just need to disconnect/connect the cable to fix it but it is very annoying.