I have 2 Dells I bought NIB, and those weren't too sensitive to pressing the keys right in the center. I had a few used ones that were, though. Those 'boards were fairly dirty and seemed to have dirt in the switches themselves which caused some other problems, too. Use it for a few days, and see what you think. At first, I was like "meh," but after several days to a few weeks of use, I really found it to be a fantastic keyboard. It is now one of my favorites.
I want a NIB Dell!
Stoopid england.
OK, this is weird. I think there may be quality differences between the early AT101Ws and later ones. I have a beige one I bought used from Clickykeyboards a while back, made in Mexico, model number GYUM90SK, Rev A00. And I have the beige ones I bought nib on eBay a couple of months ago, made in Malaysia, same model number, Rev A01. The one made in Mexico lacks the strain-relief block on the cord, but is otherwise visually identical. But the keys on the Mexico-made board seem more precisely seated and sound less clicky (but not like the SGI AT-101s). Most noticeably, the space bar on the Mex one does not rattle at all, as all the Malaysian ones do by comparison. The Mexico-made one is much nicer to type on, with less of that "plastic" sound.
What's weird is that the black one I bought nib is made in Malaysia but also seems more solid than the beige Malaysian ones.
Were these ever made in UK layout? I seem to recall my cousin having a beige one about 5 years ago and it was a great board, but I can't remember if it was UK layout (surely it was?). I remember at the time I had been using a Chicony rubber dome, so the Dell felt very strange, but I still liked it, and it was that board (and a Viglen at university) that led me to the IBM Model M.
Were these ever made in UK layout? I seem to recall my cousin having a beige one about 5 years ago and it was a great board, but I can't remember if it was UK layout (surely it was?). I remember at the time I had been using a Chicony rubber dome, so the Dell felt very strange, but I still liked it, and it was that board (and a Viglen at university) that led me to the IBM Model M.
At first, I was like "meh," but after several days to a few weeks of use, I really found it to be a fantastic keyboard. It is now one of my favorites.
...one is going to work.
Does the "IBM" puller actually work with the Model M?Show Image(http://hooleon.com/miva/graphics/00000001/281-312-0002-large.jpg)
I remove my AT101W keys with this tool (http://hooleon.com/miva/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Product_Code=AC-999-0039&Category_Code=KT-P&Product_Count=2). Works like a charm.
I am very fast on the Dell. While I like the keys better on the M1, I don't type as fast. For me, there is something to the overall layout of the big, old school keyboards that fits my hands better. I have to set the M1 back about 1/2 and inch from the wrist rest to mimic the space created by the extra "lip" on the front of the Dell. Otherwise, my fingers just can't find the keys.
I noticed that too. The distance of the keyboard or even the angle of the keyboard plays a huge role.
That's very interesting. I do know that I am very used to typing with the plastic wrist rest that my old computers have. It bugs me to have the big drop-off when a keyboard doesn't have that. However, I'm working to get rid of that dependency. Otherwise, I'll have to use a separate wrist rest, which is a little bit of a pain.
The one Diatec/Filco sells (http://74.125.19.132/translate_c?hl=en&sl=ja&tl=en&u=http://item.rakuten.co.jp/filco/10000108/&prev=hp&usg=ALkJrhimXgbxx0qzAAjr3fnkWW1jCs3PxQ) looks amazing, though...
That's very interesting. I do know that I am very used to typing with the plastic wrist rest that my old computers have. It bugs me to have the big drop-off when a keyboard doesn't have that. However, I'm working to get rid of that dependency. Otherwise, I'll have to use a separate wrist rest, which is a little bit of a pain.
The one Diatec/Filco sells (http://74.125.19.132/translate_c?hl=en&sl=ja&tl=en&u=http://item.rakuten.co.jp/filco/10000108/&prev=hp&usg=ALkJrhimXgbxx0qzAAjr3fnkWW1jCs3PxQ) looks amazing, though...
Personally, I like the cheap "thick mousepad" style rests. They seem to be not too high or too short, and they are very comfortable.
I like these too, the one I have is quite firm. I was quite skeptical about wrist rests but it's nice to have for larger keyboards.
One like this?
This (http://www.compucessory.com/Product.asp?subcat=2004596) is the one I have, in grey. It doesn't smell of rubber, but the fabric is a little coarse.
I don't know how people type without one.
Does the "IBM" puller actually work with the Model M?Yes, it works very well. I don't know how I'd take the keycaps off without it.Show Image(http://hooleon.com/miva/graphics/00000001/281-312-0002-large.jpg)
Yes, it works very well. I don't know how I'd take the keycaps off without it.
On the subject of wrist rests, I don't like them either. I hold my wrists up as straight as possible and always have. Unfortunately I have CTS anyway.
I can :) If you are among those who typed without resting their wrists, then you don't need one. Prior to 2006, I find them to be a nice addition, but once I started to type without resting my wrists, it was different. I can't see myself going back to resting my wrists while typing.
I think the reason why there were less people complaining about Carpal Tunnel Syndrome during the typewriters days was because people could not rest their wrists while typing. Of course, there was not mouse at that time either.
Thats cool. For me its uncomfortable as my wrists would then be below the front edge of the keyboard "resting" on the desk The only other alternative would be for me to mindfully hold my wrists up while I type. For me that would be awkward.
The wire one should be pretty universal.
I suspect the IBM one is to separate the keycaps from the stems, on 2-piece caps? But, you really don't need that ability - the keycaps come off on their own, rather easily.
The wire one should be pretty universal.
I suspect the IBM one is to separate the keycaps from the stems, on 2-piece caps? But, you really don't need that ability - the keycaps come off on their own, rather easily.
Exactly. This baffled me for awhile. I kept having trouble typing on the M1, and I couldn't figure out what was causing it. After examining it and the Dell side-by-side, I figured out that the extra lip on the Dell (which the Model M and Northgate Evolution also have to a certain extent) put my hands at a different position that I was at on the M1. After pushing the keyboard back about 1/2", it seemed to correct the problem.