geekhack Community => Keyboards => Topic started by: pyn on Thu, 02 July 2009, 18:56:41
Title: Keyboards and Key Switches
Post by: pyn on Thu, 02 July 2009, 18:56:41
Alright, I'm relatively new to this forum, but I thought it would be useful for everyone if we could compile a list of mechanical key switch keyboards along with the technology used in each 'board.
Title: Keyboards and Key Switches
Post by: o2dazone on Thu, 02 July 2009, 19:14:56
Yeah, I should have included "Feel free to update " - I didn't mean for it to sound like "Use the search noob!!"
Title: Keyboards and Key Switches
Post by: ch_123 on Thu, 02 July 2009, 19:18:21
We do have a keyboard reference in the wiki that is out of date... Might add to it.
Title: Keyboards and Key Switches
Post by: sggsix on Thu, 02 July 2009, 19:34:15
Ripster, I love your avatar.
Title: Keyboards and Key Switches
Post by: ch_123 on Thu, 02 July 2009, 20:27:45
Quote
Buckling Spring IBM Model M Unicomp
I think you may need to take a look at Clickykeyboards.com :p
Title: Keyboards and Key Switches
Post by: takasta on Fri, 03 July 2009, 05:29:44
lol ripster, that your wife? haha
Title: Keyboards and Key Switches
Post by: pyn on Fri, 03 July 2009, 13:15:03
oops sorry, I didn't see the wiki link. does anyone know what switches are used in DSI mechanical keyboards?
Title: Keyboards and Key Switches
Post by: pyn on Fri, 03 July 2009, 13:50:19
well, in particular I was looking at the DSI KB-SMK-88. I want to get a tenkeyless 'board of some sort and it seems to be reasonably priced.
Title: Keyboards and Key Switches
Post by: ch_123 on Fri, 03 July 2009, 14:00:01
Cherry switches. As far as I know, the ones with black Cherries are the most common. These are linear swiches that arent particularly pleasant to type on.
Title: Keyboards and Key Switches
Post by: pyn on Fri, 03 July 2009, 14:03:15
ahh, I was hoping for Cherry Blues or Browns
Title: Keyboards and Key Switches
Post by: ch_123 on Fri, 03 July 2009, 14:43:01
Modular keyboard != SMK 88. I think iMav has/had a SMK88 with blue cherries, but Xsphat and another member ended up with ones with black switches when they bought ones.
Title: Keyboards and Key Switches
Post by: microsoft windows on Sat, 04 July 2009, 07:47:55
Here's a list of IBM Model M variants made by Lexmark: Space Saver (No Number Pad) M2 (Looks a little different from ordinary M) M4 (Mini Space Saver) M4-1 (Mini Space Saver with Trackpoint) M5-1 (Regular Model M but with small trackball round arrow keys) M5-2 (Regular Model M but with larger trackball above indicator lights) M13 (Regular Model M but with TrackPoint) M15 (Ergonomic)
Title: Keyboards and Key Switches
Post by: ch_123 on Sat, 04 July 2009, 10:12:33
Im slowly updating the Keyboard Reference with IBM keyboards and some others. Pretty much got all the Unicomps, also added Filcos and Dell/SGI ATs.
EDIT: The Switch Reference and Keyboard Reference seem to serve the same function, but the Keyboard Reference is more detailed. Maybe the switch reference should be made a real switch reference not just a list of keyboards.
Title: Keyboards and Key Switches
Post by: ch_123 on Sat, 04 July 2009, 10:58:50
You're probably better off just filling the blanks in the Keyboard reference (http://geekhack.org/showwiki.php?title=Keyboard+Reference). I think it makes more sense to provide a listing of different keyboards and their details rather than just a list of keyboards that use a particular type of switch (Particularly confusing when some keyboards have more than one type of switch). No point in having a dozen competing lists that serve the same basic function.
Title: Keyboards and Key Switches
Post by: pyn on Sat, 04 July 2009, 11:35:04
Quote from: ch_123;101145
You're probably better off just filling the blanks in the Keyboard reference (http://geekhack.org/showwiki.php?title=Keyboard+Reference). I think it makes more sense to provide a listing of different keyboards and their details rather than just a list of keyboards that use a particular type of switch (Particularly confusing when some keyboards have more than one type of switch). No point in having a dozen competing lists that serve the same basic function.
yeah, I had no idea that some manufacturers would actually alternate the type of switch they used in the same keyboard without notification. just goes to show that they really have no idea who their target audience is with these 'boards. it's kind of like putting mountain bike tires on lance armstrong's bike then just sitting back and saying "shhhh, he'll never notice."
Title: Keyboards and Key Switches
Post by: lal on Sat, 04 July 2009, 12:14:53
Quote from: ch_123;101145
You're probably better off just filling the blanks in the Keyboard reference (http://geekhack.org/showwiki.php?title=Keyboard+Reference). I think it makes more sense to provide a listing of different keyboards and their details rather than just a list of keyboards that use a particular type of switch (Particularly confusing when some keyboards have more than one type of switch). No point in having a dozen competing lists that serve the same basic function.
I don't think so. A keyboard list by switch type as in the OP is *way* more clear if you just want to know what keyboards are available with a specific switch, once you've figured out what switch you want (to try). This would be a tedious task with the Keyboard Reference (http://geekhack.org/showwiki.php?title=Keyboard+Reference). Some kind of database would be cool where you can sort the data by any attribute you like...
Title: Keyboards and Key Switches
Post by: ch_123 on Sat, 04 July 2009, 14:23:24
True enough, so really we need both then...
Title: Keyboards and Key Switches
Post by: ch_123 on Sat, 04 July 2009, 15:23:23
Manyak's mechanical keyboard guide (http://www.overclock.net/computer-peripherals/491752-mechanical-keyboard-guide.html) might also be a useful addition to the wiki.
Title: Keyboards and Key Switches
Post by: ch_123 on Sat, 04 July 2009, 15:48:15
The first part with a description of all the various mechanical boards availabe on the market with pics may also be a good reference.
Title: Keyboards and Key Switches
Post by: Manyak on Sat, 04 July 2009, 17:25:54
The pre/post 1994 reference to IBM boards was simply because I didn't feel like writing out the whole history of IBM/Lexmark production and listing all the different models out there. Just my laziness.
And yeah I'll copy/paste it right now since you guys seem to like it. I never bothered because there are reviews for pretty much everything here already. And it's not like I actually used all those boards (Even the Optimus Maximus is in there, and I can't imagine many people being crazy enough to buy it).
And if you guys see something there that should be changed or added or whatever lemme know. :D
Title: Keyboards and Key Switches
Post by: ch_123 on Sat, 04 July 2009, 18:25:38
Yeah, I noticed that IBM's model numbers seem to change at random. And Lexmmark made four models of ANSI-layout Model M (cant remember exactly how they go, but they start with 4, 5, 8 and 9) that seem to be identical, and seem to randomly alternate between single and double piece key caps, and some have detachable cables, and others dont. Oh, and they were all made at the same time... It's a complete mess.
Title: Keyboards and Key Switches
Post by: Hak Foo on Sun, 05 July 2009, 01:50:25
Perhaps it would make sense to enumerate the features that have changed during the M's run and then the model numbers might make sense.
* 2-to-1 piece keycaps * Detachable-to-fixed cable * Drainage holes * Several stages of plating over openings not needed in the bottom.
Title: Keyboards and Key Switches
Post by: Hak Foo on Sun, 05 July 2009, 02:47:10
Well, I think it might make sense to set up a grid, and then people with different models can plug in the details.
I have mostly 1391401s.
The one intact one which isn't s 1391401 is as follows:
52G9658, label date 6-28-93. Oval IBM label, blue text on grey. Plt F2.
The cable is fixed, but the outlet is in the location of the old SDL socket.
Four drainage holes. Speaker hole still in place. Keys appear two-piece, but I've done a lot of swapping since my Ms tend to come missing a key or two.
(I have two Lexmark boards I just use for spares, but they're not around.)
Title: Keyboards and Key Switches
Post by: ch_123 on Mon, 06 July 2009, 14:39:45
Quote from: ripster;101304
I think the IBM Model M deserves it's own wiki entry if anyone wants to start that.
I'd be interested in throwing one together. Im thinking a table like the one on Wiki with links to the appropriate entry in the keyboard reference (to which I've added pretty much all the IBM/Unicomp keyboards). Anyone else have any ideas?
Title: Keyboards and Key Switches
Post by: lowpoly on Mon, 06 July 2009, 15:59:17
Quote from: ch_123;101145
You're probably better off just filling the blanks in the Keyboard reference (http://geekhack.org/showwiki.php?title=Keyboard+Reference). I think it makes more sense to provide a listing of different keyboards and their details rather than just a list of keyboards that use a particular type of switch (Particularly confusing when some keyboards have more than one type of switch). No point in having a dozen competing lists that serve the same basic function.
That's why databases would be so good. You could just sort (or search) it for manufacturers, switch types, whatever. A 'board database, switch database, mfgr database, etc. all connected. With wiki pages it would require a lot of manual link work which just won't happen.
Title: Keyboards and Key Switches
Post by: timw4mail on Mon, 06 July 2009, 19:07:07
Hmm... that sounds like an interesting side project...
I'd host it on my website, if you guys gave me the information.
Title: Keyboards and Key Switches
Post by: ch_123 on Tue, 07 July 2009, 06:17:43
It would be better if we had it hosted on Geekhack, but if you wanted to try making one, take a look at the entries in the Keyboard Reference.
Title: Keyboards and Key Switches
Post by: lowpoly on Tue, 07 July 2009, 06:30:11
I agree that something like this should be hosted on Geekhack. It needs access to user/pw data for ex.