Hello Geekhack community,
I decided to take a break from the high end Corsair gaming keyboards (dam LED's) and give a Model M a try for some no-nonsense reliability. I found Geekhack while I was researching.
Tonight I unboxed a new, never used Model M 1391401 made by IBM in April 93 (detachable PS2 and drain holes)
Holy crap am I surprised. After I removed it from the Styrofoam and rubbed off the tape marks I was gobsmacked by the build quality and simply aesthetic. Of course it feels great to type on but I really like this thing, it's kind of beautiful.
And get this, both my teenage kids told me they really liked it and thought it was cool and fun to type on.
LOL I'm happy. ;D
Welcome to Wallethack sir!Cheers jokrik.
Glad you like the model M it's a classic, and for sure people in the past didn't mess around with build quality
Very sure you'll get along well here, we've some hardcore old school people
Well I guess I'd better start browsing for keycaps.
Well I guess I'd better start browsing for keycaps.
If colors are exciting to you, then Unicomp has a full rainbow. Otherwise, interesting shapes and legends are few and far between.
Well I guess I'd better start browsing for keycaps.
If colors are exciting to you, then Unicomp has a full rainbow. Otherwise, interesting shapes and legends are few and far between.
Thanks fohat.digs. To be honest while I like modding things, this keyboard is so perfectly new I don't think I could bear to mess it up. It's too nice. I'd kind of like to buy another Model M to pull apart and paint, play around with the keys etc. Keep this one the way it is.
Is there a modded gallery for Model M's? I've had a search a number of times but I'm still yet to find a lot in one place.
Changing caps should be fine to do, it's easily reversible. Just pull them off, put new ones on, and swap back to the originals whenever you want.
Here's a nice gallery of boards restored and modded by Phosphorglow: http://phosphorglow.net/category/ibm-model-m/ (http://phosphorglow.net/category/ibm-model-m/)
I just took a quick look, my board is #125. ;D
Welcome to GeekHack! I'm sure you'll get along with everyone, lots of IBM fans here. :thumb:
Well I guess I'd better start browsing for keycaps.
If colors are exciting to you, then Unicomp has a full rainbow. Otherwise, interesting shapes and legends are few and far between.
Thanks fohat.digs. To be honest while I like modding things, this keyboard is so perfectly new I don't think I could bear to mess it up. It's too nice. I'd kind of like to buy another Model M to pull apart and paint, play around with the keys etc. Keep this one the way it is.
Is there a modded gallery for Model M's? I've had a search a number of times but I'm still yet to find a lot in one place.
Changing caps should be fine to do, it's easily reversible. Just pull them off, put new ones on, and swap back to the originals whenever you want.
Here's a nice gallery of boards restored and modded by Phosphorglow: http://phosphorglow.net/category/ibm-model-m/ (http://phosphorglow.net/category/ibm-model-m/)
I just took a quick look, my board is #125. ;D
Welcome to GeekHack! I'm sure you'll get along with everyone, lots of IBM fans here. :thumb:
@ Snowdog993 – Thanks Snowdog, I appreciate you taking the time to post the link. That’s another thing I’ll do this afternoon.
Welcome to Geekhack!
Wow! About the cleanest Model M I have seen! Which is pretty much what you'd expect for NIB :))
I have 4 - two 101 keys and 2 SSKs. A great classic look that is still perfectly functional after more than 20 years!
Btw there's also this thread (https://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=61878.0) for posting pictures of your BS keyboard :)
Thanks smknjoe and thanks again snowdog. I'll get stuck into those links tonight.
@ meow a cat - I didn't have the light that I wanted this afternoon, but they turned out ok. Pics as promised. ;D (blanked part of the ID No)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v333/arcarc/Model%20M1_zpstpaalz0h.jpg) (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/arcarc/media/Model%20M1_zpstpaalz0h.jpg.html)
The board also has a really different feel compared to a Model M, due mostly to using a capacitive buckling spring switch design, instead of buckling spring over rubber dome.
The board also has a really different feel compared to a Model M, due mostly to using a capacitive buckling spring switch design, instead of buckling spring over rubber dome.
Incorrect Meow! I guess you just typo'ed. It should be Buckling Spring over Membrane. Huge difference.
Nice photograph, really nice keyboard meow a cat. And thanks for sharing that information of the Model F AT. I read in my searching that some people like the F AT over the M. I really like the idea of a programmable USB controller. This is making me want to get another one of these keyboards to go to town on. Have this one beautifully stock, and have another one with lots of mods.
Thanks for that meow a cat, it's definitely something to consider. At the moment I'm torn between sticking with my keypad (Belking N52te) for gaming or returning to a full keyboard and giving this Model M a shot at an MMORPG. I've just stopped playing WOW after two years in favour of ESO. I think either option (keypad or model M) should be fine. ESO doesn't need as many keys as WOW to play effectively. I only play one game at a time, I mean who has the time, but I like to play whatever I'm into well.
Thanks snowdog for your input.
There still seems to be a steady supply from http://clickykeyboards.com/ and ebay unless you were wanting to do the community a solid and let them go for $30-$40 each. ;)
Welcome to Geekhack!
It's lucky you've noticed Model M's attraction :-)
Love your keyboard.
Welcome to Geekhack!
It's lucky you've noticed Model M's attraction :-)
Love your keyboard.
Welcome to Geekhack!
It's lucky you've noticed Model M's attraction :-)
Love your keyboard.
Thanks darkspider (I'm hoping that was directed at me)
@ meow a cat: I like the Razer Naga Epic because of the options it gives you. However the mouse I'm using now is a Mad Catz M.M.O.7 and I love it. The keypad though is not for steering I do all of the toon movement, turning, crouching, jumping, rolling, strafing etc with the mouse. And all of the firing rotation, blocking etc using buttons with my left hand. When I started playing WOW I stopped using WASD for toon movement. I realised if I used WASD I couldn't run in circles, strafe, jump, control the camera view and hit all my buttons in the firing rotation at the same time. So I switched to mouse movement and never looked back.
All I really need the keyboard for (especially ESO) is a bunch of pew pew buttons and a few extra buttons for maps, inventory etc.
I think the Model M will do a good job at that though I do like the ergonomics of the keypad and how it allows you to keep your hand in one place yet still reach all of the keys.
You know this seems like a really supportive community. :)
I use my Naga for hotkeys, no movement. I move with the mouse as well when I MMO. :thumb: I find it a lot easier than the number row, I don't have to stretch far to reach different spells. Also you can use it as the numpad keys, and use the mouse and the keyboard to have two action bars at once in some games. I've heard the RAT series are nice mice, but the MMO version doesn't have enough buttons for my liking, otherwise it seems like I would like it.
It's the finest community I've ever been a part of! Really friendly people here, someone is always willing to lend a hand to those who need it. :thumb:
I use my Naga for hotkeys, no movement. I move with the mouse as well when I MMO. :thumb: I find it a lot easier than the number row, I don't have to stretch far to reach different spells. Also you can use it as the numpad keys, and use the mouse and the keyboard to have two action bars at once in some games. I've heard the RAT series are nice mice, but the MMO version doesn't have enough buttons for my liking, otherwise it seems like I would like it.
It's the finest community I've ever been a part of! Really friendly people here, someone is always willing to lend a hand to those who need it. :thumb:
Tell me meow a cat are you always a weaver? In the real world I've shot bows my whole life (recurve and compound) and whenever I roll play I always choose a stealthy bow based elf or hunter or nightblade. I wonder if others pick a type and stick with it or like more variety to their toons.
Also, not to hoist the mad catz flag too high, however the Rat MMO7 has 12 programmable options on the thumb programmable 3 times over and supported by an additional quick switch button on the side of the index finder.
nice board mateCheers demik (news team assssseeeemble ;D)