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geekhack Community => Keyboards => Topic started by: Computer-Lab in Basement on Thu, 19 November 2009, 19:22:24

Title: I am looking for a better keyboard
Post by: Computer-Lab in Basement on Thu, 19 November 2009, 19:22:24

I am looking for a better keyboard than my current keyboards; all my current keyboards are rubber dome keyboards, and I was wondering what was better, and what was cheaper.  I am looking into either a Dell AT101 or an IBM Model M, but I can't decide which to get.

Title: I am looking for a better keyboard
Post by: Computer-Lab in Basement on Thu, 19 November 2009, 19:43:06

ok another question:  ALPS keyswitches or buckling spring?

Title: I am looking for a better keyboard
Post by: chimera15 on Thu, 19 November 2009, 20:09:24

Quote from: ripster;134334

"George, What Do You Mean You Should Have Tried A Buckling Spring?"

Show Image

(http://www.sonofthesouth.net/revolutionary-war/general/death-bed.jpg)

lol


   You need to try both, and if you want alps there are like 10 different types of alps, so it's not a simple question.  It's really a personal taste thing.  I would start with a model m though, cause that's what the real standard for a clicky keyboard is.

Title: I am looking for a better keyboard
Post by: Computer-Lab in Basement on Thu, 19 November 2009, 20:24:21

I have used an IBM Model M before, and I really liked them, but I am on a no-income budget, and I can only afford a Dell AT101W at the moment. I will get an IBM if I find a good price for one somewhere.

Title: I am looking for a better keyboard
Post by: msiegel on Thu, 19 November 2009, 20:27:14

i almost cried when i got my model m...

because the keys were so hard to press.
a couple of weeks later it was great :)

worth the money, even if it comes slowly out of the food budget ;)

Title: I am looking for a better keyboard
Post by: Computer-Lab in Basement on Thu, 19 November 2009, 20:29:57

ok then, for ALPS keyboards, what is the best keyswitch?

Title: I am looking for a better keyboard
Post by: wordfool on Thu, 19 November 2009, 20:32:35

One thing to consider: buying a Model M after only ever using squishy domes is kinda like buying a ferrari after only ever riding a bicycle. Every car/keyboard you buy after it will not be as good.

They do take a few weeks to get used to -- but as msiegel said you do get used to them quickly. And be sure you don't mind the noise -- typing fast on an M will very quickly annoy office or house mates because it can be LOUD.

Title: I am looking for a better keyboard
Post by: AndrewZorn on Thu, 19 November 2009, 20:35:04

wait a second, youve been on this forum for a while, have 40 posts, and are just now wondering if you should spend the big bucks for an AT101W?

Title: I am looking for a better keyboard
Post by: Computer-Lab in Basement on Thu, 19 November 2009, 20:54:47

Quote from: AndrewZorn;134353

wait a second, youve been on this forum for a while, have 40 posts, and are just now wondering if you should spend the big bucks for an AT101W?

Yes that statement is true, but I am suddenly realizing the need for higher quality keyboards, because the more computers I get, the more keyboards I need, and why get crappy keyboards.

Title: I am looking for a better keyboard
Post by: Computer-Lab in Basement on Thu, 19 November 2009, 21:00:36

Quote from: wordfool;134352

One thing to consider: buying a Model M after only ever using squishy domes is kinda like buying a ferrari after only ever riding a bicycle. Every car/keyboard you buy after it will not be as good.

They do take a few weeks to get used to -- but as msiegel said you do get used to them quickly. And be sure you don't mind the noise -- typing fast on an M will very quickly annoy office or house mates because it can be LOUD.

I don't need to have an experience using a mushy rubber dome keyboard, I have a keyboard that could send some of you keyboard fanatics to your deathbeds, it is an old Zenith Data Systems, and the domes are about as mushy as the mashed potatoes they serve in the school cafeteria. This is the main reason why I need a good keyboard. Most of the rubber domes I have are good, Dell QuietKey with sliding keyswitches and a Unicomp On-the-Ball rubber dome; that is the best rubber dome I have ever used. I now need to replace that mushy keyboard with a clicky one. Enough said, I'll get an IBM Model M.

Title: I am looking for a better keyboard
Post by: chimera15 on Thu, 19 November 2009, 23:11:56

If you're on a budget, try for a focus 2001, or focus 3001, ect, and hope to get lucky with blues or complicated whites.

http://cgi.ebay.com/Lot-2-Focus-Clicky-Keyboards-With-Built-in-Calculators_W0QQitemZ390118763197QQcmdZViewItemQQptZLH_DefaultDomain_0?hash=item5ad4e3eabd (http://cgi.ebay.com/Lot-2-Focus-Clicky-Keyboards-With-Built-in-Calculators_W0QQitemZ390118763197QQcmdZViewItemQQptZLH_DefaultDomain_0?hash=item5ad4e3eabd)

2 for $80, you won't be able to beat it, and hope you read this before someone else does, cause they'll go quick on this board.  I would buy them myself, but I'm already tapped for money.

Title: I am looking for a better keyboard
Post by: chimera15 on Thu, 19 November 2009, 23:19:44

Quote from: AndrewZorn;134353

wait a second, youve been on this forum for a while, have 40 posts, and are just now wondering if you should spend the big bucks for an AT101W?

Are you selling the boards in your signature, or those are what you paid for them?

Title: I am looking for a better keyboard
Post by: AndrewZorn on Thu, 19 November 2009, 23:33:56

that's the second time someone has asked,
but i am just gloating
time to clarify this

Title: I am looking for a better keyboard
Post by: chimera15 on Thu, 19 November 2009, 23:45:56

lol

Title: I am looking for a better keyboard
Post by: ch_123 on Fri, 20 November 2009, 06:24:05

Quote from: Computer-Lab in Basement;134344

I have used an IBM Model M before, and I really liked them, but I am on a no-income budget, and I can only afford a Dell AT101W at the moment. I will get an IBM if I find a good price for one somewhere.

Link (http://cgi.ebay.com/MINT-1995-IBM-Model-M-clicky-Keyboard-42H1292-Unit-339_W0QQitemZ130339514883QQcmdZViewItemQQptZPCA_Mice_Trackballs?hash=item1e58d72a03#ht_847wt_941)

If you can't afford that, wait until you can. Anything cheaper than that is just going to be crap.

Title: I am looking for a better keyboard
Post by: hyperlinked on Fri, 20 November 2009, 06:43:10

Quote from: AndrewZorn;134401

that's the second time someone has asked,
but i am just gloating
time to clarify this

Damn! Keyboard shark you are!

Title: I am looking for a better keyboard
Post by: hyperlinked on Fri, 20 November 2009, 06:46:03

The MicroConnectors "Mac" flavored keyboards are pretty good for a budget keyboard:
http://store.microconnectors.com/servlet/-strse-1100/USB-KEYBOARD-MAC-dsh-GRAPE/Detail

$15 plus shipping for a new mechanical switch keyboard.

The ones I own have black ALPS in them. I don't know if the ones they're selling now still do. It's possible because the ones they're selling may just be old inventory they never offloaded. There's one guy here who bought one of these recently. I forgot who it was, but you could ask him.

Title: I am looking for a better keyboard
Post by: timw4mail on Fri, 20 November 2009, 07:47:07

The general concensus seems to be that the black ALPS aren't very nice to type on, so unless you just want something to hold you over, get a Model M/Spacesaver.