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geekhack Community => New Members => Topic started by: Pesky_Human on Fri, 01 January 2016, 21:49:26

Title: Sup.
Post by: Pesky_Human on Fri, 01 January 2016, 21:49:26

Hey everybody. Happy New Year!

I found myself looking for information related to modern versions of the buckling spring keyboards that I grew up on. I guess I should have known that there would be people out there that were into mechanical switch keyboards, but I really had no idea about the depth of this rabbit hole. I love the ingenuity and creativity of this crew.

I ended up going with a Unicomp that is sitting at a UPS location waiting to be picked up when I get back into town on Tuesday. I use both a Mac and Windows laptops for work. I am used to the keyboard on my MBP, but the Asus keyboard is just horrendous, which prompted my search. I didn't want to go through a string of adapters to try to make a 30 y/o Model M work, and was relieved to find a USB version now exists. I get the feeling I will be picking up a 60% keyboard to go along with my MBP. The HHKB looks like it would be perfect. The Topre switches are pretty widely heralded and I like how it can be set up for Mac layout using the dip switches.

Anyway, I look forward to participating here. Thanks for all the great info!

Title: Re: Sup.
Post by: livingspeedbump on Fri, 01 January 2016, 22:30:47

Glad to see you here!

There is a lot of really simple projects that can be done to convert that Model M into a USB keyboard! Unicomps are great, but people often prefer the Model M's for their heft and build quality.  It could also make a really fun project :)


Also, HHKB is life, Topre is god.  :thumb:

Title: Re: Sup.
Post by: rowdy on Sun, 03 January 2016, 04:02:35

Welcome to Geekhack!

http://phosphorglow.net/ makes drop in replacement controllers for Model M keyboards that have a direct USB port.  Or you could try one of orihalcon's SDL to USB cables - I have one and all 3 of my SDL Model M keyboards (one full size, two SSKs) work on my Mac.  My other full size Model M has a fixed PS/2 cable (actually I rebuilt the cable as someone had thoughtfully cut the original off), and use a PS/2 to USB adapter to get the same keyboard to also work on my Mac.  I use one of these: http://techkeys.us/collections/accessories/products/usb-to-ps2-serial-multimode-adapter