For me, the 1390131 is the one to get. It has the heavy internal plate and LEDs. There are even a few with "bar code" labels.
For me, the 1390131 is the one to get. It has the heavy internal plate and LEDs. There are even a few with "bar code" labels.Yep, I'm glad I bought a bar code 1390131, back before I even knew what I was doing. I have strong suspicion I will like it even better if the FSSK/FEXM project to retrofit capacitive buckling spring into the Model M and SSK comes to fruition! Having the Model F feel in a Model M form factor could be the best of both worlds.
Orihalcon's SDL-to-USB cables are pricey but a nice finishing touch.
really, it has a thicker plate than the later models?
any idea if the 1390120 also has the thicker plate?
There were several thicknesses of plates, and they decreased over time. Newer boards generally weigh about 2.0 kg, whereas most old models weigh about 2.2 kg. The very oldest ones have a (presumably heat-treated) rainbow steel plate that's even thicker, bringing it to as much as 2.5 kg.For me, the 1390131 is the one to get. It has the heavy internal plate and LEDs. There are even a few with "bar code" labels.
really, it has a thicker plate than the later models?
The early ones had much heavier plates. The earliest ones had a shiny yellow/gold finish, later the usual dull gray.
It seems that different plants changed over to lighter plates at widely different times, but likely any 1985-86 (including 1391401s and old terminals) will have the heavy ones, 1987s "probably", and 1988s "maybe" at best.
I really like the square metal badges on the right rather than oval plastic labels on the left, but 1390131 is the only one with LEDs.
I myself am particularly fond of the square black metal badge on the 1388032.
That's mine yeah, but I only used that because its has the same badge as the 1388032. It would appear mine is actually a prototype. That would explain why it came with random caps, a German case (a painted one too, rather than intrinsically grey, as I think it was you who pointed out), no trace of a label (prototypes didn't have labels) and parts from 1984 (!) that predate even the first Model Ms (it shares production dates with a confirmed prototype).I myself am particularly fond of the square black metal badge on the 1388032.
Seriously wicked. Is that the one where the case shell is painted?
and parts from 1984 (!) that predate even the first Model Ms (it shares production dates with a confirmed prototype).
Haha, yeah, I heard of the whole Mandolin fiasco on Deskthority xD . Which is where some people helped me identify all the features of my keyboard (some people there helped me a lot with this keyboard there, they were very knowledgeable about these extremely early Ms and they identified all these features (I had no idea obviously xD)). But yes, it does have a mandolin crystal :) .and parts from 1984 (!) that predate even the first Model Ms (it shares production dates with a confirmed prototype).
Woo-hoo, does it have the fabled "mandolin crystal"?
And Mandolin was shamelessly dissed and subsequently left our group.
That's mine yeah, but I only used that because its has the same badge as the 1388032. It would appear mine is actually a prototype. That would explain why it came with random caps, a German case (a painted one too, rather than intrinsically grey, as I think it was you who pointed out), no trace of a label (prototypes didn't have labels) and parts from 1984 (!) that predate even the first Model Ms (it shares production dates with a confirmed prototype).
Haha, yeah, I heard of the whole Mandolin fiasco on Deskthority xD . Which is where some people helped me identify all the features of my keyboard (some people there helped me a lot with this keyboard there, they were very knowledgeable about these extremely early Ms and they identified all these features (I had no idea obviously xD)). But yes, it does have a mandolin crystal :) .
I have used full-size Model Ms for many years.
For the past year I daily use the SSK at home and work.
Big Win:
The SSK makes it easier to move to/from the mouse.
I never use the numpad, though there is "numpad mode" for the SSK.
One of my computers does not have a numlock at power up setting, so I have to remember to turn that off at every reboot before typing my password. No LED to show you the setting, so minor thing that crops up once in a while.
My current daily driver is an SSK and the only time I notice the numpad is when I accidentally turn it on I try to type something and end up typing s60eth5ng.
Hmm... Poor man's Kishsaver? Nice! Did you do a writeup on how you built that?Soon... Once it's done.
Ok, first this post is not to incite a riot among keyboard enthusiasts. Neither is it a this brand is better than X. We're talking about the model M only.
That being said, the IBM model M has a long lineage and I'm sure there were modifications and changes along the way.
We'll first split this discussion into two categories.
The full size IBM Model M and the spacesaver Model M (SSK).
Of these which vintage/model/part number had the best mechanical/electrical design and overall quality? Perhaps manufacturing standards were tight enough that they all perform the same. Maybe Lexmark let things slip one year, maybe there was a year that they skimped on plastic and one is weaker and has a tendency to fail more often. This is what I want to vet out.
If you were to want 1 keyboard that you would use every day which one would it be. Rarity doesn't necessarily equal superiority.
Why do I care? I like a challenge, I'm going to hunt down this keyboard, restore and use it.
For me, the 1390131 is the one to get. It has the heavy internal plate and LEDs. There are even a few with "bar code" labels.
Orihalcon's SDL-to-USB cables are pricey but a nice finishing touch.
:)) Yeah I can see why people wouldn't want to take him seriously for that... Definitely a nice chunk of change, that (although I have no intention of selling mine). Yours was the one that also had a '84 controller as I recall, right?Haha, yeah, I heard of the whole Mandolin fiasco on Deskthority xD . Which is where some people helped me identify all the features of my keyboard (some people there helped me a lot with this keyboard there, they were very knowledgeable about these extremely early Ms and they identified all these features (I had no idea obviously xD)). But yes, it does have a mandolin crystal :) .
The whole Mandolin fiasco started here. Mandolin saw my board and the talk of how early and rare it was, and thought his later production model was somehow equivalent. Dope listed it on ebay (with the same details as mine for which I gave him ****) for some ungodly amount and I think eventually he did supposedly get a nice chunk of change for it ( $600? ).
:)) Yeah I can see why people wouldn't want to take him seriously for that... Definitely a nice chunk of change, that (although I have no intention of selling mine). Yours was the one that also had a '84 controller as I recall, right?Haha, yeah, I heard of the whole Mandolin fiasco on Deskthority xD . Which is where some people helped me identify all the features of my keyboard (some people there helped me a lot with this keyboard there, they were very knowledgeable about these extremely early Ms and they identified all these features (I had no idea obviously xD)). But yes, it does have a mandolin crystal :) .
The whole Mandolin fiasco started here. Mandolin saw my board and the talk of how early and rare it was, and thought his later production model was somehow equivalent. Dope listed it on ebay (with the same details as mine for which I gave him ****) for some ungodly amount and I think eventually he did supposedly get a nice chunk of change for it ( $600? ).
I'll keep my eye out for older boards. For now I'll have to stick with my 1991 model.
Ok, first this post is not to incite a riot among keyboard enthusiasts. Neither is it a this brand is better than X. We're talking about the model M only.
That being said, the IBM model M has a long lineage and I'm sure there were modifications and changes along the way.
We'll first split this discussion into two categories.
The full size IBM Model M and the spacesaver Model M (SSK).
Of these which vintage/model/part number had the best mechanical/electrical design and overall quality? Perhaps manufacturing standards were tight enough that they all perform the same. Maybe Lexmark let things slip one year, maybe there was a year that they skimped on plastic and one is weaker and has a tendency to fail more often. This is what I want to vet out.
If you were to want 1 keyboard that you would use every day which one would it be. Rarity doesn't necessarily equal superiority.
Why do I care? I like a challenge, I'm going to hunt down this keyboard, restore and use it.
Among all Model M keyboards? I will say that essentially, they feel the same across the board to use. That being said, each keyboard feels unique to itself. It really depends on the condition of the keyboard. If they are all new, they would feel the same, right?
Condition is a serious factor here. You can get a "NIB" SSK or 101 and it could be entirely unusable because the plastic rivets have completely sprung from the steel backing plate.
If that is the case, you need to have it bolt-modded. Once you have a bolt-mod done, your Model M will most likely feel and perform like new.
Arguably, the first-generation Model M had a heavier galvanized steel backing plate that has a goldish-rainbow color to it. It is slightly heavier, and the older clam shell cases that the mechanism sits in are essentially the same.
Does it make it better electrically? I don't think so. The controllers have changed a bit over the years, getting smaller and smaller in form, but the function is the same.
The good news, up until the 3rd generation of Model M, you can swap the controllers easily between keyboards due to the keyboard matrix being the same, and the pinouts being the same on all the controllers along the line. (There is more to this than what I am saying, but I am generalizing)
I have an SSK, is it better? I don't think so. It is compact and very usable. I guess if you feel you can use a keyboard without a built-in numpad, it's a benefit. Just don't activate the numlock on the SSK, unless you plan on using that layer for a numpad and unlock it again. (I find that very annoying)
The good news is I have a LED indicator for both num lock and scroll lock being on, so I can switch it off and know it is off.
The keyboard I use as a daily driver is my 1392595 terminal board I converted to use with my PC. I love it! It looks great and does the job.
http://imgur.com/a/O7ayY
Does it make it any better than the rest? Honestly, no.
I forgot to add that I feel that my silver label has a slightly smoother and lighter touch than my later model Oval label from the early 90's - that's probably why I prefer it. It could be that it just got much more wear over the years. If only I had an unlimited budget, I would get every iteration of the Model M and take some quality time to compare and contrast.
I forgot to add that I feel that my silver label has a slightly smoother and lighter touch than my later model Oval label from the early 90's - that's probably why I prefer it. It could be that it just got much more wear over the years. If only I had an unlimited budget, I would get every iteration of the Model M and take some quality time to compare and contrast.There is no appreciable difference in typing feel between old and new Model Ms. This is a stubborn myth as far as I'm concerned. I've had a fair few, from '85 to '95, and they all felt pretty much the same.
There is no appreciable difference in typing feel between old and new Model Ms. This is a stubborn myth as far as I'm concerned. I've had a fair few, from '85 to '95, and they all felt pretty much the same.
....
I forgot to add that I feel that my silver label has a slightly smoother and lighter touch than my later model Oval label from the early 90's - that's probably why I prefer it. It could be that it just got much more wear over the years. If only I had an unlimited budget, I would get every iteration of the Model M and take some quality time to compare and contrast.
I think I have a good resume.
Just oneMore| IBM 1389162~ 29-Apr-88 | IBM 1395162 26-Apr-89 | IBM 1395665* 19-Dec-89 | IBM 1393464 16-Jan-90 | IBM 1391401 30-Oct-91 | IBM 1391401 18-Dec-91 | +IBM 1391401 12-Mar-92 | IBM 1392595* 04-May-92 | IBM 1392934~ 05-Aug-92 | Lexmark 1398601 05-Oct-92 | IBM 51G8572 15-Apr-93 | IBM 1391401 19-May-93 | IBM 1392595* 21-May-93 | IBM 1395162* 13-Jun-94 | Lexmark 1397961 03-Oct-94 | IBM 51G8572 04-Oct-94 | IBM 1370477 13-Feb-95 | IBM 1392595 17-Mar-95 | IBM 1370477 11-Sep-95 | IBM 13H6705 10-Jan-97 | IBM 92G7461 20-Mar-98 | IBM 1394204* 28-Jun-99 | Unicomp UNI0446 01-Dec-2014 |...
Boards with * are changed to standard SDL controller.
Boards with ~ are changed to USB Colossus controller.
Boards with + are in process of restoration.
Yes, I mean significant. From what I've seen the differences are within the margin of error of production, and hard to substantiate when condition is taken into account. Especially considering there is no obvious production change in the switches, in fact there doesn't seem to be any at all. More resistivity really shouldn't factor in here, it's not like a "thin" half-kilo plate isn't able to resist a tiny spring properly :P .There is no appreciable difference in typing feel between old and new Model Ms. This is a stubborn myth as far as I'm concerned. I've had a fair few, from '85 to '95, and they all felt pretty much the same.
I would have to nit-pick and disagree here, unless your definition of "appreciable" = "significant" in which case I agree that the differences are not truly significant.
However, the sounds and feels of the old heavy ones are often (but not always, every IBM buckling spring keyboard has a personality of its own) more solid yet smoother and lighter, which I attribute to the additional mass resisting the typing pressure and possibly better quality control. As an aside, all of mine were US-made except for the 3 Model Ms that I have had from Greenock (all very-late-1990s 42Hs) which were broken and terrible, but presumably standards were much higher in the early days.
This is also probably related to why people are often under-whelmed with the results of a bolt-mod, after that amount of work and aggravation they probably expect more than a subtle improvement.
More resistivity really shouldn't factor in here, it's not like a "thin" half-kilo plate isn't able to resist a tiny spring properly.
The F is just so much more sublime and less 'mushy and stuck-in-the-mud-like'.
Do yourself a favour and skip the M, go straight to the F.