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geekhack Community => Keyboards => Topic started by: Protato_Tubby on Sun, 03 July 2016, 17:24:24

Title: Where is the best place to buy a model m in the UK?
Post by: Protato_Tubby on Sun, 03 July 2016, 17:24:24
I'm not sure if this is the right place to ask this question, but I'd like to get my grubby mitts on one. Preferentially in UK layout. any advice would be great. I have my eyes on one on ebay, but I would like to know if there is anywhere better
Title: Re: Where is the best place to buy a model m in the UK?
Post by: fohat.digs on Sun, 03 July 2016, 17:47:17
Contact Chyros and be patient. There is a better chance of him hooking you up than anyone.
Title: Re: Where is the best place to buy a model m in the UK?
Post by: chyros on Sun, 03 July 2016, 18:05:16
Yeah I find them from time to time, I'll post it if I run into one :) .
Title: Re: Where is the best place to buy a model m in the UK?
Post by: klennkellon on Sun, 03 July 2016, 19:44:30
Yeah asking around here is best.

If you don't mind paying a more inflated Price you can always find one on Ebay.
Title: Re: Where is the best place to buy a model m in the UK?
Post by: QuincyJones on Mon, 04 July 2016, 02:14:53
speak to chyros - he told me he had a "supplier"
Title: Re: Where is the best place to buy a model m in the UK?
Post by: SBJ on Mon, 04 July 2016, 03:28:56
Yeah I find them from time to time, I'll post it if I run into one :) .
I'd very much appreciate that as well.
Title: Re: Where is the best place to buy a model m in the UK?
Post by: rowdy on Mon, 04 July 2016, 06:14:03
Other than that, keeping an eye on eBay might prove fruitful, and will help pass the time.
Title: Re: Where is the best place to buy a model m in the UK?
Post by: chyros on Mon, 04 July 2016, 07:00:50
There is a '1406 on eBay right now actually, although it's quite expensive at £90. Then again, UK Ms on eBay tend to be much more expensive than the '1401 anyway.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/IBM-Model-M-PC-Keyboard-/131867613799?hash=item1eb3ec1a67:g:NkMAAOSwRQlXejZH
Title: Re: Where is the best place to buy a model m in the UK?
Post by: Protato_Tubby on Mon, 04 July 2016, 12:27:51
Is this a scam?
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Vintage-IBM-Model-M-UK-Layout-PS-2-Clicky-Keyboard-Excellent-Condition-/182190088931?hash=item2a6b6022e3:g:zR0AAOSwgY9XdTWC
Title: Re: Where is the best place to buy a model m in the UK?
Post by: chyros on Mon, 04 July 2016, 13:17:49
Is this a scam?
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Vintage-IBM-Model-M-UK-Layout-PS-2-Clicky-Keyboard-Excellent-Condition-/182190088931?hash=item2a6b6022e3:g:zR0AAOSwgY9XdTWC
No, that looks like a pretty good '1406, and it's on for a nice price at the moment, if you want a UK M, this should be a good one :) .
Title: Re: Where is the best place to buy a model m in the UK?
Post by: fohat.digs on Mon, 04 July 2016, 13:28:20
That space bar looks awfully yellow. Was Greenock using ABS as early as 1991?
Title: Re: Where is the best place to buy a model m in the UK?
Post by: Photekq on Mon, 04 July 2016, 15:27:27
There is a '1406 on eBay right now actually, although it's quite expensive at £90. Then again, UK Ms on eBay tend to be much more expensive than the '1401 anyway.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/IBM-Model-M-PC-Keyboard-/131867613799?hash=item1eb3ec1a67:g:NkMAAOSwRQlXejZH
I wouldn't even read the bloody item description of that one if he paid me £90.

Typical UK seller. Overpriced, too much bollocks.
Title: Re: Where is the best place to buy a model m in the UK?
Post by: Protato_Tubby on Mon, 04 July 2016, 17:12:30
Yeah I find them from time to time, I'll post it if I run into one :) .
Hang on, I think I follow you on youtube. Nice voice, btw.
Title: Re: Where is the best place to buy a model m in the UK?
Post by: chyros on Mon, 04 July 2016, 17:56:05
Yeah I find them from time to time, I'll post it if I run into one :) .
Hang on, I think I follow you on youtube. Nice voice, btw.
Thanks! ^^
Title: Re: Where is the best place to buy a model m in the UK?
Post by: rowdy on Mon, 04 July 2016, 21:46:29
Yeah I find them from time to time, I'll post it if I run into one :) .
Hang on, I think I follow you on youtube. Nice voice, btw.
Thanks! ^^

Most of your posts I now envisage being read out loud with your voice :))
Title: Re: Where is the best place to buy a model m in the UK?
Post by: chyros on Tue, 05 July 2016, 03:32:13
Yeah I find them from time to time, I'll post it if I run into one :) .
Hang on, I think I follow you on youtube. Nice voice, btw.
Thanks! ^^

Most of your posts I now envisage being read out loud with your voice :))
Hello and welcome to this post.  :))
Title: Re: Where is the best place to buy a model m in the UK?
Post by: supamesican on Tue, 05 July 2016, 07:55:49
Actual classic IBM model m? Follow the advice everyone else posted no use in me repeating it.  New/Unicomp model M? They have a UK distributor.
Title: Re: Where is the best place to buy a model m in the UK?
Post by: fohat.digs on Tue, 05 July 2016, 09:33:33
New/Unicomp model M? They have a UK distributor.

I would recommend a Unicomp for a first-timer. All-new, warranty, native USB, a sure thing. Then get into vintage stuff if you like it.
Title: Re: Where is the best place to buy a model m in the UK?
Post by: Protato_Tubby on Tue, 05 July 2016, 10:17:17
New/Unicomp model M? They have a UK distributor.

I would recommend a Unicomp for a first-timer. All-new, warranty, native USB, a sure thing. Then get into vintage stuff if you like it.
I've actually been here for a while(>2 years, I think) I just don't post much. mostly lurking. I'm currently using my bigfoot as a daily driver, so I'm fairly happy with quite old keyboards. Also the vintage stuff is cheaper than getting hold of a unicomp in the UK, with UK layout. :)
Title: Re: Where is the best place to buy a model m in the UK?
Post by: fohat.digs on Tue, 05 July 2016, 14:31:56

I'm currently using my bigfoot as a daily driver, so I'm fairly happy with quite old keyboards.

People use "Bigfoot" for 2 different keyboards: an IBM Model F variant similar to the XT and the Dell/SGI AT101* family.

If you are using the IBM, you will get a sane layout but you are downgrading your keyboard experience.
If you are using the AT101/102 then you are likely to be pleasantly surprised.
Title: Re: Where is the best place to buy a model m in the UK?
Post by: Protato_Tubby on Tue, 05 July 2016, 15:35:42

I'm currently using my bigfoot as a daily driver, so I'm fairly happy with quite old keyboards.

People use "Bigfoot" for 2 different keyboards: an IBM Model F variant similar to the XT and the Dell/SGI AT101* family.

If you are using the IBM, you will get a sane layout but you are downgrading your keyboard experience.
If you are using the AT101/102 then you are likely to be pleasantly surprised.
Dell AT102 with black Alps. I really like its build quality, is the model M's better?
Title: Re: Where is the best place to buy a model m in the UK?
Post by: fohat.digs on Tue, 05 July 2016, 16:31:57

Dell AT102 with black Alps. I really like its build quality, is the model M's better?

The build quality overall is comparable. All the components are different and it is very hard to draw a straight comparison.

The keys and switches will be wildly more "powerful" and the feel and sound will be altogether different.
Title: Re: Where is the best place to buy a model m in the UK?
Post by: Protato_Tubby on Tue, 05 July 2016, 16:35:44

Dell AT102 with black Alps. I really like its build quality, is the model M's better?

The build quality overall is comparable. All the components are different and it is very hard to draw a straight comparison.

The keys and switches will be wildly more "powerful" and the feel and sound will be altogether different.
How do you mean different? What will be different about it?
Title: Re: Where is the best place to buy a model m in the UK?
Post by: fohat.digs on Wed, 06 July 2016, 07:51:37

What will be different about it?

The obvious first answer is that the M will be much louder and the "catastrophic" buckling of the springs yields a visceral feel under your fingers.

For people who need or enjoy tactile feedback, there is nothing like it. And it makes no difference how hard or gently you attack it.

Although the footprints are probably very similar, the M will seem to be bigger and sturdier.
Title: Re: Where is the best place to buy a model m in the UK?
Post by: chyros on Wed, 06 July 2016, 09:03:17
It's also much heavier - about 2 kilos (a Bigfoot is 1.4).
Title: Re: Where is the best place to buy a model m in the UK?
Post by: klennkellon on Wed, 06 July 2016, 14:23:55
black alps are quite rough feeling, even the reportedly better salmon alps are still kind of rough.

buckling springs are very smooth and sharp.
Title: Re: Where is the best place to buy a model m in the UK?
Post by: QuincyJones on Wed, 06 July 2016, 18:53:34
OP - what is your budget?
Title: Re: Where is the best place to buy a model m in the UK?
Post by: chyros on Thu, 07 July 2016, 03:00:50
black alps are quite rough feeling, even the reportedly better salmon alps are still kind of rough.

buckling springs are very smooth and sharp.
Salmon Alps are really not rough :P . I suspect your board is dirty :P .
Title: Re: Where is the best place to buy a model m in the UK?
Post by: Protato_Tubby on Thu, 07 July 2016, 07:07:56
OP - what is your budget?
<£60, really.
Title: Re: Where is the best place to buy a model m in the UK?
Post by: hoggy on Thu, 07 July 2016, 07:25:40
Try this thread on deskthority.

https://deskthority.net/vendors-f52/ireland-t14058-30.html#p318932
Title: Re: Where is the best place to buy a model m in the UK?
Post by: klennkellon on Thu, 07 July 2016, 16:14:13
black alps are quite rough feeling, even the reportedly better salmon alps are still kind of rough.

buckling springs are very smooth and sharp.
Salmon Alps are really not rough :P . I suspect your board is dirty :P .
I thought you said that black alps and salmon alps felt really similar so I assumed both black and salmon kind of felt the same.
Title: Re: Where is the best place to buy a model m in the UK?
Post by: chyros on Thu, 07 July 2016, 18:05:28
black alps are quite rough feeling, even the reportedly better salmon alps are still kind of rough.

buckling springs are very smooth and sharp.
Salmon Alps are really not rough :P . I suspect your board is dirty :P .
I thought you said that black alps and salmon alps felt really similar so I assumed both black and salmon kind of felt the same.
No, salmon and orange. There is only a small difference in sound and weighting between those two, otherwise they're pretty much the same. Either feel quite different from black; black Alps don't really feel like any other Alps, or any other switch at all, really.
Title: Re: Where is the best place to buy a model m in the UK?
Post by: fohat.digs on Thu, 07 July 2016, 18:07:53

black Alps don't really feel like any other Alps, or any other switch at all, really.

Although, theoretically, black is in the same family with orange and salmon, no?
Title: Re: Where is the best place to buy a model m in the UK?
Post by: chyros on Thu, 07 July 2016, 20:20:11

black Alps don't really feel like any other Alps, or any other switch at all, really.

Although, theoretically, black is in the same family with orange and salmon, no?
Eh, opinions on that vary. I say yay, Daniel Beardsmore says nay. He thinks they're descended from creams. I don't have creams but I'm pretty sure they don't feel like them either :p . It's more of a 1st-gen versus 2nd-gen thing, I think.