geekhack
geekhack Marketplace => Great Finds => Topic started by: ed_avis on Fri, 04 November 2016, 05:10:37
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This is 'buckling rubber sleeve' as IBM calls it, in other words rubber dome, with a Trackpoint in the middle. It is strictly speaking a "Model M" though not as we know it. For ten pounds you can't go wrong: http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/361811486248
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The same seller also has a splendidly ugly mouse, even by IBM standards: http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/361811491518
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In my opinion the IBM M4 is a collector item for IBM and keyboard enthusiasts, but not a nice keyboard to type on (for me).
There are nice rubber dome keyboards that feel (almost) as good at the Topre and some lubed MX switches. I tried on an M4 and categorized it as a bad rubber dome keyboard.
Otherwise, it looks real great.
Edit: I missed my rubber dome IBM 8923 (perhaps one of the best rubber dome keyboards, see forum posts about the "KB 8923")
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Yes, it's more of an IBM collector's item than a practical keyboard (even though I have certainly used one to get work done). The Trackpoint is nice in theory, and probably worked pretty well on a 640x480 screen, but it is awkward to drag the pointer around on larger desktops.