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geekhack Community => Keyboards => Topic started by: spremino on Wed, 03 February 2010, 04:24:15

Title: Selectric vs Model M: how do they compare?
Post by: spremino on Wed, 03 February 2010, 04:24:15

Is it true that the Model M has been modeled after the Selectric? How do them compare when it comes to key feel, key travel, etc.?

Thanks.

Title: Selectric vs Model M: how do they compare?
Post by: ch_123 on Wed, 03 February 2010, 05:16:49

Read the Beam Spring section of the IBM Wiki.

Basically the answer is no.

Title: Selectric vs Model M: how do they compare?
Post by: microsoft windows on Wed, 03 February 2010, 07:00:59

(http://www.clickykeyboard.com/2005/60G3571/60G3571-002.jpg)

(http://www.clickykeyboard.com/2005/60G3571/60G3571-004.jpg)

Title: Selectric vs Model M: how do they compare?
Post by: ch_123 on Wed, 03 February 2010, 07:20:05

Do you believe everything you see in ads?

Incidentally, I used to have a Selectric. I don't remember it well, but I do remember it feeling nothing like a Buckling Spring.

Title: Selectric vs Model M: how do they compare?
Post by: ak_nala on Wed, 03 February 2010, 07:26:21

Yeah, those "Options by IBM" boxes are a riot. Almost as inaccurate and contradictory in places as the Alps boxes. Obviously something produced by a Marketing schmuck trying to capitalize on the branding aura of the Selectric line.

Now, if they had said "Enjoy IBM WheelWriter Touch:" they would have been accurate.

Title: Selectric vs Model M: how do they compare?
Post by: microsoft windows on Wed, 03 February 2010, 15:58:52

The people at IBM probably designed the buckling spring to be reminiscent of the Selectric, even though I'm sure it's different in some ways.

Title: Selectric vs Model M: how do they compare?
Post by: ch_123 on Wed, 03 February 2010, 16:06:53

Now I know how Ripster feels when people claim that Lexmarks are worse than IBMs...

To reiterate the IBM wiki -

1) In the beginning there was the Selectric
1) The Beam Spring was loosely inspired by the Selectric.
2) The capacitive buckling spring was loosely designed to feel like the beam spring.
3) The membrane buckling spring was designed to feel similar to the capacitive buckling spring.

Get back to us when you've tried all four of the above.

Title: Selectric vs Model M: how do they compare?
Post by: microsoft windows on Wed, 03 February 2010, 16:25:02

Notice how I used the word "reminiscent". I used Selectrics. But that was before I became a keyboard nut.

Title: Selectric vs Model M: how do they compare?
Post by: ak_nala on Thu, 04 February 2010, 01:32:52

Does anyone know if there is a difference in key feel between a Selectric I, II and III?

Title: Selectric vs Model M: how do they compare?
Post by: ch_123 on Thu, 04 February 2010, 04:00:00

My Dad knew a guy who almost got fired because his secretary had a Selectric, and his bosses one didn't...

Corporate politics, don't you love 'em?