IBM Model M 1391401 Blue vs. White Label

[PlayerZero]

Hello all,
I have been looking at Clickykeyboards quite a bit lately, for Model Ms.  They have the "classic" Model M 1391401, and I noticed they currently only have these Model Ms available with a blue label, but previously have had some with a white label.  Is there any difference between these keyboards, other than age?  (The blue label ones are younger).

[Pylon]

I believe the Blue Label ones have drainage channels.

[PlayerZero]

I believe the Blue Label ones have drainage channels.

I see.  Thanks!

[theferenc]

Not all of them do, actually. I have a couple blue label models without the drainage channels.

The Wiki will correct me if I'm wrong, but it's my understanding the blue label models are made by Lexmark, which was spun off from IBM in the early 90s. Of course, I'm assuming when you say white, you mean grey ovalish on the left, and not silver rectanglish on the right.

There aren't really much in the way of differences, otherwise. Lock light wiring, plate thickness, sometimes stabilizer type on the vertical keys on the numpad. Personally, I prefer 1989 and earlier, as I prefer the wire stabilizers to the blue peg stabilizers on the numpad. Not sure why, really, they just feel better to me. Then again, I do use the numpad fairly often.

I just picked up 2 more 1987 models. Filthy dirty when they came to me, now they look almost new. And oddly, what might be the filthiest keyboard I had ever seen had only a single broken rivet. Not even another loose one -- I had to actually cut them all.

[theferenc]

I find that my Unicomp pings a lot more than my early model Ms, personally. Both are bolt modded, as well.

[theferenc]

To be honest, I still can't hear pinging in any of those filco sound samples. And the only time I ever hear it in my BS keyboards is if I'm typing very very slowly. But standard speed typing, not a ping to be heard (by me or anyone in my office, actually).

[PlayerZero]

Thanks all.  So no major quality differences.  Just to clarify, I am talking about the 1391401; I don't think the ones on Clickykeyboards are Lexmark

[theferenc]

Oh, Lexmark did make keyboards with that part number. I have 2.

So, looking at the keyboards on clickykeyboards, the prices are nearly what you would pay for a new Unicomp. So unless you really want an IBM made Model M (wouldn't blame you), you might want to look into Unicomp. Same tech, but new and warrantied. Plus, you can have the layout customized, if you so desire.

[HaveANiceDay]

Blue labels make them pretty.

[PlayerZero]

Oh, Lexmark did make keyboards with that part number. I have 2.

So, looking at the keyboards on clickykeyboards, the prices are nearly what you would pay for a new Unicomp. So unless you really want an IBM made Model M (wouldn't blame you), you might want to look into Unicomp. Same tech, but new and warrantied. Plus, you can have the layout customized, if you so desire.

Thanks for the Lexmark bit.  It looks like the IBMs that are in stock right now are actually Lexmark then.  I've definitely thought about Unicomp, but it seems like original Model Ms are better quality.  Is this true?

EDIT:  Also, what technique do they use on Unicomp keycaps?

[HaveANiceDay]

Also, what technique do they use on Unicomp keycaps?

Dye sub on PBT.

[ch_123]

See Wiki

See the section entitled "Are older Model Ms better than newer ones?"

[Randallrocks]

See: http://geekhack.org/showwiki.php?title=Island:6550

[ch_123]

That thing kinda rambles on forever. The IBM Wiki has the sensible conclusions compacted into the one paragraph.

[ch_123]

Doesn't mention changes in springs over the years. Minor when you compare one made in the late 80s to one made in the early 90s, but comparing a 1985 to a Unicomp....

[PlayerZero]

Thanks for the wiki links...  /facepalm that I didn't look there.

[theferenc]

If nothing else, the springs do wear out over time. I have a NIB 1397000 that is markedly stiffer in feel to a heavily used one I picked up. I liked the feel of the springs though, so I left them as they are, with the exception of a few that felt...mushy.

But even again, the NIB felt different from my unicomp. Anyone know if there's a difference between the different hammer colors? I have some keyboards that are all brown, some that are all black, and quite a few that are basically a the same color as a Cherry MX clear. Do the different colors have different springs? In a blind test, people did notice differences, but if that is  due to metal fatigue, or actual differences, I have no idea.

[theferenc]

The brown ones I have are distinctly brown, rather than the color you have in the middle, though I have some of those too. I don't think there are any differences, though all of my 122 key have the brown, the blacks are all from really old keyboards, and the lighter colors are all newer. So maybe it's just a generational or plant difference.

[ch_123]

My old IBM springs and new Boscom/Unicomp springs looked the same and RipOmeter the same.

 
I believe my fingers and the guys who make them over your coins, no offense.

[ch_123]

I'm not going to claim to be an expert in the field of spring manufacture, but I'm sure there are plenty of variables that could come into play here that could affect how the spring feels when part of a buckling spring assembly.

It's a very simple case that there is a phenomenon - namely, different Model Ms without busted rivets feeling more/less stiff than others, and an explanation from the manufacturers as to why this is the case. I'm not into either pretending that something doesn't exist, or thinking that I know more than the people who make them.