M15

[Thechemist]

http://www.ebay.com/itm/IBM-Lexmark-M15-Keyboard-13H6689-1995-Lexmark-Ergonomic-Keyboard-M15-0218-/121312626097?pt=PCA_Mice_Trackballs&hash=item1c3ecbc5b1

[JimByr]

This is the same board that has been priced at $800 for the last couple of months. The seller tried to lower the price for short periods several times but his lower prices were still above the market.

[vivalarevolución]

$44 for shipping across the country?  That better be on my doorstep in the afternoon if I order it in the morning.

[jacobolus]

Shipping only $8.70 to SF. If anyone wants to save on shipping, feel free to just ship it to me, and I’ll be happy to use it for you, and provide a full review so you get the full vicarious experience.

[vivalarevolución]

Shipping only $8.70 to SF. If anyone wants to save on shipping, feel free to just ship it to me, and I’ll be happy to use it for you, and provide a full review so you get the full vicarious experience.

It seems to be a mistake for USPS shipping, because the Fedex and UPS shipping are more affordable.

[E TwentyNine]

Only one bid from three days ago and I bet it's from someone who bid just for the hell of it on the slim chance everyone else forgets about it.

Until about 8 seconds left, and there's a second bid for $305

Final Price:  $305 + shipping.

[Pacifist]

dam good price

[semyorka]

Damn, I *did* forget about this.  Damn good price for it

[The_Beast]

Put in $309.99 but didn't get the submit bid in time...



I would have liked to try the M15, but no tears will be shed over it

[vivalarevolución]

Put in $309.99 but didn't get the submit bid in time...



I would have liked to try the M15, but no tears will be shed over it

Who knows what the max bid was for the $305 person.  It only takes two for a bidding war.

For appreciators of the Model F, it seems that the M15 always dashes expectations in the "feel" department.

[Pacifist]

Put in $309.99 but didn't get the submit bid in time...



I would have liked to try the M15, but no tears will be shed over it

Who knows what the max bid was for the $305 person.  It only takes two for a bidding war.

For appreciators of the Model F, it seems that the M15 always dashes expectations in the "feel" department.

Thats what stops me from getting a M15
F is just too good and the M122 feels like crap in comparison

[E TwentyNine]

Put in $309.99 but didn't get the submit bid in time...



I would have liked to try the M15, but no tears will be shed over it

Who knows what the max bid was for the $305 person.  It only takes two for a bidding war.

For appreciators of the Model F, it seems that the M15 always dashes expectations in the "feel" department.

As the M15 is based on M2 construction, not M construction, it will fall short for those used to the M feel as well.

I never understood the high prices on the M15s beyond the collectible aspect.  To each his own and all that of course...

[vivalarevolución]

Put in $309.99 but didn't get the submit bid in time...



I would have liked to try the M15, but no tears will be shed over it

Who knows what the max bid was for the $305 person.  It only takes two for a bidding war.

For appreciators of the Model F, it seems that the M15 always dashes expectations in the "feel" department.

As the M15 is based on M2 construction, not M construction, it will fall short for those used to the M feel as well.

I never understood the high prices on the M15s beyond the collectible aspect.  To each his own and all that of course...

Ergo freaks that love to have a variety of split keyboards in their arsenal?  That's my rationale for ever buying one.

[jacobolus]

As measured a week ago on HaaTa’s force gauge, here are Model F 122 and Model M15 force curves, for the down-stoke of each:




I bet you folks can guess which is which.

x-axis is µm, y-axis is grams-force.

[Pacifist]

As measured a week ago on HaaTa’s force gauge, here are Model F 122 and Model M15 force curves, for the down-stoke of each:

Show Image

Show Image

I bet you folks can guess which is which.

wtf is that second one doing

[jacobolus]

For comparison, here’s a Cherry MX blue:


(But note that the MX blue keyboard we measured was pretty worn out, and we just picked one of the few switches (some function key or something) that felt like the typical MX blue experience. A brand new MX blue might be slightly different).

[jwaz]

Scheduled for delivery tomorrow.

* jwaz prays for the ball-joints safety

[Pacifist]

Scheduled for delivery tomorrow.

* jwaz prays for the ball-joints safety

you won? Niceeee

[jacobolus]

wtf is that second one doing

It’s possible that we just measured the wrong switch or the wrong keyboard. It’ll take some more measuring to figure out what a "good" Model M force curve looks like, or whether this is a reasonable representative of an M15 switch.

[ZeDestructor]

As measured a week ago on HaaTa’s force gauge, here are Model F 122 and Model M15 force curves, for the down-stoke of each:

Show Image

Show Image

I bet you folks can guess which is which.

x-axis is µm, y-axis is grams-force.

Can you get the force curve of a normal Model M?

It would be interesting to know, because IMO the F feels completely different from the M, and yet here we are, seeing similar force curves....

[jacobolus]

Can you get the force curve of a normal Model M?

It would be interesting to know, because IMO the F feels completely different from the M, and yet here we are, seeing similar force curves....

I think HaaTa has an SSK lying around that he might be able to measure. I’m going to be out of the country soon, for a month. When I get back, if he hasn’t measured one by then, I’ll make sure we measure a Model M.

I think these two force curves look substantially different. Notice that the Model F has much lower average force required before the actuation point.

[intelli78]

Scheduled for delivery tomorrow.

* jwaz prays for the ball-joints safety

Congrats on the win. Probably best to ship this with the ball joint slightly loosened, huh?

[bhtooefr]

A couple I'd like to see, for comparison, are beam spring and Selectric, to round out the IBM collection.

This is what we've got for the Selectric right now:

[jacobolus]

HaaTa definitely has at least one beam spring keyboard. Not sure about a Selectric. Even if he doesn’t, I’m sure there’s someone nearby with one.

[ZeDestructor]

Can you get the force curve of a normal Model M?

It would be interesting to know, because IMO the F feels completely different from the M, and yet here we are, seeing similar force curves....

I think HaaTa has an SSK lying around that he might be able to measure. I’m going to be out of the country soon, for a month. When I get back, if he hasn’t measured one by then, I’ll make sure we measure a Model M.

I think these two force curves look substantially different. Notice that the Model F has much lower average force required before the actuation point.

They do, but it's more of the way in the shape than the strength, and in my experience, the F has softer springs... Almost like MX red vs black...

The F does resonate in a much more interesting way though

[dorkvader]

HaaTa definitely has at least one beam spring keyboard. Not sure about a Selectric. Even if he doesn’t, I’m sure there’s someone nearby with one.

I gave him my correcting selectric II when he visited. The cartridge needs to be greased (sometimes doesn't advance) but otherwise it's fully working.

Selectric (while on) is my favourite keyswitch, even with the greater travel.

[jacobolus]

Beam spring:


Note similar actuation distance, but longer post-actuation travel than the Model M/F. Not quite as steep a force drop as a catastrophically buckling spring.

[bhtooefr]

Not surprised by that, and it shows quite well why I prefer Model F BS over beam spring (even though beam spring is a quite awesome design, and I prefer beam spring keycaps).

Interesting how close the Model M15 actually gets to the beam spring's force curve, though.