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Author Topic: Ibm Model M's keyforce  (Read 1397 times)

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Offline toffz

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Ibm Model M's keyforce
« on: Wed, 15 July 2009, 13:00:48 »
I have heard that M requires "a lot" of force to trigger the switch. How much force actually and how it compares to cherry blue switch?

-toffz
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Offline JBert

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Ibm Model M's keyforce
« Reply #1 on: Wed, 15 July 2009, 13:13:00 »
Ripster recently measured the force needed for an IBM model M using his RipOMeter tool (patent pending). (See Mythbusters - The RipOmeter Tool)

You may find some info about blue cherries in the wiki (see Cherry switches) but I don't know if anyone already tried it with Ripster's method.
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Offline toffz

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Ibm Model M's keyforce
« Reply #2 on: Wed, 15 July 2009, 13:37:22 »
Great!

Thanks for the quick reply.

-toffz
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Offline ch_123

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Ibm Model M's keyforce
« Reply #3 on: Wed, 15 July 2009, 13:43:07 »
The Model M's one is about 70g, the Blue Cherry about 50g. The difference that 20g makes is quite significant. If you are used to the Cherry switches and you like them, you may find that that the Model M is too stiff for your taste. Contrariwise, if you think the Model M's stiffness is just right, you'll probably think that the Cherrys are too light.
« Last Edit: Wed, 15 July 2009, 16:20:21 by ch_123 »
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Offline timw4mail

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Ibm Model M's keyforce
« Reply #4 on: Wed, 15 July 2009, 13:46:57 »
Quote from: ch_123;102783
The Model M's one is about 70g, the Blue Cherry about 50g. The difference that 20g makes is quite significant. If you are used to the Cherry switches and you like how, you may find that that the Model M is too stiff for your taste. Contrariwise, if you think the Model M's stiffness is just right, you'll probably think that the Cherrys are too light.

And the Model F is about 60g, right? That makes it the best "average" key pressure.
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Offline ch_123

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Ibm Model M's keyforce
« Reply #5 on: Wed, 15 July 2009, 13:52:47 »
Somwhere around that alright. When I tried testing mine, it was in the region of 60-65g (the coin method isn't completely reliable with Buckling Springs) But I'd reckon that it's closer to 60g because it isn't as stiff as the Unicomp I used to own, which is rated to be 65g. However, spring wear could explain some of the lightness, so it's not an exact figure.
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Offline IBI

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Ibm Model M's keyforce
« Reply #6 on: Wed, 15 July 2009, 15:59:41 »
It's enough to give it a different feel but it still feels like a keyboard and not drastically different like a mechanical typewriter or piano.
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Offline timw4mail

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Ibm Model M's keyforce
« Reply #7 on: Wed, 15 July 2009, 18:03:16 »
Quote from: ripster;102813
IBM's patent also shows 70g but that's probably just a coincidence.  The M wasn't designed when the patent was filed.

BTW, my wife's upright Yamaha measures about 100-110g.  I gotta make a keychain version of the RipOmeter.

That's the Model F patent, it doesn't have the foot that hits the membrane.
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Offline ch_123

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Ibm Model M's keyforce
« Reply #8 on: Wed, 15 July 2009, 18:12:18 »
There were plenty of BS keyboards before the Model F showed up. It's possible that they lightened it up since then.

After using a Unicomp again, I'm thinking that the F could actually be 65g, and that my particular one has just become un-stiffened after many years of use. also, the actuation point is lower down, therefore when you press the key, the force builds up over a longer period of time and it feels less sudden than a Model M.
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