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Author Topic: closest thing to a model f?  (Read 2204 times)

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Offline soymilk

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closest thing to a model f?
« on: Thu, 16 February 2012, 13:33:41 »
is the model m the closest thing to a model f? one of my friends had both of them, and the f just felt a lot more.. crisp, if that makes sense. im pretty close to pulling the trigger on a unicomp, and was hoping that the difference was mostly due to different levels of use on the two keyboards over the years.
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Offline Snarfangel

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closest thing to a model f?
« Reply #1 on: Thu, 16 February 2012, 14:06:50 »
Quote from: soymilk;516235
is the model m the closest thing to a model f? one of my friends had both of them, and the f just felt a lot more.. crisp, if that makes sense. im pretty close to pulling the trigger on a unicomp, and was hoping that the difference was mostly due to different levels of use on the two keyboards over the years.


I have heard that Model F's used a capacitive switch, which sounds a bit different (as well as being more expensive and even longer lasting (!)) than the Model M. Doing a quick Google, I saw this:

Whereas the Model M has more of a click-clack or, as some would deem, a chunka-thunk sound with each key press, the F has a plinky sound. Besides the "nonstandard" layout* of the F, coupled with its added heft and its fixed, non-removable AT cord, the major difference between the F and M, in two words, is capacitive keyswitches. The Model M uses buckling spring technology, and the F uses capacitive keyswitches. It makes for more of a plinky sound.

Available here: http://lowendmac.com/thomas/09tt/ibm-model-f-keyboard.html

Not sure what they mean by click-clack and chunka-thunk, though. :) I've heard that a lot of people liked the Model F sound better, but I really like my model-M-ish Unicomp. And I thought both used a buckling spring, but I am really new at this (despite having used buckling spring keyboards when they were still new from IBM).
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Offline soymilk

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closest thing to a model f?
« Reply #2 on: Thu, 16 February 2012, 18:55:26 »
unicomp should just start making model F's with a modern keyboard layout too :)
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Offline Touch_It

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closest thing to a model f?
« Reply #3 on: Thu, 16 February 2012, 22:16:48 »
Quote from: soymilk;516532
unicomp should just start making model F's with a modern keyboard layout too :)


i would buy one in a heart beat.

i think the f layout makes it a sexy looking keyboard personally.

and a great conversation piece when someone uses ur computer :D
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Offline DesktopJinx

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closest thing to a model f?
« Reply #4 on: Fri, 17 February 2012, 00:39:14 »
I bought a Model F for home protection.
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Offline Soarer

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closest thing to a model f?
« Reply #5 on: Fri, 17 February 2012, 05:58:56 »
F is not a layout! There's XT, AT and Terminal 122-key 'boards for starters. And then some less common ones that are totally incompatible with PCs (without replacing the controller - even a converter couldn't work because some don't send break codes).

As for the feel - the actuation force is slightly less, but the numbers don't account for how different the two feel - typing on an M always seems a _lot_ more work to me.
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Offline Daniel Beaver

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closest thing to a model f?
« Reply #6 on: Fri, 17 February 2012, 08:37:27 »
Quote
unicomp should just start making model F's with a modern keyboard layout too :)
Are you willing to pay three as much? The Model M was developed as a way to save costs.

To answer the OP's question: the Model M has a very similar feel to the Model F. A lot of the perceived difference comes from the sound, which is quite distinct.
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Offline fohat.digs

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closest thing to a model f?
« Reply #7 on: Fri, 17 February 2012, 09:02:16 »
I don't know, rip-o-nickels or not, the F feels crisper and lighter to me than an M.

And even when flossed, the sound is much more satisfying.
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Offline keyboardlover

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closest thing to a model f?
« Reply #8 on: Fri, 17 February 2012, 11:08:46 »
GLWNT.
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Offline Snarfangel

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closest thing to a model f?
« Reply #9 on: Fri, 17 February 2012, 11:22:22 »
Quote from: ripster;517030
You should really click my RipOmeter links.  Because it does say it's lighter.

Gravity does not lie despite what Webwit says.

Gravity is completely overrated. It's the weakest of the four fundamental forces, for God's sake!
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Offline czarek

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closest thing to a model f?
« Reply #10 on: Fri, 17 February 2012, 11:24:16 »
My recipe: Bolt modded Model M with Unicomp springs (optional, some don't feel any difference) without rubber between membranes. Also bolts must be very loose. The feel and sound is very similar to Model F - see that video:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LZnTkLpt-TQ&list=WL1ED8AC24CFC8C138

I haven't tried it with Unicomp keyboard yet but I guess it would be similar too.
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Offline soymilk

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closest thing to a model f?
« Reply #11 on: Tue, 21 February 2012, 16:59:04 »
Quote from: Daniel Beaver;516952
Are you willing to pay three as much? The Model M was developed as a way to save costs.

To answer the OP's question: the Model M has a very similar feel to the Model F. A lot of the perceived difference comes from the sound, which is quite distinct.


hm, didnt know that.

Quote from: czarek;517074
My recipe: Bolt modded Model M with Unicomp springs (optional, some don't feel any difference) without rubber between membranes. Also bolts must be very loose. The feel and sound is very similar to Model F - see that video:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LZnTkLpt-TQ&list=WL1ED8AC24CFC8C138

I haven't tried it with Unicomp keyboard yet but I guess it would be similar too.


interesting. something to keep in mind for down the line i guess, as i doubt i will want to do this any time soon :p

also, what is bolt modding? i see it mentioned in pretty much any thread that mentions a model m but nothing that actually says what the mod is.
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Offline soymilk

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closest thing to a model f?
« Reply #12 on: Tue, 21 February 2012, 17:39:19 »
that definitely looks like more effort than i'd be willing to put in, hopefully i like it how it is :o
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