Model M research

[xsphat]

I've been researching the Model M a lot lately and I'm quite impressed with my findings. This research of mine is no doubt the result of still waiting for my space saver to arrive (should be any day now ...) and my personal pact to only use it at home for this entire term at school.

My specific question is how many keypresses is the M rated for? From what I am gathering it has to be just astronomical. I found an article by a guy who says he has used his Model M daily for the past 22 years and all he does to maintain it is give it intermittent iMav style tear-down cleanings. This guy is a professional tech writer, so to me that is unbelievable.

Other things I've read say that the buckling spring mechanism is so resilient because the works are are almost completely sealed from dust and gunk, and it won't fail unless there is a "significant build up under the hammer." This is almost sounding too good to be true.

The more I look into this, the more I think one or two of these space savers would last the rest of my life. What have you guys found on this topic? Any useful links I don't know about already?

Color me impressed.

[bigpook]

I have read similar things about the Model M. The internet has lots of sites that go on about it.
I have a bunch bookmarked, I will clean them up later and post them.

Overall, the Model M has a hard-core following.  It simply comes down to the tactile feel of the keyboard along with the quality build. It doesn't hurt that it is made in America.

Spend some time on one, while not for everyone, you will find the experience to be unique.

Typing this on my Unicomp Spacesaver.


ps: just google for the Model M, you will get the same links that I have. enjoy!

[graywolf]

Well, I would take that with a grain of salt, but no need for a bucket full.

However, you would be very unhappy with the M because it is a membrane keyboard. I almost tossed mine out when i discovered that .

Actually, as the Model M proves, it is not the kind of switch used, but what the mechanism between the switch and the keycap is like that determines how a keyboard feels. I think a Model M that is kept clean is good for 10 years of serious pounding on. They certainly aren't your usual disposable keybroard so typical today.

I even under stand the metallic spanging sound, my new one (old stock) has, goes away after a bit of use and leaves just a nice loud click, or maybe you just learn not to bottom out the keys  .

[xsphat]

I've had an M in the past and I liked it but it wasn't in the best shape so I sold it here for parts or whatever a while ago. I do know what to expect.

But I haven't done all that much research on them because the one I had just sort of fell in my lap.

[aon]

It doesn't hurt that it is made in America.

Some of them are made in the United Kingdom

[bhtooefr]

Some of them are made in Mexico, too. (later Model M13s.)

Unicomp rates their switches for 25 million keypresses, FWIW. (They rate their rubber domes for 10 million.)

Oh, and chances are, the logic board will fail before the rest of the keyboard. Not sure about SpaceSavers, but in 1993, IBM added drainage channels, so the membrane can't get contaminated with liquid. (I've got one of the semi-rare IBM-built 1993 Model Ms, meaning it still has the removable cable. And, mine's got the long cable. )

[xsphat]

Oh, and chances are, the logic board will fail before the rest of the keyboard.

Do you believe that writer's claim that he has used the same keyboard for 22 years? I find it a bit far-fetched but I don't know. After that amount of time it must be part his hands by now.

[bhtooefr]

My oldest Model M was built in 1991, so it's 17 years old, and still works perfectly. So, I certainly believe it.

And, as I said, the logic boards on those things are more likely to fail than the rest of the board. Just find another Model M from 1992 (IIRC) or earlier, put its controller in, and there you go.

I can't imagine that he could easily switch keyboards, Model Ms are so variable between units. I've heard that IBM allowed for a 30% variation in either direction of spring weight.

[bigpook]

.

I can't imagine that he could easily switch keyboards, Model Ms are so variable between units. I've heard that IBM allowed for a 30% variation in either direction of spring weight.

That would help to explain the differences that I have with my Model M's.
I have 4 now, 2 full size and 2 space savers. And each one is different. Different in the way the keys behave. I have one space saver that types like velvet, it_is_perfect ( except that it doesn't particularly care for my KVM).
The other space saver is jangly and light, I can't stand that keyboard : (.
One full size Model M is relatively close to the feel of my Unicomp, and the other one is just plain hard to type on, it takes ALOT of pressure to actuate the key.

[xsphat]

My old M was full sized and really light. My new M mini is tighter and I really like it. It is already loosening up to the way I want it after just one night of typing. I am going to take it into work for a today (short day, just a couple hours to  finish the week's  work) just to see how loud this will be there in an empty office.

[graywolf]

They are easy to type on, aren't they?

[xsphat]

Yeah, I like that it is small enough but still big enough to feel like I am typing on a control panel if that makes any sense. I am used to the buckling springs again and the keys on this keyboard are nice (my old one's  keys were  F'ed) and I am really liking it a lot.

And BTW, I work in an open office and this 'board is so obnoxiously loud in that room I think my coworkers would beat me down if I used this keyboard there. I was kind of hoping I could pick up a second one and use these exclusively, but that is not the case. I think next time I have to go in on Sunday I'm going to bring the MK96 and see how loud that one is.

[bigpook]

I have a Model M spacesaver that I may let go of. It is too light and jangly for me and the keycaps are one piece, except for the J key, which is 2 piece.

[graywolf]

XSPhat, you are just going to have to get a second HHKB Pro 2, there is no other way out for you. There, consider yourself enabled. $300 isn't much of a job expense, just think of what you would be spending if they required you to wear suits to work.

[iMav]

XSPhat, you are just going to have to get a second HHKB Pro 2, there is no other way out for you. There, consider yourself enabled. $300 isn't much of a job expense, just think of what you would be spending if they required you to wear suits to work.

One of the great things about the HHKB is how incredibly portable it is.  You don't need multiples...just carry it with you!

[xsphat]

One of the great things about the HHKB is how incredibly portable it is.  You don't need multiples...just carry it with you!

Word.

And Graywolf, I don't an enabler. I just sold my HHKB Pro 2 and I am buying a new one, white / printed, in a few weeks.

[graywolf]

One of the great things about the HHKB is how incredibly portable it is.  You don't need multiples...just carry it with you!

How geeky