Typing Demo XL - IBM capacitive buckling springs (IBM Model F122 "battleship")

[chyros]

Today we listen to a classic, as well as one of my favourites. As requested by several viewers, the IBM battleship! Hope you enjoy the video!

[no, the other guy]

Eargasm.

[appaboy]

I get model fs for the feel... Definitely not the sound lol.

[no, the other guy]

Heretic!

[fohat.digs]

I get model fs for the feel... Definitely not the sound lol.

A floss mod will make it quite tolerable.

[mattlach]

I love the feel of Model F's, but I just can't bring myself to use those ugly old communist grey monstrosities in the 21st century,

I wish someone (looking at you Unicomp!) would make a modern version. 

You know, something with Model F or Model M switches, but:

• Nice sleek industrial design with tight tolerancing and spacing
• MX compatible stems, with double-shot PBT keycaps
• NKRO
• Native USB that works (unlike the Unicomp solution which most of the time initializes after my "press DEL to enter BIOS" screen is gone
• Nice LED backlight (for those of us with imperfect touch typing who are night owls)

I'd pay a princely sum for a board like this.   (well, at least relative to current keyboard pricing)

[no, the other guy]

There's modelfkeyboards.com but their layouts suck ****s in hell.

I'm happy with my XT.

[mattlach]

There's modelfkeyboards.com but their layouts suck ****s in hell.

I'm happy with my XT.

I see what you mean.  Jeez those are bad.

I don't understand why everyone feels the need to mess with what IBM did when they essentially perfected the keyboard layout in 1985, with the IBM Enhanced Keyboard.

I don't think there is any better layout.

I like the switch feel of Model F's, but I just don't think I could adapt to either the XT or PC122 layouts.

[no, the other guy]

I use both, the PC122 is awesome as it is, even though the Delete key needs adaption. About XT, uhm... it grows to you.

[chyros]

I love the feel of Model F's, but I just can't bring myself to use those ugly old communist grey monstrosities in the 21st century

That must be the first time in history someone called IBM "communist" .

[mattlach]

That must be the first time in history someone called IBM "communist" .

Just the color.   It reminds me of the rows after rows of grey concrete residential blocks in former eastern bloc countries

[mattlach]

I use both, the PC122 is awesome as it is, even though the Delete key needs adaption. About XT, uhm... it grows to you.

I think if the PC122 only had "normal" arrow keys like on a Model M layout, I'd likely be very happy with it.  (except for the color...  and I'd want more modern features )

[Wazrach]

I use both, the PC122 is awesome as it is, even though the Delete key needs adaption. About XT, uhm... it grows to you.

The XT is fantastic, although despite being a fan of the springy metallic goodness, I find the XT way too high-pitched. Of course, every Model F sounds different (I've had 6 XTs, and they all sounded different), but the metal backpanel makes the XT sound quite harsh. I just got my 5155 Model F XT last night, and it's just so good! The plastic chassis gives it a deeper sound, so it doesn't sound nearly as annoying.

[chyros]

I use both, the PC122 is awesome as it is, even though the Delete key needs adaption. About XT, uhm... it grows to you.

The XT is fantastic, although despite being a fan of the springy metallic goodness, I find the XT way too high-pitched. Of course, every Model F sounds different (I've had 6 XTs, and they all sounded different), but the metal backpanel makes the XT sound quite harsh. I just got my 5155 Model F XT last night, and it's just so good! The plastic chassis gives it a deeper sound, so it doesn't sound nearly as annoying.

Yes, plastic cases resonate a lot more than taut metal chassis, so the 5155 and AT have a much deeper (and louder) sound than others. The XT's case and chassis are so dense that they attenuate these frequencies strongly.

[fohat.digs]

I find the XT way too high-pitched. Of course, every Model F sounds different

I agree, but the floss mod takes off the high overtones and makes the sound manageable and pleasant.

I think if the PC122 only had "normal" arrow keys like on a Model M layout, I'd likely be very happy with it.

With the ANSI mod and an Xwhatsit or internal Teensy, you get very close to the M layout that can be tweaked to your satisfaction, and a USB cable. The arrows are almost in the correct place, and if you set the middle arrow to be another down, it is very close. Then you just have to figure out where to map your Windows key and you have something very comfortable.

[Wazrach]

I use both, the PC122 is awesome as it is, even though the Delete key needs adaption. About XT, uhm... it grows to you.

The XT is fantastic, although despite being a fan of the springy metallic goodness, I find the XT way too high-pitched. Of course, every Model F sounds different (I've had 6 XTs, and they all sounded different), but the metal backpanel makes the XT sound quite harsh. I just got my 5155 Model F XT last night, and it's just so good! The plastic chassis gives it a deeper sound, so it doesn't sound nearly as annoying.

Yes, plastic cases resonate a lot more than taut metal chassis, so the 5155 and AT have a much deeper (and louder) sound than others. The XT's case and chassis are so dense that they attenuate these frequencies strongly.

I can't say for sure whether the AT sounds louder than the XT, as mine is still on the way - but this 5155 is definitely quieter. It may seem that way because of the deeper sound, or the fact it sounds less harsh and more muffled.

[Wazrach]

I find the XT way too high-pitched. Of course, every Model F sounds different

I agree, but the floss mod takes off the high overtones and makes the sound manageable and pleasant.

I really like ping, so attenuating it makes it sound dead to me.