What is so great about the compact Model M Mini?

[8_INCH_FLOPPY]

Why does everyone want a model M mini?  Really, what is the appeal?  Why would you be willing to pay +$120 dollars for a keyboard with less features, when you could buy a top of the line Model M for less than half the price?

[runeazn]

since they likew it small..

[timw4mail]

Some people like keyboards without 10keys.

I'm not really one of them.

[Phaedrus2129]

The Model M is the enemy of desk space. For those who love buckling springs, but need something that can fit on something smaller than the deck of an aircraft carrier, the Model M Mini is ideal.

[ch_123]

If you've ever put a regular Model M on your desk, you'd see why.

Besides, not a lot of people use those numpads anyway.

[8_INCH_FLOPPY]

I have put a Model M on my desk, and I loved it.  The only keyboards better than a large Model M are a mechanical Terminal keyboard with at least 122 keys, and my Fujitsu FKB4725.

[shrap]

Tenkeyless is a feature.

[8_INCH_FLOPPY]

To  ch_123, my response is: ?


To ripster, the last owner is of no importance, and has no effect of value.  I own an oscilloscope that was probably used by NASA to design and build rocket ships.  Does anyone care?  No.  All they care about is what it can do and how well it can do it... And how much space it takes up.... Hmmm.. I'm seeing a pattern here.  Ah well, I guess I'm just different in  that I like my electronics being big.

Of course, I hope what you said about rarity is correct, because if it is, I can make some serious cash on my Wireless Cherry model-F-layout keyboard.

[8_INCH_FLOPPY]

Tenkeyless is a feature.

This just goes to show that if your marketing department is good enough, you can make consumers believe anything.

[Phaedrus2129]

This just goes to show that if your marketing department is good enough, you can make consumers believe anything.

Unicomp? Filco? Marketing?



BWAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!! HA HA HA! HAHAHAHAHA!!


hehehe



Sure.

[8_INCH_FLOPPY]

I know they don't really have any official marketing at all, but it's still the same principle.  If you hear/read something enough, you start to believe it.  Think about it.  If you guys didn't talk about model M minis enough, would they still go for triple-digit prices on Ebay.  Tenkeyless is a feature, lol.

[TexasFlood]

I know they don't really have any official marketing at all, but it's still the same principle.  If you hear/read something enough, you start to believe it.  Think about it.  If you guys didn't talk about model M minis enough, would they still go for triple-digit prices on Ebay.  Tenkeyless is a feature, lol.

So geekhackers have enough influence to drive up ebay model M mini prices? We're powerful!

[ch_123]

I got my SSK for free.

The OP is starting to remind me of John Deer...

[8_INCH_FLOPPY]

Yes, I imagine that most people who would pay that kind of money for a keyboard would probably research it first?  In fact,  half of the people willing to pay so much for a keyboard are probably members of this forum, lol.

So, I am starting to remind you of a brand of farm equipment?  I'm not sure if that's meant to be praising or insulting?

[ch_123]

No, it was a reference to a certain forum member who sadly isn't with us any more.

To ch_123, my response is: ?

It was a reply to the previous post. Read the previous post, consider the implications of said post, look at the picture.

[8_INCH_FLOPPY]

Ok, I get it.  Bigger with fewer keys, less efficient.  Heh, I sure hope you didn't take that picture on my account.  What happened to Mr. Deer?  Is he "sadly no longer with us" as in dead?

[ch_123]

Wish those were mine, it was someone else's.

And yes, you could say Mr. Deer is dead in a sense.

[Scarzy]

It's prettier.

Don't want to drag the other thread up, but that first one is beautiful. Just how rare are these things? Thinking of trying to buy since I don't really ever use my numpad.

[8_INCH_FLOPPY]

Y'all are always worrying about your keyboards wearing out and yet you don't like the idea of having a backup set of numberkeys, arrowkeys, and an extra enter key.

[didjamatic]

There are about 75-100 full size Model M's on ebay for every Space Saving Model M that gets listed.  Model M Mini's were often used in dust-free data centers where they were seldom used compared to a desktop keyboard.  This is true of many compacts.

[platon]

Y'all are always worrying about your keyboards wearing out and yet you don't like the idea of having a backup set of numberkeys, arrowkeys, and an extra enter key.

I believe you don't really get the big picture. There are members here with more than 10 M's not including the "spare parts" keyboards.

Personally i have a NIB space saver, a used spaced saver and a full size model M. Plus a complete set of blank keycaps. You know what? i don't even use them. It turns out i am a filco brown guy.

But i like owning them, i use them from time to time when i feel a need for a little "vintage" injection. It brings back memories of the years i was a kid playing with computers. Pure nostalgia. The lines between toy, collector's item and input device are blurry with this kind of keyboards.

If you really want to rationalize the purchase of a space saver there are only 2.5 viable arguments imo.

A: its cute.
B: it takes less space off your desktop.
C: (only for right handed people): supposing you type with the home row somewhat aligned with your torso, you can handle the mouse like a normal person, not thinking "ooh i wish i could bend my arm a little, my shoulder hurts, programming sucks i should have become an actor"

[elbowglue]

Why do I pay more for space saving layout?  I would rather be able to have mouse closer to midline, and in cases where the mouse can't move further to the right, I like to have keyboard lined up more where I sit.  It is worth the premium.  It is not marketing, imho it's just better.

Now what I wonder is why someone dosen't cut the edge off of a regular model M with a hacksaw and call it their ghetto mini.  It certainly would be cheaper, and you could probably just fold the membrane underneath.  (I think)

[KillerBee]

Buckling Spring TINY!! Yay!! I like furry bunnies too

8 Inch Floppy, this thread is pointless if you complin about not being able to buy one, then say just that! But dont penalize others because the own a mini and you dont!

I like the mini look... would I ever buy one MAYBE NOT but I dont knock on other peoples minis because I dont have one.

[ch_123]

There are about 75-100 full size Model M's on ebay for every Space Saving Model M that gets listed.  Model M Mini's were often used in dust-free data centers where they were seldom used compared to a desktop keyboard.  This is true of many compacts.

When buying a PS/2 or Industrial, you had a "Select a Keyboard" option with IBM. With the PS/2s, this allowed you to chose between a fullsize, a space saver and a terminal emulator. With the Industrial, this allowed you to choose between a fullsize, and space saver, and later an M13 and an M4-1.

So in a funny sense, everytime you see a 1391401 or 1394946, that represents one SSK that could have been, but was is not.

[chimera15]

It's a lot more difficult to hold a full model m on your lap if you sit in a big comfy chair to surf, watch shows, play games, read, program, draw, paint, ect, and don't have a desk.  Same reason I love TBE's, siig minitouches, and think normal mice are stupid.  If you spend 14-18 hours a day on computers of one type or another it's stupid to sit at a desk.

[ch_123]

Fujitsu Peerless best keyboard evar.

[lmnop]

I like that industrial coloured one

[ch_123]

Probably the prettiest Model M variant




I like Pfink's black one though -

[didjamatic]

That Industrial Mini is a good looking Model M for sure, but for me the 1390653 Black Square Label Industrial is the sexiest Model M ever made.

[J888www]

It has "Je ne sais quoi" which can be found in only One other keyboard.

[WhiteRice]

It's a model m, but smaller. I don't use a keypad because I try and avoid taking my fingers away from the home row.

The price is a result of scarcity.

[MissileMike]

Buckling spring is such an clever switch design.  It's so simple compared to all the others, and it feels great to type on.  I think the price of these minis is going to continue to rise over the next couple years.

[microsoft windows]

Besides, not a lot of people use those numpads anyway.

You're wrong. Most people use their number pads. Ever been in a bank, store, or workplace that involves entering lots of numeric data?

[ManjyomeThunder]

You're wrong. Most people use their number pads. Ever been in a bank, store, or workplace that involves entering lots of numeric data?

Do most people work in a bank, store, or workplace that involves entering lots of numeric data? And when they're on their computers at home, do they need to do so as well?

[ch_123]

You're wrong. Most people use their number pads. Ever been in a bank, store, or workplace that involves entering lots of numeric data?

Good point son, I forgot that this is the banker's forum.

And since when do people who work in banks or shops qualify as "most people"?

[shrap]

You know, I really don't understand these hater threads where the OP implies that we're all dumb for having different opinions than they do. You'd think a forum about such esoteric items such as mechanical keyboards wouldn't really need this negativity.

I especially like the responses that say "everyone needs a numpad!!!" when clearly some of us don't have them and don't need them.

[ricercar]

Constructive keyboard debate leads to new keyboard knowledge.