Help me find the right Model M

[Tennobanzai]

I'm just browsing through clickykeyboards.com and I see quite a few Model Ms for sale but I can't really tell which ares are the better ones. Like is the Lexmark even different compared to the real IBM ones other then some dont have detachable cables? Most of the used ones seem to go for around $60-80 while the new ones are $130. Just looking to see if anyone can point me in the right direction.

[Tennobanzai]

I see. I guess for everyday use it really doesnt matter much then. So out of this list, which is the best buy in your opinions?

http://www.google.com/products?hl=en&lmode=online&authorid=83344&cdn=ClickyKeyboards&q=&scoring=pd

[False_Dmitry_II]

A good looking $30 one from ebay. Seriously, they aren't worth brand new unicomp prices.

If you must have a new board though, just google unicomp and buy one that was just made.

[kinkng]

I'm partial to the ones with the detachable PS/2 cables so that when I feel like switching model Ms, there is no need for me to get under the table. Other than that, I have no perference between the IBM and Lexmarks.

If you can afford it, I would try to get the spacesaving Model M. Sometimes, I find the regular model M to be just too big and I never really use the numpad. The spacesaver will be expensive but it can probably last you the rest of your life.

[7bit]

I'm just browsing through clickykeyboards.com and I see quite a few Model Ms for sale but I can't really tell which ares are the better ones. Like is the Lexmark even different compared to the real IBM ones other then some dont have detachable cables? Most of the used ones seem to go for around $60-80 while the new ones are $130. Just looking to see if anyone can point me in the right direction.

Get one from 1985!

Or at least one without LEDs!

Or at least one without with a gray IBM logo! (typing this on it)

Or at least one before the Lexmark era!

Or at least one before the Unicomp era!

Or just get a Unicomp.

[Sam]

A good looking $30 one from ebay. Seriously, they aren't worth brand new unicomp prices.

If you must have a new board though, just google unicomp and buy one that was just made.

EBay can be hit and miss.  You could easily end up with a dead keyboard or one with a lot of missing rivets.  But still, overall, you can save quite a bit, just you have to realize you're taking a bit of a gamble.

One word of caution, if you do decide to buy on eBay.  I recommend staying away from rarekeyboardstore.  Based on my experience, the owner is one of the most dishonest sellers on eBay I've run across.  He absolutely does not stand by his word.  Not to mention he has a severe problem with anger management.  You might end up with a good board from him, but if anything whatsoever is wrong, my experience is he will instantly blame you for it and refuse to refund or do anything about it.

I'm sure there are other sellers to avoid, but thought I'd mention him because he's one of the most prominent sellers of Model M's on eBay.

[theferenc]

A good looking $30 one from ebay. Seriously, they aren't worth brand new unicomp prices.

If you must have a new board though, just google unicomp and buy one that was just made.

Seriously, you don't think a Model M (with warranty and excellent service) is worth $79? A keyboard that will last decades if you don't abuse it, and years if you do?

If a Model M isn't worth $79, then no mechanical is worth anything remotely close to the price charged for them. Hell, there are crappy keyboards that cost more than that!


Anyway, even NIB models can show up with a lot of broken rivets. I got one with 27 broken rivets. 27!

[theferenc]

Oooh, it even has the green Alt keys. Not real without those.

[J888www]

After filling a half a room with second-hand keyboards, may I suggest you go and purchase a New/NIB/NOS then you will have less regrets.

Keep your cash safely under the mattress and be patient while waiting for  Unicomp to begin their manufacture of those SpaceSaver Tenkeyless.

[Tennobanzai]

Thanks for the suggestion guys. I went ahead and bought the 1391401. Like Kinkng said, the space saver would be ideal for myself but i'm not sure if i'm ready to spend $300+ on a new or great condition one yet. I'll probably end up buying a black M13 when I can find a good deal on one.

[Tennobanzai]

Should be great.  Clickykeyboards will make sure you are happy.

I hope it just won't turn into an addiction :redface:

[False_Dmitry_II]

The reason that I said what I did is that I've gotten 3 from ebay for really cheap, no real signs of wear or anything. All three even showed up clean, and besides the first one (the most expensive, which just needed a key reseated) all of them fired right up. Besides an electrical failure of some kind, not much can go wrong that can't be fixed. Many of you think the bolt mod is such an upgrade that you do it to board that aren't missing any rivets at all, so I don't personally care in the slightest about how many might be broken. In fact only one of my three is pingy at all (sign of broken rivets, but I haven't opened it yet since it still works fine) and it only has a slight visible starting-to-shine on the keys which can't be felt (it's also one with green alts and a ctrl/act key).

So while if it were the only option to buy a unicomp for $80 (even though they still use rivets for some reason) then yes, I'd think that it is worth it. There is just no reason to spend that much on a model m when it's so easy to get super cheap ones that are just fine. Since I've hit it out of the park 3 times by gut feeling alone on ebay, it can't be that hard to get a good one.

[theferenc]

Fair enough, but there are many cases that buying from ebay just isn't possible. For instance, in my university, Unicomp is an approved supplier, but ebay isn't.

Not to mention the total lack of post sale support on Unicomp. Peace of mind is worth different amounts to different people. I've got enough experience with them and spare parts that repairing one is not an issue for me. For my sister? Not going to happen. If something is wrong with it, the seller better damn well support it. Unicomp does that.

Personally, I own 2 unicomps now, one purchased used and damaged for $25 shipped, the other purchased new and customized.

Having non-ANSI layout requirements complicates the argument quite significantly. Again, Unicomp handles those requirements easily and well. Just see my UNIX layout keyboard, or Bugfix's german/ANSI hybrid.

And I know you can remap in software after remapping the hardware keys on any Model M, but there's just something very useful about having proper firmware support for the apparent layout of the keyboard.

I know my modded boards drive others nuts, as I don't bother to have custom keys printed for all the new locations of the keys.

[False_Dmitry_II]

Customization isn't something that everyone needs.

I think you meant lack of post sale support on ebay, which is true to some extent.

Approved supplier sounds like making the school pay for it instead of yourself, which is fine cause it ain't your money, so I'm not sure why you'd care.

But those are specific scenarios, especially the customization which gives you a technically superior product (correct key legends and being able to choose US standard layout in the US and have it work fine with no tinkering no matter the computer or anything), that don't really stop what I said. Those are also all reasons why to go with a brand new board, not a pointlessly expensive used one.

[drsauced]

i hope it just won't turn into an addiction :redface:

Bwaaaahaha!

[Thinkpad Fan]

I second the vote for ClickyKeyboars as a supplier, as I am batting about 60% favorable off of eBay, 40% not so good.  I have recieved two ebay boards that were disappointments - a worn out white M13 (lousy key action, maybe something stored on top of the keys?) and a 401 that was described as fine - and wasn't, with missing keycaps and a broken keystem that were not mentioned - and a "period" key that requires three times the force of all the other keys on the board.   Luckily it was cheap, and will provide parts for the others, as needed.

If you deal with ClickyKeyboards, you will be sure it isn't junk, and have recourse if you do have a problem.  Because of shipping costs, it matters to get a good one, as returns cost you, too.  I recently got a brand new one from them, and it was fun being the first one to unseal the box!  

My personal feeling is the boards made by IBM, 1990 and prior have a superior feel - but I have a very small sample of about six Model Ms right now.  Your mileage may indeed vary.  Cheers, TPF

[Tennobanzai]

Ended up buying 2 more IBM keyboards from a member here. Hopefully I get all mine in by next week and I can compare each other.

Thank you all for the advice

[125ml]

I hope it just won't turn into an addiction :redface:

It is doing for me.

[MrSneis]

Damn, now I want a model m but I don't think my work space can handle the size though.