Now that I've been delving into the world of old keyboards...

[jkercado]

I've come to realize that no company had better quality plastics than IBM. After you handle something like an Model M, everything other plastic feels thin, hard and loud. I look at my Model M built in 1993 and the keys are not even faded. I look at my co-worker's Das Keyboard, the one he bought 6 months ago, and I can already see some shiny parts on the spacebar.

Again, IBM manufactured (for the most part) ridiculously solid stuff.

[fohat.digs]

Get a Model F and take it apart (the big 122s are much easier). You will see that it is, indeed, the Mac Daddy and that the M was a cheapened downgrade.

The only major downside I see is that the plastic case is more brittle, and this is an even bigger problem on the F AT, because of the way the case snaps together, especially at the front (spacebar) side.

The M probably used a softer, cheaper, plastic case, but its flexibility makes it much more forgiving.

[pitashen]

I've come to realize that no company had better quality plastics than IBM. After you handle something like an Model M, everything other plastic feels thin, hard and loud. I look at my Model M built in 1993 and the keys are not even faded. I look at my co-worker's Das Keyboard, the one he bought 6 months ago, and I can already see some shiny parts on the spacebar.

Again, IBM manufactured (for the most part) ridiculously solid stuff.

You can still get the "better quality" plastic keycaps for your modern keyboards. PBT plastic is the keyword. PBT is a harder plastic material that is more resistant to finger polishing.

[jkercado]

Get a Model F and take it apart (the big 122s are much easier). You will see that it is, indeed, the Mac Daddy and that the M was a cheapened downgrade.

The only major downside I see is that the plastic case is more brittle, and this is an even bigger problem on the F AT, because of the way the case snaps together, especially at the front (spacebar) side.

The M probably used a softer, cheaper, plastic case, but its flexibility makes it much more forgiving.

Many years ago I worked as an IBM AS/400 programmer...So I know what you're talking about. :becky:

[flaming_june]

But just because key caps on plastic shines doesn't mean the board isn't well made though.

[fohat.digs]

Does the Model F have lighter action?

This subject has been debated at length.

I do believe that the Model F has a lighter touch. The actual weight may be similar, but it seems to have a more delicate and precise feel, to me.