Model M or modern mechanical keyboards

[karlulfeinar]

Hi, my first post here whoo hoo!

I am thinking about getting a new keyboard, since I never tried mechanical switches I am very eager to try them out. I have read some about it and since I type a lot I really want a keyboard with a nice feel. I will use the keyboard for typing reports and some gaming.

I am thinking buying a tenkeyless (blue) but they are not available in my country (Sweden), so I would have to import one which would cost me at least 130 euro in total. This is kinda expensive just to try out in my opinion.

I also know that my parents own an old IBM model M which I will get when I visit them this Easter.

How are the old model M holding up against newer keyboards, is it worth spending the money?

[fohat.digs]

You should certainly grab the Model M. It can be taken apart and cleaned no matter how dirty or ugly it is.

That will give you a great "base line" to work from, and define the "other" end of the spectrum from whatever you are currently using.

[mr626]

The Model M is a fantastic board, they age very well for the most part. I've even been gaming with mine recently and it does a great job.

[Autolyze]

I love the Model M, but I also love Cherry MX Blue switches. They're very different feeling, and while some people might prefer one over the other, I don't think it's reasonable to say that one is better than the other. Get your hands on the Model M first and see what you think of it. If you want something lighter and... sharper feeling, then see if you can try out a keyboard with blues.

[Kensy]

I'll choose the model M as well, the typing is very smooth in my opinion, but the sound is much louder than typing on a cherry mx blue switches. Some people are disturbed by the sound of it, but i like it, haha...

[hella]

I prefer my Model M over my CM Storm Quickfire Rapid (MX Blue's).  However both are great, tactile, and clicky.

[1391406]

Play with the Model M a bit and see how it feels. If it seems a bit too loud and the keys a bit too stiff then you might try a board with Cherry MX Blues. After all, the Model M is free and available.

[karlulfeinar]

Thanks for all your input. I will definitely try out the model M. I am getting really excited to type something on it. I have been watching some youtube videos and I have to say, the sound is hypnotizing. Lets just hope that it feels as good as I hope it will.

[Henry Allen Venture]

Thanks for all your input. I will definitely try out the model M. I am getting really excited to type something on it. I have been watching some youtube videos and I have to say, the sound is hypnotizing. Lets just hope that it feels as good as I hope it will.

I've just recently been able to fix up the Model M I bought ages ago. It was definitely worth the effort, this thing is a f**king dream to type on. I couldn't be more happy with it. Not sure if I like it more than my Filco with MX Browns, but its easily my second favourite.

[fohat.digs]

Buckling springs are the baddest asses in town.

You can make many kinds of arguments for and against anything, but there is no denying that IBM Model M/Fs are in a class by themselves.

Not that strength, weight, and durability are the only criteria that matter, but you cannot deny the value of those attributes.

If you need something to slip into the front pocket of a briefcase, or if size or weight matters, well then, you had better look elsewhere.

[koralatov]

Buckling springs are the baddest asses in town.

No love for Alps?

On a serious note: Since you mention gaming, I’m guessing you plan to use it at home.  If you plan to use it in an open-plan office though, you’re likely to get lynched.  A friend of mine took his Model M into his office and lasted less than five minutes before he was told to go back to his old and crappy, but quiet, keyboard.

[bazemk1979]

you wont go wrong with Unicomp, its basically model M without the steel plate, and its new, they bought off the patent for model M

[fohat.digs]

I like Alps, I have had several white boards that were nice, and one day may get some Holy Grail blues. My son swears by the black Alps Dell I gave him when he was 10.

However, Alps are nowhere near the same class of indestructibility as buckling springs, and, in my opinion, do not wear or feel well once they are potted with a little dust.

[Squelos]

Where can we find Model M's ? Im afraid of buying a fake model M ...

[koralatov]

I like Alps, I have had several white boards that were nice, and one day may get some Holy Grail blues. My son swears by the black Alps Dell I gave him when he was 10.

However, Alps are nowhere near the same class of indestructibility as buckling springs, and, in my opinion, do not wear or feel well once they are potted with a little dust.

I haven’t been using them long enough to know about how well they last, but I know second-hand that the buckling springs last forever.  I know at least one person still using a 20+ year old Model M with no complaints beyond the fact that it’s *huge* compared to modern keyboards.  I’ve got a couple of AEKIIs, so I’ve got my “daily driver” and a parts mule if anything should ever go wrong.

Due to the noise issue of the BS, though, I’m thinking of getting a Dell AT102W for use at work; I think it should be just about quiet enough to avoid a lynching.

Where can we find Model M's ? Im afraid of buying a fake model M ...

I don’t think I’ve ever seen a fake Model M, or heard of such a thing.  eBay, or the classifieds here and at Deskthority are probably your best bet.  If you want a new keyboard, Unicomp still make them, and are available from Keyboardco in the UK and various other sellers in other countries.

[fohat.digs]

I have never had a 102 but I have owned several 101s. I got one new in 1998 and used it heavily for years. It still works well.

Of half a dozen that I have bought used, half were good and half were bad.

My theory is that dust gets into the sliding mechanism and causes friction. I don't think is is worth the trouble of taking apart a hundred switches, for a cleaning that might not work, when they can be bought pretty cheap.

Flossing an M/F costs $5 and takes an hour. That, and setting it on a rubber mat, will cut a surprising amount of noise.

[Telstar]

I haven’t been using them long enough to know about how well they last, but I know second-hand that the buckling springs last forever.  I know at least one person still using a 20+ year old Model M with no complaints beyond the fact that it’s *huge* compared to modern keyboards.

I have. 15 years and counting.
Noise is the absolutely the only defect that u can ascribe to these keyboards.

[koralatov]

I have never had a 102 but I have owned several 101s. I got one new in 1998 and used it heavily for years. It still works well.

Of half a dozen that I have bought used, half were good and half were bad.

My theory is that dust gets into the sliding mechanism and causes friction. I don't think is is worth the trouble of taking apart a hundred switches, for a cleaning that might not work, when they can be bought pretty cheap.

Flossing an M/F costs $5 and takes an hour. That, and setting it on a rubber mat, will cut a surprising amount of noise.

I was aiming for a 102 because they show up pretty frequently on eBay, whereas the 101s haven’t shown up at all in the time I’ve had my feed set up.  I should maybe just accept defeat and start using one of my AEKIIs at work.  I’ve never actually tried a Mac keyboard on a Windows machine, but with the appropriate USB converter, it should work okay.

I don’t understand what you mean by “flossing” the Model M, but the rubber mat idea is a good one.  Would thick rubber feet have the same result?

[fohat.digs]

I like mats and they are cheap and customizable. That is, I buy the stuff at Wal-Mart and cut it to fit.

Flossing involves threading a piece of the fluffy dental floss into the springs. There are wikis here telling you how to do it.

I have a good AT-101W (beige) that I will sell you if you are in the US. Internationally, the shipping is more than the board and it just seems silly.

I have used AEK2s under Windows without problems except for a few key oddities, I think that there is an "=" or something on the Numpad that won't work, and maybe something else like F keys beyond 12. Assuming that you have an ADB-to-USB adapter, of course. I also have a semi-dirty untested AEK2 that I would throw in the box for very little extra.

[koralatov]

I like mats and they are cheap and customizable. That is, I buy the stuff at Wal-Mart and cut it to fit.

Flossing involves threading a piece of the fluffy dental floss into the springs. There are wikis here telling you how to do it.

I’ve passed both suggestions onto my friend.  He seemed sceptical that they would mitigate it enough to save him from being lynched, but hopeful.  Thanks for the tip.

I have a good AT-101W (beige) that I will sell you if you are in the US. Internationally, the shipping is more than the board and it just seems silly.

I have used AEK2s under Windows without problems except for a few key oddities, I think that there is an "=" or something on the Numpad that won't work, and maybe something else like F keys beyond 12. Assuming that you have an ADB-to-USB adapter, of course. I also have a semi-dirty untested AEK2 that I would throw in the box for very little extra.

That would be great… but I’m in the UK, so thanks anyway.  The more I read about the 101/2W, the less keen I am about them.  A lot of people dislike them.  I’ll just have to give the AEKII a go with Windows.

[mkeeley]

People say that they can't be used in an open plan office but back in the day all the PC's at the company I worked for were IBM's with model M's and don't remember any problems. I keep thinking about buying one but the lack of a "windows" key puts me off as I'd want to use on my Mac Pro.

[koralatov]

People say that they can't be used in an open plan office but back in the day all the PC's at the company I worked for were IBM's with model M's and don't remember any problems.

I think a big part of that is that people are less tolerant/more sensitive now than they were.  Personally, I don’t particularly mind the sound of other people typing, but people in my office think I type “too loudly” on my crapped-out old rubber-dome Compaq.  

I keep thinking about buying one but the lack of a "windows" key puts me off as I'd want to use on my Mac Pro.

There’s the Spacesaver M by Unicomp, which is a modern version made for Macs, but I know what you mean: missing the three modifier keys on the standard Mac keyboard would be tantamount to torture for me.

[Daniel Beardsmore]

The Dell AT10*s aren't "quiet" (definitely louder than MX browns – ALPS are noisy switches), but they're not intolerable, and the lack of click gives them a more acceptable clatter. It's not the noise that put me off using mine in an open plan office, but the pain of trying to type on one! The sound is dirty, but still a pleasant clack; it's better than the awful rattle of dome keyboards. The problem is that sharp, defined sounds are more pleasing to use, but harder to tune out. Topre for me is the winner for an open plan office environment: the only way to get a clean, smooth feel combined with a moder era noise level.

One difference with the AEK II is that the switches typically contain rubber dampers, so it should be quieter. Also, the switches hopefully aren't as wretched as the ones in the AT10*s, but I couldn't say for certain. I'd love to try some proper tactile ALPS … on day, one day. Have to see if Captain Hat turns any up

[1395985]

Model M beats all.