stop beating around the bush and buy anyone, either is good and look on the bright side any modding with Model M don't involve soldering, so you flop like with the Poker lol
True true. I might do just that seeing that I would be saving a ton of money
Look I got bunch of Model M's, I mean bunch..... From square logos with and without LED's for functions, ovals from IBM-Lexmark-Unicomp and here is what I noticed:
- Quality as in longevity its same, same patent/internals AKA same quality longevity wise.
- Changes they were but wont affect the quality of the board when speaking of having longevity, here they are:
1. decreased quality of the outer plastic, somewhat lighter ( different plastic perhaps), final finish on plastic not as satisfactory as the Model M's with the IBM sticker on the back, but bare in mind huge percentage of the ones made with the IBM sticker back in the days were not all made by IBM factory only, for example Lexmark was also subbing for IBM without the made by Lexmark logo on the rear sticker, but were other subcontractor companies also that were doing the same thing as Lexmark AKA producing Model M's. Difference is, IBM had quality control and things were a bit neat picked better.
But in no means Lexmark branded or Unicomp branded plastic although not looking as good as the IBM made ones are fragile or breakable, simple test would be taking Unicomp board and trow it at your neighbor for keyboard science.
- the thickness of the metal plate has thinned too, but does not equal to lower quality, its still steel!!!!!
- Barrel plastic plate has actually increased with the later models, for example when comparing the square logo vs oval logo or even todays Unicomp made ones, the newer breed of the barrel plate had ridges sticking out trough the barrel plate which it reinforce and make the barrel plate more durable due to the fact needing to bend in oval like angle.
So there, you make your own conclusion and if u have more questions, shoot...
