Author Topic: IBM SpaceSavers (Read 3542 times)

prasopes · « **on:** Sat, 14 September 2013, 16:29:04 »

I'd love to have a desktop keyboard with a TrackPoint. Since the IBM SpaceSaver and SpaceSaver II keyboards use rubber domes instead of buckling springs, should I even consider buying one? I've read that the early Thinkpads had quite pleasant rubber dome keyboards, so perhaps the old SpaceSaver keyboard could be similar?

snoopy · « **Reply #1 on:** Sat, 14 September 2013, 16:30:59 »

I once had one... and it felt terrible.. so terrible that I couldn`t use it for some minutes and instantly resold it...

ch_123 · « **Reply #2 on:** Sat, 14 September 2013, 16:34:06 »

The M4-1 (i.e. original Space Saver) is ok. The problem is that the old Trackpoint II design was not nearly sensitive enough for use on the sort of resolutions that are common on modern monitors.

hoggy · « **Reply #3 on:** Sat, 14 September 2013, 16:34:14 »

I'm with snoopy on this one. I think if you get one nib then you'll be okay for a while, but not forever.

The layout is superb, however, I really want a mechanical version.

prasopes · « **Reply #4 on:** Sat, 14 September 2013, 16:45:34 »

So the Space Saver II is substantially worse? I like the fact that the Trackpoint on these has three buttons as I use the middle button a lot for scrolling.

Quote from: ch_123 on Sat, 14 September 2013, 16:34:06

The M4-1 (i.e. original Space Saver) is ok. The problem is that the old Trackpoint II design was not nearly sensitive enough for use on the sort of resolutions that are common on modern monitors.

ch_123 · « **Reply #5 on:** Sat, 14 September 2013, 16:50:14 »

I can't comment personally, I only have experience of the first one. The II will have a better tracpoint though (I think it uses the Trackpoint IV)

snoopy · « **Reply #6 on:** Sat, 14 September 2013, 17:09:15 »

Get the original spacesaver with buckling springs and try to forget the trackpoint. Or go fullsize...

terran5992 · « **Reply #7 on:** Sun, 15 September 2013, 03:40:23 »

^^ this

Buckling springs are the best switches ever invented.

hoggy · « **Reply #8 on:** Sun, 15 September 2013, 04:44:42 »

After re-reading my post - my comments are about the key feel / rubber domes. Trackpoint is fine, although it could be 'faster'

esoomenona · « **Reply #9 on:** Sun, 15 September 2013, 09:12:34 »

Get a M13 and mod it down to a smaller size? There is one for sale for a ridiculously good deal right now, and I'm willing to help you with the price. I just want the caps.

E TwentyNine · « **Reply #10 on:** Sun, 15 September 2013, 14:40:38 »

Quote from: snoopy on Sat, 14 September 2013, 17:09:15

Get the original spacesaver with buckling springs and try to forget the trackpoint. Or go fullsize...

The buckling spring one (aka SSK) is a "Space Saving Keyboard". The later ones are "Space Saver Keyboards".

E TwentyNine · « **Reply #11 on:** Sun, 15 September 2013, 14:43:30 »

Quote from: esoomenona on Sun, 15 September 2013, 09:12:34

Get a M13 and mod it down to a smaller size? There is one for sale for a ridiculously good deal right now, and I'm willing to help you with the price. I just want the caps.

I had considered doing this with one of my M13's. But, the main reason I like tenkeyless is to leave room for a mouse. If I have a keyboard with a trackpoint there's no real reason to save space for the mouse.

esoomenona · « **Reply #12 on:** Sun, 15 September 2013, 20:35:05 »

Quote from: E TwentyNine on Sun, 15 September 2013, 14:43:30

Quote from: esoomenona on Sun, 15 September 2013, 09:12:34
Get a M13 and mod it down to a smaller size? There is one for sale for a ridiculously good deal right now, and I'm willing to help you with the price. I just want the caps.

I had considered doing this with one of my M13's. But, the main reason I like tenkeyless is to leave room for a mouse. If I have a keyboard with a trackpoint there's no real reason to save space for the mouse.

I was thinking a 60% or 75% with a trackpoint might be nice to travel with.

0100010 · « **Reply #13 on:** Sun, 15 September 2013, 21:10:02 »

Would not suggest to cut down an M13, get a Unicomp with a trackpoint to mod instead.

E TwentyNine · « **Reply #14 on:** Sun, 15 September 2013, 21:25:49 »

Quote from: 0100010 on Sun, 15 September 2013, 21:10:02

Would not suggest to cut down an M13, get a Unicomp with a trackpoint to mod instead.

That is a better idea in general, however the problem with cutting down a unicomp is the controller is connected above the number pad and how it is connected. See this thread: http://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=40006.75

I don't recall how samwisekoi got around that exactly (no pics) but it seems like he did. It's just not as clean an operation as cutting down an IBM M.

I have a few of those IBM mice with the trackpoint in them, I could see putting something together with a standard M and those internals, or snagging the pointer out of a later space saver, but I have not looked into it beyond speculation.

esoomenona · « **Reply #15 on:** Sun, 15 September 2013, 21:35:53 »

Quote from: 0100010 on Sun, 15 September 2013, 21:10:02

Would not suggest to cut down an M13, get a Unicomp with a trackpoint to mod instead.

Why not? A Unicomp because it could be said to be more "throwaway-able"?

dorkvader · « **Reply #16 on:** Sun, 15 September 2013, 22:04:31 »

Quote from: esoomenona on Sun, 15 September 2013, 21:35:53

Quote from: 0100010 on Sun, 15 September 2013, 21:10:02
Would not suggest to cut down an M13, get a Unicomp with a trackpoint to mod instead.

Why not? A Unicomp because it could be said to be more "throwaway-able"?

Sure, If you break it, they can just make more.

terran5992 · « **Reply #17 on:** Mon, 16 September 2013, 02:58:25 »

Anyone knows where i can buy a spacesaver model m for less than $200

snoopy · « **Reply #18 on:** Mon, 16 September 2013, 03:51:56 »

Quote from: terran5992 on Mon, 16 September 2013, 02:58:25

Anyone knows where i can buy a spacesaver model m for less than $200

With patience on ebay...

terran5992 · « **Reply #19 on:** Mon, 16 September 2013, 04:29:22 »

Gonna be a long time D:

snoopy · « **Reply #20 on:** Mon, 16 September 2013, 08:27:19 »

Quote from: terran5992 on Mon, 16 September 2013, 04:29:22

Gonna be a long time D:

or try it here in classifieds... maybe you have luck...

terran5992 · « **Reply #21 on:** Mon, 16 September 2013, 08:43:24 »

Usually the ssk available for sale in the classifieds usually cost around a million dollars

snoopy · « **Reply #22 on:** Mon, 16 September 2013, 09:18:16 »

Quote from: terran5992 on Mon, 16 September 2013, 08:43:24

Usually the ssk available for sale in the classifieds usually cost around a million dollars

ok, special offer for you: you can have one of mine for half a million dollar. that saves you 50%

E TwentyNine · « **Reply #23 on:** Mon, 16 September 2013, 09:29:02 »

Quote from: snoopy on Mon, 16 September 2013, 09:18:16

Quote from: terran5992 on Mon, 16 September 2013, 08:43:24
Usually the ssk available for sale in the classifieds usually cost around a million dollars

ok, special offer for you: you can have one of mine for half a million dollar. that saves you 50%

I'll sell you my genuine 1992 industrial SSK for half that.

News:

Author Topic: IBM SpaceSavers (Read 3542 times)