3 keyboard questions

[eugenius]

1. Can you easily mod a mini TG3 illuminated keyboard to brown switches?

2. What would you chose between an model m4-1 and a Deck mini?

3. What's the Model M series with the lighter actuation force ?

[bhtooefr]

1. Illuminated keyboards usually require desoldering the LEDs to get the switch's case open, if it's Cherry MX, which means, no, not easily.

2. A Filco tenkeyless with blues?

3. IIRC, the Model M15 is rated at a lower actuation force than the regular Model M, but not much. Otherwise, it's just individual variance between specific keyboards.

[zwmalone]

1.  You would have to desolder the LED, desolder the switch, solder on the new switch, then resolder the LED, as many times as there are keys.  Not fun.  (Pics of the switches below)

2. Neither.  A Filco ZERO Tenkeyless with white ALPS would be my pick.  But if I had to pick one of those two it would be the deck just to try the black cherrys.

3. I'm with bhtooefr on this one.  It would make sense an ergo board would have a lower activation force (Cherry Ergoplus, Model M15, etc)

[bhtooefr]

For comparison...

I recall reading that the Model M's actuation force is 70g +/- 30%.

The Model M15 is 65g +/- 10g (or approximately 15%,) according to ClickyKeyboards.com.

For comparison, the Cherry blue (tactile+clicky)'s peak force is 60g +/- 14g (or approximately 23%,) black (linear)'s peak force is 60g +/- 20g (or approximately 33%,) the Cherry brown (ergonomic tactile)'s is 55g +/- 20g (approx 36%,) and the Cherry clear (non-ergonomic tactile)'s is 65g +/- 20g (or approximately 30%.)

[eugenius]

Thanks for the info.

I remember using another model M at university, an UK layout one that had MUCH lower actuation force than mine ... it was not a model M15.

I would want a model m15 obviously, as anybody on this site ... but I never saw one in my life.

Coming back to earth, instead of the M4-1, I was thinking about a IBM/Lenovo ultranav keyboard, the one with the numpad.

Is there a way to know if it's a NMB one or not?

[bhtooefr]

Not sure if there is, I think there was only one part number.

As for finding a low-force Model M, you just have to try various keyboards, and find one you like. My 1391401 isn't low-force, but I've typed on much stiffer Model Ms than this.

[eugenius]

Are you referring to the Ultranav keyboard with the part number?

If anyone has such a keyboard (zwmalone?), please tell me what part number it was ... it because I saw a ultranav keyboard quite cheap recently.

[iMav]

2. The M4-1 of course!!  I really like these a lot.  (something about those buckling rubber sleeves that I really dig)

I own two M4-1's and at least three M4's (without trackpoint).  I use one daily, hooked up to my work laptop's docking station (HHKB Pro on my main computer).

All of the ones I have were acquired NIB...they are out there, so you don't have to settle for used.

[zwmalone]

Are you referring to the Ultranav keyboard with the part number?

If anyone has such a keyboard (zwmalone?), please tell me what part number it was ... it because I saw a ultranav keyboard quite cheap recently.

From what I've heard the ThinkPad keyboards are just a wee bit hard to tell as it seems that IBM/Lenovo? *not sure if lenovo did it too* gave the same model number to most of the Chicony and NMB keyboards.
 I Don't have an UltraNav but I was planning on making a poor-man's ultra nav with the extra keyboard/topcase (with palmrest and such)/Trackpoint I have that I purchased in a large set of ThinkPad parts when I spilled water on my ThinkPad .  I plan on taking a $20 belkin "active" usb adapter and using some plexi to make a bottom case with adjustable feet.



Not mine, but looks like that one...

[bhtooefr]

Realize that those things USUALLY don't speak USB or PS/2, and the keyboard controller is on the machine's motherboard.

[zwmalone]

Kinda foils my plan then...