Model M accuracy

[CX23882]

I've been having a loft clear-out today (before you all gasp, don't worry, the Model M is safe) and I came across the Model M (1391406). I haven't used that board in 4 years but I did use a Unicomp Customizer 105 until 2 years ago.

Even after all this time, I plugged it in and my typing was so accurate. I usually take a while to adjust to a different keyboard such as from my Cherry G80-3000 to say a laptop keyboard or a Dell or Cymotion rubber dome, but there is none of that with the IBM. You could argue that both are "proper" keyboards so very alike unlike the rubber domes (the Cymotion is an odd board to adjust to using) and scissor switches, which is true, but that doesn't explain why my typing is more accurate on a keyboard that I haven't used for 2 years compared to one that I've been using everyday for several months!

I suspect that it might be due to the lightness of the blue MX switches versus the buckling spring. Maybe I'm accidentally clipping keys when typing on the Cherry board but the resistance of the buckling spring is such that these brushes of the keys aren't triggering a key-press. But irrespective of that - surely that's good design? The buckling springs do feel like they require more effort to press, but my fingers don't feel tired and I'd say that they have a softer landing than the Cherry switches. Don't get me wrong, I love the Cherry switches but they do bottom out very easily and I think that you create more tired trying to avoid bottoming out.

Another thing I have noticed, the 1394106 sounds very metallic (mostly on the key return) whereas the Customizer 105 had none of that, just a click. Is there a difference in materials between the IBM and Unicomp boards? I don't care for metallic sounds, I prefer a plasticy sound, but you can just feel and hear the quality with the Model M. Every key produces exactly the same sound and feels exactly the same.

I'm seriously going to have to buy a USB Customizer but having seen the beige Model M again I think I might go for beige rather than the black one I had before.

[wellington1869]

i'm the most accurate on my M too, way beyond any other board.  I tested this objectively on typing tests. On the M i'm 99% accurate, on everything else I'm around 94-95%. So my net speed is also fastest on the M compared to any other board I tested myself with.
I chalk it up to the solidity and multi-dimensional nature of the feedback on the M. I type 'confidently' on it.

[DarthShrine]

I agree with this. Leaving the HHKB out of the equation, my accuracy is near-100% on the Model M compared to somewhere in the mid-90s on the Das. I do find myself "fatfingering" a bit on the Das, which is much harder to do on the Model M. I think that maybe if there was a tiny bit more spacing between the keys on lower-force keyboards I'd type a bit more accurately.

[wheel83]

i like how the model m input is like 2mm of play  then boom it registers.  its so awesome.

[itlnstln]

I agree with this. Leaving the HHKB out of the equation, my accuracy is near-100% on the Model M compared to somewhere in the mid-90s on the Das. I do find myself "fatfingering" a bit on the Das, which is much harder to do on the Model M. I think that maybe if there was a tiny bit more spacing between the keys on lower-force keyboards I'd type a bit more accurately.

I find myself doing the same thing on my Costar 'boards (fat/sausage-fingering keys).  I have better accuracy on my Dells vs. the ABS and my Cherry G80-3000 vs. my Filco.  I wonder if the keys on Costar 'boards are a hair smaller than others.  Either that, or I'm a crappy typist, and I'm just trying to blame someone other than myself.

[keyb_gr]

When I got my M back in the day, improved accuracy also was one of the things I noticed. Could be the combination of key spacing, activation force, bounce immunity and general "precision input device" feel. Definitely a good 'board if you're a little challenged in terms of fine mechanics, but the activation force will probably do you no good if you're a touch typist (Cherry-equipped boards go better with that).

[Busty]

I am most accurate on the Model M, too. Force, key spacing, key shape, key size, and the tactile and acoustic feedback together do it for me. I am worst on my MacBook, the trend towards chiclet keyboards is nice for optics and occasional typing, but for processing long texts its not.

[lal]

When I got my M back in the day, improved accuracy also was one of the things I noticed. Could be the combination of key spacing, activation force, bounce immunity and general "precision input device" feel. Definitely a good 'board if you're a little challenged in terms of fine mechanics, but the activation force will probably do you no good if you're a touch typist (Cherry-equipped boards go better with that).

I haven't measured any of my "skills" so I don't know if I'm "better" with the M, and I think it doesn't say much if we as keyboard nuts do such measurements because we're biased from the beginning.  For that you would have to do a blind test with a larger number of test persons, give them a fixed amount of time to adjust to each sample board and make sure they don't actually see the board so they're not influenced by aesthetical aspects and so on.  It's hard to do a good meaningful comparison benchmark.

I think I'm doing as much errors on the M as on any other board though.  It's just the fun for me.  And I don't find the activation force of buckling springs too high (yes, I do touch type).  I think most of you have never typed on an old mechanical typewriter?  You'd probably cry

[keyb_gr]

For that you would have to do a blind test with a larger number of test persons, give them a fixed amount of time to adjust to each sample board and make sure they don't actually see the board so they're not influenced by aesthetical aspects and so on. It's hard to do a good meaningful comparison benchmark.

True. A blind test would, for example, give users who do need some lettering some problems, plus keyboards are such an individual thing that tests with a larger number of users are likely to be somewhat pointless, although I'd expect them to show some general trends.

I think most of you have never typed on an old mechanical typewriter?  You'd probably cry

I was actually thinking "...unless you were previously using a typewriter" but didn't write it because the activation forces of these would probably be considered anything but ergonomic these days.

Never had anything more than a newfangled electronic typewriter under my hands, and even that was many years ago.