Is it worth buying from clickykeyboards.com?

[watduzhkstand4]

This might be a stupid question but I see many people bid on NIB IBM Model M on ebay for over $200. Obviously there are people that get's it for cheaper, but checking clickykeyboards, they have NIB Model M for $80. Is there a specific year or model where the Buckling Spring is better? What makes the Model M go for $200 on ebay and $80 on clickykeyboards.com?

Also, if it's only $80 on clickykeyboards.com, should I just get a Model M from them rather than getting a Customizer from Unicomp? It's about the same price anyways.

Any response appreciated, please just don't flame me. Thanks! :bolt:

[Hak Foo]

IMO, the Customizer is a good value.  You can get it with black casing, Windows keys and-or USB if you like it that way, and mine is just as loud as the 1990 1391401 it replaced.  The primary difference I note is that the apperance is not quite as perfect as the original M.

Benefits of a "Real" IBM M are largely secondary IMO:  Do you need/want two-piece keycaps?  Do you prefer the IBM badging and aesthetic to the Unicomp?  Do you need a removable cable?

I'd say the worth scale is

New Customizer at ~$70 = Used M at ~$30 > NIB M at ~$80

[watduzhkstand4]

IMO, the Customizer is a good value.  You can get it with black casing, Windows keys and-or USB if you like it that way, and mine is just as loud as the 1990 1391401 it replaced.  The primary difference I note is that the apperance is not quite as perfect as the original M.

Benefits of a "Real" IBM M are largely secondary IMO:  Do you need/want two-piece keycaps?  Do you prefer the IBM badging and aesthetic to the Unicomp?  Do you need a removable cable?

I'd say the worth scale is

New Customizer at ~$70 = Used M at ~$30 > NIB M at ~$80

I agree with you. I do think that the Customizer is more convenient with the USB and it's $10 cheaper than a NIB M. I guess I don't need the 2 piece and the looks. But the fact that it's the original buckling spring, do you think it's worth it?

What is the difference between the feel of the Customizer and the M?

If there's is no difference, then I might as well just get a Customizer.

[Hak Foo]

What is the difference between the feel of the Customizer and the M?

If there's is no difference, then I might as well just get a Customizer.

Honestly, the Customizer I bought (<2 months old, nominally used) I bought felt a bit stiffer and tighter, perhaps even a bit louder than the M it replaced.  However, I think this was a "break-in" factor, since it feels less prominent now after about a week.  However, part of it may just be growing familiarity.  I can't compare with a truly new M, because I don't own one.

If you want the feel of an M-style keyboard, it's probably going to give you something within the range of expectations.  Bear in mind even original Ms have some variation due to wear and individual properties.

You can also get the Customizer in a white 101-key layout if you want a more conventional look.

I'd sort of like to see a black-case Customizer 104 with the white-and-grey keys, but I'm too cheap to buy replacement keys (the windows keys prevent just swapping straight with a donor M

[MANISH7]

they have NIB Model M for $80. Is there a specific year or model where the Buckling Spring is better? What makes the Model M go for $200 on ebay and $80 on clickykeyboards.com?

are you sure that clickykeyboards sells a new, never used model m mini for $80? i'd think that what you get for $80 is used but cleaned. the minis on ebay for $200 are brand new, sealed in the box, never used. that's the difference and i prefer the latter.

i think clickykeyboards has a right to charge more for their items because they have helped to propogate the revival of the model m. when i first got re-acquainted with m's, clickykeyboards was one of the most prominent places that helped me to be interested again in m's. i ordered a ps2-usb adapter from them for $18. months later when i frequented this forum more and become more knowledgeable, i realized the same adapter could be had from cyber guys for $5. conclusion is that if you are informed and patient then you should get better deals for items than  from clickykeyboards. but clickykbs makes the product more easily available (its well known whereas i had never heard of cyberguys until recent). they are not just some random dude who got lucky, found an item somehow, and now sells that for profit. clickykeyboards sells products but in doing so they are actively supporting the cause for the m's revival (unlike a single seller).

of course, for rare stuff like the minis, it's possible you won't have as many ebay sellers as you do for the 1391401s (which are also getting dried up). so in that case, you may want clickykeyboards. but otherwise, if there are steady showings, then definitely consider ebay. clickykeyboards sells a lexmark branded 1391401 for $150 whereas last month i got an ibm branded 1980s 1391401 brand new sealed in the box for $50 off of ebay. so in conclusion, you can definitely get much, much better deals every now and then if you're lucky and watchful. but at the same time i hope i've given a fair voice for clickykeyboards too. of course, it also boils down to how patient you are and how much you care about new vs old. for me, i like my keyboards new. i also think that while used model ms work fine, they definitely do wear over time.

[iMav]

It depends on what you buy from Clickykeyboards.  Model M's are overpriced.  But I frequently purchase NIB M4 and M4-1's that they dig up for a LOT less than what Unicomp sells their new ones for.  (Mighty Mouse w/o stick = M4)

[watduzhkstand4]

thanks for all the inputs everyone! I guess I'll probably get a Unicomp instead of the M just because it is USB.

Just wondering, how much space is the Unicomp spacesaver saving comparing to the 104?

[iMav]

What do you do with all these M4s? You eat them? You get a new one when the ashtray is full?

I've got four keyboard trays on my desk (which wraps around the majority of my office).  Three of them have M4's.  My primary machine has a Filco tenkeyless (sometimes a HHKB Pro).  I use them regularly, really like them, and they are relatively cheap NIB (all of mine have been acquired NIB).  So, I horde them.  

[Mercen_505]

It depends on what you buy from Clickykeyboards.

I'd buy NIB stuff from them, but nothing used -- their prices are just too high.

[watduzhkstand4]

that keyboard seems to be very thin, does it still use buckling spring or just rubber dome?

[ch_123]

It's what some around these parts call a "buckling sleeve", underneath the key there is an inverted conical piece of rubber that collapses when you press the key down. This is only for tactility however, as the actual key mechanism is some sort of rubber dome design. The end result is something that feels like a very high quality laptop keyboard. There's some pics around of the mechanism if you search for it.

[watduzhkstand4]

It's what some around these parts call a "buckling sleeve", underneath the key there is an inverted conical piece of rubber that collapses when you press the key down. This is only for tactility however, as the actual key mechanism is some sort of rubber dome design. The end result is something that feels like a very high quality laptop keyboard. There's some pics around of the mechanism if you search for it.

Thanks! I'm gonna go check it out.

[Qwertyuiop]

M4! I never knew this existed, all I've ever seen is the M4-1. Where does clickykeyboards list the M4 when they have it? I normally just check the new/unused section but they never show up there, and they don't have a section for the M4, only M4-1.

I dislike trackpoints so the M4 would be perfect for me. On a related note, since the M4 exists, why does Unicomp's trackpoint-less Mighty Mouse use the M4-1 keys so there's the "hole" for the trackpoint...or at least that's what their pictures show?

[iMav]

That's a photoshopped pic.  Unicomp's M4's are just like the old ones.

[Qwertyuiop]

Ooh, thanks. It may be silly, but that hole being there was stopping me from buying one.

If only it had an IBM logo instead of the ugly Unicomp one, but I guess I can't have everything. :typing:

[cchan]

Show Image

Damn.  M4.  20 bucks.  Straight Cable.  Now I getta get one.

Sorry to disappoint you, but that came with a curly cable.

[lowpoly]

I'm beginning to think Unicomp DOES have the straight cables since I've never seen an IBM with them.   Next time I'm ordering from Unicomp I think I'll bug Chuck again to open up a box or something.  He was adamant he's never seen one!

Ambras, basically Model M clones sold by IBM under a different/cheaper label have flat non-spiral cables.

[lowpoly]

Here's the thread with some pics:

http://geekhack.org/showthread.php?t=4343

[nerp]

I prefer my unicomps to my Ms. The Unicomps have a sexier, more "gravely" sound and the key action is smoother and nicer. My Ms tend to ping more, which I don't like. In terms of build quality, it's only an issue if you're staring at the keyboard searching for imperfections. I'm too busy writing to notice!

ALso, my Unicomps came with two-piece keycaps.

I also like buying Unicomps because they're brand new and I'm supporting a small American manufacturer. I love their story and how they're keeping the Model M legacy alive. It really appeals to me.

I also like the logo, but I'm nuts.

[wellington1869]

I prefer my unicomps to my Ms. The Unicomps have a sexier, more "gravely" sound and the key action is smoother and nicer. My Ms tend to ping more, which I don't like.

I think there is a lot of variation even among the M's, because in my case, I felt that my '91 M was *less* pingy than my unicomp endurapro (But I found my '96 lexmark M to be more pingy).  I like less pingy too.

I also like the logo, but I'm nuts.

clearly. ;-)

[bigpook]

Thanks, created a Ebay search to keep an eye for those.  Just a laptop replacement board up there now but something may come up.

Still no M4s.

I will keeping an eye out also. I would like to pick one up for work.