What's your favorite keyboard?

[timw4mail]

I'll try to keep a running total, since a poll wouldn't have enough options.

My favorite is the IBM Model F AT keyboard.

[wellington1869]

wow, that would be a lot of work to keep a manual total. but if you're game, then one advantage is in this poll we can vote for more than 1 switch (which we cant do in the auto-poll).

So I vote for fukka and bs, both, in a tie.

oh wait a minute, you're saying favorite keyboard rather than favorite switch. Hmmmm.

endurapro, and while I'd like to say filco zero i dont know if it has controller issues yet, so i'll have to say abs m1 modded with white alps leafs and aekii sliders. Lol.

[timw4mail]

Okay so:

Model F AT : 1
ABS M1 w/ White ALPS leafs and AEKII sliders : 1

[ch_123]

So, basically ignoring switch type and concentrating on the design of the physical unit? Probably the IBM M4-1 then.

[timw4mail]

So, basically ignoring switch type and concentrating on the design of the physical unit? Probably the IBM M4-1 then.

Well, I really mean your favorite to use, but I'll add the M4-1.

IBM Model F AT : 1
IBM M4-1 : 1
ABS M1 w/ White ALPS leafs and AEKII sliders : 1

[erricrice]

I'm going to reserve judgement until I get my Cherry 11900(probably tomorrow woot).  We shall see, we shall see.

[rdjack21]

Well that is easy:

1: HHKB Pro 2
2: 87U/86U

Yea both use the same switch but I just love both of them. Brought my HHKB Pro to work today so I can take the 86U home for a little cleaning and a key mod then back to work it will go.

[ch_123]

Well, I really mean your favorite to use, but I'll add the M4-1.

IBM Model F AT : 1
IBM M4-1 : 1
ABS M1 w/ White ALPS leafs and AEKII sliders : 1

Oh wait. You mean for people whose favorite keyboard is different to their favorite switch? Take my vote for the M4-1 back then.

[wellington1869]

Okay so:

Model F AT : 1
ABS M1 w/ White ALPS leafs and AEKII sliders : 1

well i also voted for endurapro since i think its a tie between that and the absm1 modded.

[ch_123]

well i also voted for endurapro since i think its a tie between that and the absm1 modded.

Don't you really mean a Unicomp Spacesaver, considering that you modded the pseudo-Trackpoint out?

[rdjack21]

Forgot to add the keyboard that does not exist yet but would love to own:

A Topre version of lowpoly's mini keyboard. I can live without the trackpoint on it but I do what it in a Topre version.

[timw4mail]

IBM Model F AT : 1
ABS M1 w/ White ALPS leafs and AEKII sliders : 1
Endurapro : 1
Realforce 86/7 U : 1
HHKB 2 : 1
Sejin Electron SKM-2001 : 1

I'm going to draw the line on keyboards that don't yet exist.

[wellington1869]

Don't you really mean a Unicomp Spacesaver, considering that you modded the pseudo-Trackpoint out?

hahahahaha true but I then modded it back in... (altho now it doesnt work, so I guess its functionally a spacesaver now )

what i'd like is an m13 ("real" trackpoint) with 5g lighter keys like unicomps (I'm pretty sure its not my imagination that they're a touch lighter)

I suppose what that means is one day I have to buy an m13 and do a painful "spring swap" from my endurapro

[timw4mail]

IBM Model F AT : 1
ABS M1 w/ White ALPS leafs and AEKII sliders : 1
Endurapro : 1
Realforce 86/7 U : 1
HHKB 2 : 1
Sejin Electron SKM-2001 : 1

[itlnstln]

Aren't polls fun?

...

[timw4mail]

IBM Model F AT : 1
ABS M1 w/ White ALPS leafs and AEKII sliders : 1
Endurapro : 1
Realforce 86/7 U : 1
HHKB 2 : 1
Sejin Electron SKM-2001 : 1
Datahands : 1

(Since I know that Ripster is joshing me.)

[timw4mail]

This isn't getting anywhere, is it? 7 votes, 7 different boards.

Well, I would vote for the Model F a second time, but that wouldn't be fair, now would it?

[Rajagra]

DAS III.

There, I said it!

(Though I'm really getting a taste for Cherry browns, and have a Realforce 87U on the way...)

[timw4mail]

IBM Model F AT : 1
ABS M1 w/ White ALPS leafs and AEKII sliders : 1
Endurapro : 1
Realforce 86/7 U : 1
HHKB 2 : 1
Sejin Electron SKM-2001 : 1
Datahands : 1
DAS III : 1

[Eclairz]

My Raptor K-1 modified with dual molded black keycaps and blue stem keyswitches.
Has everything :

dual molded caps with concave f and j keys
cherry blue stems and springs
2 x 1.1 usb hub
more compact layout that full size
6 key rollover
usb
comes with keylocks and key remover
fairly robust and weighted
compatible with most G80-1800 if new parts are needed

[bigpook]

My favorite keyboard is one that can't be purchased off the shelf.
A filco tenkeyless with black alps.

[wellington1869]

He said DAS!

who!! who said das!!

>

[patrickgeekhack]

DAS III.

There, I said it!

(Though I'm really getting a taste for Cherry browns, and have a Realforce 87U on the way...)

Cherry G80-3000 with blue Cherries.

Like you, I'm starting to like the brown Cherries quite a bit. I did not know how loud blue Cherries could be until I tried brown Cherries. Everything else in my collection is louder than my blue Cherries.

[timw4mail]

IBM Model F AT
ABS M1 w/ White ALPS leafs and AEKII sliders
Endurapro
Realforce 86/7 U
HHKB 2
Sejin Electron SKM-2001
Datahands
DAS III
Raptor K-1
filco tenkeyless with black alps
Cherry G80-3000 with blues

[shortround]

:dizzy:A simple poll gone awry.  Ha, at least there's diversity in keyboards so far.  I'll try to post a vote in a few days after I get to use my new filco that's coming in.

[rdjack21]

Man you can't even declare a winner over on your switch thread so How can you come over here and declare a winner here? And to help confuse things even more you had to go and open it back up again!

[InSanCen]

If you had asked me before my new toy arrived today, it would have been an unswerving "1391406" in reply.

But the feel of this keyboard, though the overall quality and design is horrible, is great.

I'll tell you in a week or so. I haven't used in in a Command Line environment yet, and the placement of the backslashes (between CTRL and ALT keys on either side, where the Windows keys would be on a 104) will make it or break it for me in that.

[timw4mail]

IBM Model F AT
ABS M1 w/ White ALPS leafs and AEKII sliders
Endurapro
Realforce 86/7 U
Realforce 103UB
HHKB 2
Sejin Electron SKM-2001
Datahands
DAS III
Raptor K-1
filco tenkeyless with black alps
Cherry G80-3000 with blues

Is no keyboard going to get a second vote?

[maxlugar]

IBM Model F AT
ABS M1 w/ White ALPS leafs and AEKII sliders
Endurapro
Realforce 86/7 U
Realforce 103UB
HHKB 2
Sejin Electron SKM-2001
Datahands
DAS III
Raptor K-1
filco tenkeyless with black alps
Cherry G80-3000 with blues

Is no keyboard going to get a second vote?

You have excellent taste in keyboards pal  

[timw4mail]

You have excellent taste in keyboards pal  

Is that the first duplicate vote?

[InSanCen]

Hah - I know ballot stuffing when I see it.

Seen it in your polls?

Sorry... did I say that out loud ;-)

[timw4mail]

I haven't actually changed the results, so how is that ballot stuffing?

[wellington1869]

Is no keyboard going to get a second vote?

thats pretty funny

I'll vote again if that'll help

[huha]

I'm complaining a bit on every other occasion (every occasion is reserved for Cherry's crappy cases), but in the end, the Endurapro still is my favourite keyboard. It's got a pointing device and decent switches. Also, it's blank, but that's a non-standard order, so we'll just call it an Endurapro.

-huha

[timw4mail]

IBM Model F AT
ABS M1 w/ White ALPS leafs and AEKII sliders
Endurapro : 2
Realforce 86/7 U
Realforce 103UB
HHKB 2
Sejin Electron SKM-2001
Datahands
DAS III
Raptor K-1
filco tenkeyless with black alps
Cherry G80-3000 with blues

[wheel83]

my favorite is the ibm 87 space saver.

[Hak Foo]

I'm really looking forward to trying the G80-3000 with blues.  For now, it's a hard call-- Focus FK-2001 (White Alps) or Unicomp Customizer 104.

[skriefal]

I'll add a second vote for HHKB 2.

[maxlugar]

IBM Model F AT

There's the original IBM PC AT 84-key buckling springs over capacitive contacts keyboard, then nothing, then some other excellent keyboards.

So far, I've not found any other keyboard as enjoyable to type on as the King of Keyboards.  For me, the original IBM 83-key PC/XT Model F keyboards are too clicky (key action not as smooth as the PC AT keyboards) and too pingy.  Besides being a brick, the PC/XT Model F lay out is worthless for most touch typists and the requires a dedicated XT to AT converter.

Some current keyboards, including the Filcos, are just great, but they simply feel like toys in comparison.  The PC AT keyboard sounds and feels like a machine, a piece of equipment that begs to be used and seems like it would be virtually impossible to wear out.

My faves:

1.  Original IBM PC AT 84-key keyboard - The King of Keyboards (right Sandy?)
2.  Northgate Omnikey 102 with real clicky complicated ALPS key switches
3.  Chicony KB-5181 - awesome SMK Monterey keyswitches spoiled by extremely cheap case plastics
4.  Happy Hacking Professional 2 - polar opposite from the PC AT keyboard     but extremely high build quality, an outstanding form factor, and pleasant relatively quiet fatigue-free typing - on  "special" rubber domes!
5. Topre Realforce 23UB numeric keypads
6.  Topre Realforce 87U - not sure yet I like the different key weighting
7. Model M 1390120 early Jan 1986 production model - yes there are real differences between early Model Ms vs. late Model Ms vs. Unicomp Model Ms
8. The rest of my Model Ms 1391401, 42H1292, etc
9. Filco Zero Model FKBN87Z/EB with genuine Fukka key switches - whoo hoo!
10. Filco Majestouch Tactile Click 104-key FKBN104MC/EB with the highly venerated Cherry MX Blue key switches that you geekhackers love so much
11.  Dell AT 101W in black - well made with real ALPS key switches but the tactility is way too subtle for me (same reason I personally do not care much for Cherry Browns)
12.  Filco FKB22MB Numeric Keypad with Cherry MX Brown key switches

I could go on, but what's the point?  :blabla:

Keyboards are like women.  Most red-blooded men like variety and we all have our favourite flavours.  But after trying 'em all,  we eventually come home to pound on our most favourite and reliable...keyboard that is  :evil:

Cheers Mates

[maxlugar]

Now can I declare the HHKB2 the winner?

This is a weird poll.  Everybody knows the IBM Model M is the King of Keyboards!

I think it would be safe to declare the HHKB Pro 2 the winner in the category of keyboards currently in production.  It's a high quality awesome little keyboard that really grows on you over time.

The IBM Model M is a great cost engineered membrane keyboard but is clearly not the King of Keyboards.

[maxlugar]

Sounds like I should separate the Model F and the Model M in the switch poll.  They must feel quite different.

Yes, you really should separate the two.  Buckling springs over capacitive contacts do not equal buckling springs over membrane.

Most people know of buckling springs because the Model M enjoyed an unusually long product life cycle.  Vast production over many years ensured an abundant supply of used and new old stock Model Ms for years to come.

The Model F buckling spring requires approximately 10 grams less force for the key presses and has a much more precise, on-center, crisp feeling than the Model M.  The 84-key further refined the mechanism to increase the smoothness vs. the original PC/XT Model F.  I can type for longer periods on my PC AT keyboard without fatigue than my Model Ms  (but the HHKB Pro 2 surpasses even the PC AT keyboard in typing longevity without fatigue)

I am going to start a thread on "Model M Personality" becasue each one of my Model M keyboards has a unique typing feel that is probabaly caused by a variety of factors.  Not only do the Model M's feel different, the individual keys on a particular keyboard can also have unique characteristics from other keys on the same keyboard.  On the other hand, most of my IBM PC AT keyboards feel fairly consistent with relatively little variation in the feel of the individual keys.

The million dollar question is why?  If they both use buckling springs, what are the  reasons for the differences?  Many of you have tried to explain it through extensive experimentation, but I have not seen any conclusive evidence.  These things intrigue me.

As I remind my wife, there are worse things to be obsessed with...

[ch_123]

Sounds like I should separate the Model F and the Model M in the switch poll. They must feel quite different.

Yes, you really should separate the two. Buckling springs over capacitive contacts do not equal buckling springs over membrane.

Using Ripster's and Max Lugar's logic, we should count all the different types of real, fake, complex and simple White Alps as completely different switches.

[JBert]

The Model F buckling spring requires approximately 10 grams less force for the key presses and has a much more precise, on-center, crisp feeling than the Model M.  The 84-key further refined the mechanism to increase the smoothness vs. the original PC/XT Model F.  I can type for longer periods on my PC AT keyboard without fatigue than my Model Ms  (but the HHKB Pro 2 surpasses even the PC AT keyboard in typing longevity without fatigue)

I haven't got a second model F to compare, but are you sure the XT and AT models are so different in key feel?
While they have some build differences, most of the internals appeared the same. As such, I'm wondering if the design was changed or if your XT model is simply a little bit older, more used or stored in a harsh environment.

If used model M's can seriously vary in key feel, I think this would also apply for the model F.

[SCTony]

The model F and model M do feel different- I noticed this before I realized that my latest board was a model F. I thought it might be the keys - one piece vs two piece - but after swapping a key, that doesn't appear to be the reason. Must be the membrane vs cap. contact.

[ch_123]

There's more coils on the spring in a Model F. That pretty much accounts for all the difference, whatever the Cult of the Hammer may tell you...

[timw4mail]

IBM Model F AT :2
IBM Spacesaver
ABS M1 w/ White ALPS leafs and AEKII sliders
Endurapro : 2
Realforce 86/7 U
Realforce 103UB
HHKB 2 : 2
Sejin Electron SKM-2001
Datahands
DAS III
Raptor K-1
filco tenkeyless with black alps
Cherry G80-3000 with blues
Northgate Omnikey 102
Compaq MX 11800

I'm going to limit to 2 favorite keyboards for the sake of brevity, and add my other favorite keyboard.

[ch_123]

I declare this keyboard to be the pinnacle of human engineering -

[timw4mail]

I declare this keyboard to be the pinnacle of human engineering -

I'm going to pretend I didn't see that.

[JBert]

I declare this keyboard to be the pinnacle of human exploitation -

Show Image

There, fixed the quote for you. Irony doesn't suit this thread.

(And for those wondering, see this thread: http://geekhack.org/showthread.php?t=5291)

[quadibloc]

Using Ripster's and Max Lugar's logic, we should count all the different types of real, fake, complex and simple White Alps as completely different switches.

And what's wrong with doing that?