Filco tenkeyless vs Model M spacesaver

[lofgren]

So tell me ppl..
I have a Model M spacesaver/mini and want to get another for work.

I am considering a Filco w/ Cherry Blues.

Will I be disappointed? Or are they fairly comparable?

My reference..
..My mini is a 1984 and compared to one of the newer, regular-sized 5Gxxxx Dell's, initially felt a bit spongy (but I am used to it now).

cheers,
Lofgren

[zwmalone]

You're mini isn't a 1984.  1984 is the date on the back of EVERY Model M...   There weren't even any standard Ms manufactured in 1984 (that we know of).

On a more productive note, If you like buckling springs, a Fukka Filco may be more suited to you than the high-pitched, low-resistance MX Blues.  It's cheaper too

[pfink]

So tell me ppl..
I have a Model M spacesaver/mini and want to get another for work.

I am considering a Filco w/ Cherry Blues.

Will I be disappointed? Or are they fairly comparable?

My reference..
..My mini is a 1984 and compared to one of the newer, regular-sized 5Gxxxx Dell's, initially felt a bit spongy (but I am used to it now).

cheers,
Lofgren

AFAIK IBM didn't make Model M's in '84, the 1984 on the label is a copyright date. There should be another date somewhere on the label.

What kind of switches does the Dell have?

[xyzzy]

the newer, regular-sized 5Gxxxx Dell's

You mean Lexmark?

[microsoft windows]

You're mini isn't a 1984.  1984 is the date on the back of EVERY Model M...   There weren't even any standard Ms manufactured in 1984 (that we know of).

On a more productive note, If you like buckling springs, a Fukka Filco may be more suited to you than the high-pitched, low-resistance MX Blues.  It's cheaper too

The original Model M's were the Industrial Grey and came with IBM's Industrial PC in 1985.

[lofgren]

Okay okay, so I hadn't had my coffee yet and misread the fields

So for correction..
In that funky font is: 28OCT87.

..And yep, I would have been referring to the Lexmark, not "Dell" as xyzzy[/B pointed out.
It was on extended loan from a mate and I haven't seen it since I got my mini.

Anything has to be better than the rubber-domed Qboard I was supplied with at work...

[lofgren]

Well, what I would do is call up the wanker friend and get the Lexmark back.  Even if you  decide to get a  Blue Cherry keyboard later you can pull the springs from the Lexmark and freshen up that 87 Mini of yours.

Haha! I had certainly considered that when I was cleaning the mini and soldering in a PS2 cable.  
It came "as is" - dirty and cable less.

Actually that reminds me, he has offered to donate one

[lofgren]

Thanks.. they do seem pretty decent.

[lofgren]

Hey,
I ended up finding one (FKBN87MC-EB) in AUS - sold here:
http://www.auspcmarket.com.au/

Got it today and so far it is pretty awesome

It doesn't have red LEDs as the pictured Tenkeyless one does.
Nor does it come with the red escape key like elitekeyboards do for the same model at the moment.

It definitely has the blue cherry switches though.

Nice, solid feel and weight. Nice, light and precise key action. Sticks nicely to the desk.. AND so far no-one at work has been upset by the clicking.

That said, there is a dude behind me with a squeaky chair that everyone wants to kill at present, so he may just be taking precedence

The Qboard I have sitting here is nothing short of awful. The "soggy sandwich" analogy I've read recently is a very appropriate comparison.

Rhetorical question...
Hmm.. do I leave it at work or switch it with the Model M from home?!?
The Model M will most definitely have less thieving appeal to the dome switch users at work..
The filco is more likely to convert a few tho.

Thanks for your input people,

Lofgren