Need a rec. for a tenkeyless KB with similar feel to Model M

[phototristan]

I'm looking for a recommendation for a tenkeyless keyboard that has a feel close to a Model M. Ideally, USB and OSX compatible (ie. works in OSX, does not have to have Mac keys).  

I currently use a Unicomp Spacesaver model (has number keypad) which I really like the feel of but would like to get my mouse closer in to the keyboard so am now looking for something with the number keypad.

Any suggestions?

UPDATE-would this Filco fit the bill?:

http://elitekeyboards.com/products.php?sub=filco_keyboards,majestouch_87key&pid=fkbn87mceb

[elbowglue]

Yes that would be my first recommendation for your needs. See my sig for various keyboard sizes.  Blue cherrys are lighter than model M's, a delight to type on.  The noise they make can be somewhat high pitched, but they are totally awesome.  You won't go wrong with that board.

[phototristan]

Yes that would be my first recommendation for your needs. See my sig for various keyboard sizes.  Blue cherrys are lighter than model M's, a delight to type on.  The noise they make can be somewhat high pitched, but they are totally awesome.  You won't go wrong with that board.

Thanks. How does that feel compare to a Cherry Brown model from Filco? I don't mind a quieter keyboard but want the tactile feel to be there. Is Cherry Brown as tactile as Blue or does it feel lighter than Blue?

Actually, a slightly quieter keyboard might be nice-I could better hear my music coming out of my speakers but I'm not willing to sacrifice on a tactile feel.

[elbowglue]

A lot of people who come from Buckling springs to cherry browns think they are not very tactile at all.  If I didn't care about noise, I would choose cherry blues over cherry browns, the click makes a big difference.

That being said I use cherry browns at work daily, and I love them.  I use cherry blues at home and I love them.  My wife prefers cherry blues over cherry browns, she likes the click.

I prefer PCB mounted cherry browns over plate mounted cherry browns (ricecar SPOS is better than the filco cherry brown in feel).  Cherry browns are really variable depending on what they mount to.  In order of prefernce, I like the ricecar spos best, MX11800 second, Filco cherry brown third, MX8100 a distant fourth.  If you want to try cherry browns, the cheapest way to get into them is the MX11800.


BTW I see in your blog you are in the SF bay area.  I live in danville, if you want to come over at some point to try out some of these KB's give me a PM.

[phototristan]

Cool, I had lunch at Pete's in Danville a few weeks ago. I'm over by Berkeley.

I think since I don't care about noise much (this is for home office) I will go with Blue Cherry.

[kishy]

I'm looking for a recommendation for a tenkeyless keyboard that has a feel close to a Model M. Ideally, USB and OSX compatible (ie. works in OSX, does not have to have Mac keys).  

I currently use a Unicomp Spacesaver model (has number keypad) which I really like the feel of but would like to get my mouse closer in to the keyboard so am now looking for something with the number keypad.

Any suggestions?

UPDATE-would this Filco fit the bill?:

http://elitekeyboards.com/products.php?sub=filco_keyboards,majestouch_87key&pid=fkbn87mceb

Well...only because it hasn't been mentioned...

There is a tenkeyless Model M, known as the "mini", officially "Space Saving Keyboard" or something like that.

That would be about as similar to a Model M as it can get since it just so happens to be a Model M itself.

When I see people skipping over the ridiculously obvious response I stop to wonder if I've missed something...but I'm confident I've missed nothing this time. Fingers crossed.

[phototristan]

Well...only because it hasn't been mentioned...

There is a tenkeyless Model M, known as the "mini", officially "Space Saving Keyboard" or something like that.

That would be about as similar to a Model M as it can get since it just so happens to be a Model M itself.

When I see people skipping over the ridiculously obvious response I stop to wonder if I've missed something...but I'm confident I've missed nothing this time. Fingers crossed.

I certainly thought about that but would prefer not to have to deal with a PS2 adapter and beige keyboard color. Yes, the probably made a black one but if so, it seems even more rare.

[kishy]

I certainly thought about that but would prefer not to have to deal with a PS2 adapter and beige keyboard color. Yes, the probably made a black one but if so, it seems even more rare.

I don't think there was a black one officially...but it should be possible to paint the case, dye the caps, and put a Blue Cube USB-to-PS/2 converter in the case (ripster did a mod post on how to do it so it ends up being really clean looking, but I don't know the exact name to look for).

That said, it's a big financial investment usually, and most people who've just shelled out big bucks for something don't want to go destroy its authenticity.

[ch_123]

They only ever came in beige and industrial grey, and the latter are probably the most rare IBM keyboard going...

[pfink]

That said, it's a big financial investment usually, and most people who've just shelled out big bucks for something don't want to go destroy its authenticity.

Occasionally you can get a deal on a Space Saver that's suitable for modding. I picked one up on eBay last year for $38 that was in great shape except for a few missing keys and black Sharpie writing on the case.

[kishy]

Occasionally you can get a deal on a Space Saver that's suitable for modding. I picked one up on eBay last year for $38 that was in great shape except for a few missing keys and black Sharpie writing on the case.

That's not too bad really, all things considered. Was that pre- or post-shipping?

I know you can find the terminal variants for "fairly cheap" from time to time but nobody (that I'm aware of) has reported exactly how functional they are on a blue cube or with a cable swap...yet. I do remember people said they'd try, I don't think anyone said the outcome.

[pfink]

I'm curious how you got the Sharpie markings off.

I didn't. I ended up camouflaging them.

[skcheng]

I didn't. I ended up camouflaging them.

Show Image

Wow.....that's nice!!   I can't paint worth crap.  

skc

[pfink]

That's not too bad really, all things considered. Was that pre- or post-shipping?

I know you can find the terminal variants for "fairly cheap" from time to time but nobody (that I'm aware of) has reported exactly how functional they are on a blue cube or with a cable swap...yet. I do remember people said they'd try, I don't think anyone said the outcome.

I just dug up my emails from eBay from last year. I actually got that one in September for $34.99 plus shipping. I also bought two in July for $54 and $51 from two different sellers (I've got five of 'em in all.) I remember the $51 one was posted in the eBay section here but a few people passed on bidding because the guy selling it wasn't a known seller and he re-used a photo from another action, same serial number and everything, so it smelled like it might be a scam. Turned out to be a nice one, just needed a good cleaning.

[pfink]

Now I remember.  That's my favorite paint job at Geekhack.

I want that keyboard.  If you're ever willing to trade I've got a lot of NIB fullsize Model Ms including an Industrial M13.

The cases on the terminal Minis are the same as the PS/2 minis, right? I may pick up a couple of those at some point just to do some more paint jobs on, I'll let you know if I do another camo.

[Rajagra]

Hey. It matches your avatar!

[bigpook]

that looks pretty good pfink. nice work.

[phototristan]

Hey PhotoTristan, long time!  Didn't you have a Das?  If you liked that Cherry Blue feel and sound the Filco you listed in the OP would be perfect.

I just ordered it. Is Elite Keyboards good about shipping out quick? Do they email a ship notification?

[phototristan]

Congrats.  They ship quick but aren't so good about sending the shipment email.

Thanks. Their site shows 'in stock' so hopefully I will have it in a few days esp. since I'm in the same state.

Can't wait!

[phototristan]

Received it today and am typing on it now (Blue Cherry Filco tenkeyless).

Initial impressions after typing daily on a Model M or Unicomp equivalent; the Filco doesn't have quite as much feedback but the keys are easier to glide over so I bet in a short period of time I will be typing even faster that I was before.

The sound level is probably slight quieter, not as rumbly and more high pitched and probably nicer for someone else in the room. But if I ever have to work with others in an open office type environment or whatever, I would probably want to buy a brown cherry model instead.

I LOVE having the mouse closer in on the tenkeyless keyboard!

I'm a bit afraid of the keycaps wearing down and getting shiny since I tend to type pretty hard on my keyboards. I had no such fear with the Unicomp nor Model M- those keycaps seem virtually indestructible.  

The reviews were indeed correct, the built quality on this board definitely seems top notch and sturdy as can be.

Quite happy so far!

[phototristan]

Congrats!

Tenkeyless is great.

You're right!

I've never had one before.Always thought I would miss a num keypad and they that they looked not manly enough or something. I was so wrong. My right arm and wrist are already thanking me and I've only been working on the tenkeyless a couple of hours so far.

I will now only break out a full keyboard with num keypad when I'm working on a serious number crunching project (which is rare for me).

[MFGorilla]

I've been looking at one of these for myself.  I'm wondering, though if the Mac/Linux keycap set from DasKeyboard is compatible with the Filco?

[phototristan]

I think the Das keycaps are weaker though and will probably wear down/rub off sooner than the Filco keycaps, righit?

[MFGorilla]

Thanks for the info, ripster.  Gotta agree with you on Tux looking a little depressed there.

[Rajagra]

Thanks for the info, ripster.  Gotta agree with you on Tux looking a little depressed there.

Yes, he looks quite Emo.