5 ms·

IBM Model M http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Model_M_Keyboard http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Model_M_Keyboard

jamess 18y ago
Seconded. I'm still using a 15 year old buckling spring keyboard, they're robust and they have great tactile feedback. Although if I were working in open plan, I'm sure the noise would drive everyone else spare. You can get new keyboards from here: http://pckeyboards.stores.yahoo.net/cus101usenon.html http://pckeyboards.stores.yahoo.net/cus101usenon.html
- jksmith 18y ago
  +1 Orig PS2 is what I'm typing on right now. I started out on orig XT/AT keyboards, which have an even stiffer click, but I had to quit using them because they're missing F11-F12 keys. IMO, the orig IBM keyboards are still the best keyboards ever made. Lots of PS2 keyboards on eBay for a reasonable price, but AT keyboards are going for 150-200 bucks! 20 years pass and computer items start becoming collectible.
- rms 18y ago
  Yeah, definitely get one of the newly built Unicomp Model M's, the originals go for more money on eBay. I had one that I loved until I spilled water on it. Don't spill water on these keyboards.
subwindow 18y ago
+1 I had one of those for a few years, and it was a joy. It really sprung back against your fingers, and had a really satisfying sound to it.
jdavid 18y ago
why use a plain model M i sooooooo want one of these http://steampunkworkshop.com/keyboard.shtml http://steampunkworkshop.com/keyboard.shtml
orib 18y ago
Majorly second that opinion. Best keyboard I've ever used.
mmmurf 18y ago
I don't recommend the model M. I used one for a few years and enjoyed the feedback and noise, but I found that it got me in the habit of pounding the keys really hard with my fingers.... overall not a good strategy for RSI prevention. Modern quiet keyboards are designed precisely enough that a small amount of resistance is all you need to type comfortably and accurately.
- jacobolus 18y ago
  This is a very odd reaction. The reason that the Model M is so great is that it allows the user to not pound the keys: - It has a force—travel-distance response curve with a distinct “click” which gives clear tactile feedback as soon as the key has been actuated (this is when it has been pushed about 2/3 of the way down). As it is pushed near the bottom, resistance gradually increases, so that it is in fact quite difficult to smash the key all the way down—it takes deliberate effort. - It gives clear auditory feedback along with the tactile feedback (those buckling springs). You should not be driving the key as far as it can go, as that will cause RSI. Fortunately, this happens less on a Model M than on any other keyboard I have ever used. IBM designed these things based on decades of experience making the most popular typewriters among secretaries. Good typists can type faster on a Model M than nearly any other keyboard, with much less risk of RSI.
  - mmmurf 18y ago
    Perhaps my M was worn out, but it required so much force to press the keys that I got in the habit of pressing them hard, on any keyboard even w/o positive click. I never had a problem with finding it ambiguous whether a key actually got pressed before using the M, except on ultra cheapo keyboards made in the early 90s. Before I used the M I'd type with soft, smooth motions. Typing on a well designed computer keyboard bears no resemblance to pounding on an old fashioned mechanical typewriter, which is (I believe) what the M was trying to mimic.
    - jacobolus 18y ago
      There’s a reason secretaries preferred IBM’s extremely well-built typewriters: decades of research went into optimizing their feel.

Seconded. I'm still using a 15 year old buckling spring keyboard, they're robust and they have great tactile feedback. Although if I were working in open plan, I'm sure the noise would drive everyone else spare. You can get new keyboards from here: http://pckeyboards.stores.yahoo.net/cus101usenon.html http://pckeyboards.stores.yahoo.net/cus101usenon.html

jksmith 18y ago
+1 Orig PS2 is what I'm typing on right now. I started out on orig XT/AT keyboards, which have an even stiffer click, but I had to quit using them because they're missing F11-F12 keys. IMO, the orig IBM keyboards are still the best keyboards ever made. Lots of PS2 keyboards on eBay for a reasonable price, but AT keyboards are going for 150-200 bucks! 20 years pass and computer items start becoming collectible.
rms 18y ago
Yeah, definitely get one of the newly built Unicomp Model M's, the originals go for more money on eBay. I had one that I loved until I spilled water on it. Don't spill water on these keyboards.

subwindow 18y ago

+1 I had one of those for a few years, and it was a joy. It really sprung back against your fingers, and had a really satisfying sound to it.

jdavid 18y ago

why use a plain model M i sooooooo want one of these http://steampunkworkshop.com/keyboard.shtml http://steampunkworkshop.com/keyboard.shtml

orib 18y ago

Majorly second that opinion. Best keyboard I've ever used.

mmmurf 18y ago

I don't recommend the model M. I used one for a few years and enjoyed the feedback and noise, but I found that it got me in the habit of pounding the keys really hard with my fingers.... overall not a good strategy for RSI prevention. Modern quiet keyboards are designed precisely enough that a small amount of resistance is all you need to type comfortably and accurately.

jacobolus 18y ago
This is a very odd reaction. The reason that the Model M is so great is that it allows the user to not pound the keys: - It has a force—travel-distance response curve with a distinct “click” which gives clear tactile feedback as soon as the key has been actuated (this is when it has been pushed about 2/3 of the way down). As it is pushed near the bottom, resistance gradually increases, so that it is in fact quite difficult to smash the key all the way down—it takes deliberate effort. - It gives clear auditory feedback along with the tactile feedback (those buckling springs). You should not be driving the key as far as it can go, as that will cause RSI. Fortunately, this happens less on a Model M than on any other keyboard I have ever used. IBM designed these things based on decades of experience making the most popular typewriters among secretaries. Good typists can type faster on a Model M than nearly any other keyboard, with much less risk of RSI.
- mmmurf 18y ago
  Perhaps my M was worn out, but it required so much force to press the keys that I got in the habit of pressing them hard, on any keyboard even w/o positive click. I never had a problem with finding it ambiguous whether a key actually got pressed before using the M, except on ultra cheapo keyboards made in the early 90s. Before I used the M I'd type with soft, smooth motions. Typing on a well designed computer keyboard bears no resemblance to pounding on an old fashioned mechanical typewriter, which is (I believe) what the M was trying to mimic.
  - jacobolus 18y ago
    There’s a reason secretaries preferred IBM’s extremely well-built typewriters: decades of research went into optimizing their feel.