5 ms·

I still use my IBM Model-M from 1986. I have 2 of these that I got at the Trenton State Computer Festival (NJ) in 1992. I had no idea what I was buying when I

I still use my IBM Model-M from 1986. I have 2 of these that I got at the Trenton State Computer Festival (NJ) in 1992. I had no idea what I was buying when I spent $4 for 2 disgustingly dirty keyboards back when I was 15. I've taken good care of both of them for nearly 30 years and they both still look new. I've tried some more recent high-end mechanical keyboards, but I ended up giving them to my son. I just like the feel of the Model M more and I can type significantly more accurately with it. My Model M has no issues working with a ps/2 to usb adapter, so one is my daily driver and the other I connect to my KVM for my older PCs. I don't have any connection issues or latencies and they are fine for gaming. I do miss some of the media controls, but I mostly resolved that by using an external audio device. I'm not really a purest with this stuff, I have lots of newer keyboards including current apple hardware, but I go back to this keyboard for my PCs because I really enjoy using it. I'm not against swapping it out, I've just not been compelled to yet.

exebook 5y ago
Model M! Fascinating, are they so durable to last 30 years or you need to fix a key or two once in a while?
- bstar77 5y ago
  I've not had to do anything other than light cleaning. When I moved a few years ago all of my keyboards were in the same box. Apparently it got really hot because a smaller (TKL) style Lexmark era IBM keyboard in that box melted, but my 2 Model Ms were fine. These things are built like tanks. I don't think I'll ever have to do any repairs on them.
- elcano 5y ago
  One of the cost cutting decisions when designing the Model M was using plastic rivets. Some of these rivets break and the keys stop responding. My 1997 keyboard still have all the rivets intact, so I suppose that it might have to do with the treatment that the keyboard receives. This video shows how to replace the rivets with bolts: https://youtu.be/dStgzMpOTOA https://youtu.be/dStgzMpOTOA Sometimes the circuit board might fail too. You can find replacement boards for them too. My keyboard is a 4th generation, which is almost identical to the design sold by Unicomp today. The circuit board died last year and another Model M user designed a compatible circuit board that adds full programability with the QMK keyboard firmware, so I will install that one instead. In addition to programability (Win/Command key, international characters, emojis), the new board converts the keyboard to USB. So yeah, this circuit board really modernizes the keyboard. https://beta.docs.qmk.fm/ https://beta.docs.qmk.fm/
sam_lowry_ 5y ago
I got one as a present 1991, but I switched to MX Red as I age. My next keyboard will be MX Speed Silver.
- bstar77 5y ago
  I like the Cherry reds too. I don't think you can go wrong with any high end keyboard, I just don't care for rgb lighting.
wfleming 5y ago
For anyone who wants to try a Model M or had them and misses them, Unicomp continues to make them (in the original factory): https://www.pckeyboard.com/ https://www.pckeyboard.com/. They're even made with USB now, so PS/2 adapters aren't necessary :). Of course, there are also a bunch of older ones on eBay as well - as bstar said, they're built like tanks. I used a Model M when I was younger and loved it, I'd probably get a used one or buy a Unicomp one if they weren't so dang big.
- bstar77 5y ago
  That's really interesting, I didn't know about these. $104 seems like a pretty solid deal too. Only thing is that the cable doesn't appear to be replaceable. I swap out different length cables quite a bit so this is a little disappointing.
- elcano 5y ago
  If you buy at Unicomp, I'd recommend the New models. There are two. A full size and a compact. They have better finish than all their other models. Check the review of the full size New Model M here: https://sharktastica.co.uk/articles/newm_review.php https://sharktastica.co.uk/articles/newm_review.php You can find the new Mini M here: https://www.pckeyboard.com/page/product/MINI_M https://www.pckeyboard.com/page/product/MINI_M

exebook 5y ago

Model M! Fascinating, are they so durable to last 30 years or you need to fix a key or two once in a while?

bstar77 5y ago
I've not had to do anything other than light cleaning. When I moved a few years ago all of my keyboards were in the same box. Apparently it got really hot because a smaller (TKL) style Lexmark era IBM keyboard in that box melted, but my 2 Model Ms were fine. These things are built like tanks. I don't think I'll ever have to do any repairs on them.
elcano 5y ago
One of the cost cutting decisions when designing the Model M was using plastic rivets. Some of these rivets break and the keys stop responding. My 1997 keyboard still have all the rivets intact, so I suppose that it might have to do with the treatment that the keyboard receives. This video shows how to replace the rivets with bolts: https://youtu.be/dStgzMpOTOA https://youtu.be/dStgzMpOTOA Sometimes the circuit board might fail too. You can find replacement boards for them too. My keyboard is a 4th generation, which is almost identical to the design sold by Unicomp today. The circuit board died last year and another Model M user designed a compatible circuit board that adds full programability with the QMK keyboard firmware, so I will install that one instead. In addition to programability (Win/Command key, international characters, emojis), the new board converts the keyboard to USB. So yeah, this circuit board really modernizes the keyboard. https://beta.docs.qmk.fm/ https://beta.docs.qmk.fm/

sam_lowry_ 5y ago

I got one as a present 1991, but I switched to MX Red as I age. My next keyboard will be MX Speed Silver.

bstar77 5y ago
I like the Cherry reds too. I don't think you can go wrong with any high end keyboard, I just don't care for rgb lighting.

wfleming 5y ago

For anyone who wants to try a Model M or had them and misses them, Unicomp continues to make them (in the original factory): https://www.pckeyboard.com/ https://www.pckeyboard.com/. They're even made with USB now, so PS/2 adapters aren't necessary :). Of course, there are also a bunch of older ones on eBay as well - as bstar said, they're built like tanks. I used a Model M when I was younger and loved it, I'd probably get a used one or buy a Unicomp one if they weren't so dang big.

bstar77 5y ago
That's really interesting, I didn't know about these. $104 seems like a pretty solid deal too. Only thing is that the cable doesn't appear to be replaceable. I swap out different length cables quite a bit so this is a little disappointing.
elcano 5y ago
If you buy at Unicomp, I'd recommend the New models. There are two. A full size and a compact. They have better finish than all their other models. Check the review of the full size New Model M here: https://sharktastica.co.uk/articles/newm_review.php https://sharktastica.co.uk/articles/newm_review.php You can find the new Mini M here: https://www.pckeyboard.com/page/product/MINI_M https://www.pckeyboard.com/page/product/MINI_M