4 ms·
I have used several inexpensive Apple-keyed mechanical keyboards. My random observations: Buckley Springs (e.g. IBM Model M -type, Unicomp) are absolutely the
by ProllyInfamous 2y ago
I have used several inexpensive Apple-keyed mechanical keyboards. My random observations:
Buckley Springs (e.g. IBM Model M -type, Unicomp) are absolutely the best keyfeel, but they just won't last longer than the keyboard's warranty (probably nowhere near as long, YMMV). They are obnoxiously loud (similar to my electric Smith Corona Coronet typewriter). Simple keystrikes above 100wpm often result in blown-out springs — I have thrown away my last Unicomp keyboard (after spring/warranty failures).
daskeyboard (brown>blue>red) is heavenly, my daily-drivers (I own three, identical). Just a little bit louder than an OEM Apple keyboard, and always responds as depressed.
The worst tactile keyboard I've ever used (non-mechanical, but physical buttons): mid 2010's Apple Laptop "butterfly" keys, which fail spectacularly (to crickets from Apple).
- seanmcdirmid 2y agoI had a model M that was built in 1993 that I used until 2016. The main thing you need to do is clean it once in a while. I have a newer Model M today that I got last year and I doubt it will last as long.
- ProllyInfamous 2y agoThanks for sharing your experience, very similar to mine. My IBM Selectric II has buckling springs, but the ball/strike isn't fast enough to keep up with my typing... so the keys don't get abused nearly as much (never had a keyspring break on this typewriter). My honest assessment of Unicomp's newer buckling springs: you need to use a more-durable metal [see 80's/90's versions, for comparison). The springs seems to fail more from fatique than force... which is almost-certainly a materials science deficiency.
- ink_13 2y agoI dunno about that, my Model M from 1989 is still going strong. I've been waiting for it to fail for a decade at this point so I can upgrade to something more modern, but I find I'm not interested in giving it up prematurely.
- ProllyInfamous 2y agoThese original IBM models were much more durable than current Unicomp output. I suspect it comes down to the modern metal composition of the spring [being different than 80's versions]. See somebody else's similar experience, below. >I've been waiting for it to fail for a decade at this point so I can upgrade Yours must have been one of the good ones =D
- NotYourLawyer 2y agoYou got a lemon of a Model M. They generally last a very long time.