3 ms·

I totally love the model-M (I've used it a great deal), and the model-M is inarguably a great keyboard, but calling it "greatest keyboard ever made" seems just

I totally love the model-M (I've used it a great deal), and the model-M is inarguably a great keyboard, but calling it "greatest keyboard ever made" seems just silly hyperbole (OK, I know, I know... it's the verge what do I expect)... >< There have been many keyboards every bit as wonderful as the model-M, and of course what constitutes "great" is obviously highly subjective. Buckling springs are nice, but they're just one of many good mechanisms.

tinco 12y ago
I own a couple of Model M's and I've used them for a while but you are absolutely correct. The Model M was succeeded by Cherry and Alps keyboards, which are in my opinion superior. The Cherry and Alps keyboards in their turn were succeeded by the rubber dome keyboards which most people use today. Unfortunately rubber dome keyboards although fantastically quiet and cheap, do not type nearly as nice as the Cherry/Alps or buckling spring keyboards. If you're looking for the feeling described by those Model M lovers, definitely do check out keyboards marketed as being 'mechanical'. Thanks to a recent revival of enthousiasm for good keyboards under gamers and tech geeks many brands have started producing them, and it's now possible to get them at very reasonable prices. Just as my personal recommendation: if you want one that will last you a lifetime, get a Filco (they're quite expensive), and replace the keycaps with PBT ones (it's a better plastic for this purpose, also what the Model M uses). It's what I've been using for the past 5 years. You can put off the replacing of the keycaps for 2-3 years, longer if you don't mind slippery keys, PBT ones don't wear like that.
ghaff 12y ago
I'd also note that there were even some keyboards of "the time" that aimed to improve on the Model-M in terms of the size and layout of certain keys. I still own a couple of Northgates although they're past their useful life at this point. I even had them fixed and cleaned out a decade or so back. I do like the clicky keyboards though--whether or not those working nearby did as I'm a definite keyboard pounder :-)
jfb 12y ago
I loved my old Next keyboards; also, the Apple Ergonomic; and the Sun classics. I've used the classic Model M as well as the Unicomp versions. I currently use Kinesis Advantage. All are excellent. There is no one keyboard to rule them all.
- MaysonL 12y ago
  Back in the '80s, I used a VT100 long enough that a substantial portion of the matte finish was worn smooth where my palm rubbed when using the cursor keys, as well as half of the space bar. I still miss having the cursor keys where I could reach them without bending my wrist or raising my arm.

tinco 12y ago

I own a couple of Model M's and I've used them for a while but you are absolutely correct. The Model M was succeeded by Cherry and Alps keyboards, which are in my opinion superior. The Cherry and Alps keyboards in their turn were succeeded by the rubber dome keyboards which most people use today. Unfortunately rubber dome keyboards although fantastically quiet and cheap, do not type nearly as nice as the Cherry/Alps or buckling spring keyboards. If you're looking for the feeling described by those Model M lovers, definitely do check out keyboards marketed as being 'mechanical'. Thanks to a recent revival of enthousiasm for good keyboards under gamers and tech geeks many brands have started producing them, and it's now possible to get them at very reasonable prices. Just as my personal recommendation: if you want one that will last you a lifetime, get a Filco (they're quite expensive), and replace the keycaps with PBT ones (it's a better plastic for this purpose, also what the Model M uses). It's what I've been using for the past 5 years. You can put off the replacing of the keycaps for 2-3 years, longer if you don't mind slippery keys, PBT ones don't wear like that.

ghaff 12y ago

I'd also note that there were even some keyboards of "the time" that aimed to improve on the Model-M in terms of the size and layout of certain keys. I still own a couple of Northgates although they're past their useful life at this point. I even had them fixed and cleaned out a decade or so back. I do like the clicky keyboards though--whether or not those working nearby did as I'm a definite keyboard pounder :-)

jfb 12y ago

I loved my old Next keyboards; also, the Apple Ergonomic; and the Sun classics. I've used the classic Model M as well as the Unicomp versions. I currently use Kinesis Advantage. All are excellent. There is no one keyboard to rule them all.

MaysonL 12y ago
Back in the '80s, I used a VT100 long enough that a substantial portion of the matte finish was worn smooth where my palm rubbed when using the cursor keys, as well as half of the space bar. I still miss having the cursor keys where I could reach them without bending my wrist or raising my arm.