Get an IBM model M keyboard or go home!

[Sunner]

KeyTronic ErgoForce/Lifetime keyboards, along with Model M's, are by far the best keyboards ever.
In fact, they're the only good keyboards that have ever existed, every other keyboard I've ever used has sucked in one or several ways.

 

[jagec]

Originally posted by: TheStu
I love my Dell keyboard. It has some multi-function buttons that I don't use, but mostly I love the noise level, and the hardiness of it. It also has proven to be fairly shiny-free. You know that thing you get when you have used a keyboard or mouse for a while, you rub off the texturing of the plastic and it is all smooth and shiny. I have been using this keyboard for about 5-6 years now, and the keys are all still in pretty good condiiotn, and all the letters are still quite visible.

Dell Keyboards FTW

I dunno, the Dell keyboard that came with my old server years ago is awesome, and I'm still using it, but the one that came with my most recent purchase is simply awful.

 

[Vinny N]

My prized Model M is just a baby. Made on July 16th, 1997.

It has a straight PS/2 cord rather than a coiled one

 

[Ori0n]

You can easily find some IBM model M based keyboards with Windows keys. Though they might run you $60 or so.

I had a Linux Cool Keyboard for years, exactly like a model M, except it came with a Windows key [though it had Tux on it], until i spilled a coke on it, i miss that keyboard.

And I recently got another keyboard from http://www.pckeyboard.com/ and Unicomp

It's great, I love it.

Sure beats these Wang keyboards at work.

 

[ultimatebob]

Originally posted by: dug777

Originally posted by: DivideBYZero
No windows key = suck.

dude.

you need a girl.

the windows key is a cheap harlot.

Yeah, that's what Ctrl-Esc is for. Model M's aren't totally indestructible, though. The key caps sometimes pop off if you drop them. Stick them back on, and you're good to go.

 

[MixMasterTang]

Originally posted by: dug777
In all seriousness, i will never, ever, part with my :heart: Model M

It's manufactured by Lexmark for IBM in the US on 21st Sept 1994 Hmm, perhaps i should throw a small party for it every year

Utterly ****** bullet-proof & a dream to type on

Got ya beat, mine was manufactured on 03-26-92. Everyone at work hates it because it makes the loud clicks and I have popped the caps off of the keys with the letters so basically there are no letters on my keyboard.

 

[dug777]

Originally posted by: us3rnotfound

Originally posted by: Xyclone
Logitech Elite FTW.

now those are hard to find on ebay and such

saitek eclipse replaces it well, though :thumbsup:

Bleh, we are talking the same Logitech Elite? The one that came bundled with my :heart: MX700? I used it for a couple of years, and it doesn't even come close to my Model M...keys are far too small, rounded, and there's no appreciable sprung weight to the keys

I use it when i'm playing video games with my mates after a few drinks, just in case someone spills a beer on it...wouldn't be a great loss to me, whereas losing my Model M would kill me

 

[AmigaMan]

At one of my old jobs, I found a huge cardboard box full of those click-clack IBM keyboards sitting in a corner of the lab and threw them away. Had I known back then what I know now, I could made a small fortune off of them. I personally hate them, but I admire their toughness. The Apple keyboard I bought recently for my MBP just died after I spilled a miniscule amount of coffee on it. I've cried more moisture than I spilled on that POS keyboard. Sigh...they just don't make them like they used to...

 

[Chaotic42]

I want a Sun Type 5 keyboard :heart:

 

[mwtgg]

Those keyboards are annoying.

 

[EyeMWing]

Originally posted by: dug777

Originally posted by: us3rnotfound

Originally posted by: Xyclone
Logitech Elite FTW.

now those are hard to find on ebay and such

saitek eclipse replaces it well, though :thumbsup:

Bleh, we are talking the same Logitech Elite? The one that came bundled with my :heart: MX700? I used it for a couple of years, and it doesn't even come close to my Model M...keys are far too small, rounded, and there's no appreciable sprung weight to the keys

I use it when i'm playing video games with my mates after a few drinks, just in case someone spills a beer on it...wouldn't be a great loss to me, whereas losing my Model M would kill me

Dug, you've forgotten the cardinal rule of Model M ownership. Your keyboard is INFVCKINGDESTRUCTIBLE.

Fvck spilling a beer in it - cut open a keg and drop the damn thing in. It'll work after you let it dry out.

 

[mrSHEiK124]

Originally posted by: Xyclone
Logitech Elite FTW.

QFT. The original Elite, not the new sh!tty Media Elite garbage with *shudder* rearranged Insert/Home/Delete/End/PUp/PDown keys.

I've had one for 3 years (or more? I had a GeForce 5700 vanilla and an OC'ed Barton Athlon XP when I bought it, which at the time was the sh!t) and over time its seen 1. An entire Starbucks Doubleshot, 2. One of those 99 cent sunflower seed bags, and 3. The good part of a can of Sprite. Guess what? Its still clacking away.

 

[Sphexi]

Can't beat old school keyboards for gaming, especially if you're going to be holding down WASD for extended periods of time

Hell, I had some fancy new one for less than a year and the letters started wearing off, while my 6 year old wireless Logitech looked good as the day I bought it (after a nice cleaning), and ran almost a year solid on a set of batteries.

 

[GeekDrew]

Originally posted by: mwtgg
Those keyboards are annoying.

People that complain about the Model M are annoying.

Originally posted by: EyeMWing
Dug, you've forgotten the cardinal rule of Model M ownership. Your keyboard is INFVCKINGDESTRUCTIBLE.

Fvck spilling a beer in it - cut open a keg and drop the damn thing in. It'll work after you let it dry out.

Nah -- liquids are one of the weak points of the Model M. That's why drainage channels were added in later models (by Lexmark, IIRC). I wouldn't recommend anyone test your theory.

 

[RallyMaster]

anything other than a Microsoft Natural Ergonomic 4000 is junk.

 

[dug777]

Originally posted by: GeekDrew

Originally posted by: mwtgg
Those keyboards are annoying.

People that complain about the Model M are annoying.

Originally posted by: EyeMWing
Dug, you've forgotten the cardinal rule of Model M ownership. Your keyboard is INFVCKINGDESTRUCTIBLE.

Fvck spilling a beer in it - cut open a keg and drop the damn thing in. It'll work after you let it dry out.

Nah -- liquids are one of the weak points of the Model M. That's why drainage channels were added in later models (by Lexmark, IIRC). I wouldn't recommend anyone test your theory.

Mine is a built by Lexmark, with the drainage channels

 

[GeekDrew]

Originally posted by: dug777
Mine is a built by Lexmark, with the drainage channels

Congrats

Years ago, I owned several Model M's, though I didn't realize the prize that they are today. I lost them several years ago. Just bought another, though (19JAN87). I don't believe I've ever used one of the Lexmarks, with the drainage channels, but I've heard that the build quality is slightly different between it and the original. That, or if I've used one, I haven't realized that it was not an IBM Model M.

 

[ISAslot]

i gots 3 of these.
http://cgi.ebay.com/Vintage-IBM-Persona...5QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem
i think it's time to sell

 

[dug777]

Originally posted by: GeekDrew

Originally posted by: dug777
Mine is a built by Lexmark, with the drainage channels

Congrats

Years ago, I owned several Model M's, though I didn't realize the prize that they are today. I lost them several years ago. Just bought another, though (19JAN87). I don't believe I've ever used one of the Lexmarks, with the drainage channels, but I've heard that the build quality is slightly different between it and the original. That, or if I've used one, I haven't realized that it was not an IBM Model M.

The basically look identical, and the Lexmark ones are still considered to be IBM Model Ms Mine is made in the US

 

[Platypus]

Using my Model M to type this message.

 

[GeekDrew]

Originally posted by: ISAslot
i gots 3 of these.
http://cgi.ebay.com/Vintage-IBM-Persona...5QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem
i think it's time to sell

That's not one of the "usual" Model M keyboards that are popular... that one has function keys on the left, whereas most have them just on top. Unless I'm mistaken, the keyboard in that listing would obviously be more valuable than the normal Model M's.

The market value may vary, depending on the model number of the IBM Model M series keyboard you have, as well as the manufacture date. Many older keyboards sell for more than newer ones do. You can read up on Wikipedia and other various google results.

Originally posted by: dug777
The basically look identical, and the Lexmark ones are still considered to be IBM Model Ms Mine is made in the US

Yeah, I wasn't really doubting that. I was just wondering if there was any substance to the build quality rumors.

 

[Steve]

http://www.datadesktech.com/desktop_sb_start.html

 

[potato28]

Pfft, my el-cheapo black keyboard with the basic multimedia keys and no clickiness was a great deal for $3.50

 

[EyeMWing]

Originally posted by: GeekDrew

Originally posted by: ISAslot
i gots 3 of these.
http://cgi.ebay.com/Vintage-IBM-Persona...5QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem
i think it's time to sell

That's not one of the "usual" Model M keyboards that are popular... that one has function keys on the left, whereas most have them just on top. Unless I'm mistaken, the keyboard in that listing would obviously be more valuable than the normal Model M's.

Actually, that link isn't a Model M at all. I have a pair sitting right here.... It's a PC/XT keyboard (my two *gasp* came with my PC and XT)- electrically incompatible with AT (and Model M). It's actually MORE clicky than a normal Model M (MUCH stiffer springs) - doesn't feel as well balanced.

Edit: Okay, I was wrong. those were an OPTION with the AT's - and those particular units autoswitched between AT and XT modes. But that design is old as hell - I once bombed some IBM Heavy Iron that had one included with it (I would've kept it as a novelty, but I couldn't get it to fire up - and a broken mainframe is suck). It's not related to the Model M - though it is part of it's lineage.

 

[EyeMWing]

Originally posted by: dug777

Originally posted by: GeekDrew

Originally posted by: dug777
Mine is a built by Lexmark, with the drainage channels

Congrats

Years ago, I owned several Model M's, though I didn't realize the prize that they are today. I lost them several years ago. Just bought another, though (19JAN87). I don't believe I've ever used one of the Lexmarks, with the drainage channels, but I've heard that the build quality is slightly different between it and the original. That, or if I've used one, I haven't realized that it was not an IBM Model M.

The basically look identical, and the Lexmark ones are still considered to be IBM Model Ms Mine is made in the US

Easiest way to tell the difference is to look at the logo. The IBMs tend to have the IBM logo in B&W - the Lexmarks in full color. The LED panel on the IBMs are also dark gray, whereas on the Lexmarks, they're colormatched to the rest of the keyboard. On the Lexmarks, the keyboard cable is attached on the RIGHT side. On the IBMs, it's a recessed part on the left. But this is just a generalization - many Lexmarks have the IBM characteristics - wit hthe exception of the B&W vs. Color IBM logo. I've never seen an IBM in color, never seen a lexmark in B&W.