Model M keyboard!

Page 2 - Seeking answers? Join the AnandTech community: where nearly half-a-million members share solutions and discuss the latest tech.

ElFenix

Elite Member
Super Moderator
Mar 20, 2000
102,402
8,574
126
Originally posted by: Zenmervolt
Originally posted by: ElFenix
is it that new small form factor dell keyboard? i'm still interested in buying one of those.
I just got one of those at work. It sucks. The keys have no feel and the overall size is just too small. Plus is has those damn windows keys.

ZV

i pop off the windows keys.

actually i have a dell quietkey from pre-win95. it's awesome.




i don't need super great action, but the action on cheap USB keyboards is too mushy. if the action on this new smaller form factor quietkey is the same i'm definitely interested. my other requirement is that a keyboard doesn't have gobs of plastic surrounding it, because i have limited space on my keyboard try for the keyboard and mouse.
 

Zenmervolt

Elite member
Oct 22, 2000
24,514
44
91
Originally posted by: ElFenix
Originally posted by: Zenmervolt
Originally posted by: ElFenix
is it that new small form factor dell keyboard? i'm still interested in buying one of those.
I just got one of those at work. It sucks. The keys have no feel and the overall size is just too small. Plus is has those damn windows keys.

ZV
i pop off the windows keys.

actually i have a dell quietkey from pre-win95. it's awesome.

i don't need super great action, but the action on cheap USB keyboards is too mushy. if the action on this new smaller form factor quietkey is the same i'm definitely interested. my other requirement is that a keyboard doesn't have gobs of plastic surrounding it, because i have limited space on my keyboard try for the keyboard and mouse.
My main complaint about the new Dell keyboard at work is that it just feels incredibly flimsy. The keys wobble around on the keyboard and it just doesn't have the feel of being worth more than about $0.10.

ZV
 

GoSharks

Diamond Member
Nov 29, 1999
3,053
0
76
i defintely type better on a model m than on any other keyboard. probably becuase i have been using them ever since i started using computers as a little kid - my dad worked at ibm and we would only have ibm computers.
 

Steve

Lifer
May 2, 2004
15,945
11
81
I had a roommate in college who had a Model M, connected by an AT-to-PS/2 connector. At first, his typing would wake me and/or keep me awake, but after a few days the sound of his typing would lull me to sleep. Turned out to be a good semester in that regard.
 

Farbio

Diamond Member
Apr 9, 2000
3,855
0
0
yea, i like the ms natural series, the split keys are great for me, although i do like the feel on the original ms natural better than elite ones, but i'll live for the extra usb plugs and volume keys on it:)
 

Steve

Lifer
May 2, 2004
15,945
11
81
Originally posted by: SynthDude2001
I've never quite understood the "loud clicky keyboard" obsession. :p

Me either. I have another friend whose Linux box emits a click sound with each keystroke.
 

EyeMWing

Banned
Jun 13, 2003
15,670
1
0
I've grown to love my Windows keys, by the way. I've also found that the Microsoft Internet Keyboard (teh original, the Internet Keyboard 2 doesn't) HAS AN ACTUAL KEY REPORT!

Unfortunately, I only have one of those, and it's damaged, and Microsoft refuses to replace it under warranty because it's no longer manufactured (WHISKEY!?!?)

It's still the most rugged keyboard I've used that was manufactured post-1995. Had it for almost 3 years now (When I tried to replace it, it was 6 months old)
 

MichaelD

Lifer
Jan 16, 2001
31,528
3
76
You should know better!!

This thread is useless w/o pics!

ps
You suck for posting such a "high potential" thread w/o pics.
 

Beller0ph1

Golden Member
Apr 18, 2003
1,302
0
76
Originally posted by: werk
Clicky keyboards suck.

Ditto, they are really annoying. I like laptop keyboards because they are quiet and your fingers travel less distance. It will be my next keyboard (once the spacebar totally quits on my current one). Either that, or the Microsoft Bluetooth Desktop combo.
 

BurnItDwn

Lifer
Oct 10, 1999
26,353
1,862
126
Now all you need to do is convert it to Dvorak!!!
(I have 5 Dvorak Model M's ... muahahahahah)
 

Sukhoi

Elite Member
Dec 5, 1999
15,350
106
106
Best keyboard EVER!!

The one I am typing this on is from November 20th, 1989. My mom liked it so much she made me get her one for Christmas. I somehow managed to find her a brand new Lexmark one from 1996 for $25.
 

ElFenix

Elite Member
Super Moderator
Mar 20, 2000
102,402
8,574
126
Originally posted by: Zenmervolt My main complaint about the new Dell keyboard at work is that it just feels incredibly flimsy. The keys wobble around on the keyboard and it just doesn't have the feel of being worth more than about $0.10.

ZV

hmmm... i have the same problem with this cheapy USB keyboard. the keys wobble and they almost feel like they're in the wrong place.
 

mindmaniac

Senior member
Dec 30, 2003
915
1
81
When I was going through my grandpa's stash of computers I ran across one of the Model M keyboards and thought it was pretty cool looking so he told me I could keep it. He has a few more and some other really cool old computers. He's a computer science teacher and owns a programming company. He has some really cool equipment and a 21" flat screen monitor, maybe I'll ask for that next.
 

RaDragon

Diamond Member
May 23, 2000
4,123
1
71
Originally posted by: Zenmervolt
The last piece of my new computer arrived today, a late 1991 IBM Model M keyboard. It's a genuine IBM piece, not the later Lexmark version. I just love this thing, it's a blast to type on, excellent feel and it just plain looks right. Plus it's still infinitely more solid than the brand new Dell keyboard that I just got at work (walked in this morning to a brand-new computer in my cube, it was a nice surprise).

New keyboards suck. Model M clicky keyboard all the way.

ZV


/me is jealous. I just love to hear that crisp clicking sound!
 

Jzero

Lifer
Oct 10, 1999
18,834
1
0
Northgate Omnikey > IBM Model M.

My current work keyboard is the Evolution with the touchpad (although I don't use the touchpad). I have a 101 at home. I always kinda wanted an ultra but they are generally too expensive and I would probably rarely make use of the unix-style layout anyway.

BTW yes, you read that right. 2.5kg = 5.5 lbs. This thing doesn't slide away from you.
 

Quixfire

Diamond Member
Jul 31, 2001
6,892
0
0
I have two model M keyboards in my basement and one at my daughters computer. You can't break these keyboards no matter how hard a 3 and 5 year old hit them.