Need new keyboard

[z1ggy]

Need a decent/good keyboard. I don't want to spend a ton because I feel like I always spill shit or drop things on it that can ruin it. Right now I have a wireless "wave" from logitech which I like. I dont really have a preference as to wireless or not..but it is nice to be able to roll my chair around while still holding my keyboard...

 

[ivan2]

cheapest from dell.

 

[idolon]

Model M, and flush it out with water if you ever spill a drink into it. Not wireless though.

 

[Zepper]

Why do you want to replace the Wave? IOW, what are you looking fon in the new kbd?

.bh.

 

[nerp]

http://pckeyboards.stores.yahoo.net/customizer.html

It will last you 30 years.

 

[Special K]

Originally posted by: nerp
http://pckeyboards.stores.yahoo.net/customizer.html

It will last you 30 years.

Here's a cheaper option, although the keys have a different feel to them:

ABS M1

 

[ivan2]

hey nerp, between the customizer and the M, which one has softer keystoke? since my switch to northgate the keystoke of a buckle spring M2 is a bit too stiff for my taste. and I think the M was almost the same.

 

[575]

That's odd- I have both a Northgate and the Model M (actually, 3 Model Ms) and the Northgate definitely has less stiff keypresses. The Northgate is also quieter.

 

[Zepper]

Unicomp has the rights to manufacture the original IBM designs, so they should be nearly the same. However I have heard that they stopped manufacturing their own key switches and perhaps went with the Alps key switches which are what Northgate used (perhaps the entire Northgate keyboard was made by Alps as few computer mfrs make their own keyboards).

.bh.

 

[ivan2]

575: that's exactly my situration, M and M2 = stiff, northgate = loose (almost too loose)

 

[skriefal]

Originally posted by: Zepper
Unicomp has the rights to manufacture the original IBM designs, so they should be nearly the same. However I have heard that they stopped manufacturing their own key switches and perhaps went with the Alps key switches which are what Northgate used

Unicomp does not use Alps switches. They still build their product using buckling spring switches, just like the old Model M. You may be thinking of CVT, who builds keyboards based on the old Northgate Omnikey models.

 

[Special K]

Originally posted by: skriefal

Originally posted by: Zepper
Unicomp has the rights to manufacture the original IBM designs, so they should be nearly the same. However I have heard that they stopped manufacturing their own key switches and perhaps went with the Alps key switches which are what Northgate used

Unicomp does not use Alps switches. They still build their product using buckling spring switches, just like the old Model M. You may be thinking of CVT, who builds keyboards based on the old Northgate Omnikey models.

Didn't the original Omnikeys use white alps? What do the new CVT ones use? Black alps?

 

[skriefal]

Yes, the Omnikeys used white Alps. Thus my guess that he was referring to CVT/Northgate with his reference to keyboards using Alps switches. I'm not 100% certain of what CVT is using now, but it's likely white Alps clones or old-stock white Alps.

 

[nerp]

Originally posted by: ivan2
hey nerp, between the customizer and the M, which one has softer keystoke? since my switch to northgate the keystoke of a buckle spring M2 is a bit too stiff for my taste. and I think the M was almost the same.

Hey sorry it took so long to get back to you.

I find the UNicomps to be a bit less stiff and twangy than the Ms. Granted, I only have a couple Ms and each one varies, but my Customizer 104 and my SpaceSaver are much lighter than my M. It's pretty noticable. I prefer typing on my Unicomps much more for this reason and that's why my Ms are in the closet for now.

 

[nycdude]

I like the Logitech Illuminated KB which is what I use.

Its btw is on sale at Amazon for $45 shipped AR