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Here you can discuss everything about mechanical keyboards (and only mechanical keyboards).
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Currently got this one on my work laptop. Model M terminal board with internal converter. The only layout changes I made versus a normal 102-key are that RCtrl is is a Windows key, and the four keys along the right side of the numpad are =, -, +, and the normal Enter.
Good god I can hear the keyboard key 'clack' through this image.
I got so carried away yesterday with reading the comments and ogling the picture, I forgot to updoot. Basically, I'm just writing my failure here as an excuse to be able to look upon its glory again today.
I wish I could get one in a 60% layout. My desk is too small for my big ones.
What about the Launch series keyboards?
Those have been discussed in some depth in some of the keyboard communities, and the charitable opinion is that they are for a very niche audience that wants to pay for a specific level of configurability without buying new keycaps, and that is willing to sacrifice features that hobbyists like to pay for, including modern design elements, mounting methods, and somehow both standardization and further customizability. Of course, you're also taking a positive step to support System76, which I can't complain about.
Basically, though, you're paying a lot of money for the dream keyboard of one System76 engineer, circa 2019. It's not "bad" exactly, but it would be understating it to say that it is a quirky product, even among keyboard nerds. It's also, within that space, a very different product than these 20- to 40-year old classic buckling spring boards.
They use your standard Chinese cherry clone switches. Better than the rubber dome keyboards everyone gets by default, but nothing like a genuine model M. (the other reply linked to a model F which is likely better than the M but I wasn't aware of that option until now so I'll have to try it)
Unicomp has buckling spring boards in TKL. A bit pricy, but cheaper than a vintage Model M "Space Saving Keyboard". For 60%, the closest thing I know of is the even more expensive Model F Kishsaver layouts (adapted from an old and insanely pricy banking keyboard from ~1980). I have never tried one of their boards, but I know they exist.
Thanks, I was aware of the model F project but didn't realize they had anything other than very large layout options. I have 4 original model M's, (two are broken), but my desk is too small with my work and personal computers. (I tried a keyboard switch, but I gave up using it after typing to the wrong computer one too many times)
my desk is too small with my work and personal computers
I also work both from the same desk. I keep the home keyboard and mouse on a deskmat that I just slide the very edge when work actually needs my undivided attention. The Model M's don't come out to play too terribly often, and most of my weird little "1800" layout variants that I make as a hobby take up a good deal less space. Still, sometimes you just need some pingy buckling spring goodness in your life.
The Model Fs are far superior to the Model M. I own several original and reproductions, though I don't own the F60 "Kishsaver" as I like having my nav cluster.
Good to know, and I believe it. The M is simply a value-engineered F, after all.
I last used Model F's in Junior High (AT's, IIRC, but maybe XT's), where I would get annoyed at the layout while trying to play BurgerTime on an amber monitor after typing practice.
The layout is 100% the reason I didn't like my F AT until I modded it. My F XT has a better layout, but it was always such a chore trying to get my home made Soarer's converter to work right. The F77 layout is great, and thanks to the preproductions it's actually attainable. I also got one of the new TKL layout Model Fs, but it only came in the "compact" case style (which makes sense as they was no original), and it just isn't as nice to use as the OG style zinc case.
As lovely as they are, the XT abuses the right to use stepped keycaps. I can't deal with that, even if I fully appreciate a desire to avoid stabilizers. 🤣
Where do I get one of these and how do I make it work with modern USB?
Both Unicomp and modelfkeyboards.com are highly recommended.
New ones are available from Unicomp, and I understand they're quite nice. In addition to this one, I have a "GE Medical" Model M made by Unicomp around 2014. Both of mine have homemade "Soarer's Converters," internal for this one, and PS/2 to USB external for the other. I also use the external one for my 90s military keyboard. I do still have a PS/2 port on my motherboard, but it's nice to be able to add a Windows/Super key.
I found my Model M's on eBay and waited around until I got the right deal, about USD $45 shipped for each one. Later models are considered less desirable because they're (slightly) lighter and some of the manufacturing tooling was getting worn out, but by and large they work perfectly and have fewer miles on them. I also love the keycaps on the medical board. That one's not mine but is basically identical. A pre-made converter is about another $30-$40 or so on eBay. The most reliable seller is a dude making them in his house in the Philippines.
That thing will survive a nuclear war...
Want to know the crazy part? This is the version after TWO rounds of value-engineering. The Model B and Model F are both a good bit more robust than these Model M's, and these last forever. The older boards are more rare due to less compatibility and a smaller computer market in general when they were released.
The old stylings are hot.
Clickety clack, motherfucker!
Half the fun of using a nice keyboard is that it's loud AF. I love my keyboard peeps, but I do not get the obsession with trying to make them sound all lovely and quiet. "Slightly quieter" is a compromise to be grudgingly tolerated if you have to work around others, nothing more.
VIVA LOS CLICKYS!
This was my first keyboard with old school 5pin DIN and everything. I liked it a lot but ended up having to give it away. You see, it was my freshman year of college and had finally made some friends. My roommate however had not. I had suspected there was foul play taking place with my PC because of some things that had gotten moved, so one night I did the surprise pop-in... Quietly walked up to the dorm room for with my keys ready: popped then into the key hole and quickly opened the door... Yes, caught him in the act. It was towards the end of the semester and we did not speak of it again. I didn't use my computer for the rest of the term and left my old keyboard leaning against a wall in the dorm hallway. A freebie of sorts.
Thank you for sharing.
I think. LOL.
You know... You can't just say "I liked that keyboard a lot but had to give it away."
You could feed a family of five with those beefy keycaps alone
Are those 3D printed replacement caps or something?
I love it! I use a Model M daily for work and remapped my RAlt to a windows key.
They're proper replacements. Unicomp, which still makes full size and TKL Model M's, sells replacement keytops.
I got this "Display Station" terminal board for cheap on eBay because it was a later model, a little bit dirty, RJ-45 instead of PS/2, no indicator LEDs, and missing 4 keytops. It's still a buckling spring beast, though. Someday it might need a bolt mod, but for now it's only lost a few of the plastic rivets and still works perfectly.
How did you convert from rj45 (I'm assuming serial) to USB?
This one was fairly late, like 1998, so it supported "normal" keycodes. I was able to wire up a completely standard "Soarer's" converter and simply use dupont connectors on the internal header. The cord itself is just a random one lying around, with a cable tie for strain relief.
Oh nice! That's always been a deterrent for me, that the key codes are different, and I would need a translator midline, which I didn't want to deal with haha this is MUCH nicer!
So, I don't want to send you the wrong way with the technical details, but whatever this keyboard does, a Soarer's Converter worked fine and it did not require me to have any deep understanding of how the keyboard worked. I understand the Hasu Converter software for the same MCU and wiring can convert damn near anything.
Thank you! Yeah, I wasn't planning on going off of your experience alone, but I've wanted a model M ever since mine was inadvertently discarded with my dad's old tech. I totally understand the desire to clean house of old stuff every so often... but a model M?? I wasn't happy lol
welp, there goes my budget for this month...
Should I avoid mentioning the modern Model F repros? LOL.
TBF, while I do have a ten year old Unicomp, and it's perfectly lovely despite pre-dating their improved molds, I haven't tried a modern Model F, or indeed used any Model F in at least twenty years.
No, I have two of the reproductions and they are great IMO. I heavily prefer them over any of my Model Ms or OG Model Fs.
Looks nice, and I completely believe that they put a lot of care into them. I would love to try one of their beam-springs, though I admit the photos are not exactly glamor shots with those slightly rusty vintage cases and Dolch Vortex keycaps (a set of which I actually have and like)
EDIT: On second thought, I don't know where they're sourcing their beamspring keycaps. Looks a lot like my AliExpress VSA though.
I'd get one of the beamsprings as well, but they are just so ridiculously thick and bulky that I don't think it would work for me.
True, that's where you have to start thinking about re-working your furniture to fit your tech. I guess an OSHA directive came down that keyboards shouldn't be that tall, and that's part of what led to the buckling spring on the F, as well as other stuff, like Space Invader switches and a certain German company making little polyhedral switches with cross-mount keycaps. Wonder how that worked out?
Oof, the model F keyboards are beautiful (in the retro style) but damn that pricetag stings to look at...
Yeah, re-creating a capacitive circuit board for a vintage switch mechanism and putting it into a solid metal case is pricy, and the market is inherently rather small. Basically niche within niche within niche.
Never said I wasn't considering it 😉
Be cool to have one, maybe as a Christmas gift to myself. I like me a thiccc keyboard that doubles as a bludgeon, Never liked the "reduced" keebs. Is the cable fully detachable at both ends?
I had to poke around their website a bit, but yes, it looks like they're standard detachable USB C.
