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The descendents of the IBM Model M Keyboards are still available... Clicky clicky.

That link should be to http://pckeyboard.com/. The plural version will get you what you want, but the site sucks and I think you might have to customer order via a sales-drone. The singular version will let you like to a yahoo store and will happily sell you a somewhat ugly keyboard with awesome but noisy mechanical switches and a nice trackpoint mouse pointer.

Keyboards with a built in trackpoint (the little eraser nub) are available from several companies, including IBM and Unicomp http://www.pckeyboard.com/

The only motion required from a normal home-row typing position is to move your right or left index finger over about 2cm, and the thumbs don't have to be moved, as they naturally rest on the left and right mouse buttons, respectively.

This is very low stress, and the keyboards tend to be good quality. I use this with my IBM laptop for usually upwards of 12 hours a day (IRCaholic), for many years, and have no hand problems.

The clack lives on for specialty keyboard users: see the Matias Tactile Pro and the Unicomp Customizer.

If you're like me, and prefer the original IBM Model M, you'll be pleased to know that IBM sold off their patented buckling-spring (the infamous spring that makes typing on a Model M so good) technology to a company called Unicomp. They sell new USB keyboards with buckling-spring key switches, and you even get the infamous IBM trackpoint on some models! You never have to leave the home row again - not even if you have to use your "mouse"! What more could you ask for in a keyboard? You won't get a better keyboard and eventhough the price is steep for the top-models, they'll probably last 20 years like the original Model M models. And no, I don't work or am in any way affiliated with Unicomp. I just want to pass on the message on - Model M reborn with USB and trackpoint. Sweet!

The Customizer 101 from PCKeyboard.com is a remake of the old IBM keyboards. Available with or without the Windows key. I have one, it is by far one of the best keyboards I've ever seen.

But if you want to get rid of some keys and have some new ones too, you could look into remapping those you don't want to doing something useful. It's certainly possible on Unix-like operating systems, and I'd imagine there's Windows software to do all sorts of weird things too. Sure, using Scroll Lock as a shift/modifier key would be awkward, but I suppose you could remap "the third Windows key", and place it in some unused corner instead. Or something. Num Lock is something you could probably get rid of too - when did you last use the keypad for cursor movement? About the only key you can't remap is Print Screen/SysRq, I believe.

I've been thinking about this a bit. :-)

Of course, I want something a bit more like this: Emulator 122. (Which also brings us back to the topic of IBM, and indestructible hardware.)

While they don't immediately come to mind when `not expensive' is mentioned, Sony makes some good small-sized laptops that feature small keyboards (both keycaps and spacing), and nice-quality small screens. While the latest and greatest Sony Vaois are pretty expensive, you can often find previous generations at affordable prices, and many of these devices are good travelling DVD players as well.

For both your needs and the OP, there are a number of `media keyboards' seemingly designed for living room use that might serve well -- these typically have many extra keys for navigation, program-hotkeys, etc. Even if these keys aren't labelled ins/del/pgup/pgdown/etc, that should be an easy problem to solve.

Finally, an alternative approach from my own experience: at a prior job where my desk had a good keyboard tray, I took an old buckling-spring keyboard with trackpoint (mine was from Lexmark, but I hear that UniComp owns that line now), removed the keycaps from the numeric keypad, and mounted my Logitech TrackMan Marble in that space.

It's not for everyone, but for me, clicky-keys+trackpoint+trackball-numkeys was nearly perfect.

http://www.pckeyboard.com/surfer.html the space saver from unicomp looks like a nice model it also comes with a built in fuzzy nipple mouse and ps/2 mouse port

If clickykeyboards.com doesn't have them, you can go to http://www.pckeyboard.com/ibmlist.html and have unicomp build an IBM P/N 1393278 for you.

I have a macally iceKEY which has almost the exact same tactile response as an Apple laptop keyboard, but it's full sized and USB http://www.macally.com/spec/usb/input_device/iceke y.html. It has working eject, volume up/down, and mute keys, too.

I actually just purchased one of these: http://www.pckeyboard.com/customizer.html in a custom Mac and Dvorak layout and it's an awesome experience to type on. These people hold the rights from Lexmark and manufacture the modern day IBM Model M that is so coveted nowadays.

I find Microsoft tools like VS.net and even some of their languages (C#) to be surprisingly good.

Compared to what? You haven't used Eclipse, have you? I use both Eclipse and VS.Net 2003 at work, and VS.Net is "good enough" as an IDE but miles away from the productivity you get from Eclipse.

Not only is Eclipse one of the best IDE's out there, it is free/open source and available for multiple platforms. And it's not just for Java, it also does C/C++. And there are plugins for Python, PHP, Ruby, etc.

1) Hardware (keyboards, mice, ...)
certain Microsoft things like Natural Keyboards

I used a Microsoft Natural Pro (the only good one they made) for over a year, but soon realized what an inferior keyboard it was when I tried some older non-split keyboards. But that really applies to most keyboards made these days, they are almost all crap. Pick up a buckling spring keyboard from here and you'll find your typing speed and comfort increase. They are not as loud as you'd think either (maybe the original IBM's were), but they do sound different.

Microsoft's recent keyboards have one incredibly stupid "feature": no Insert key. Need I say more?

I've used plenty of Microsoft mice, from the standard white ones (which weren't too terrible) that used to come with most PC's, to the Intellimouse's (total crap). The Intellimouse I had at work, despite looking cool and having a bunch of fance buttons, was two heavy and did not fit my hand correctly, I eventually ditched it and brought in a Logitech I had at home. All the Logitech mice I have used have been better than any mouse Microsoft has produced. Right now I'm using an MX310 which is great if you don't mind that its not wireless.

Microsoft's products (hardware and software) are "good enough" but not certainly not "great," especially when you compare them to what else is out there. It's hard to realize this if you haven't experienced much else.

http://pckeyboard.com/ has Lexmark (IBM) keyboards. Dunno if they're better with USB adapters or not.

PCKeyboard offers buckling spring keyboards (they bought the rights & there are still some old ex-IBM employees there. Good boards. Same key response as the Model M & some models have windows keys. They also sell quiet key rubber dome boards, so double check that you are getting one that has buckling springs.

Get a Kickass-wide-monitor-laptop.

        Indulge on the best MOBILE processor known to mankind as of this writing (IMHO AMD-Turion, the only MOBILE processor that supports X-86 64). Add RAM as there is no tomorrow (That is, up to the maximum your laptop supports), and make sure that your laptop's chipset supports dual monitor. Get the Wide monitor breed of laptop, as that way you will be able to see all lines with no line breaks.

Buy a flat pannel monitor as your second monitor, a GOOD keyboard http://www.pckeyboard.com/ and a GREAT mouse.

Put your laptop in a stand, so that the LCD is at a convenient eye level, Plug the keyboard, mouse, and second monitor... presto, that is your platform. Get VMware, and your favourite IDE and OS(no comments here)...

The beauty of this setup is that it is a kick-ass platform, and you can take (most of) it with you, if needed.

Other things that help, a HUGE "L" shaped desk, with your machine in the corner of the "L", plenty of shelfs and a black/white board. Also a nice aeron chair http://www.hermanmiller.com/CDA/SSA/Product/0,1592 ,a10-c440-p8,00.html/. Also, have around some good CDs for relaxation.

Try to set all this up in a place with a window with some sunlight and a nice view. Work for like 45~90 minutes, stopping every now and the to enjoy the view for 1 minute. After that get up and for 10~20 min, stretch your legs, get some water, go to the bathroom, eat a snack, chat a little, et cetera. Lather, rinse, repeat.

I should know, as I am describing the corporate setting in which I spent my time from Jul 2001 til March 2004, with a very similar setup, and it worked great. And no, it was not a cube, but an office, with a real door, overlooking the Avila mountain. Left as a consultant, and now I am about to begin my MBA. I'll get back to you to tell you how my setting is after I finish my studies. With any luck I'll be able to replicate that setting, but in a corner office ;-). Hope to be able to get that for my employees as well....

Customizer 101 Key - US English - $ 49 (This is the equivalent of the IBM Model M)

Unicomp, the current makers of Model M keyboards, have stated to me in an email that they'll gladly make a blank keyboard upon request.

And yes, they have Model Ms in black.

Unicomp bought the rights and is still making them. You can even get them in black... http://www.pckeyboard.com/ See also: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Model_M PS: If you absolutely must have a 1984 model you can easily get one on eBay.

My wife bought one from http://www.pckeyboard.com/ to offer me for my birthday a few years ago.

It was a basic 101-key keyboard, all black and very much like Das Keyboard visually (as I can see at the pictures) except that it is indeed a buckling-spring keyboard.

I suspect its price was over 100$ plus shipping to Europe, though.

Beware that buckling-spring keyboard sound a lot louder and if you work late in the night, your relatives may not appreciate your new keyboard.

Oh, BTW, I still use it and hope to keep it for quite some time. It is great for those who learned typing on a typing machine.

You can, I'm told, buy one from pckeyboard.com. I understand they're just the same as the originals, just made nowadays. I don't know if they contain that mainy function keys though.

Yes there is. See Dan's Data which links to a few, such as Unicomp. I've got an original Model M, but you may need to modify it for recent mobos.

And just for the record, there are several other places to get that unmistakable buckling-spring feel:

http://www.cvtinc.com/products/keyboards/menu.htm CVT's Avant models (I'm typing this on an Avant Prime and it feels just like the Model M I use at home)

http://www.pckeyboard.com/customizer.html PC Keyboard, already mentioned in parent of this

http://www.mck142.com/ The Ortek MCK-142 monster with programmable function keys

http://www.cherrycorp.com/english/classic-line/key board-standard-g80-3000.htm Cherry G80, mechnical, but I'm not sure how close to the Model M feel it has...

http://www.ergocanada.com/products/keyboards/dsi_s mk85_compact.html A compact model using ALPS keyswitches. Similar to the Model M style switches.

http://www.ergo-2000.com/ergo2000/showdetl.cfm?&DI D=6&Product_ID=624&CATID=36 Northgate Omnikey models are largely discontinued, but here's an ergo one still being sold using Alps keyswitches. You can also try ebay http://search-desc.ebay.com/omnikey_W0QQftsZ2 for used or remaindered Omnikeys.

Finally, just for learning about the buckling spring/clicky keyboards, here are some great sites for details:
http://www.clickykeyboards.com/
http://www.dansdata.com/ibmkeyboard.htm
http://thesiliconunderground.editthispage.com/2001 /02/08

And for those of you wondering why several of us are going on and on about decades-old keyboards from IBM, you owe it to yourself to at least try one of these and see what you think. Yes, they are noisier than those squishy membrane ones, but the feedback from them is amazing and you get to the point of blazing over them and often catching many typos by sound alone...

As you wish.

http://www.pckeyboard.com/customizer.html

I picked these colors for mine.

http://www.pckeyboard.com/images/BlackMetallicSamp le.jpg

Buckling spring keyswitches. This company spun off from Lexmark, which (in turn) spun off from IBM.

As you wish.

http://www.pckeyboard.com/customizer.html

I picked these colors for mine.

http://www.pckeyboard.com/images/BlackMetallicSamp le.jpg

Buckling spring keyswitches. This company spun off from Lexmark, which (in turn) spun off from IBM.

You can still buy a real keyboard. Those guys bought the design from IBM and still produce it in the USA.

I like the feel of an old Antec clicky keyboard better, but the layout on the Unicomp is better.

Get a PS2USB adaptor and it even works great on a Mac.

There are several kinds of keyboards . Sadly, very few companies make mechanical switch keyboards now. Too expensive? Fuck, no, those things are great for fast typing and work flawlessly for decades!

Since the Optimus will be rather expensive no matter what... and no one wants to waste teh big bucks in something that will be ruined in two or three years of serious use... whoever makes that keyboard better make it real good - that is, to hell with those damned mushy buttons! Otherwise, serious typists should stick to Matias and Unicomp .

I've never understood why people are unwilling to shell out money for a good keyboard, but will cheerfully plop down money for the hottest CPU or latest video card.

No kidding. Anyone who uses the computer more than a few hours a day would do themselves a lot of good to buy a high quality keyboard and mouse. They are tools you use all day for your job, it is worth spending a little more to get some that work well, and are comfortable to use.

I'm using a Customizer 101 key keyboard with buckling springs from PCKeyboard.com. They have them for only $49, which is a bargain considering this thing will probably last several decades. The frame of it is made out of metal, and it is heavy enough that I could probably use it as a club if I wanted to. Also, it doesn't have the Windows keys (But I think they are available if someone wants them).

For a mouse, I bought a Microsoft Bluetooth mouse, because I hate cords and USB dongles, and it fits perfectly in my hand.

I love my Model M. If you want new buckling spring boards, the place to get them is pckeyboard.com (which was actually linked in that wikipedia article). Not only do they have many ayouts (some with a windows key or even an integrated trackball or one of those nipples that is on the thinkpad), but they do custom builds.

I love my Model M. If you want new buckling spring boards, the place to get them is pckeyboard.com (which was actually linked in that wikipedia article). Not only do they have many ayouts (some with a windows key or even an integrated trackball or one of those nipples that is on the thinkpad), but they do custom builds.

I believe that was Unicomp - see their website at pckeyboard.com to get one.

--Ender

try an old clicky keyboard, or a new one from PCKEYBOARD.COM if my old Dell keyboard i scored dumpster diving (not in a dumpster, a drop off area for trash equipment) ever dies i am getting the black and white customizer.

Went into an apple reseller yesterday and picked up a keyboard. Asked a salesdroid "What are my chances of getting this to work on a PC?" (I already knew the answer to that, was just trolling!). Salesdroid said "Zero - there's no drivers for it". (Clearly doesn't know about USB HIDs!). I said "Mind if I try it?".

Whipped out Dell laptop and fired it up. Windows XP detected an "Apple Extended Keyboard" and a "Generic USB Hub", realised that the keyboard was a regular Human Interface Device (HID) and just worked. Apple key == Windows Key. Everything else works. F13-F16 has no function (need to remap some of them to Print Screen and Pause/Break at some point), and even the volume up/down/mute keys work out of the box.

Fired up Gentoo Linux with a 2.6 kernel, it detected it as a "Mitsumi Electric Apple Extended USB Keyboard" and again, just worked.

So yeah... I really really like the slimline minimalist style of this keyboard. Sure, it isn't an IBM/PCKeyboard.com style buckling spring [pckeyboard.com] keyboard, but its a very nice alternative. I think I'll be trying more Apple hardware as the mood strikes.

Went into an apple reseller yesterday and picked up a keyboard. Asked a salesdroid "What are my chances of getting this to work on a PC?" (I already knew the answer to that, was just trolling!). Salesdroid said "Zero - there's no drivers for it". (Clearly doesn't know about USB HIDs!). I said "Mind if I try it?".

Whipped out Dell laptop and fired it up. Windows XP detected an "Apple Extended Keyboard" and a "Generic USB Hub", realised that the keyboard was a regular Human Interface Device (HID) and just worked. Apple key == Windows Key. Everything else works. F13-F16 has no function (need to remap some of them to Print Screen and Pause/Break at some point), and even the volume up/down/mute keys work out of the box.

Fired up Gentoo Linux with a 2.6 kernel, it detected it as a "Mitsumi Electric Apple Extended USB Keyboard" and again, just worked.

So yeah... I really really like the slimline minimalist style of this keyboard. Sure, it isn't an IBM/PCKeyboard.com style buckling spring keyboard, but its a very nice alternative. I think I'll be trying more Apple hardware as the mood strikes.

Subj, I had a similar keyboard a few years ago from http://www.pckeyboard.com/ They also sell models with a trackpoint, a trackball, 101 or 104 keys, and much more.

The Keytronic discussed here is not te same, they say in the description that their keyboard has membranes while the Das Keyboard and my own have steel springs.

This keyboard looks a lot like mine (an IBM 42H1292). I'm not totally sure if this is true, but I heard IBM sold all their keyboard technology (like buckle spring) to a company (Unicomp?) in europe a long time ago. www.pckeyboard.com I think is the only company that sells keyboards utilizing the old IBM keyboard technology. They actually used to sell the old IBM keyboards for around $100 a piece, but sold out of them and sell the same keyboard called the customizer 101 http://www.pckeyboard.com/customizer.html

In any case what I'm saying is I think this new "blank keyboard" is probably made by Unicomp and utilizes old IBM keyboard technology.

It may look like a Model M, but it won't type like one. This one uses membrane keyswitches. Model M keyboards used buckling springs. See http://www.clickykeyboards.com/ for real Model M keyboards, or CVT and PCKeyboard.com for modern equivalents...

Myself, I can't live without that clicky feel, so I've got one of the Avant Primes at work (from CVT) and an old Model M at home... My quest now is for a split/ergo buckling spring model. I've only found 2 so far: the uber-rare IBM M15 and the overpriced Northgate Evolution. If anyone knows of others, please point me toward them. Thanks!

I personally have not used it, but how about the Endura Pro from pckeyboard.com? I believe they are also the holders of the IBM Model M patent - clicky feel *and* and the ergo pointer stick! w00t!

I personally have not used it, but how about the Endura Pro from pckeyboard.com? I believe they are also the holders of the IBM Model M patent - clicky feel *and* and the ergo pointer stick! w00t!

For new Model M repair parts or the new model M the Unicomp Customizer

I have had a keyboard like that for months - ordered from Unicomp, custom made. It's a Model M (Unicomp inherited the patent from IBM), an armageddon-proof, beautiful buckling spring keyboard without inscriptions (incidentally, it's a 105-key variant, I live in central Europe).

picture

What you're looking for is the pckeyboard.com Customizer keyboard, with buckling springs.

http://www.pckeyboard.com/customizer.html

And unlike the keyboard reviewed in the article, you can get this one without the Windows keys. They are $59. I've had mine for about a year and a half, it still looks and feels brand new.

but seriously, you could get one of those(compleate with real capacitance keyswitches) and a can of whatever color makes you happy spraypaint for about $15 if you can find a model m at a computer recycling place, which at least for me.. wasnt hard. and for $80, you could get a NEW model m, here. the basic model is only $50 there, and im sure even ebay could outdo that for a very lightly used or new one. just makes this letterless keyboard seem like a ripoff to me..

Okay, here you go: PCKeyboard.com

They've got a range of interesting models, including IBM Type M keyboards. I've been considering getting the mini-keyboard with integrated pointing stick. Major drawback: Their products are very expensive, $40 to $100 or more for some models. (The "value" model is $7 and essentially a generic keyboard.)

--Ender

GRR... Has nobody heard of Unicomp?

The Customizer 101 Buckling Spring is the EXACT SAME KEYBOARD as a second-generation Model M (read: "Manufactured for IBM by Lexmark").

Hmm... the Model M is available with AT and PS/2 cables.

So, grab a PS/2 to USB adaptor (and, if necessary, an AT to PS/2 adaptor), and you've got it made for a while. If that doesn't work, then chances are PCIe will still be around, and you could probably get a PCIe USB card. If not, PCI'll even be around for a while.

Also, if you REALLY can't get your Model M working, then hopefully Unicomp will still be around. They make the Customizer 101 (and some other nice models - the Customizer 104 is what I'd look at), which is a Model M with a Unicomp label instead of an IBM label. Whatever you do, DON'T BUY AN EQT KEYBOARD. EQT is marketing-speak for membrane.

Also, what year was your Model M made? If it was before 1993 (like mine, a 1991 vintage), then a can of Coke might just do it in - there aren't any drainage holes in the older Ms.

I have had the same ancient IBM keyboard on my PC at work for the last 10 years or so. I've gone through 4 PCs in that time, and each time they come with a shiny new Dell keyboard, it gets replaced with the old IBM beater. No "Windows" keys, but I guess that's the price you pay for no-progress. I have a Microsoft keyboard at home, and I don't like it. The keys are slower than the IBM keys, offer slightly more resistance, and the break point isn't the same.

IBM's Model M keyboard patents (on the buckling switch which makes the keys so crisp and clicky) went out of IBM with Lexmark.

Lexmark subsequently sold the designs and patents to another company called Unicomp. So far as I can make out, it's essentially a spinoff operation.

So you can still buy what are actually Model M keyboards, brand new. In fact I'm sitting in front of one right now. It's a Model M right down to the small oval where the IBM logo would normally live.

http://pckeyboard.com/

Go get 'em.

http://www.pckeyboard.com/images/SMTREXLARGE.gif

Oh, by the way. I just re-read your post. Seems you DO want a windows key on there after all. In that case you might want to consider the EnduraPro which is basically the same model, but with a 104/105-key layout.

Hope this helps even more. :-)

Does anybody know where I could find a standard layout keyboard with a touchpoint?

Yes. I know where to find one! :-) ...

What's that? I'm overdoing the smartassitude?

Bah. Okay.

I'll be nice. :-P

Unicomp sells a keyboard called "On the Stick", which is a 101-keyboard with trackpoint goodness. Here's a link to the catalogue page.

As an added bonus, it will give you buckling spring goodness, as previously seen on keyboards like the IBM Model M.

I haven't tried the keyboard myself (I hate trackpoints, I'm a touchpad person myself), nor have I tried their specific implementation of the buckling spring mechanism, but my PC does have an IBM Model M keyboard connected to it. Type hard or go home! ;-)

Hope this helps.